The Geneva Conventions Act, 1960
An Act to enable effect to be given to certain international Conventions done at Geneva on the twelfth day of August, 1949, to which India is a party, and for purposes connected therewith.
Administered by. Ministry of External Affairs · Other Acts of 1960
Preamble
THE GENEVA CONVENTIONS ACT, 1960
ACT NO. 6 OF 1960
[12th March, 1960.] An Act to enable effect to be given to certain international Conventions done at Geneva on the twelfth day of August, 1949, to which India is a party, and for purposes connected therewith.
BE it enacted by Parliament in the Eleventh Year of the Republic of India as follows:--
What this Act covers
Summary of the Geneva Conventions Act, 1960
Key Provisions
1. Structure and Commencement
• Title: The Geneva Conventions Act, 1960
• Extent and Commencement: Whole of India, commenced by notification.
2. Definitions and Protected Persons
• Conventions: Refer to the four Geneva Conventions of 1949.
• Protected Internee/Prisoner of War & Protecting Power: Defined in relation to the Conventions.
3. Punishments and Jurisdiction
• Grave Breaches: Punishable with death (for wilful killing), life imprisonment, or up to 14 years for other breaches.
• Jurisdiction: Applies irrespective of nationality, with specified courts.
4. Proceedings for Protected Persons
• Notice and Representation: Mandatory notice to protecting powers and right to legal aid.
• Appeals: Defined process for protected prisoners of war and internees.
5. Emblem Protection
• Misuse of Red Cross Emblem: Prohibited, with penalties for unauthorized use.
• Exceptions: For official use on Indian ships/aircraft and prior authorized users.
6. Miscellaneous Provisions
• Rule Making Power: Central Government can make rules, to be laid before Parliament.
• Repeal of Previous Acts: Supersedes earlier implementing acts.
Sections
Type to filter. 20 sections.
- 1Short title, extent and commencement
- 2Definitions
- 3Punishment of grave breaches of conventions
- 4Liability of persons for offences committed outside India
- 5Jurisdiction of court
- 6Proof of application of Convention
- 7Jurisdiction of courts martial
- 8Notice of trial of protected persons to be served on protecting power, etc
- 9Legal re-presentation of certain persons
- 10Appeals by protected prisoners of war and internees
- 11Reduction of sentence and custody of protected prisoners of war and internees
- 12Prohibition of use of Red Cross and other emblems
- 13Penalty
- 14Offences by companies
- 15Saving
- 16Use of „Red Cross‟ and other emblems on Indian ship or aircraft
- 17Cognizance of offences
- 18Power to make rules
- 19Rules to be laid before Parliament
- 20Repeal
Schedules
This Act has 4 schedules. A schedule is published as a document of its own; the text is reproduced on its page where it has been read, and the document is mirrored here either way.
- THE FIRST SCHEDULE8,055 words
- THE SECOND SCHEDULE8,055 words
- THE THIRD SCHEDULE20,727 words
- THE FOURTH SCHEDULE20,398 words
Related Acts
- The Extradition Act, 196240 sections
- The Passports Act, 196729 sections
- The Foreign Marriage Act, 196930 sections
- The Diplomatic Relations (Vienna Convention) Act, 197211 sections
- The Diplomatic and Consular Officers (Oaths and Fees) Act, 19488 sections
- The United Nations (Privileges and Immunities) Act, 19474 sections
- The Diplomatic and Consular Officers (Oaths and Fees) (Extension to Jammu and Kashmir) Act, 19733 sections
- The United Nations (Security Council) Act, 19472 sections
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. Every one of the 20 sections of this Act has its own page. This page is not a substitute for legal advice.