Section 24 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.
Section 24 is the duty that falls on every user of a weighing or measuring instrument in trade. Before such an instrument is put to use it must be verified, and section 24 also creates the Government approved Test Centre for the kinds of instruments the Central Government names. The section is not amended by the Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Act, 2023 or by the 2026 Act. The penalty for ignoring it, section 33, is also unamended.
A person who holds a weight or measure in circumstances indicating that it is, or is likely to be, used by him in any transaction or for protection must have it verified before putting it to that use, at the place and during the hours the Controller specifies, on payment of the prescribed fee. The Central Government may prescribe the kinds of weights and measures whose verification must be done through a Government approved Test Centre. Using an unverified weight or measure is an offence under section 33.
Sub-section (1): the duty to verify
Section 24(1) applies to "every person having any weight or measure in his possession, custody or control in circumstances indicating that such weight or measure is being, or is intended or is likely to be, used by him in any transaction or for protection". Such a person "shall, before putting such weight or measure into such use, have such weight or measure verified".
Three elements:
| Element | What the text says |
|---|---|
| Who | Every person who has it in possession, custody or control in circumstances indicating use |
| When | Before putting it into use in a transaction or for protection |
| Where and when | "at such place and during such hours as the Controller may, by general or special order, specify", on payment of "such fees as may be prescribed" |
"Transaction" is defined in section 2(u): any contract (sale, purchase, exchange or any other), any assessment of royalty, toll, duty or other dues, and the assessment of work done, wages due or services rendered. "Protection" (section 2(k)) means using a reading to safeguard the well-being of a human being or animal or to protect a commodity, vegetation or thing. "Verification" (section 2(v)) includes comparing, checking, testing or adjusting with a view to ensuring conformity to the standards, and includes re-verification and calibration.
The test is circumstances indicating use, which is wider than actual use. A shopkeeper who keeps a new scale under the counter, ready to use, is within the section. Because the obligation attaches before use, buying a verified instrument from a licensed manufacturer is the usual route; if you buy an unstamped one, you must have it verified first.
The Controller fixes the place and hours by order. The fee is prescribed: section 53(2)(d) gives the State the power to prescribe "fee for verification and stamping of any weight or measure under sub-section (1) of section 24". State fees are not in our sources. Our existing guides on how to get verification of weights and measures and verification and stamping cover the practical side; confirm against your State's notified fee.
If you are unsure whether your instrument is within the section, a legal consultation can help you check before an officer does.
Periodical re-verification: rule 27 of the General Rules
Verification is not a one-time event. Rule 27 of the Legal Metrology (General) Rules, 2011, headed "Periodical verification of weights or measures", provides:
- Rule 27(1): every weight or measure used or intended to be used in a transaction or for protection must be verified and stamped by the Legal Metrology Officer in the State where it is put to use, and re-verified and stamped at periodical intervals.
- Rule 27(2): re-verification is on completion of:
- twenty-four months for all weights, capacity measures, length measures, tape, beam scale and counter machine;
- sixty months for storage tanks; and
- twelve months for all weights or measures, including tank lorries, other than those in the first two groups.
- Rule 27(3): a weight or measure verified and stamped in situ that is dismantled and re-installed before the date on which verification falls due must be re-verified and stamped before being put into use.
- Rule 27(4): a weight or measure already verified and stamped that is repaired before the due date must be re-verified and stamped before being put into use.
Our guide on re-verification periodicity gives the practical picture. Section 52(2)(c) lets the Central rules fix the "period of re-verification" for standards, which is where rule 27 sits. The printed rule text is from a scanned page and the OCR is imperfect; confirm the period for your instrument against the current official text.
Sub-sections (2) to (4): Government approved Test Centres
| Sub-section | Content |
|---|---|
| 24(2) | The Central Government may prescribe the kinds of weights and measures for which verification is done through the Government approved Test Centre |
| 24(3) | The Test Centre is notified by the Central Government or the State Government, as the case may be, in the prescribed manner, on prescribed terms and conditions, and on payment of the prescribed fee |
| 24(4) | The Test Centre appoints or engages persons with the prescribed qualifications and experience, and collects the prescribed fee, on prescribed terms, for verification of the weights and measures specified under sub-section (2) |
The rule-making entries are section 52(2)(n), (o) and (p) for the Central Government, and section 53(2)(e) for the State Government (manner of notifying a Test Centre, terms and conditions and fee). Our sources do not contain those rules, so we do not describe the application process for a Test Centre or the list of instruments that must be verified through one. The Act itself does not list them; they are "prescribed".
What the Act does say about Test Centres elsewhere is in section 37: a Test Centre that contravenes the Act, the rules or the conditions of its licence is liable to a fine under section 37(1), and an owner or employee who wilfully verifies or stamps a weight or measure in contravention of the Act is punishable under section 37(2). See the series article on section 37.
Consequences of not verifying
- Penalty: section 33 punishes "whoever sells, distributes, delivers or otherwise transfers or uses any unverified weight or measure" with a fine of not less than Rs 2,000 but up to Rs 10,000 and, for a second or subsequent offence, imprisonment up to one year and also fine. Neither Jan Vishwas Act changes section 33. See our article on section 33.
- Seizure and forfeiture: an unverified weight or measure seized under section 15 is liable to forfeiture under section 16(1), but it is not forfeited if verified and stamped within the prescribed time (ten days or an extended period under rule 23 of the General Rules). See section 16.
Example 1. A grocer buys a new electronic counter scale and starts using it the same day. Section 24(1) required verification before use; unverified use attracts section 33.
Example 2. A petrol pump's measuring instrument is verified, but later dismantled and re-installed before its due date. Under rule 27(3), it must be re-verified and stamped before it is used again.
Need help with verification?
If you operate scales, fuel dispensers or other measuring instruments and are unsure about the due dates or what to do after a notice, our legal consultation team can review your instruments, stamps and the State's current fee and periodicity rules. Bring the verification certificates you hold.
Key takeaways
- Anyone holding a weight or measure likely to be used in a transaction or for protection must have it verified before use (section 24(1)).
- The Controller specifies the place and hours; fees are prescribed, for States under section 53(2)(d).
- Rule 27 of the General Rules sets re-verification at 24, 60 or 12 months depending on the instrument, with re-verification after dismantling or repair.
- Government approved Test Centres verify the kinds of instruments the Central Government prescribes (section 24(2) to (4)).
- Use of an unverified instrument is punishable under section 33; neither Jan Vishwas Act changes section 24 or 33.
Read next
- Section 23 of the Legal Metrology Act, 2009: Licence to manufacture, repair or sell
- Section 22 of the Legal Metrology Act, 2009: Approval of model
- Section 33 of the Legal Metrology Act, 2009: Penalty for use of unverified weight or measure
- Verification Procedure for Instruments
Disclaimer: Based on the Legal Metrology Act, 2009 (Act 1 of 2010) as enacted, read with the Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Act, 2023 (in force) and the Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Act, 2026 (in force only from the date the Central Government notifies); sections 24 and 33 are not amended by either Act. Also based on the Legal Metrology (General) Rules, 2011, as on 30 September 2026. State Legal Metrology rules, fees and Test Centre notifications, later amendments and notifications change; verify the current position before acting.