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Section21
The Environment (Protection) Act, 1986

Members, officers and employees of the authority constituted under Section 3 to be public servants

In force From 19 Nov 1986 Act 29 of 1986 As on 17 Oct 2026

Act 29 of 1986 Ministry Environment, Forest and Climate Change Enacted 23 May 1986 In force 19 Nov 1986 Instruments 6

Section 21 of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 deals with members, officers and employees of the authority constituted under Section 3 to be public servants. All the members of the authority, constituted, if any, under section 3 and all officers and other employees of such authority when acting or purporting to act in pursuance of any provisions of this Act or the rules made or orders or directions issued thereunder shall be deemed to be public servants The Act came into force on 19 Nov 1986.

All the members of the authority, constituted, if any, under section 3 and all officers and other employees of such authority when acting or purporting to act in pursuance of any provisions of this Act or the rules made or orders or directions issued thereunder shall be deemed to be public servants within the meaning of Section 21 of the Indian Penal Code (45 of 1860).

Section 21, The Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 (Act 29 of 1986).

Cross-references

Extracted from the operative text of the enactments themselves. Every destination below exists in our corpus.

This section refers to

  1. s. 3 Power of Central Government to take measures to protect and improve environment
  2. Indian Penal Code s. 21 "Public servant"

Made under this section, and citing it

6 instruments name this provision in its title or its text without being made under it.

All subordinate legislation

Questions about Section 21

What does Section 21 of the Environment (Protection) Act deal with?

Section 21 of the Environment (Protection) Act is headed "Members, officers and employees of the authority constituted under Section 3 to be public servants". All the members of the authority, constituted, if any, under section 3 and all officers and other employees of such authority when acting or purporting to act in pursuance of any provisions of this Act or the rules made or orders or directions issued thereunder shall be deemed to be public servants

How do I find court cases under Section 21 of the Environment (Protection) 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: Environment Act 21, section 21 Environment Act, section 21 of the Environment (Protection) Act. Each opens the full list of orders on eCourtsIndia, where it can be narrowed by court, year and outcome.

What should I read with Section 21 of the Environment (Protection) Act, and has it changed?

Its own text turns on section 3 (Power of Central Government to take measures to protect and improve environment), Indian Penal Code 21 ("Public servant"), so none of them can safely be read on its own. 6 instruments name it without being made under it, most recently U. T. of Daman & Diu, it is decided to re-recategories industries depending upon their Effluent discharge, Emission into Ambient Air, Generation of hazardous and solid wastes, foul odours and noise pollution, Hazard & Explosion potential and Public safety & health. (1999), then G.S.R. 329(E): Environment (Protection) Second Amendment Rules, 1992 (1992).

When did Section 21 of the Environment (Protection) Act come into force?

Section 21 of the Environment (Protection) Act, cited as Environment Act 21, came into force on 19 Nov 1986, having been enacted on 23 May 1986. 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 17 Oct 2026. This page is not a substitute for legal advice.