List of Important Acts in India for UPSC and Other Govt Exams

List of Important Acts in India for UPSC: India has a robust legal framework comprising numerous laws and acts that govern various aspects of the country. These acts span a wide range of areas, including the economy, governance, disaster management, women’s rights, environment and ecology, commerce, children’s rights, and the welfare of marginalized sections of society.

Some prominent acts in India include the Indian Penal Code, the Constitution of India, the Companies Act, the Right to Information Act, the Disaster Management Act, the Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, the Environmental Protection Act, the Child Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Act, and the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, among many others. These acts play a crucial role in upholding justice, promoting inclusivity, protecting rights, ensuring accountability, and fostering sustainable development in India.

List of the important Acts in India

Important Banking Sector Acts

Important Acts in India Before Independence

During British rule in India, several important acts were passed that played a significant role in shaping the country’s governance and legal framework. Here are some of the notable acts:

• Regulating Act of 1773
• Pitt’s India Act of 1784
• Charter Act of 1813
• Bengal Sati Regulation Act of 1829
• Hindu Widows Remarriage Act of 1856
• Government of India Act of 1858
• Indian Councils Act of 1892
• Government of India Act of 1919
• Rowlatt Act, 1919
• Government of India Act of 1935
• Industrial Disputes Act, 1947
• Indian Independence Act

Charter Act, 1813

The Charter Act of 1813, also known as the East India Company Act of 1813, was passed by the British Parliament to establish the constitutional framework for British Indian territories. This significant act put an end to the trade monopoly of the East India Company in India, allowing nations from around the world to engage in trade with the Indian territories. Additionally, it opened doors for Christian missionaries to preach in India and emphasized the promotion of education through the allocation of funds by the East India Company. The act also introduced limited opportunities for Indians to compete for lower-level positions in the civil services. However, higher administrative roles remained reserved for the British.

Hindu Widows Remarriage Act, 1856

The Hindu Widows Remarriage Act of 1856, enacted by the British India legislature and influenced by the efforts of Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar, played a significant role in transforming the status of widows in Indian society. Prior to the act, widows were deprived of the right to remarry and faced societal restrictions and stigma. The act allowed Hindu widows to remarry, challenging the prevailing customs and providing them with newfound empowerment. This progressive legislation marked a significant milestone in the fight for women’s rights and social reform in India, addressing an important aspect of gender inequality and contributing to the gradual transformation of Indian society.

Rowlatt Act of 1919

The Rowlatt Act of 1919, which replaced the Defence of India Act of 1915, was a highly controversial law during the British rule in India. It allowed for the trial of certain political cases without juries, leading to concerns about the erosion of civil liberties. Moreover, it granted authorities the power to detain suspects without a fair trial, sparking outrage among the Indian population. Non-official Indian council members unanimously opposed the act, recognizing its repressive nature. Mahatma Gandhi led peaceful protests against the Rowlatt Act, urging non-cooperation and civil disobedience. In Punjab, the city of Amritsar witnessed the tragic Jallianwalla Bagh Massacre, where British troops opened fire on a peaceful gathering, resulting in hundreds of deaths. This brutal incident further fueled the Indian Freedom Struggle and intensified calls for independence from British rule.

Indian Independence Act of 1947

The Indian Independence Act of 1947, based on a plan proposed by the British government on 3 June 1947, laid the foundation for the partition of British India. The act outlined key principles including the division of British India into two separate nations, India and Pakistan, granting autonomy and sovereignty to both countries. It conferred dominion status upon the successor governments, allowing them to make their own constitutions. This act marked a crucial milestone in India’s struggle for independence, leading to the formation of two separate nations and setting the stage for the subsequent political and social developments in the region.

Preamble of Indian Constitution

Important Acts in India After Independence

After India gained independence, the government passed numerous significant acts that shaped the country’s legal framework. Some important acts include the Constitution of India (1950), the Right to Information Act (2005), the Right to Education Act (2009), the Goods and Services Tax Act (2017), and the Citizenship Amendment Act (2019), among others.

