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.
The Schedule to the Limitation Act, 1963 is a table headed "Periods of limitation". It has 137 Articles in three Divisions: suits, appeals and applications. Each Article has three columns: the description of the suit, appeal or application, the period of limitation, and the time from which the period begins to run.
This article follows the consolidated text of the Act consulted (latest amendment shown: Act 46 of 1999). Later amendments should be checked before you rely on it.
The Schedule's head reads "". Its First Division (Articles 1 to 113) is for suits, in ten Parts. Its Second Division (Articles 114 to 117) is for appeals. Its Third Division (Articles 118 to 137) is for applications, in two Parts. To use it, find the Article, read the period and the starting point, then apply the sections that change the count. A special or local law may fix its own period (section 29(2)).
What the head of the Schedule says
The Schedule is headed "THE SCHEDULE (PERIODS OF LIMITATION) ". The reference to section 2(j) is to the definition of "period of limitation" as the period prescribed for any suit, appeal or application by the Schedule, with "prescribed period" meaning that period computed in accordance with the Act (see sections 1 and 2). The reference to section 3 is to the bar of limitation (see sections 3 and 4).
If you are trying to find the right Article for a dues or property claim, a legal consultation helps you match your facts to the Schedule's wording.
The three columns
| Column | Heading as printed | What it tells you |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Description of suit | What the claim is for. The print repeats "Description of suit" at the top of each page, even over appeals and applications |
| 2 | Period of limitation | How long you have: years, or days for appeals and applications |
| 3 | Time from which period begins to run | The starting point |
Section 6 refers to "the time specified therefor in the third column of the Schedule", so the starting point is column 3. The first day is then excluded under section 12(1), which is why a three-year period from a delivery on 10 June 2023 ends on 10 June 2026. The same example is worked under Article 14 in our article on Articles 14 to 18.
The layout: Divisions and Parts
| Division | Articles | Parts | Subject |
|---|---|---|---|
| First Division: Suits | 1 to 113 | Ten (I to X) | Suits |
| Second Division: Appeals | 114 to 117 | None | Appeals |
| Third Division: Applications | 118 to 137 | Two (I and II) | Applications |
First Division: suits (Articles 1 to 113)
| Part | Heading as printed | Articles | Periods printed in the Part | Read |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| I | Suits relating to accounts | 1 to 5 | Three years | Articles 1 to 5 |
| II | Suits relating to contracts | 6 to 55 | Three years | 6 to 13, 14 to 18, 19 to 25, 26 to 30, 31 to 41, 42 to 46, 47 to 53, 54 and 55 |
| III | Suits relating to declarations | 56 to 58 | Three years | Articles 56 to 58 |
| IV | Suits relating to decrees and instruments | 59 and 60 | Three years | Articles 59 and 60 |
| V | Suits relating to immovable property | 61 to 67 | Three, twelve and thirty years | 61 to 63, 64 to 67 |
| VI | Suits relating to movable property | 68 to 71 | Three years | Articles 68 to 71 |
| VII | Suits relating to tort | 72 to 91 | One, two and three years | 72 to 84, 85 to 91 |
| VIII | Suits relating to trusts and trust property | 92 to 96 | Three and twelve years | Articles 92 to 96 |
| IX | Suits relating to miscellaneous matters | 97 to 112 | One, three, twelve and thirty years | 97 to 100, 101 to 105, 106 to 110, 111 to 113 |
| X | Suits for which there is no prescribed period | 113 | Three years | Article 113 |
Part X is headed "Suits for which there is no prescribed period" and holds Article 113: "Any suit for which no period of limitation is provided elsewhere in this Schedule", three years, from when the right to sue accrues.
Second Division: appeals (Articles 114 to 117)
The Second Division has no Parts. Its periods are in days: thirty, sixty and ninety days across Articles 114 to 117. Read Articles 114 to 117.
