Limitation Period Calculator
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How the Limitation Act, 1963 works
The Limitation Act, 1963 (Act No. 36 of 1963) replaced the earlier Limitation Act of 1908. Its central command is in Section 3: every suit, appeal, or application filed after the prescribed period shall be dismissed — even if the opposite party does not raise limitation as a defence. Courts are required to apply limitation suo motu.
The prescribed periods are in the Schedule, organised into three divisions. Part I covers suits; Part II, appeals; Part III, applications. Each article specifies: the description of the suit/appeal/application; the period of limitation; and the time from which the period begins to run.
Key provisions
- s. 4Court holiday extension
- If the prescribed period expires on a day when the court is closed, the filing may be made on the day the court reopens.
- s. 5Condonation of delay
- Courts may admit any appeal or application (not a suit) filed after the prescribed period if the applicant satisfies the court that there was sufficient cause for the delay. The standard is well-settled by the Supreme Court in Collector, Land Acquisition, Anantnag v. Mst. Katiji, (1987) 2 SCC 107 — the court should adopt a liberal approach where substantial justice would otherwise be defeated.
- s. 12Exclusion of time
- The day from which the period is reckoned is excluded. Time for obtaining a certified copy of the order appealed is also excluded for appeals.
- ss. 14–17Exclusion in special circumstances
- Time spent in prior bona fide proceedings before a court without jurisdiction (s. 14), during legal disability (s. 15), when the notice period under a statute is mandatory (s. 15A), and when a right was concealed by fraud (s. 17) may be excluded.
Common limitation periods
A curated subset of the most commonly litigated articles. Verify the exact article against the Schedule for your matter.
| Matter | Period | Time runs from |
|---|---|---|
| Money suit / breach of contract | 3 years | when the right to sue accrues |
| Cheque dishonour (NI Act s. 138 civil) | 3 years | dishonour |
| Possession of immovable property | 12 years | adverse possession |
| Specific performance | 3 years | date fixed for performance / notice of refusal |
| Redemption of mortgage | 30 years | when the right to redeem accrues |
| First appeal to High Court | 90 days | the decree |
| Execution of a decree | 12 years | when the decree becomes enforceable |
| Consumer complaint (Consumer Protection Act 2019) | 2 years | cause of action |
Frequently asked questions
Most civil suits have a 3-year limitation period under the Limitation Act, 1963. However, suits on mortgage deeds and suits for redemption carry 30 years, suits for possession of immovable property carry 12 years, and suits for execution of a decree also carry 12 years. The specific period depends on the article in the Schedule that applies to your cause of action.
Time begins to run from the date specified in the relevant article of the Schedule to the Limitation Act, 1963 — typically when the right to sue first accrues, when the breach occurs, or when the plaintiff has notice of the facts. Section 12(1) directs that the day from which the period is reckoned shall itself be excluded.
Yes. Section 5 allows courts to condone delay in appeals and applications (not suits) on sufficient cause. Sections 14–17 exclude certain periods (legal disability, prior proceedings, fraud). Special Supreme Court orders during COVID-19 (2020–2022) further extended limitation for many matters — verify whether your filing date falls within that window.
No. It covers a curated subset of the most commonly litigated articles. For less common matters, consult the Schedule to the Limitation Act, 1963 directly or seek legal advice.
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