Section 26. Prohibition of unauthorized conferment of degree, diploma, etc. and penalty for such conferment.

(1) Except the Maharashtra University of Health Sciences, no person, association or institution, called by any name, shall confer grant or issue, or hold himself or itself out as entitled to confer, grant or issue, any degree, or any other document stating or implying that the holder, grantee or recipient thereof is qualified to practice the Acupuncture system of therapy. (2) Except the Council, no person, association or institution, called by any name, shall confer grant or issue, or hold himself or itself out as entitled to confer, grant or issue, any diploma, license, certificate or any other document stating or implying that the holder, grantee or recipient thereof is qualified to practice the Acupuncture system of therapy. (3) Any person contravening the provisions of sub-section (1) or (2) shall, on conviction, be punished with imprisonment which may be extend to one year or with fine which may extend to ten thousand rupees or with both; and if an association or institution is guilty of such contravention, every Member thereof, who knowingly or wilfully authorizes or permits the contravention, shall, on conviction, be punished with imprisonment which may extend to one year or with fine which may extend to ten thousand rupees or with both.