India · Legislation
Legislation and primary sources
Where to find the authoritative text of the law in India, and how to confirm it is still in force.
Sources of law, ranked
- Constitution
- Supreme; amendable under Article 368 subject to basic structure.
- Central and State legislation
- Allocated by the Seventh Schedule lists.
- Judicial precedent
- Supreme Court decisions bind all courts under Article 141.
- Personal laws
- Hindu, Muslim, Christian and Parsi law in family matters.
- Customary law
- Recognised where ancient, certain and not unreasonable.
The legislative process
Bills pass three readings in each House; money bills originate only in the Lok Sabha. Presidential assent follows, and ordinances may be promulgated between sessions.
Found something out of date on India · Legislation?
Corrections are reviewed against the primary source before anything changes.