Advance ruling applicants broadened to include joint ventures and wholly owned foreign subsidiaries in India. Amendment broadens the definition of 'applicant' for Advance Ruling requests to include non-residents and residents establishing joint ventures in India, wholly owned Indian subsidiaries of foreign holding companies proposing business activity, joint ventures in India, and additional resident classes as may be notified by the Central Government, and updates the Act's institutional reference for advance rulings in the indirect tax context.