Section 3. Definitions

In this Act, unless the subject or context otherwise requires,- (a) "departmental inquiry" means an inquiry held against a person under and in accordance with any law or rule made under article 309 or any rule continued under article 313 of the Constitution of India; and (b) "inquiring authority" means an officer or authority appointed by the State Government or by an officer or authority subordinate to the State Government to hold a departmental inquiry into the conduct of a person and includes any officer or authority otherwise entitled as such to hold the inquiry.