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Constitution

Statutes of The National Academy of Psychology (India)

1.         Preliminaries

  1. These statutes shall be called the Statutes of the National Academy of Psychology (India).
  2. The National Academy of Psychology is also called as the NAOP (India). It is called the Academy hereinafter.
  3. The constitution was adopted on December 13, 2014 at the Annual Convention held at Bhopal by the Council of Members

2.         Aims and objectives

NAOP (India) shall strive for promoting, advancing, and safe guarding the interests of Psychology as a discipline engaged in teaching, research, application, societal development, and human welfare. Its specific objectives are:

  1. to promote growth of Psychology in India, and safeguard its interests.
  2. to publish high quality journals.
  3. to endeavour for setting up mechanisms for accreditation of courses of Psychology.
  4. to establish and maintain liaison with national as well as International Associations in academic as well as professional matters.
  5. to identify and honour individuals for their outstanding contributions to psychological research and/or professional practice as Fellows of the Academy.
  6. to make efforts for ensuring high ethical standards in teaching, research, and professional services.
  7. to promote highest standards of psychological measurement, testing and instrumentation.
  8. to carry out such other functions as may be deemed necessary to achieve its primary objectives.

3.         Members and Membership

  1. The Academy shall have three categories of members: Full Members, Associate Members, and Foreign Affiliates.
  2. Membership shall be by application/invitation/nomination based on the recommendation of the Membership Committee. It will need approval by the Executive Council. Full Members of the Academy will ordinarily have a Masters or equivalent degree in Psychology or related disciplines and be involved in teaching/research/professional practice. Students of Psychological Sciences or related disciplines can become Associate Members but will have no voting rights.
  3. An individual who lives outside India and is part of academia or psychology profession may be considered as a Foreign Affiliate. A member who is a Foreign Affiliate will have no voting rights.
  4. All members will have to go through the application process. Their membership rights will accrue with the payment of the prescribed dues. The membership fee may be revised as and when necessary. A person shall continue to be a member so long as the annual dues are paid. A person shall cease to be a member either by default or on grounds of unethical conduct by decision of the Executive Council.
  5. Each NAOP member shall be a member of up to a maximum of three divisions

4.         Council of Members

  1. The Council of Members shall consist of Full Members (excluding Associate Members and Foreign Affiliates).
  2. The Council of Members shall deliberate and take decisions on all administrative, academic, as well as professional matters and programmes of the Academy, which are placed before it for consideration by the Executive Council or suo motto.
  3. The Council of Members shall have the following functions:

(a) to consider and approve the budget and audited report finalized by the EC, (b) to approve membership fee for various categories, (c) to decide means and ways for generating financial resources for the Academy, (d) to grant accreditation, (e) to liason with national and international associations, (e) to approve an annual report based on its activities, and (f) to consider all matters related to the objectives of the Academy which are brought to its attention.

4. The Council of Members shall meet at least once a year, ordinarily at the time of Annual Conference.

5. Extraordinary meetings of the Council of Members can be requisitioned by the Executive Council or 25% of the Full members for discussing and deciding on any urgent issue. If considered necessary by the Executive Council, electronic consultation meeting can be held for taking decisions on specific issues pertaining to the Academy.

5.         Executive Council

i. The Executive Council shall have the following functions:

(a) The Executive Council shall be the principal body for policy formulation and planning.

(b) It shall periodically review the mission of the Academy and develop a long-term vision for the Academy for consideration of the Council of Members.

(c) The Executive Council will have the overall responsibility of realizing the objectives of the Academy.

(d) The Executive Council shall implement decisions of the Council of Members.

(e) The Executive Council will appoint committees as per provisions made in Article 6. It may also appoint other committees as may be deemed necessary.

(f) The Executive Council shall constitute committees for developing norms and mechanisms for the standardisation and use of psychological tests and instruments. 

(g) The Executive Council shall develop and specify criteria for accreditation, certification, and licensing.

(i) The Executive council shall develop ethical norms and regulations for psychological research, teaching, and practice.

ii. Executive Council shall have the following members:

President

President-Elect

Past President

Secretary-General

Treasurer

Chair, Publication Committee

Seven Members-at-large elected from among the Council of Members

iii. Terms of Office

a. The term of the President, President-Elect, and Past President shall be for One year.

b. The terms of Secretary-General and Members-at-large shall be for Two years renewable for another term by the Council of Members.

c. The term of Treasurer and Chair of Publication Committee shall be for Three years, renewable for another term by the Council of Members.       

iv. Duties of the President: The President shall be responsible for leading the affairs of the Academy. The President will preside over the meetings of the Executive Council and the Council of members. She/he will also be the General President of the Annual Convention of NAOP (India). She/he will be the official representative of the Academy and will oversee the implementation of the decisions of the EC and the Council of Members.

v. Duties of the Secretary-General: The Secretary-General will be overall in charge of the NAOP (India) office. The Secretary-General will be responsible for corresponding on behalf of the Academy. She/he will take steps for implementation of the decisions of the Executive Council and the Council of members. The Secretary-General will facilitate the functioning of committees. She/he will be also responsible for maintenance of records. The Secretary-General will prepare an Annual Report of the Academy with the help of the President. The Secretary-General will convene meetings of the Executive Council and the Council of Members.

vi. Duties of the Treasurer: The Treasurer will be responsible for management of the funds of the Academy as per the directions of the Executive Council. The Treasurer will be responsible for maintenance of accounts and cashbooks. It will be the responsibility of the Treasurer to make collections on behalf of the Academy, issue receipts and make payments for all invoices and bills. She/he will prepare Annual Accounts and get them audited by the auditor approved by the Executive Council and present them to the Executive Council and the Council of Members.

vii. Duties of Chair of the Publication Committee: The Chair of the Publications Committee will liaison with the Editors of NAOP journals, book authors, and the publishers. 

