Meaning of service by post
Section 27 of the General Clauses Act, 1897 deals with meaning of service by post. Where any [Central Act] or Regulation made after the commencement of this Act authorizes or requires any document to be served by post, whether the expression "serve" or either of the expressions "give" or send or any other expression is used, then, unless a different intention appears, the service The Act came into force on 11 Mar 1897.
Where any 1[Central Act] or Regulation made after the commencement of this Act authorizes or requires any document to be served by post, whether the expression "serve" or either of the expressions "give" or send or any other expression is used, then, unless a different intention appears, the service shall be deemed to be effected by properly addressing, pre-paying and posting by registered post, a letter containing the document, and, unless the contrary is proved, to have been effected at the time at which the letter would be delivered in the ordinary course of post.
Section 27, The General Clauses Act, 1897 (Act 10 of 1897).
Related judgements & precedents
These are some judgments that construed this section, and hold precedence value. They hold authority on how to read, interpret and use this section.
-
Mohd. Ghulam Rasool vs Shameem Sultana
Court's Decision & Legal Precedent
Service of summons in maintenance proceedings under Section 125 CrPC can be validly effected by registered post with acknowledgment due in accordance with Rule 13-A of Criminal Rules of Practice and Circular Orders 1990, and when such registered post notice is unclaimed, it constitutes deemed service under Section 27 of the General Clauses Act 1897, thereby validating an ex parte order passed in maintenance proceedings.
On this section: Deemed service - court applied this section to hold that unclaimed registered post notice constitutes valid deemed service.
-
Mahesh Gautam vs Rajeev Kohli
Court's Decision & Legal Precedent
The mismatch of signatures on a cheque does not escape the penal consequences under Section 138 of the Negotiable Instruments Act, particularly when the cheque is returned due to insufficient funds.
On this section: Establishes presumption of successful service of registered mail sent to correct address.
-
R.Sridhar Varma and R.Krishna varma vs Garigipati Gani Raju
Court's Decision & Legal Precedent
Once the signature on a cheque is admitted, the mandatory presumption under Section 139 of the NI Act includes the existence of a legally enforceable debt, and the burden shifts to the accused to provide a probable defense via preponderance of probabilities.
On this section: Presumption of service of notice sent by post.
The holding above is the ratio decidendi as extracted from the judgment by eCourts India, reproduced unaltered — it is a rendering of the court's reasoning, not a substitute for its words. Read the order itself before relying on it.
Questions about Section 27
What have the courts held on Section 27 of the General Clauses Act?
Mohd. Ghulam Rasool vs Shameem Sultana (20 Oct 2009) is the leading judgment on this section among those set out below: Deemed service - court applied this section to hold that unclaimed registered post notice constitutes valid deemed service. Another 2 judgments on this section are set out below. They run from 2009 to 2025.
How do I find court cases under Section 27 of the General Clauses 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: General Clauses Act 27, section 27 General Clauses Act, section 27 of the General Clauses Act. People searching for it also type general clauses act section 27 latest judgments and general clauses act 1897 section 27. Each opens the full list of orders on eCourtsIndia, where it can be narrowed by court, year and outcome. 3 reported judgments on this section are set out on this page, beginning with Mohd. Ghulam Rasool vs Shameem Sultana (20 Oct 2009).
When did Section 27 of the General Clauses Act come into force?
Section 27 of the General Clauses Act, cited as General Clauses Act 27, came into force on 11 Mar 1897, having been enacted on 11 Mar 1897. It is in force as at the date shown on this page.
Other sections of this Act
- 3. Definitions2735 words
- 23. Provisions applicable to making of rules or bye-laws after previous publication243 words
- 24. Continuation of orders, etc., issued under enactments repealed and re-enacted178 words
- 6. Effect of repeal168 words
- 4. Application of foregoing definitions to previous enactments143 words
- 28. Citation of enactments143 words
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.