Negotiable Instruments Act, 1881

Read the Negotiable Instruments Act, 1881 by chapter and section, with original English/Hindi guides to cheque dishonour, notices, evidence, jurisdiction and court-ordered payments.

An Act to define and amend the law relating to Promissory Notes, Bills of Exchange and Cheques.

Preamble.—Whereas it is expedient to define and amend the law relating to promissory notes, bills of exchange and cheques; It is hereby enacted as follows:—

Also available in: हिंदी

Chapters and sections

1. Chapter 1: Preliminary3 sections
2. Chapter 2: Of notes, bills and cheques22 sections
3. Chapter 3: Of parties to notes, bills and cheques21 sections
4. Chapter 4: Of negotiation15 sections
5. Chapter 5: Of presentment18 sections
6. Chapter 6: Of payment and interest4 sections
7. Chapter 7: Of discharge from liability on notes, bills and cheques10 sections
8. Chapter 8: Of notice of dishonour8 sections
9. Chapter 9: Of noting and protest7 sections
10. Chapter 10: Of reasonable time3 sections
11. Chapter 11: Of acceptance and payment for honour and reference in case of need9 sections
12. Chapter 12: Of compensation1 sections
13. Chapter 13: Special rules of evidence5 sections
14. Chapter 14: Of crossed cheques10 sections
15. Chapter 15: Of bills in sets2 sections
16. Chapter 16: Of international law4 sections
17. Chapter 17: Of penalties in case of dishonour of certain cheques for insufficiency of funds in the accounts13 sections

Official reference: India Code, Government of India — official section HTML — source review: 5 October 2026.Recorded edition / snapshot date: 2026-10-05.Banaka reference transcription of the official HTML snapshot; not an official or certified edition. Source wording and amendment brackets are retained; layout and footnote callouts are omitted. The recorded date is the review snapshot, not a separately dated consolidation. Hindi guides are original explanations. Read the source amendment notes and current judicial interpretation alongside the text. The historical schedule and section 2 are repealed.Read the original schedule and amendment notes