Third Division: applications (Articles 118 to 137)
| Part | Heading as printed | Articles | Periods | Read |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| I | Applications in specified cases | 118 to 136 | From ten days to twelve years | 118 to 123, 124 to 129, 130 to 133, 134 to 136 |
| II | Other application (the print reads "OTHER APPLICATION") | 137 | Three years | Article 137 |
How to read an Article
- Find the Division. A suit, an appeal and an application sit in different Divisions. Section 2(l) says a "suit" does not include an appeal or an application.
- Find the Part and the Article whose description fits your claim.
- Read the period in column 2.
- Read the starting point in column 3. Some Articles have lettered sub-entries with their own periods or starting points: Articles 44, 60, 61, 63, 91, 114, 115, 116, 119, 130 and 133. Articles 65, 107 and 123 carry an Explanation in column 1, and Article 136 carries a proviso in column 3.
- Apply the sections that change the count. These are section 4 (court closed), section 5 (appeals and applications only), section 6 (disability), sections 12 to 15 (exclusions), section 17 (fraud or mistake), sections 18 and 19 (acknowledgment and payment) and section 22 (continuing breach). Our articles are on section 4, section 5, section 6, sections 12 and 13, section 14, section 15, section 17, section 18, section 19 and section 22.
- Check for a special law. Section 29(2) lets a special or local law prescribe a different period. Tax, insolvency, company, arbitration, consumer, MSME and cheque dishonour laws have their own periods, so never apply a Schedule period to a proceeding under them. See section 29.
Points in the print to be aware of
- Square brackets. In Article 127 the period is printed as "" and in Article 136 the first word of column 3 is printed as "", each with a footnote marker on the line above. The footnotes record amendments.
- Article 136 footnote. The footnote to Article 136 gives an Act number and date for a 1964 change that differ from those in the footnote to Article 98. Because the two clash, no Act number is given here for the 1964 change to Article 136; the footnote shows only that the first word of column 3 was substituted in 1964.
- Part II heading. The Third Division's Part II heading is printed "OTHER APPLICATION" in the singular.
- Older laws named. The print is not brought up to date on other laws it names: the State of Jammu and Kashmir (Article 112), the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1898 (Articles 114, 115 and 131), the Arbitration Act, 1940 (Article 119), articles 132, 133 and 134 of the Constitution (Article 132), the Legal Representatives' Suits Act, 1855 and the Indian Fatal Accidents Act, 1855 (Articles 81 to 83) and "pauper" (Article 130). Check the current law for the corresponding provision in each case.
What the Schedule does not do
The Schedule does not extend a period by itself. It does not say when a delay can be excused; for appeals and applications that is section 5, which does not apply to suits. It does not cover periods under other laws. It is also silent on court fees and procedure.
Need help finding the right Article?
A claim often fits more than one Article at first glance, and the starting point in column 3 decides the date. We can go through your facts and papers in a legal consultation and point you to the Article and the sections that apply.
Key takeaways
- The Schedule has 137 Articles in three Divisions: suits (1 to 113), appeals (114 to 117) and applications (118 to 137).
- Each Article has three columns: description, period of limitation, and the time from which the period begins to run.
- The First Division has ten Parts; the Third Division has two.
- The Second Division runs in days; the Third Division runs from ten days (Article 118) up to twelve years (Article 136).
- Sections 4, 5, 6, 12 to 15, 17, 18, 19 and 22 can change the count.
- A special or local law may fix a different period (section 29(2)).
Read next
- Sections 1–2: short title, extent, commencement and definitions
- Section 29: savings, special and local laws, and marriage and divorce suits
- Articles 1–5: suits relating to accounts, agents and dissolved partnership
- Articles 6–13: wages, hotel bills, carriers, hire and advance for goods
Disclaimer: Based on a consolidated text of the Limitation Act, 1963 and its Schedule whose latest amendment shown is Act 46 of 1999, as consulted on 2 October 2026. A special or local law may fix a different period; later amendments and the current procedural law should be checked. This article is general information, not legal advice; check the official text before acting.