Duties of Members-at-large: Members-at-large will take on the responsibilities assigned to them by the Executive Council from time to time.

6.         Committees

  1. The Committees of the Academy shall consist of Standing Committees as are provided by these Bylaws and such other special committees as may be constituted by the Executive Council. All recommendations of the Committees will be placed before the Executive Council before they can become effective.
  2. The following will be the Standing Committees of the Academy: Membership Committee, Publication Committee, Finance Committee, Fellowship and Awards Committee, Conference Committee, Election Committee, Accreditation and Certification Committee, Ethics Committee, Social Policy Committee, and Liaison Committee. The term of the members of Standing Committees will be for three years.
  3. The Membership Committee will consist of three members: Secretary-General, Treasurer, and a member nominated as Chair of the Committee by the Executive Council. It shall be the responsibility of the Committee to address all issues related to membership.
  4. The Publications Committee shall oversee the publications of the Academy and make recommendations to the Executive Council on publication policies, subscription rates, and annual budgets. It will appoint Editors of the Academy publications. Members of the Publications Committee shall not simultaneously serve as an Editor or Co-Editor. The Publications Committee will consist of five members one of whom will be the Treasurer.
  5. The Finance Committee shall be responsible for generation of financial resources and their efficient management. The Treasurer shall serve as the chair of the Committee. The Committee will consist of three members. The duties of the Committee will include preparation of the annual budget, review of financial reports including audit reports, and the management of the assets of the Academy.
  6. The Fellowship and Awards Committee shall be composed of three members consisting of Fellows and/or Past Presidents of the Academy. The chair of the committee will be appointed by the Executive Council.  Individuals who have made distinguished contributions to Psychology shall be considered for nomination as Fellows of the Academy. The Committee will after due deliberations, shall make recommendations to the Executive Council each year of individuals to be elected as Fellows. It will also administer any other awards created by the Academy.
  7. The Conference Committee shall consist of three members. It shall plan and oversee the conduct of the Annual Convention at a time and place decided by the Executive Council. The Committee will liaison with the local Organizing Committee of the Annual Convention to oversee and advise on the organization of the Conference.
  8. The Election Committee will consist of three members nominated by the Executive Council from amongst the Past Presidents of the Academy one of whom will be appointed as returning officer by the Executive Council. The Committee shall secure nominations for President, Secretary-General, Treasurer, and Members-at-Large from the members. It shall prepare slates of nominees based on regulations. The Committee will develop a procedure to be approved by the Council of Members for casting of votes and shall be responsible for making a count of the election ballots and reporting the results to the Council of Members.
  1. Accreditation and Certification Committee will be constituted by the Executive Council and need approval of the Council of members. It shall consist of three members. It will have the responsibility to develop accreditation policy, norms, and procedures for accreditation of educational and training programmes with a view to developing professionals in Psychology. Its stated purpose will be to enhance quality of delivering psychological services. It will develop necessary regulations in this connection. The committee will also adjudicate and address complaints involving malpractices about psychology professionals from individuals and organizations. It will liaison with government agencies and other organizations.
  2. The Ethics Committee shall consist of five members. The committee will be so composed as to cover major geographical regions and will have a mix of psychologists from the academe and psychology profession. The Committee will receive complaints of unethical conduct of its members including Fellows, Associate Members, and Foreign Affiliates and develop procedures to investigate them. It will make recommendations for appropriate action against the member such as termination of membership. The Committee will also develop the rules and ethical code for professional conduct.
  3. The Social Policy Committee shall work with government and non-government organizations on policy matters associated with issues related to human and societal development. The policy committee will also work on NAOP initiated activities related to social policies. The committee shall consist of three members.
  4. The Liaison Committee shall collaborate with psychologists and organizations engaged in the promotion of psychological and allied sciences and practice within India and worldwide. The committee will consist of three senior members who are internationally recognized. The Secretary-General will act as convenor and Liaison person. The committee will make recommendations about those who will act as official representative of the Academy in various International Associations as well as the names of scholars who can be invited to give special lectures, if asked to suggest names. The Committee will seek to develop collaboration with various Associations around the World with respect to mutual interests.  

7.         Academic Divisions of NAOP

The NAOP shall have academic divisions to achieve the following objectives:

  • Organizing academic programs such as symposiums, paper sessions, workshops, and training programs
  • Taking steps for improving teaching of courses at various levels
  • Promote quality publications including books and journals
  • Any other academic activity to promote the division

8.         Board of Advisors

The Board of Advisors shall consist of three members who will be nominated for a period of three years by the Executive Council from amongst the Fellows and Past Presidents of the Academy. The Board of Advisors shall advise the Executive Council and the Council of Members on matters referred to it. They also may on their own advise the Academy in matters which will help in the furtherance of the objectives of the Academy and in maintaining its integrity. The Board of Advisors will also act as the Appellate authority of the Academy.

9.         Regulations

The Council of Members/EC/Standing Committees will develop or propose regulations for the conduct of its functions and meetings. The regulations proposed by EC/Standing Committees shall be approved by the Council of Members.

10.         Fellowships and Awards

The Fellows of the Academy can use postnominal title FNAPsy with their name.

11.     Amendments to the Statutes

The provisions of statutes may be amended by the Council of Members present by a two-third majority of votes on recommendation of the Executive Council.