(1) A group of affiliated autonomous colleges or recognized institutions of the same management or educational society which includes the colleges or institutions, identified by the University Grants Commission as Potential for Excellence or College of Excellence or which have a high level grade to be prescribed by the State Government through Official Gazette may apply to the university for grant of status of empowered autonomous cluster institutions. The Management Council on the recommendation of the Academic Council may confer the status of empowered autonomous cluster institutions upon such group of colleges or institutions.
(2) Norms and procedure for grant status of empowered autonomous cluster institutions and continuation thereof, shall be as may be prescribed by the Statutes.
(3) The empowered autonomous cluster institutions may constitute its authorities or bodies and exercise the powers and perform the functions and carry out the administrative, academic, financial and other activities of the university, as may be prescribed by the Statutes and guidelines of State Government and University Grants Commission.