Declaration of certain substances to be dangerously inflammable
Section 3 of the Inflammable Substances Act, 1952 deals with declaration of certain substances to be dangerously inflammable. The liquids and other substances hereinafter mentioned, namely:-- (1) acetone, (2) calcium phosphide, (3) carbide of calcium, (4) cinematograph films having a nitro-cellulose base, (5) ethyl alcohol, (6) methyl alcohol, (7) wood naphtha, are hereby declared to be dangerously inflammable. The Act came into force on 06 Mar 1952.
The liquids and other substances hereinafter mentioned, namely:--
(1) acetone,
(2) calcium phosphide,
(3) carbide of calcium,
(4) cinematograph films having a nitro-cellulose base,
(5) ethyl alcohol,
(6) methyl alcohol,
(7) wood naphtha,
are hereby declared to be dangerously inflammable.
Section 3, The Inflammable Substances Act, 1952 (Act 20 of 1952).
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.
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Hassainar K.P. v. State of Kerala & Ors.
Court's Decision & Legal Precedent
DATE VERIFIED Judgement 04.04.2024 (order-1.pdf; body 'Dated this the 04th day of April, 2024' / 'THURSDAY, THE 4TH DAY OF APRIL 2024' matches index): Petitioner challenged ADM order on ground that no s.4 notification applied Petroleum Act 1934 to methyl alcohol. Court holds s.3 itself declares methyl alcohol (among listed liquids) dangerously inflammable; Petroleum Act provisions apply to such declared substances. WP dismissed.
On this section: s.3 — methyl alcohol is statute-declared dangerously inflammable; no separate declaration step is needed before Petroleum Act regulatory architecture can attach via ss.4–5.
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.
Made under this section, and citing it
1 instrument states 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 2 instruments name this provision in its title or its text without being made under it.
Questions about Section 3
What have the courts held on Section 3 of the Inflammable Substances Act?
Hassainar K.P. v. State of Kerala & Ors. (04 Apr 2024) is the leading judgment on this section among those set out below: s.3 — methyl alcohol is statute-declared dangerously inflammable; no separate declaration step is needed before Petroleum Act regulatory architecture can attach via ss.4–5.
How do I find court cases under Section 3 of the Inflammable Substances 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: Inflammable Substances Act 3, section 3 Inflammable Substances Act, section 3 of the Inflammable Substances Act. Each opens the full list of orders on eCourtsIndia, where it can be narrowed by court, year and outcome. 1 reported judgment on this section is set out on this page, beginning with Hassainar K.P. v. State of Kerala & Ors. (04 Apr 2024).
What should I read with Section 3 of the Inflammable Substances Act, and has it changed?
The rules and notifications made under it are where it actually bites, and there is one: most recently 5_GSR 1094(E)-08.11.2018 (2018).
When did Section 3 of the Inflammable Substances Act come into force?
Section 3 of the Inflammable Substances Act, cited as Inflammable Substances Act 3, came into force on 06 Mar 1952, having been enacted on 06 Mar 1952. 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.