How-To Guide

How to File a Civil Suit in a District Court in India: Plaint, Court Fees and Procedure Filing a civil suit in a district court is the primary method for individuals and businesses in India to resolve disputes related to property, money, contracts, and civil rights. Whether you are seeking recovery of a debt, possession of immovable property, or a declaration of your rights, understanding the correct procedure is essential. This guide walks you through the entire process of f

How to File a Suit for Injunction in India An injunction is one of the most powerful remedies available in civil law, allowing a party to restrain another from doing a particular act or compelling them to perform one. Governed by the Specific Relief Act, 1963 (Sections 36 to 42) and the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908 (Order 39), injunctions are widely used in property disputes, intellectual property matters, contractual disputes, and cases of nuisance. This guide explains the

How to File an Application for Commutation of Sentence in India Commutation of sentence is an executive power that allows the appropriate government to reduce the severity of a punishment imposed by a court. Unlike a pardon, which wipes out the conviction entirely, commutation substitutes a lesser punishment while maintaining the conviction on record. The Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 (BNSS) governs this process under Sections 473 and 474, while constitutional prov

How to Apply for Witness Protection Under BNSS in India Witnesses are the backbone of the criminal justice system, yet they often face threats, intimidation, and violence for coming forward with the truth. Recognising this reality, the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 (BNSS) has codified witness protection under Section 398, giving statutory backing to the framework originally directed by the Supreme Court in Mahender Chawla v. Union of India (2018). This guide explai

How to File a Debt Recovery Application Before the DRT in India When borrowers default on loans, banks and financial institutions in India have a specialised forum for recovering their dues: the Debt Recovery Tribunal (DRT). Established under the Recovery of Debts and Bankruptcy Act, 1993 (commonly known as the RDDBFI Act), DRTs provide an expedited mechanism for debt recovery that bypasses the delays of ordinary civil courts. This guide explains the complete process of filin

How to File a Case in Labour Court in India Filing a case in the Labour Court is a critical step for workers seeking justice against unfair dismissal, non-payment of wages, or denial of statutory benefits. The Industrial Disputes Act, 1947 provides the framework for adjudication of disputes between employers and workmen. While many workers assume they need a union or government referral, Section 2A of the Act allows individual workmen to approach the Labour Court directly in

A Non-Banking Financial Company (NBFC) is a company registered under the Companies Act, 2013, that engages in the business of loans and advances, acquisition of shares, stocks, bonds, debentures, or securities, leasing, hire-purchase, insurance, or chit fund activities. Unlike banks, NBFCs cannot accept demand deposits, but they play a critical role in India's financial ecosystem by serving segments that traditional banks often do not reach. Any company wishing to carry on th

The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) is the national standards body of India, established under the Bureau of Indian Standards Act, 2016. BIS certification, commonly known as the ISI Mark, is a quality certification mark that confirms a product has been tested against the applicable Indian Standard (IS) and the manufacturing facility has been inspected and found compliant. For certain categories of products, BIS certification is mandatory before they can be sold in India. Thi

A Geographical Indication (GI) is a sign used on products that have a specific geographical origin and possess qualities, reputation, or characteristics attributable to that origin. Think of Darjeeling Tea, Basmati Rice, Kancheepuram Silk, or Tirupathi Laddu. In India, GIs are protected under the Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act, 1999, and administered by the Geographical Indications Registry located in Chennai. This guide explains how to re

Every year, pensioners of central and state government departments, defence services, and public sector undertakings must submit a life certificate to their pension disbursing agency to continue receiving their pension. Traditionally, this required a physical visit to a bank or a gazetted officer to get a certificate signed and stamped. The Jeevan Pramaan scheme, launched by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology in November 2014, replaces this process with a

If you or a family member has been injured in a road accident caused by someone else's negligence, you have the right to claim compensation through the Motor Accident Claims Tribunal (MACT). The MACT is a specialized quasi-judicial body established under the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, to provide a fast and accessible forum for accident victims to seek monetary compensation without going through the lengthy civil court process. This guide explains the complete process for filin

The Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) is India's flagship crop insurance scheme, designed to provide financial support to farmers suffering crop losses due to natural calamities such as drought, flood, cyclone, hailstorm, and pest or disease attack. The scheme covers over 200 crops across Kharif, Rabi, and commercial or horticultural seasons. Filing a claim correctly and within the mandatory 72-hour reporting window is the single most important step to receiving your i

Ragging in educational institutions is both a criminal offence and a disciplinary violation that can result in expulsion, imprisonment, and permanent academic consequences. Despite decades of regulations and court orders, ragging persists in many colleges and universities across India. The UGC Regulations on Curbing the Menace of Ragging in Higher Educational Institutions, 2009, along with the criminal provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) 2023, provide multiple cha

When a crime is reported at a police station, one of the first documents generated is the First Information Report, commonly known as the FIR. This document is critical: it sets the criminal justice machinery in motion and forms the foundation of the prosecution's case. Under the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) 2023, which replaced the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) from July 1, 2024, the law explicitly guarantees your right to receive a free copy of the FIR. Whe

The Tax Deduction Account Number, commonly known as TAN, is a fundamental requirement for anyone responsible for deducting or collecting tax at source in India. Issued by the Income Tax Department, TAN serves as a unique identifier that links all TDS and TCS transactions to the deductor or collector. Whether you are an employer deducting tax from salaries, a business making payments to contractors, or an entity collecting tax at source, obtaining a TAN is not optional; it is