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Act13
Enacted 1885

The Indian Telegraph Act, 1885

In force 46 sections Communications

An Act to amend the law relating to Telegraphs in India.

Act 13 of 1885 Enacted 22 Jul 1885 In force 01 Oct 1885 Department Department of Telecommunications

Administered by. Ministry of Communications, Department of Telecommunications · Other Acts of 1885

Preamble

THE INDIAN TELEGRAPH ACT, 1885

ACT NO. 13 OF 18851

[22nd July,1885.] An Act to amend the law relating to Telegraphs in India.

WHEREAS it is expedient to amend the law relating to telegraphs in India; It is hereby enacted as follows:--

What this Act covers

Summary of The Indian Telegraph Act, 1885

Key Provisions and Post-Repeal Implications

• Exclusive Rights and Licensing: Originally vested in the Central Government for establishing and licensing telegraph services. Post-Repeal: Licenses and actions taken under this provision are deemed valid under the new Act.

• Penalties for Unauthorized Operations: Included imprisonment and fines for unauthorized telegraph operations. Post-Repeal: The validity of penalties for actions prior to repeal is upheld by the savings clause.

• Administrative Powers: Granted rule-making powers to the Central Government. Post-Repeal: Rules continue unless superseded by new regulations under the repealing Act.

Transition and Savings

• Ongoing Actions: Any action, license, or proceeding under the repealed Act is deemed to be under the new Act.

• Existing Rules: Continue in force unless amended or superseded by new rules under the repealing legislation.

Sections

Type to filter. 46 sections.

  1. 1Short title, local extent and commencement
  2. 2[Repealed.]
  3. 3Definitions
  4. 4Exclusive privilege in respect of telegraphs, and power to grant licenses
  5. 5Power for Government to take possession of licensed telegraphs and to order interception of messages
  6. 6Power to establish telegraph on land of Railway Company
  7. 6APower to notify rates for transmission of messages to countries outside India
  8. 7Power to make rules for the conduct of telegraphs
  9. 7ASaving of existing agreements
  10. 7BArbitration of disputes
  11. 8Revocation of licenses
  12. 9Government not responsible for loss or damage
  13. 9AEstablishment of Universal Service Obligation Fund
  14. 9BCrediting of sum to Consolidated Fund of India
  15. 9CGrants and loans by the Central Government
  16. 9DAdministration and utilisation of Fund
  17. 10Power for telegraph authority to place and maintain telegraph lines and posts
  18. 11Rower to enter on property in order to repair or remove telegraph lines or posts
  19. 12Power for local authority to give permission under section 10, clause (c), subject to conditions
  20. 13Power for local authority to require removal or alteration of telegraph line or post
  21. 14Power to alter position of gas or water pipes or drains
  22. 15Disputes between telegraph authority and local authority
  23. 16Exercise of powers conferred by section 10, and disputes as to compensation, in case of property other than that of a local authority
  24. 17Removal or alteration of telegraph line or post on property other than that of a local authority
  25. 18Removal of trees interrupting telegraphic communication
  26. 19Telegraph lines and posts placed before the passing of this Act
  27. 19APerson exercising legal right likely to damage telegraph or interfere with telegraphic communication to give notice
  28. 19BPower to confer upon licensee powers of telegraph authority under this Part
  29. 20Establishing, maintaining or working unauthorised telegraph. 20A. Breach of condition of license
  30. 21Using unauthorised telegraphs
  31. 22Opposing establishment of telegraphs on railway land
  32. 23Intrusion into signal-room, trespass in telegraph office or obstruction
  33. 24Unlawfully attempting to learn contents of messages
  34. 25Intentionally damaging or tampering with telegraphs
  35. 25AInjury to or interference with a telegraph line or post
  36. 26Telegraph officer or other official making away with or altering, or unlawfully intercepting or disclosing, messages, or divulging purport of signals
  37. 27Telegraph officer fraudulently sending messages without payment
  38. 28Misconduct
  39. 29[Repealed.]
  40. 29APenalty
  41. 30Retaining a message delivered by mistake
  42. 31Bribery
  43. 32Attempts to commit offences
  44. 33Power to employ additional police in places where mischief to telegraphs is re
  45. 34Application of Act to Presidency-towns
  46. 35[Repealed.]

Rules made under this Act

34 sets of Rules. India Code publishes Rules as a record and a document rather than as text, so these are indexed here and not reproduced. All Rules.

