Section 29 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 29 is the section to read whenever another law also gives a time limit. It saves section 25 of the Indian Contract Act, 1872, says that a special or local law's own period applies and how far sections 4 to 24 reach it, keeps marriage and divorce laws outside the Act, and takes easement cases in some territories out of sections 25 and 26.
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.
Under section 29(2), where a special or local law prescribes a different period for a suit, appeal or application, section 3 applies as if that period were the Schedule period, and sections 4 to 24 apply only so far as that law does not expressly exclude them. Section 29(1) saves section 25 of the Indian Contract Act, 1872. Section 29(3) keeps marriage and divorce laws out of the Act. Section 29(4) takes easement cases in territories where the Indian Easements Act, 1882 extends outside sections 25 and 26.
If you are not sure whether a Schedule period or a special law's period governs your matter, a legal consultation helps you identify the governing law before dates are counted.
Section 29(1): section 25 of the Indian Contract Act, 1872
Section 29(1) reads: "Nothing in this Act shall affect section 25 of the Indian Contract Act, 1872 (9 of 1872)."
So the Limitation Act does not alter section 25 of that Act. For what that section covers, see our post on section 25 of the Indian Contract Act, 1872: agreement without consideration and its exceptions. This article does not restate it, because it belongs to the Contract Act. The Limitation Act text itself says only that nothing in it affects that section.
Section 29(2): special or local laws
Section 29(2) reads: "Where any special or local law prescribes for any suit, appeal or application a period of limitation different from the period prescribed by the Schedule, the provisions of section 3 shall apply as if such period were the period prescribed by the Schedule and for the purpose of determining any period of limitation prescribed for any suit, appeal or application by any special or local law, the provisions contained in sections 4 to 24 (inclusive) shall apply only in so far as, and to the extent to which, they are not expressly excluded by such special or local law."
The sub-section has two operative parts:
| Part | What it does |
|---|---|
| Section 3 | Applies as if the special or local law's period were the Schedule's period. A suit, appeal or application made after that period is dismissed, as under section 3(1) |
| Sections 4 to 24 | Apply to the special or local law's period only so far as, and to the extent to which, the special or local law does not expressly exclude them |
Points to note:
- The special or local law's period applies, not the Schedule's. The sub-section starts "Where any special or local law prescribes ... a period of limitation different from the period prescribed by the Schedule".
- Sections 4 to 24 are not automatic. They apply unless the special or local law "expressly" excludes them. If a special law expressly shuts out, for example, the condonation of delay in section 5, section 5 does not apply to that period. If it says nothing, the sections apply to the extent stated.
- The word is "expressly". Silence in the special law does not exclude the sections. The text speaks of exclusion "expressly".
- The text does not name any special or local law, and it does not list which sections a given law excludes. For that, the special law must be read.
An illustration: a statute provides its own period of sixty days for an appeal and says nothing about extension. Under section 29(2), section 3 applies as if sixty days were the Schedule's period, and sections 4 to 24, including section 5, apply to the extent the statute does not expressly exclude them. If the statute expressly says that no delay can be condoned, section 5 is excluded to that extent. These are invented terms to show how the sub-section reads; they are not the terms of any actual statute.
Where to look for a special law's period
The Schedule's periods are for proceedings that no special or local law covers. Examples of special laws with their own limitation rules, which this article does not state, are listed below as places to look; each of those posts deals with that law on its own terms.
| Area | Where to read about it |
|---|---|
| Insolvency | Law of limitation under the IBC and acknowledgment of debt |
| Company law | Sections 432 and 433 of the Companies Act, 2013 |
| GST appeals | The GST appeal limitation map |
| Income tax | Condonation of delay application in income tax |
| MSME dues | Section 18 of the MSMED Act, 2006: arbitration and the ninety-day limit |
| Cheque dishonour | Time limits under Section 138 |
| Commercial disputes | Section 12A of the Commercial Courts Act, 2015 |
These laws are named only as places to look. Their periods are not stated here, and no Schedule period should be applied to a proceeding under them.
Section 29(3): marriage and divorce
Section 29(3) reads: "Save as otherwise provided in any law for the time being in force with respect to marriage and divorce, nothing in this Act shall apply to any suit or other proceeding under any such law."
So the Act does not apply to a suit or other proceeding under a law with respect to marriage and divorce, except as that law itself provides. The words "save as otherwise provided" mean that the marriage or divorce law may itself bring in limitation provisions. The text does not name any such law.
Section 29(4): the Indian Easements Act, 1882
Section 29(4) reads: "Sections 25 and 26 and the definition of 'easement' in section 2 shall not apply to cases arising in the territories to which the Indian Easements Act, 1882 (5 of 1882), may for the time being extend."
So in those territories, sections 25 and 26 and the definition of easement in section 2(f) do not apply. The text does not list the territories, and this article does not either. Check the current law on whether the Indian Easements Act, 1882 extends to the place concerned. See sections 25 and 26.
Section 28: repealed
Section 28 is printed as "" and is repealed by the Repealing and Amending Act, 1974 (56 of 1974), with effect from 20 December 1974. It carries no text.
How section 29 connects to other sections
- Section 3(1) is expressly "subject to the provisions contained in sections 4 to 24". Section 29(2) applies section 3 to special-law periods. See sections 3 and 4.
- Section 5 applies only to appeals and applications. Whether it applies to a special-law period depends on this sub-section and on the special law; see section 5.
Need help finding which time limit applies?
Before counting days, the first question is which law governs your proceeding. We can look at your dispute with you in a legal consultation and point to the law whose period applies.
Key takeaways
- Section 29(1) saves section 25 of the Indian Contract Act, 1872.
- Section 29(2): a special or local law's different period applies, with section 3 applied as if that period were the Schedule's period.
- Sections 4 to 24 apply to that period only so far as the special or local law does not expressly exclude them.
- Section 29(3): marriage and divorce laws are outside the Act, save as those laws provide.
- Section 29(4): sections 25 and 26 and the definition of easement do not apply in territories where the Indian Easements Act, 1882 extends.
- Section 28 is repealed and carries no text.
Read next
- Section 27: extinguishment of right to property after limitation expires
- Sections 30–31: transitional provisions from the Limitation Act, 1908
- Section 5: condonation of delay and sufficient cause
- The Schedule: three Divisions and how to read the periods
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.