Schedule 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.
In a commercial suit of a Specified Value every pleading must be verified by an affidavit in the form of a Statement of Truth, and a plaint that claims interest must give a set of details about the claim. This article reads paragraph 1 (section 26 of the Code), paragraph 4(B) (Order VI Rules 3A and 15A), paragraph 4(C) (Order VII Rule 2A) and paragraph 12 (Appendix-I) of the Schedule, as amended up to 3 May 2018, as per the text consulted. It is meant for businesses preparing a commercial suit filing.
Every pleading in a commercial dispute shall be verified by an affidavit in the manner and form in the Appendix (the Statement of Truth). Amendments must be verified too. A party that does not verify cannot rely on the pleading as evidence, and the court may strike it out. A plaint that seeks interest must state the basis, the rate, the dates and the total, plus the daily rate after the calculation date.
Paragraph 1: section 26(2) of the Code
Paragraph 1 inserts a proviso in sub-section (2) of section 26 of the Code: "Provided that such an affidavit shall be in the form and manner as prescribed under Order VI of Rule 15A". The printed words "Order VI of Rule 15A" read as Rule 15A of Order VI. The Code's section 26 is named only; its content is not in the source.
Order VI Rule 3A: forms of pleading
Paragraph 4(B)(i) inserts Rule 3A: "In a commercial dispute, where forms of pleadings have been prescribed under the High Court Rules or Practice Directions made for the purposes of such commercial disputes, pleadings shall be in such forms." So if a High Court has prescribed forms for commercial disputes, pleadings follow them. The text contains no High Court's forms and this article describes none.
Order VI Rule 15A: verification by Statement of Truth
Paragraph 4(B)(ii) inserts Rule 15A, "Verification of pleadings in a commercial dispute", after Rule 15.
| Sub-rule | What it says |
|---|---|
| (1) | Notwithstanding Rule 15, every pleading in a commercial dispute shall be verified by an affidavit in the manner and form prescribed in the Appendix to the Schedule |
| (2) | The affidavit shall be signed by the party, or by one of the parties, or by any other person on behalf of the party or parties who is proved to the satisfaction of the Court to be acquainted with the facts of the case and duly authorised |
| (3) | Where a pleading is amended, the amendments must be verified in the same form and manner unless the Court orders otherwise |
| (4) | Where a pleading is not verified as required, the party shall not be permitted to rely on it as evidence or on any of the matters set out in it |
| (5) | The Court may strike out a pleading not verified by a Statement of Truth, namely the affidavit set out in the Appendix |
Points to take from the table:
- Every pleading. The rule covers plaint, written statement and any other pleading, not just the plaint.
- Who signs. The party, one of several parties, or an authorised person who is proved to the Court's satisfaction to know the facts. A company's signatory should therefore be someone with real knowledge and a proper authorisation.
- Amendments. Each amendment is verified in the same way, unless the Court orders otherwise.
- Consequences. Loss of the right to rely on the pleading as evidence (sub-rule (4)) and the risk of striking out (sub-rule (5)).
Our general guides to pleadings and to the affidavit describe the general rule and not the commercial-suit version.
Order VII Rule 2A: where interest is sought
Paragraph 4(C) inserts Rule 2A after Rule 2 of Order VII.
- Sub-rule (1). Where the plaintiff seeks interest, the plaint shall contain a statement to that effect along with the details in sub-rules (2) and (3).
- Sub-rule (2). The plaint shall state whether the plaintiff seeks interest in relation to a commercial transaction within the meaning of section 34 of the Code (named, not described); and whether it is claimed under the terms of a contract, or under an Act (which must be specified in the plaint), or on some other basis, and shall state the basis.
- Sub-rule (3). Pleadings shall also state: (a) the rate at which interest is claimed; (b) the date from which it is claimed; (c) the date to which it is calculated; (d) the total amount of interest claimed to the date of calculation; and (e) the daily rate at which interest accrues after that date.
The practical effect is a short interest schedule inside the plaint. It also ties in with the value rule in section 12(1)(a), which counts interest computed up to the date of filing; see our article on determination of Specified Value.
