Mahatma Gandhi University (MGU), Kottayam, Kerala, operates under the MGU Act, 1985 (Act 12 of 1985) and Statutes of 1997 (amended up to December 2022). The Act and Statutes provide a legal framework for regulating affiliated colleges through strict vetting, regular inspections, and clear disciplinary and appellate procedures. Affiliated colleges must comply with all statutory and university regulations to obtain and retain affiliation.