How-To Guide

Introduction Public nuisance is a legal concept that addresses acts or omissions causing widespread harm, danger, or annoyance to the general public. Whether it involves illegal dumping of waste, excessive noise from a factory, obstruction of public roads, or the operation of a hazardous trade in a residential area, Indian law provides multiple remedies for affected citizens. With the enactment of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (B

The Employees' State Insurance (ESI) Act, 1948 is a social security legislation that provides a comprehensive package of medical and cash benefits to employees and their dependants in case of sickness, maternity, disablement, or death arising out of employment. The scheme is administered by the Employees' State Insurance Corporation (ESIC) and covers establishments with 10 or more employees where workers earn up to Rs. 21,000 per month (Rs. 25,000 for employees with disabilit

Receiving a notice under Section 13(2) of the SARFAESI Act, 2002 (Securitisation and Reconstruction of Financial Assets and Enforcement of Security Interest Act) can be alarming for any borrower. This is a formal demand from your bank requiring you to repay outstanding dues within 60 days, failing which the bank may take possession of your secured assets or sell them to recover the debt. However, borrowers have specific rights under the SARFAESI Act, and responding properly c

If your GST registration has been cancelled by a tax officer due to non-filing of returns, non-compliance, or any other reason under Section 29 of the Central Goods and Services Tax (CGST) Act, 2017, you have the right to apply for revocation of that cancellation under Section 30 of the CGST Act. Revocation restores your GSTIN and allows you to resume filing returns and conducting business as a registered taxpayer. However, you must file your application within the prescribed

If you have a grievance against a stockbroker, listed company, mutual fund, depository participant, or any other SEBI-registered intermediary, the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) provides a dedicated online platform called SCORES (SEBI Complaint Redress System) for filing and tracking investor complaints. The upgraded SCORES 2.0 portal, launched in April 2024, introduced auto-routing of complaints, reduced resolution timelines to 21 calendar days, and added a tw

The Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013, commonly known as the POSH Act, provides a structured legal mechanism for women to seek redress against sexual harassment at the workplace. The Act mandates the creation of Internal Complaints Committees (ICCs) and Local Complaints Committees (LCCs) to receive and inquire into complaints. Whether you work in a private company, a government office, or any other organized or unorganiz

When the government acquires private land for public purposes such as infrastructure, industrial corridors, or affordable housing, the landowner is entitled to fair compensation under the Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act, 2013 (commonly called the RFCTLARR Act or the Land Acquisition Act, 2013). This Act replaced the colonial-era Land Acquisition Act of 1894 and introduced significant protections for landowne

When a government employee dies while in service, the family is often left in sudden financial distress. To address this, the central and state governments operate a Compassionate Appointment Scheme that allows one dependent family member to be appointed to a government post on priority, bypassing the regular recruitment process. However, this is not an automatic right. The appointment is granted only after a rigorous assessment of the family's financial condition confirms ge

Motor vehicle accident claims in India can take years to resolve through regular courts and the Motor Accident Claims Tribunal (MACT). Lok Adalats offer a significantly faster alternative, allowing accident victims and their families to settle compensation claims in a single sitting, without paying any court fees, and with results that are final and binding. Under the Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987, Lok Adalats are organized at the district, state, and national levels s

When an employee who is a member of the Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) passes away during service, the accumulated provident fund balance does not lapse. The nominee, family member, or legal heir has the right to claim the deceased member’s PF accumulations, pension benefits under the Employees’ Pension Scheme (EPS), and insurance payout under the Employees’ Deposit Linked Insurance (EDLI) scheme. This guide explains who can file the claim, what forms are neede

The Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY) is one of the most significant housing welfare programmes in India, designed to provide affordable housing to economically weaker sections of society. Launched in 2015, the scheme has been extended as PMAY Urban 2.0 for the period 2024 to 2029, with a target of constructing one crore additional houses. Under PMAY Urban 2.0, eligible beneficiaries can receive financial assistance of up to Rs 2.5 lakh for constructing a pucca house or an in

Introduction The Employees' Provident Fund (EPF) is a compulsory savings scheme for salaried employees in India, governed by the Employees' Provident Funds and Miscellaneous Provisions Act, 1952. Under this scheme, both the employee and the employer contribute 12% of the employee's basic salary and dearness allowance to the EPF account each month. When an employee retires, resigns, or faces a financial emergency, they can withdraw their accumulated EPF balance. The Employees'

Introduction The Shops and Establishments Act is a state-level legislation in India that regulates the conditions of work and employment in shops, commercial establishments, restaurants, theatres, and other places of business. Every state and union territory has enacted its own version of this Act, and registration under it is mandatory for virtually all commercial establishments. This registration, commonly known as the 'Gumasta License' in Maharashtra, serves as the foundat

Introduction Changing your name in India is a legal process that involves three main steps: executing a notarized affidavit, publishing the name change in newspapers, and obtaining publication in the Official Gazette of India. A Gazette notification serves as official, legally recognized proof of your name change. Whether you wish to change your name after marriage, for personal or religious reasons, to correct a spelling error, or for any other legitimate purpose, a Gazette

Introduction When a person dies without leaving a valid will (intestate), their legal heirs often face difficulties in claiming the deceased's financial assets such as bank deposits, shares, mutual funds, fixed deposits, and other securities. A Succession Certificate, issued under the Indian Succession Act, 1925, is a legal document that authorizes the holder to collect debts due to the deceased and to receive or transfer securities belonging to the deceased. This certificate