The General Clauses Act, 1897

This 2025 edition of The General Clauses Act, 1897 (10 of 1897) reproduces the interpretation statute verbatim, extended to J-&-K by the 2019 reorganisation measure, and footnotes every state amendment. Concise short comments illustrate leading precedents (Keshavji Ravji, Novopan India) and 2024 Constitution Bench ruling on prospective-overriding.

Core statutory coverage

• Definitions applying across Central Acts – “act”, “document”, “immovable property”.

• Construction of statutes – gender, number, powers, functions, repeal & savings.

• Commencement & expiry – notification norms, sunrise/sunset clauses.

• Orders & rules – power includes amendment, rescission, delegation test.

• Penalties & prosecution – continuing offence, fine-enhancement.

This edition is particularly suited for

• Drafting cells of ministries & regulatory bodies.

• Judges and advocates construing cross-statute phrases.

• Civil-service & judicial-service examination aspirants.

• Researchers in legislative-drafting and statutory-interpretation.