Indorsement
Section 15 of the Negotiable Instruments Act, 1881 deals with indorsement. When the maker or holder of a negotiable instrument signs the same, otherwise than as such maker, for the purpose of negotiation, on the back or face thereof or on a slip of paper annexed thereto, or so signs for the same purpose a stamped paper intended to be completed as a negotiable instrument, h The Act came into force on 01 Mar 1882.
When the maker or holder of a negotiable instrument signs the same, otherwise than as such maker, for the purpose of negotiation, on the back or face thereof or on a slip of paper annexed thereto, or so signs for the same purpose a stamped paper intended to be completed as a negotiable instrument, he is said to indorse the same, and is called the "indorser".
Section 15, The Negotiable Instruments Act, 1881 (Act 26 of 1881).
Cross-references
Extracted from the operative text of the enactments themselves. Every destination below exists in our corpus.
Referred to by 8
- Andhra Pradesh Maritime Board Act s. 60
- Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya Act, 1909 and s. 12 Prohibition endorsements on allonges
- Gujarat Maritime Board Act s. 58
- Kerala Maritime Board Act s. 55 Endorsement of a security
- Maharashtra Maritime Board Act s. 58 Endorsement to be made on security itself
- Major Port Authorities Act s. 34 Endorsements to be made on security itself
- Odisha Maritime Board Act s. 59
- Tamil Nadu Maritime Board Act s. 58
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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Pradeep Kumar vs Post Master General
Court's Decision & Legal Precedent
When a negotiable instrument (including Kisan Vikas Patras) is presented for encashment at a post office, the post office must verify that the person presenting the instrument is the 'holder' as defined under Section 8 of the Negotiable Instruments Act, 1881, by following the prescribed rules and procedures including verification of identity slip and obtaining written application from the actual holder. Payment made to a person in possession of the instrument but not entitled to receive payment in his name is not a valid discharge under Section 78 or Section 82(c) of the NI Act. Such payment constitutes negligence and violates the requirement of 'payment in due course' under Section 10 of the NI Act. The post office is vicariously liable for fraudulent acts of its employees committed during the course of employment, and such liability cannot be avoided by claiming that the employee acted in individual capacity or that the fraud was committed by a third party.
On this section: Define 'Indorsement' and related terms - KVPs were not indorsed in favor of Rukhsana
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Dharam Nath vs Krishan Kumar
Court's Decision & Legal Precedent
When a cheque has been duly signed and issued by the accused, and the holder of the cheque has established the existence of a legally enforceable debt through credible evidence (including testimony regarding possession of pronote and receipt), the accused cannot escape liability by simple denial. The presumption under Section 139 of the Negotiable Instruments Act favors the holder of the cheque, and to rebut this presumption, the accused must present cogent facts and circumstances making it plausible that no debt existed. Technical objections regarding non-production of original documents are not sustainable when the accused had opportunity to demand their production during cross-examination but failed to do so. The burden shifts to the accused to prove absence of debt, not merely to deny it.
On this section: Cited in context of endorsement requirements; relates to how part-payment of debt should be recorded on cheque
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 15
What have the courts held on Section 15 of the Negotiable Instruments Act?
Pradeep Kumar vs Post Master General (07 Feb 2022) is the leading judgment on this section among those set out below: Define 'Indorsement' and related terms - KVPs were not indorsed in favor of Rukhsana. Another 1 judgment on this section is set out below, 1 of them from the Supreme Court. They run from 2022 to 2025.
How do I find court cases under Section 15 of the Negotiable Instruments 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: NI Act 15, section 15 NI Act, section 15 of the Negotiable Instruments Act. People searching for it also type negotiable instrument act section 15. Each opens the full list of orders on eCourtsIndia, where it can be narrowed by court, year and outcome. 2 reported judgments on this section are set out on this page, beginning with Pradeep Kumar vs Post Master General (07 Feb 2022).
What should I read with Section 15 of the Negotiable Instruments Act, and has it changed?
8 other provisions in this corpus refer back to it.
When did Section 15 of the Negotiable Instruments Act come into force?
Section 15 of the Negotiable Instruments Act, cited as NI Act 15, came into force on 01 Mar 1882, having been enacted on 09 Dec 1881. It is in force as at the date shown on this page.
Other sections of this Act
- 138. Dishonour of cheque for insufficiency, etc., of funds in the account312 words
- 142A. Validation for transfer of pending cases299 words
- 143. Power of Court to try cases summarily297 words
- 143A. Power to direct interim compensation291 words
- 142. Cognizance of offences290 words
- 141. Offences by companies287 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 14 Oct 2026. This page is not a substitute for legal advice.