  • Tthe Indian Telegraph (Infrastructure Safety) Rules, 20222023
  • Flight and Maritime Connectivity Rules, 20182018
  • GSR 1179(E) dated 06.12.2018 - Corrigendum to GSR 1088(E) dated 05.11.20182018
  • The Indian Wireless Telegraphy (Commercial Radio Operator's Certificate of Proficiency and License to operate Global Maritime Distress and Safety System) Amendment Rules, 20182018
  • The Use of Very Low Power Radio Frequency Devices or Equipments for Inductive Applications (Exemption from Licensing Requirement) Amendment Rules, 2018.2018
  • The Use of Wireless Access System including Radio Local Area Network in 5 GHz Band (Exemption from Licensing Requirement) Rules, 20182018
  • The use of low power and very low power Short Range Radio Frequency Devices (Exemption from Licensing Requirement) Rules, 20182018
  • The use of very low power Ultra-wideband devices (Exemption from Licensing Requirement) Rules, 20182018
  • Designating the officers from the respective State Governments/Union Territories for the purposes of referring disputes2017
  • The prevention of tampering of the Mobile Device Equipment Identification Number, Rules, 20172017
  • Indian Telegraph Right of Way Rules, 20162016
  • The Indian Telegraph Right of Way Rules, 20162016
  • The Indian Wireless Telegraphy (Commercial Radio Operator's Certificate of Proficiency and License to operate Global Maritime Distress and Safety System) Amendment Rules, 20162016
  • The use of very low power Radio Frequency devices or equipments including the Radio Frequency Identification Devices, (Exemption from Licensing Requirement) Rules, 20142014
  • The Indian Wireless Telegraphy (Commercial Radio Operators Certificate of Proficiency and License to operate Global Maritime Distress and Safety System) Amendment Rules, 20132013
  • The Indian Wireless Telegraphs (Amateur Service) Amendment Rules, 20092010
  • The Use of Very Low Power Radio Frequency Devices for indoor Applications in the 13.553 - 13.567 MHz frequency range (Exemption from Licensing Requirements) Rules, 20102010
  • The Indian Wireless Telegraphy (Demonstration License) (Amendment) Rules, 20092009
  • The Indian Wireless Telegraphy (Experimental Service) Amendment Rules, 20092009
  • The use of low power equipment in the frequency band 865-867 MHz for (RFID) Radio Frequency Identification Devices (Exemption from Licensing Requirement) Amendment Rules, 20062007
  • The use of very low power equipment in the Citizen Band 26.957- 27.283 MHz ( Exemption from Licensing Requirements) Amendment Rules, 20062007
  • The Indian Wireless Telegraphs (Amateur Service) Amendment Rules, 20052005
  • The Use of low power equipment in the Citizen band 26.957 - 27.283 MHz (Exemption from Licensing Requirement) Rules, 20052005
  • The use of low power Equipment in the frequency band 2.4 GHz to 2.4835 GHz (Exemption from Licensing Requirement) Rules, 20052005
  • The Radio, Television and Video Cassette Recorder Sets (Exemption from Licensing Requirements), Amendment Rules, 20012001
  • The Indian Wireless Telegraphy (Commercial Radio Operators Certificate of Proficiency and license to operate Global Maritime Distress and Safety System) Rules, 19971998
  • The Radio, Television and Video Cassette Recorder Sets (Exemption from Licensing Requirement), Rules, 19971997
  • The Indian Wireless Telegraphy (Experimental Service) Amendment Rules, 19881988
  • The Indian Wireless Telegraph (Foreign Ships) Amendment Rules, 19861986
  • The Indian Wireless Telegraphs (Amateur Service) Amendment Rules, 19841984
  • The Indian Wireless Telegraphs (Amateur Service) Rules, 1978.1978
  • The Indian Wireless Telegraphs (Foreign Ships) Rules, 19731973
  • The Indian Wireless Telegraphy (Demonstration) Rules, 19621962
  • The Indian Wireless Telegraphy (Experimental Service) Rules, 19621962

Related Acts

Ordinances

India Code records no parent Act for an ordinance, so these are tied to this Act by their own titles and their dates rather than by anything the source states. An ordinance is made when Parliament is not sitting and lapses six weeks into the next session unless it is enacted.

  • The Indian Telegraph (Amendment) Ordinance, 2006amended this Act · 2006
  • The Indian Telegraph (Amendment) Ordinance, 2003amended this Act · 2003

All Ordinances

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 46 sections of this Act has its own page. This page is not a substitute for legal advice.