§ Resources · Time limits
Time limits
The clock is the first question in most legal matters. This is an orientation table, not a calculator: exclusions, acknowledgments and later amendments change the answer.
| Claim or step | Period | Runs from | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Compensation for breach of contract | 3 years | Date of breach | Limitation Act, 1963, Art. 55 |
| Specific performance of a contract | 3 years | Date fixed for performance, or notice of refusal | Limitation Act, 1963, Art. 54 |
| Recovery of money lent | 3 years | Date of loan or date repayment falls due | Limitation Act, 1963, Art. 19 |
| Possession of immovable property based on title | 12 years | When the defendant’s possession becomes adverse | Limitation Act, 1963, Art. 65 |
| Residuary — applications with no other period | 3 years | When the right to apply accrues | Limitation Act, 1963, Art. 137 |
| Execution of a decree | 12 years | Date the decree becomes enforceable | Limitation Act, 1963, Art. 136 |
| Appeal from a decree — to a High Court | 90 days | Date of the decree | Limitation Act, 1963, Art. 116 |
| Appeal from a decree — to a district court | 30 days | Date of the decree | Limitation Act, 1963, Art. 116 |
| Fresh period after written acknowledgment of liability | New period from the acknowledgment | Date of signed acknowledgment before expiry | Limitation Act, 1963, s. 18 |
| Appoint arbitrator after the other side fails to act | 30 days after request | Date of the request | Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996, s. 11(4) |
| Pleadings in arbitration | About 6 months | Receipt of notice of appointment by the arbitrator | Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996, s. 23(4) |
| Award by the tribunal | 12 months (+6 by consent) | Completion of pleadings | Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996, s. 29A |
| Application to set aside an award | 3 months (+30 days) | Receipt of the award | Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996, s. 34(3) |
| Commence arbitration after a section 9 interim order | 90 days | Date of the interim order | Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996, s. 9(2) |
| Cheque presentation | 3 months | Date on the cheque | RBI rules; Negotiable Instruments Act, 1881 |
| Demand notice after dishonoured cheque | 30 days | Receipt of information of dishonour | Negotiable Instruments Act, 1881, s. 138(b) |
| Drawer’s time to pay after notice | 15 days | Receipt of the notice | Negotiable Instruments Act, 1881, s. 138(c) |
| Complaint after non-payment | 1 month | Expiry of the 15 days | Negotiable Instruments Act, 1881, s. 142 |
| Pre-institution mediation | 3 months (+2 by consent) | Date of application | Commercial Courts Act, 2015, s. 12A and 2018 Rules |
| Present a document for registration | 4 months (+4 with fine) | Date of execution | Registration Act, 1908, ss. 23, 25 |
| RERA defect liability | 5 years | Date of possession | RERA, 2016, s. 14(3) |
| GST show-cause notice — non-fraud (to 2023-24) | 2 years 9 months | Due date of annual return | CGST Act, 2017, s. 73 |
| GST show-cause notice — fraud etc. (to 2023-24) | 4 years 6 months | Due date of annual return | CGST Act, 2017, s. 74 |
| GST show-cause notice — from 2024-25 | 42 months / 54 months | Due date of annual return | CGST Act, 2017, s. 74A |
| GST first appeal | 3 months (+1) | Communication of the order | CGST Act, 2017, s. 107 |
| Trademark opposition | 4 months | Advertisement in the Trade Marks Journal | Trade Marks Act, 1999, s. 21 |
| Trademark renewal | Every 10 years | Date of application / last renewal | Trade Marks Act, 1999, s. 25 |
| Patent publication | 18 months | Filing or earliest priority date | Patents Act, 1970, s. 11A |
| Post-grant patent opposition | 12 months | Publication of grant | Patents Act, 1970, s. 25(2) |
| Priority claim abroad | 12 months | First filing | Paris Convention; Patents Act, 1970, s. 135 |
| FC-GPR | 30 days | Allotment of shares to a non-resident | FEMA NDI Rules, 2019 |
| FC-TRS | 60 days | Transfer or receipt of funds, whichever is earlier | FEMA NDI Rules, 2019 |
| Export proceeds realisation | 9 months | Date of export | RBI Master Direction |
| AOC-4 financial statements | 30 days | Date of the AGM | Companies Act, 2013, s. 137 |
| MGT-7 annual return | 60 days | Date of the AGM | Companies Act, 2013, s. 92 |
Not a substitute for advice
Limitation is decided on the facts of each case. Missing a period usually cannot be repaired. If a deadline may be close, take advice immediately rather than relying on this table.