Understand India's most important laws
Plain-English explainers for the statutes that affect everyday life and business — with key sections, penalties, FAQs, and a free AI assistant to answer your questions.
The Constitution of India
The Constitution of India is the world's longest written constitution and the supreme legal document of the country. It defines fundamental rights, the framework of government, duties of citizens, and the distribution of powers between the Union and States.
Read guideBharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023
The Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023 is the primary criminal law of India, replacing the colonial-era Indian Penal Code, 1860. It defines offences against the human body, property, State, women and children, along with prescribed punishments.
Read guideBharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023
The Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023 governs the procedure for investigation, arrest, trial and sentencing in criminal cases. It replaces the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 and introduces time-bound processes, mandatory forensic investigation for serious offences, and expanded use of technology.
Read guideBharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam, 2023
The Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam (BSA), 2023 governs what evidence is admissible in Indian courts. It modernises the 1872 Act by expanding recognition of electronic and digital records, streamlining categories of evidence, and clarifying burden of proof.
Read guideConsumer Protection Act, 2019
The Consumer Protection Act, 2019 replaces the 1986 Act and gives consumers stronger rights against defective goods, deficient services, misleading advertisements, e-commerce fraud, and unfair contracts. Complaints can be filed offline or online through the e-Daakhil portal.
Read guideRight to Information Act, 2005
The Right to Information Act, 2005 makes government transparent and accountable. Any citizen of India can request information held by a public authority — Union, State, PSU, or NGO substantially funded by government. The information must be provided within 30 days, or 48 hours where life or liberty is at stake.
Read guideGoods and Services Tax (CGST Act, 2017)
The Goods and Services Tax (GST) is India's comprehensive indirect tax on the supply of goods and services. It subsumes VAT, service tax, excise, and most other indirect taxes. GST is levied as CGST + SGST for intra-State supply and IGST for inter-State supply.
Read guideCompanies Act, 2013
The Companies Act, 2013 replaces the 1956 Act and regulates the entire life cycle of a company — from incorporation to dissolution. It defines corporate governance standards, directors' duties, shareholder rights, disclosure obligations, audit, and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR).
Read guideMotor Vehicles Act, 1988 (as amended 2019)
The Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 (with substantial amendments in 2019) regulates driving licences, vehicle registration, insurance, traffic rules, penalties and accident compensation. It also establishes Motor Accident Claims Tribunals (MACT) for compensation to accident victims.
Read guideInformation Technology Act, 2000
The Information Technology Act, 2000 gives legal recognition to electronic records and digital signatures, defines cyber offences, and regulates intermediaries such as social media platforms, cloud providers and ISPs. It is complemented by the IT Rules 2021 and the Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023.
Read guideHindu Marriage Act, 1955
The Hindu Marriage Act, 1955 governs marriage, restitution of conjugal rights, judicial separation, divorce, maintenance, and custody among Hindus. It applies to Hindus, Buddhists, Jains and Sikhs across India.
Read guideProtection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, 2005
The Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, 2005 (PWDVA) is a civil law that gives every woman in a domestic relationship — wife, live-in partner, mother, sister, daughter — the right to be free from all forms of abuse. Reliefs are granted by the Magistrate.
Read guideProtection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012
The Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, 2012 is a gender-neutral, child-first law that criminalises sexual assault, sexual harassment and pornography involving anyone below the age of 18. Trials happen in Special Courts within one year.
Read guideSexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013
The Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace Act, 2013 (POSH Act), based on the Vishaka Guidelines, obliges every employer to prevent, prohibit and redress sexual harassment. Every workplace with 10 or more employees must constitute an Internal Committee (IC).
Read guideIncome-tax Act, 1961
The Income-tax Act, 1961 governs how income is taxed in India — including salary, business, capital gains, house property and other sources. It also covers filing of returns, TDS, deductions, assessments, appeals, and penalties.
Read guideNegotiable Instruments Act, 1881
The Negotiable Instruments Act, 1881 governs cheques, promissory notes and bills of exchange. Section 138 makes it a criminal offence to dishonour a cheque for insufficient funds or exceeding arrangement, subject to strict procedural conditions.
Read guideTransfer of Property Act, 1882
The Transfer of Property Act, 1882 governs how immovable property is transferred through sale, mortgage, lease, gift or exchange between living persons. It sits alongside the Registration Act, 1908 and state Stamp Acts.
Read guideArbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996
The Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996 (with 2015, 2019 and 2021 amendments) governs both domestic and international commercial arbitration in India, and the enforcement of foreign arbitral awards under the New York Convention.
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