• The Special Marriage Act, 1954
• The Citizenship Act, 1955
• The States Reorganisation Act, 1956
• The Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, 1958
• The Northeastern Areas (Reorganisation) Act, 1971
• The Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989
• The Dowry Prohibition Act, 1961
• The Information Technology Act, 2000
• The Biological Diversity Act, 2002
• The Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013
• The Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, 2005
• The National Food Security Act, 2013
• The National Judicial Appointments Commission Act, 2014
• The Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015
• The Fugitive Economic Offenders Act, 2018
• The Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act, 2019
• The Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Marriage) Act, 2019
• The Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act, 2019
• The Code on Wages, 2019
• The Consumer Protection Act, 2019

Special Marriage Act (SMA) of 1954

The Special Marriage Act (SMA) of 1954 is an important Indian law that facilitates the marriage of individuals from different religions or castes. It establishes a legal framework for civil marriages, in which the state grants recognition to the marriage rather than it being solely governed by religious customs. This approach, similar to the UK’s Marriage Act of 1949, allows individuals of diverse faiths, including Hindus, Muslims, Sikhs, Christians, Jains, and Buddhists, to solemnize their marriages under one unified law. The SMA promotes secularism and provides a platform for couples to exercise their freedom of choice in marriage, irrespective of religious or caste considerations, across the entire country of India.

Citizenship Act of 1955

The Citizenship Act of 1955, also known as the Indian Nationality Law, is significant legislation that defines and protects the rights and responsibilities of Indian citizens. It operates in conjunction with the Constitution of India to regulate the acquisition, determination, and termination of citizenship in the country. Enacted by the Parliament of India and effective on 30 December 1955, this act establishes the legal framework for determining an individual’s citizenship status in India. It outlines the various methods through which a person can acquire citizenship, such as by birth, descent, registration, or naturalization. The Citizenship Act plays a crucial role in shaping the citizenship landscape of India, ensuring the rights and privileges of its citizens.

Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act of 2019

The Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act of 2019 was introduced by Mr. Amit Shah, the Minister of Home Affairs, in the Rajya Sabha on August 5, 2019. This act led to the reorganization of the state of Jammu and Kashmir into two separate union territories. The region of Ladakh became a separate union territory, while Jammu and Kashmir formed another union territory. The Governor of the state was designated as the Lieutenant Governor of the Jammu and Kashmir Union Territory, representing the central government’s authority in the region. This act marked a significant administrative and political restructuring of the region, altering its governance and representation.

Environment Protection Act of 1986

The Environment Protection Act of 1986 was enacted by the Indian government with the aim of safeguarding and enhancing the environmental condition in the country. With the implementation of this act, the central government was empowered to establish authorities responsible for addressing and controlling environmental issues and pollution in various regions of India. The act granted the authorities the necessary powers and responsibilities to enforce environmental regulations and promote sustainable development. In 1991, an amendment was made to the Environment Protection Act of 1986, further enhancing its provisions and reinforcing the government’s commitment to protecting the environment and ensuring a healthier and sustainable future for the nation.

Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Marriage) Act of 2019

The Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Marriage) Act of 2019 was a significant step taken by the government of India to safeguard the rights of Muslim women, addressing the issue of triple talaq. Triple talaq refers to the practice of a Muslim man unilaterally and instantaneously divorcing his wife by pronouncing talaq (divorce) three times. The act declared such pronouncements of triple talaq as void and illegal. It provided protection to Muslim women by making it a punishable offense, with imprisonment for up to three years and a fine, for anyone found guilty of pronouncing triple talaq. This act aimed to empower Muslim women and bring an end to the discriminatory practice of triple talaq, promoting gender equality and justice.

Intellectual Property Rights in India

How many Acts are There in Indian Constitution?

Since the establishment of the Indian Constitution, the legislative bodies in India have passed numerous acts to govern the country. Prior to independence, the British government enacted various laws to maintain their rule in India. However, after independence, the Indian legislatures took charge of passing acts. The process involves drafting a bill in the legislature, which then goes through several stages to become a Parliament Act. Since 1838, a total of 993 acts have been passed in India, reflecting the dynamic nature of the legal framework and the continuous evolution of laws to address the changing needs and challenges of the nation.

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