Paragraph 12: Appendix-I, the Statement of Truth
Paragraph 12 inserts Appendix-I, headed "Statement of Truth", after Appendix H. The form refers to "Order VI Rule 15A and Order XI Rule 3" (the printed text reads "Order Vi- Rule 15,A and Order XI- Rule 3"). This article describes what the eight numbered statements cover and does not reproduce the form as a template.
| Statement | Subject |
|---|---|
| 1 | The deponent is the party in the suit and competent to swear the affidavit |
| 2 | The deponent is sufficiently conversant with the facts and has examined all relevant documents and records |
| 3 | Which paragraphs are true to the deponent's knowledge, which are based on information received believed to be correct, and which are based on legal advice (blanks to be filled with paragraph numbers) |
| 4 | There is no false statement or concealment of any material fact, document or record, and information relevant to the suit has been included |
| 5 | All documents in the deponent's power, possession, control or custody pertaining to the proceedings have been disclosed and copies annexed with the plaint, and there are no others |
| 6 | The pleading comprises a stated number of pages, each signed by the deponent |
| 7 | The Annexures are true copies of the documents referred to and relied upon |
| 8 | The deponent is aware that for any false statement or concealment the deponent is liable to action under the law in force |
After the eight statements there is a signature block for the deponent and a short Verification that the statements made are true to the deponent's knowledge, with place and date.
Link to Order XI
Statement 5 is the declaration on oath that Order XI Rule 1(3) requires in the plaint; the Explanation to that sub-rule says the declaration "shall be contained in the Statement of Truth as set out in the Appendix". Our article on Order XI Rule 1 deals with disclosure of documents.
Printing slips in the copy
The heading prints "STATEMENT OF TRU'I'H"; a stray line "Application of Ordinance to cases filed on or after its commencement" appears under it; statement 3 prints "stalements made ir"; and statement 7 prints "refereed to". These are printing slips in the copy consulted, not additional provisions.
Practical checklist
- Settle the pleading in the form prescribed by the High Court, if any (Rule 3A).
- Choose a signatory who knows the facts and, for a company or firm, is duly authorised (Rule 15A(2)).
- Sort the paragraphs of the pleading by source: own knowledge, information believed correct, or legal advice (statement 3).
- Check that all documents have been listed and annexed before the declaration is signed (statement 5).
- For interest, prepare the Rule 2A details: basis, rate, from-date, to-date, total and daily rate.
- Verify every amendment in the same form unless the Court orders otherwise.
Example. Delmar Foods Pvt Ltd sues a retailer for unpaid supplies with contractual interest. Its plaint says interest is claimed under the contract in relation to a commercial transaction, gives the rate, the dates from and to which it is calculated, the total and the daily rate afterwards, and carries a Statement of Truth signed by its authorised director who knows the facts. Without verification, sub-rule (4) would stop Delmar relying on the plaint as evidence.
Points to check in the text
- "Order VI of Rule 15A" in paragraph 1 reads as Rule 15A of Order VI.
- The Appendix heading and several lines contain printing slips; the eight statements are clear.
- The text consulted contains no High Court forms.
Need help preparing a plaint with a Statement of Truth?
Verification and interest details are easy to get wrong and the consequences are serious. If you want your plaint prepared with these rules in mind, see our commercial suit filing page.
Key takeaways
- Every pleading in a commercial dispute must be verified by a Statement of Truth in the form in Appendix-I.
- The signatory must be the party or a duly authorised person proved to be acquainted with the facts.
- An unverified pleading cannot be relied on as evidence and may be struck out.
- Amendments are verified in the same way unless the Court orders otherwise.
- A plaint seeking interest must state the basis, rate, dates, total and daily rate.
Read next
- Order XI Rule 1: disclosure of documents
- Written statement within 120 days
- Section 16: amendments to the Code of Civil Procedure
- Specimen format of plaint: complete template
Disclaimer: Based on a text of the Commercial Courts Act, 2015 as amended up to 3 May 2018 and on the Ninth Schedule to the Mediation Act, 2023 as enacted, as consulted on 2 October 2026. Later amendments, the current Specified Value, the pre-institution mediation rules and High Court rules should be checked. This article is general information, not legal advice; check the official text before acting.