1. Short title and commencement.—(1) This Act may be called the University Grants Commission
Act, 1956.
(2) It shall come into force on such date1
as the Central Government may, by notification in the
Official Gazette, appoint.
2. Definitions.—In this Act, unless the context otherwise requires,—
(a) “Commission” means the University Grants Commission established under section 4;
(b) “executive authority”, in relation to a University, means the chief executive authority of the
University (by whatever name called) in which the general administration of the University is vested;
(c) “Fund” means the Fund of the University Grants Commission constituted under section 16;
(d) “member” means a member of the University Grants Commission and includes the Chairman
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[and Vice-Chairman];
(e) “prescribed” means prescribed by rules made under this Act;
(f) “University” means a University established or incorporated by or under a Central Act, a
Provincial Act or a State Act, and includes any such institution as may, in consultation with the
University concerned, be recognised by the Commission in accordance with the regulations made in
this behalf under this Act.
3. Application of Act to institutions for higher studies other than Universities.—The Central
Government may, on the advice of the Commission, declare, by notification in the Official Gazette, that
any institution for higher education, other than a University, shall be deemed to be a University for the
purposes of this Act, and on such a declaration being made, all the provisions of this Act shall apply to
such institution as if it were a University within the meaning of clause (f) of section 2.