The Majority Act, 1875

[2nd March, 1875].

An Act to amend the law respecting the age of majority.

Preamble.--Whereas, in the case of persons domiciled in ²[India] it is expedient ³[to specify the age of majority]; It is hereby enacted as follows:--

(1) This Act may be called the Limitation Act, 1963.

(2) It extends to the whole of India ¹***.

(3) It shall come into force on such date2 as the Central Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette, appoint.

¹. The words "except the State of Jammu and Kashmir" omitted by Act 34 of 2019, s. 95 and the Fifth Schedule (w.e.f. 31- 10- 2019).

2. 1st January, 1964, vide notification No. S.O. 3118, dated 29th October, 1963, see Gazette of India, Part II, sec. 3 (ii).

Amended in West Bengal by W.B. Act 18 of 1977.

1st September, 1984, vide notification No. S.O. 647(C), in respect of the State of Sikkim dated 24th August, 1984, see Gazette of India, Part II, sec. 3(ii).

Nothing herein contained shall affect:

(a) the capacity of any persons to act in the following matters (namely), marriage, dower, divorce and adoption;

(b) the religion or religious rites and usages of any class of ¹ [citizens of India]; or

(c) the capacity of any person who before this Act comes into force has attained majority under the law applicable to him.

¹. Subs. by A.O. 1950, for "His Majesty's subject in India".

¹[3. Age of majority of persons domiciled in India.(1) Every person domiciled in India shall attain the age of majority on his completing the age of eighteen years and not before.

(2) In computing the age of any person, the day on which he was born is to be included as a whole day and he shall be deemed to have attained majority at the beginning of the eighteenth anniversary of that day.]

¹. Subs. by Act 33 of 1999, s. 4, for sections 3 and 4 (w.e.f. 16-12-1999).