Legal Metrology Numeration Rules explained: this guide covers what it means, who it applies to, the step-by-step process, documents required, fees, due dates and penalties in India — so you can stay compliant with confidence and avoid costly mistakes.
The Legal Metrology (Numeration) Rules, 2011 lay down how numbers are to be made and written: in the decimal system, on base ten, with the international form of Indian numerals, grouped in a set way, and with names for large numbers set out in a Schedule that runs from thousand to das shankh. There are five rules and one Schedule.
These rules are as amended up to the Numeration Amendment Rules, 2011, which moved the commencement date; later amendments should be checked on the Department of Consumer Affairs website. If you want help applying these rules to labels, price lists or contracts, a legal consultation can help.
Every numeration is made in the decimal system, on base ten, using the digits 0 to 9 (rule 2). Numbers with more than three digits are written in words as the Schedule shows (rule 3). In the Indian form, the first three digits either side of the decimal point are grouped, later digits go in groups of two; in the English form, digits go in groups of three; in both, no dots or commas are put in the spaces between groups (rule 4). The rules came into force on the 1st day of April, 2011.
Rule 1: title and commencement
G.S.R. 13(E), dated the 7th January, 2011, notified the rules under section 52(1) of the Legal Metrology Act, 2009. Rule 1(2) originally brought them into force on the 1st day of March, 2011. By G.S.R. 109(E) of the 23rd February, 2011 (the Numeration Amendment Rules, 2011), the words were changed to the 1st day of April, 2011, so that is the date from which the rules apply. That amendment is the only one held. For the Act's provisions on numeration, see our post on sections 4, 5 and 6.
Rule 2: how numeration is made
- Decimal system (2(1)). Every numeration is made in accordance with the decimal system.
- Base ten (2(2)). Every number is represented on base ten.
- Digits (2(3)). In representing a number in digits, the international form of Indian numerals, namely 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 or a combination of them, is used.
Rule 3: numbers in words
Numbers expressed in digits exceeding three (that is, with more than three digits) are written in words in the manner specified in the Schedule annexed to the rules.
Rule 4: grouping of digits
Indian terminology (rule 4(1))
When writing any number in digits exceeding three in accordance with Indian terminology, the decimal point is the starting point. The first three digits, to the left or the right of the decimal point, are grouped together; the subsequent digits are divided into groups of two. Neither dots nor commas are inserted in the spaces between the groups. The rule's example is: 23 14 345.732 23 50.
English terminology (rule 4(2))
When writing in accordance with English terminology, the decimal point is the starting point and the digits on either side are divided into groups of three, starting from the decimal point. Neither dots nor commas are inserted between the groups. The rule's example is: 123 345.732 456.
Reading the two examples
- In 23 14 345.732 23 50, the left side reads 345 (first three digits), then 14, then 23 (groups of two); the right side reads 732 (first three digits), then 23, then 50 (groups of two).
- In 123 345.732 456, each side is simply in groups of three away from the decimal point.
The Schedule: from thousand to das shankh
The Schedule (see rule 3) gives each power of ten with its Hindi numeration, written in Roman script, and its English name. There are sixteen serial numbers:
| Serial number | Power of ten | Hindi numeration | English |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 10^3 | Hazar | Thousand |
| 2 | 10^4 | Das hazar | Ten thousand |
| 3 | 10^5 | Lakh | Hundred thousand |
| 4 | 10^6 | Das lakh | Million |
| 5 | 10^7 | Crore | Ten million |
| 6 | 10^8 | Das crore | Hundred million |
| 7 | 10^9 | Arab | Billion |
| 8 | 10^10 | Das arab | Ten billion |
| 9 | 10^11 | Kharab | Hundred billion |
| 10 | 10^12 | Das kharab | Trillion |
| 11 | 10^13 | Neel | Ten trillion |
| 12 | 10^14 | Das neel | Hundred trillion |
| 13 | 10^15 | Padam | Thousand trillion |
| 14 | 10^16 | Das padam | Ten thousand trillion |
| 15 | 10^17 | Shankh | Hundred thousand trillion |
| 16 | 10^18 | Das shankh | Thousand thousand trillion |
The English names are those the Schedule prints against the Hindi terms; use them as printed when you write in words under the rules.
Rule 5: repeal and savings
Rule 5 repeals the Standards of Weights and Measures (Numeration) Rules, 1987, without affecting previous operations, rights, liabilities, penalties, investigations or proceedings under them. Things done under the 1987 rules continue as if done under the corresponding provisions of these rules, and pending applications, court proceedings and appeals carry over.
Practical use: invoices, labels and price lists
The rules speak of how numbers are made and written in accordance with Indian or English terminology. If you quote large quantities in words or digits in documents connected with weights and measures, such as labels, delivery notes or price lists, follow the grouping in rule 4 and the names in the Schedule. For packages, the units rule is in our post on rule 13 of the Packaged Commodities Rules; for the units themselves, see our article on rules 1 to 11 of the National Standards Rules.
Who is affected
| Person | Effect |
|---|---|
| Manufacturers and packers | Write quantities using the decimal system and the digits in rule 2(3) |
| Accountants and document drafters | Group digits per rule 4, with no dots or commas between groups |
| Schools and publishers | Use the Schedule's names for large numbers |
| Officers and inspectors | Apply the rules when examining written statements of quantity |
A practical example
Ritu Traders prints a delivery note for a consignment of 2314345 sheets. In Indian terminology, the note groups the digits 23 14 345 with spaces and no commas, following the pattern of the rule 4(1) example. A foreign buyer's copy of the same note shows the English form, 2 314 345, in groups of three. Where the note states the figure in words, the Schedule's names apply: for ten to the power seven, crore in Hindi terminology and ten million in English.
Common lapses
- Putting commas or dots between groups of digits in a document governed by rule 4.
- Mixing the Indian and English groupings in the same figure.
- Using terms such as million or billion in words without matching the Schedule's equivalents.
- Taking the 1st day of March, 2011 as the start date; the amendment moved it to the 1st day of April, 2011.
Need help applying the numeration rules?
If you prepare labels, price lists or contracts that carry large numbers, we can check that your formats meet these rules. Start with a legal consultation.
Key takeaways
- Numeration is decimal and on base ten, using the digits 0 to 9.
- Numbers of more than three digits are written in words as the Schedule shows.
- Indian form: first three digits either side of the decimal point, then groups of two; English form: groups of three; no dots or commas between groups.
- The Schedule has sixteen serial numbers, from thousand (10^3) to das shankh (10^18).
- The rules came into force on the 1st day of April, 2011.
- The 1987 Numeration Rules are repealed with savings.
Read next
- Rules 1–11 of the National Standards Rules: definitions and the seven base units
- Indian Institute of Legal Metrology Rules, 2011
- Sections 4, 5 and 6 of the Legal Metrology Act, 2009: metric system, base units and numeration
- Rule 13 of the Packaged Commodities Rules: units of weight, measure or number
Disclaimer: Based on the Legal Metrology (Approval of Models) Rules, 2011 (as amended in 2019), the Legal Metrology (Government Approved Test Centre) Rules, 2013 (as amended up to 17 June 2026), the Legal Metrology (National Standards) Rules, 2011 (as amended in 2019), the Legal Metrology (Numeration) Rules, 2011 and the Indian Institute of Legal Metrology Rules, 2011, as published in the Gazette of India and consulted on 4 October 2026. Later amendments, current fees and the Legal Metrology Act, 2009 provisions referred to should be checked on the Department of Consumer Affairs website. This article is general information, not legal advice; check the official text before acting.