(1) The prescribed authority under sub-clause (iv), sub-clause (v), sub-clause (vi) and sub-clause (via) of clause (23C) of section 10 shall be the Principal Commissioner or Commissioner whom the Central Board of Direct Taxes may authorise to act in this behalf.

(2) An application for grant of approval for the exemption under sub-clause (iv), sub-clause (v), sub-clause (vi) or sub-clause (via) of clause (23C) of section 10 to any fund or institution, any trust (including any other legal obligation) or institution, any university or other educational institution and any hospital or other institution (hereinafter referred to as 'the applicant') shall be made in Form No. 56 and shall be verified by the person who is authorised to verify the return of income under section 140, as applicable to the assessee.

(3) Form No. 56 shall be furnished electronically, —

(i)		under digital signature, if the return of income is required to be furnished under digital signature; or
(ii)		through electronic verification code in a case not covered under clause (i).

(4) The Principal Director General of Income-tax (Systems) or the Director General of Income-tax (Systems), as the case may be, shall lay down the data structure, standards and procedure of furnishing and verification of Form No. 56 and shall be responsible for formulating and implementing appropriate security, archival and retrieval policies in relation to the said form so furnished.