Central
Section 2 of The Central Educational Institutions (Reservation in Admission) Act, 2006
Definitions.
In this Act, unless the context otherwise requires,--
- (a)"academic session" means the period in a calendar year, or a part thereof, during which a Central Educational Institution is open for teaching or instruction in any branch of study or faculty;
- (b)"annual permitted strength" means the number of seats, in a course or programme for teaching or instruction in each branch of study or faculty authorised by an appropriate authority for admission of students to a Central Educational Institution;
- (c)"appropriate authority" means the University Grants Commission, the Bar Council of India, the Medical Council of India, the All India Council for Technical Education or any other authority or body established by or under a Central Act for the determination, coordination or maintenance of the standards of higher education in any Central Educational Institution;
- (d)"Central Educational Institution" means--
- (i)a university established or incorporated by or under a Central Act;
- (ii)an institution of national importance set up by an Act of Parliament;
- (iii)an institution, declared as a deemed University under section 3 of the University Grants Commission Act, 1956 (3 of 1956), and maintained by or receiving aid from the Central Government;
- (iv)an institution maintained by or receiving aid from the Central Government, whether directly or indirectly, and affiliated to an institution referred to in clause (i) or clause (ii), or a constituent unit of an institution referred to in clause (iii);
- (v)an educational institution set up by the Central Government under the Societies Registration Act, 1860(21 of 1860);
- (e)"faculty" means the faculty of a Central Educational Institution;
- (f)"Minority Educational Institution" means an institution established and administered by the minorities under clause (1) of article 30 of the Constitution and so declared by an Act of Parliament or by the Central Government or declared as a Minority Educational Institution under the National Commission for Minority Educational Institutions Act, 2004 (2 of 2005); (g)"Other Backward Classes" means the class or classes of citizens who are socially and educationally backward, and are so determined by the Central Government;
- (h)"Scheduled Castes" means the Scheduled Castes notified under article 341 of the Constitution;
- (i)"Scheduled Tribes" means the Scheduled Tribes notified under article 342 of the Constitution; 1 [(ia) "specified north-eastern region" means the area comprising of the States of Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim, Tripura and the tribal areas of Assam referred to in the Sixth Schedule to the Constitution;
- (ib)"State seats", in relation to a Central Educational Institution, means such seats, if any, out of the annual permitted strength in each branch of study or faculty as are earmarked to be filled from amongst the eligible students of the State in which such institution is situated;]
- (j)"teaching or instruction in any branch of study" means teaching or instruction in a branch of study leading to three principal levels of qualifications at bachelor (undergraduate) masters (postgraduate) and doctoral levels .
Summary
- This section defines "academic session" as the period of teaching in a calendar year.
- It defines "annual permitted strength" as the authorised number of seats in a course.
- It identifies "appropriate authority" as bodies like the University Grants Commission, Bar Council of India, Medical Council of India, and All India Council for Technical Education.
- It defines "Central Educational Institution" as central universities, institutions of national importance, deemed universities with central aid, and other aided or affiliated colleges.
- It explains terms like "Other Backward Classes", "Scheduled Castes", and "Scheduled Tribes" using government determinations and constitutional notifications.
- It defines "specified north-eastern region" as including Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim, Tripura, and tribal areas of Assam.
Practical examples
1In July 2008, a student named Rohan applies to a central university that has a total of 120 authorised seats for its Chemistry course, which is its annual permitted strength under the Act.
2A college in Shillong, Meghalaya, is situated in the specified north-eastern region, meaning it must look at the specific regional rules defined in this section.
FAQ
1. What does "annual permitted strength" mean?
It means the number of seats in a course or programme authorised by an appropriate authority for admission.
2. Who are the listed "appropriate authorities" under this law?
They are the University Grants Commission, the Bar Council of India, the Medical Council of India, the All India Council for Technical Education, or other bodies established under a Central Act to maintain higher education standards.
3. What are the three levels of qualifications covered under teaching or instruction?
They are the bachelor (undergraduate), masters (postgraduate), and doctoral levels.
4. Which states are included in the "specified north-eastern region"?
The region includes Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim, Tripura, and the tribal areas of Assam.
Test yourself
1.Which of the following is NOT explicitly named in the definition of "appropriate authority"?
2.What are the three principal levels of qualifications defined under "teaching or instruction in any branch of study"?
3.Under Section 2, which Act is associated with the definition of a "Minority Educational Institution"?
4.Which of the following states is NOT part of the "specified north-eastern region" as defined in Section 2?
5.Under Section 2, what is the "annual permitted strength"?