Definitions.- In this Act, unless the context otherwise requires,-

1. (1) “Academic Council” means the Academic Council established under section 30; 1[(1-a) “Assessment Year” means the year following the year in which the income of a financial year is assessed or taxed;]
2. (2) “college” means, an Institution maintained by the University as such and includes an Institution admitted to the privileges of the University as an affiliated college of the University in accordance with the provisions of this Act;
3. (3) “Department”, “Department of Studies”, “Post Graduate Department” and “Post Graduate Department of Studies” means the Department, Department of Studies, Post Graduate Department and Post Graduate Department of Studies in the University run and maintained by the University: 1[(3-a) “Financial Year” means a period of twelve consecutive months commencing on 1 st day of April every year;] Provided that where the University is not running and maintaining any Department; Department of Studies, Post Graduate Department or Post Graduate Department of Studies, such teachers in an affiliated college or colleges or Institutions as the Chancellor may, in consultation with the State Government notify, shall be deemed to be the Department, Department of Studies, Post-Graduate Department or Post Graduate Department of Studies;
4. (4) “hostel” means a unit of residence for students of the University maintained or recognised by the University in accordance with the provisions of this Act; 1[(4-a)“New university” means the university established by the State Government by an amendment of the Principal Act.]
5. (5) “Other Backward Classes” means the communities, castes and tribes notified by the State Government from time to time under Article 15(4) and Article 16(4) of the Constitution; 1[(5-a) “person having a substantial interest in a concern” shall have the same meaning as assigned to this expression in explanation 3 below sub-section (9) of section 13 of the Income Tax Act, 1961(hereinafter referred to as the Income Tax Act); (5-b) “Previous university” means the university from which new university is carved out and established.

(5-c) “Previous Year” means the financial year immediately preceding the assessment year; ]

1. (6) “Principal” means the Head of a college.;
2. (7) “religious minority” means persons belonging to a religious minority within the meaning of article 30 of the Constitution of India;
3. (8) “Scheduled Caste” shall have reference to the Scheduled Castes specified in the Constitution (Scheduled Castes) Order, 1950 made under article 341 of the Constitution of India and as amended from time to time;
4. (9) “Scheduled Tribes” shall have reference to the Scheduled Tribes specified in the Constitution (Scheduled Tribes) Order 1950 made under article 342 of the Constitution of India and as amended from time to time;
5. (10) “Statutes”, “Ordinances”, “Regulations” and “Rules” means respectively the Statutes, Ordinances, Regulations and Rules of the University made under this Act;
6. (11) “Syndicate” means Syndicate established under section 28;
7. (12) “teachers” means Professors, Assistant Professors, Readers or Lecturers

imparting instructions in any University;

1. (13) “University” means a University established and incorporated under section 3;
2. (14) “University area” means the area of jurisdiction of a University. 1. Deemed to have been Inserted by Act 54 of 2020 w.e.f. 12.09.2001