General Clauses Act, 1897

 

📜 General Clauses Act, 1897

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📝 What is the General Clauses Act?

• The General Clauses Act, 1897 is an enabling legislation that provides general definitions and rules of interpretation for other statutes enacted by the Indian legislature.

• It helps avoid repetition of common provisions in multiple laws by serving as a general guide.

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📅 Historical Background

• Enacted in 1897 during British India.

• Applies to all Central Acts and Regulations unless expressly excluded.

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📋 Purpose and Scope

• Provides standard meanings for commonly used terms like “person,” “month,” “year,” “public servant,” etc.

• Provides rules for computation of time, service of notices, and other procedural aspects.

• Clarifies how references to other laws or authorities should be understood.

• Defines how words and expressions used in statutes should be interpreted.

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⚖️ Key Provisions

Section	Subject
3	Definitions of commonly used terms
4	Acts to be read with existing laws
5	Repeal of enactments and saving
6	Construction of references to other laws
7	Computation of time
8	Power to extend or reduce time
10	Power to serve notices, documents, etc.
12	Power to exempt from operation of any enactment

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🧩 Examples of Important Definitions

• “Person” includes any company or association or body of individuals, whether incorporated or not.

• “Month” means a calendar month unless otherwise specified.

• “Year” means a calendar year unless otherwise specified.

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🛠️ Why is it important?

• Ensures consistency in interpretation across various laws.

• Reduces ambiguity in legal language.

• Saves legislative effort by standardizing common provisions.