APPSC Endowment Officer key terms

Property or funds dedicated permanently to a religious or charitable purpose, held by a trustee or institution and used only for the object of the dedication.

A Telugu term for a gift or dedication of property for religious or charitable use, creating obligations similar to a trust in favour of the declared purpose.

An arrangement where property is transferred to a person or body to hold and apply it for specified beneficiaries or purposes, enforceable by law against the holder.

A person or body legally holding property for the benefit of others or for a declared purpose, bound by duties of loyalty, care and accounting.

A trust created for the benefit of the public or a section of it, such as relief of poverty, education, medical relief or advancement of religion.

A failure by a trustee to perform duties honestly and prudently, including misapplication of funds, self-dealing or unauthorised investment of trust property.

A legal obligation of loyalty and good faith requiring a person managing another's property or interests to act solely for that beneficiary's benefit.

The governing body of a trust or endowment that collectively holds and administers its property, meets formally and records its decisions.

A trustee authorised by the trust deed or board to conduct day-to-day administration, sign documents and implement decisions of the full board.

The power of a court or authority to apply trust property to a similar purpose when the original object becomes impossible or impracticable to perform.

A formal framework settled by a competent authority prescribing how an endowment or temple shall be governed, its powers, funds and reporting obligations.

The written instrument creating a trust, stating its objects, property, trustees, powers and manner of appointment and removal.

A temple, math, endowment or other institution established for Hindu religious worship or charity, regulated by state endowment legislation.

A place of public Hindu worship with installed deities, consecrated according to scripture and maintained through endowments, offerings and administered funds.

A monastic institution headed by a pontiff, devoted to religious learning and propagation, often holding endowments and properties of its own.

The head of a math or religious establishment who manages its affairs and property, subject to statutory supervision and duties of proper administration.

A trustee whose right to manage an institution passes by succession under custom or family tradition, subject to statutory oversight and accountability.

A statutory officer appointed to administer a temple or endowment, exercising powers over staff, funds and property as prescribed by the governing Act and rules.

The statutory authority supervising Hindu religious and charitable endowments in a state, with powers of inspection, inquiry and appointment of officers.

A quasi-judicial body constituted under endowment law to decide disputes over institutions, trusteeship, properties and administration, subject to appeal.

A body of Sanskrit scriptural texts governing temple construction, iconography, installation of deities and daily and festival worship procedures.

A hereditary or appointed priest who performs worship and rituals in a temple according to Agama rules, receiving customary honours and remuneration.

Ritual worship of a deity involving offerings, chanting and prescribed sequences, performed daily or on special occasions according to tradition.

The fixed daily worship schedule in a temple, performed at prescribed hours and counted among the institution's essential and non-negotiable ritual obligations.

A specified ritual service or offering performed in a temple for devotees, often on payment of a fixed fee that forms part of temple income.

A sealed collection box in a temple into which devotees place cash and valuables, opened and counted under prescribed safeguards and recorded as income.

A temple festival or celebration involving processions, special worship and public participation, funded from designated endowments and temple income.

Agricultural or other land held by a temple or endowment, cultivated directly or leased out, generating income that must be applied to institutional purposes.

A contract granting temporary possession of endowment property for rent under stated terms, usually requiring public auction and written approval.

Unauthorised occupation or use of temple or endowment land or buildings, removable through statutory eviction proceedings and recovery of damages.

Official registers and maps recording ownership, survey numbers, extent and classification of land, used to verify endowment property and defend title.

A revenue record document evidencing the holder's rights over a specified parcel of land, including its extent and assessment details.

A unique identifier assigned to a land parcel in the revenue survey, used in registers and deeds to locate and describe the property precisely.

Independent examination of accounts and records to verify accuracy, legality and propriety of expenditure, ending in a report and objections for rectification.

The primary record of daily receipts and payments maintained by an institution, reconciled periodically with bank statements and supporting vouchers.

A written document supporting a payment or receipt, showing date, amount, purpose and authorised signatures, retained as audit evidence.

The system of checks, segregation of duties and authorisations designed to prevent error and fraud in handling money and property.

Wrongful use of another's money or property entrusted for a specific purpose, a criminal and disciplinary matter in endowment administration.

Fair procedure requiring notice of allegations, an opportunity to be heard and a decision by an unbiased authority before adverse action.

A petition to a High Court under Article 226 or the Supreme Court under Article 32 seeking enforcement of fundamental rights or other legal remedies.

The branch of law governing powers, procedures and accountability of public authorities, including delegated legislation, discretion and remedies against arbitrary action.

The power of courts to examine whether executive or administrative action conforms to the Constitution and law, and to strike down what does not.

Constitutionally guaranteed freedoms in Part III, enforceable against the state, including equality, speech, religion and property-related protections after amendment.

The constitutional guarantee permitting individuals and denominations to profess, practise and propagate religion, subject to public order, morality and health.

The principle that Parliament cannot amend the Constitution so as to destroy its essential features, such as judicial review or secularism.