Section20
The Army Act, 1950

Dismissal, removal or reduction by the Chief of the Army Staff and by other officers

In force From 22 Jul 1950 Act 46 of 1950 As on 15 Oct 2026

Act 46 of 1950 Ministry Defence Enacted 20 May 1950 In force 22 Jul 1950

Section 20 of the Army Act, 1950 deals with dismissal, removal or reduction by the Chief of the Army Staff and by other officers. [The Chief of the Army Staff] may dismiss or remove from the service any person subject to this Act other than an officer. The Act came into force on 22 Jul 1950.

(1) 1[The Chief of the Army Staff] may dismiss or remove from the service any person subject to this Act other than an officer.

(2) 1[The Chief of the Army Staff] may reduce to a lower grade or rank or the ranks, any warrant officer or any non-commissioned officer.

(3) An officer having power not less than a brigade or equivalent commander or any prescribed officer may dismiss or remove from the service any person serving under his command other than an officer or a junior commissioned officer.

(4) Any such officer as is mentioned in sub-section (3) may reduce to a lower grade or rank or the ranks, any warrant officer or any non-commissioned officer under his command.

(5) A warrant officer reduced to the ranks under this section shall not, however, be required to serve in the ranks as a sepoy.

(6) The commanding officer of an acting non-commissioned officer may order him to revert to his permanent grade as a non-commissioned officer, or if he has no permanent grade above the ranks, to the ranks.

(7) The exercise of any power under this section shall be subject to the said provisions contained in this Act and the rules and regulations made thereunder.

Section 20, The Army Act, 1950 (Act 46 of 1950).

Questions about Section 20

What does Section 20 of the Army Act deal with?

Section 20 of the Army Act is headed "Dismissal, removal or reduction by the Chief of the Army Staff and by other officers". [The Chief of the Army Staff] may dismiss or remove from the service any person subject to this Act other than an officer.

How do I find court cases under Section 20 of the Army Act?

In judgments and charge sheets this section is written several ways, and each form finds a different set of orders. These search the full text of every order eCourtsIndia holds, best matches first: Army Act 1950 20, section 20 Army Act 1950, section 20 of the Army Act. Each opens the full list of orders on eCourtsIndia, where it can be narrowed by court, year and outcome.

When did Section 20 of the Army Act come into force?

Section 20 of the Army Act, cited as Army Act 1950 20, came into force on 22 Jul 1950, having been enacted on 20 May 1950. It is in force as at the date shown on this page.

Other sections of this Act

Source and method. Compiled from the enactments of Parliament and of the State legislatures as published on India Code, and republished together with commentary and other original matter under section 52(1)(q)(ii) of the Copyright Act, 1957. Structured, cross-referenced and maintained by eCourtsIndia. Text as in force on 15 Oct 2026. This page is not a substitute for legal advice.