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Section23
The Environment (Protection) Act, 1986

Power to delegate

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 20

Section 23 of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 deals with power to delegate. Without prejudice to the provisions of sub-section (3) of section 3, the Central Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette, delegate, subject to such conditions and limitations as may be specified in the notification, such of its powers and functions under this Act [except the power to The Act came into force on 19 Nov 1986.

Without prejudice to the provisions of sub-section (3) of section 3, the Central Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette, delegate, subject to such conditions and limitations as may be specified in the notification, such of its powers and functions under this Act [except the power to constitute an authority under sub-section (3) of section 3 and to make rules under section 25] as it may deem necessary or expedient, to any officer, State Government or other authority.

Section 23, 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. s. 25 Power to make rules

Made under this section, and citing it

15 instruments state that it was made under this provision — the power to make it comes from here, so a change to any of them changes what this section requires in practice. Newest first.

Another 5 instruments name this provision in its title or its text without being made under it.

All subordinate legislation

Questions about Section 23

What does Section 23 of the Environment (Protection) Act deal with?

Section 23 of the Environment (Protection) Act is headed "Power to delegate". Without prejudice to the provisions of sub-section (3) of section 3, the Central Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette, delegate, subject to such conditions and limitations as may be specified in the notification, such of its powers and functions under this Act [except the power to

How do I find court cases under Section 23 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 23, section 23 Environment Act, section 23 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 23 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), section 25 (Power to make rules), so none of them can safely be read on its own. The rules and notifications made under it are where it actually bites, and there are 15: most recently Amendment of laboratories notification (2024), then G.S.R. 596(E). Ecomark Rules, 2024 (2024), and 13 more.

When did Section 23 of the Environment (Protection) Act come into force?

Section 23 of the Environment (Protection) Act, cited as Environment Act 23, 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.