Section31
The Indian Partnership Act, 1932

Introduction of a partner

In force Act 9 of 1932 As on 15 Oct 2026

Act 9 of 1932 Ministry Corporate Affairs Enacted 08 Apr 1932

Commencement. 1932-10-01 (except section 69) 1933-10-01

Section 31 of the Indian Partnership Act, 1932 deals with introduction of a partner. Subject to contract between the partners and to the provisions of section 30, no person shall be introduced as a partner into a firm without the consent of all the existing partners. The Act was enacted on 08 Apr 1932.

(1) Subject to contract between the partners and to the provisions of section 30, no person shall be introduced as a partner into a firm without the consent of all the existing partners.

(2) Subject to the provisions of section 30, a person who is introduced as a partner into a firm does not thereby become liable for any act of the firm done before he became a partner.

Section 31, The Indian Partnership Act, 1932 (Act 9 of 1932).

Cross-references

Extracted from the operative text of the enactments themselves. Every destination below exists in our corpus.

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.

  1. Sharad Vasant Kotak vs Ramniklal Mohanlal Chawda

    Supreme Court of India 17 Dec 1997 Binding (Supreme Court)

    Court's Decision & Legal Precedent

    When a registered partnership firm undergoes reconstitution due to the death of a partner and the induction of a replacement partner, the reconstitution does not dissolve the original registered firm and does not require fresh registration. The original registration continues to be valid. A suit for dissolution and accounts of the firm can be maintained if (1) the firm was originally registered, and (2) the person suing is shown in the Register of Firms as a partner in that registered firm. Non-compliance with the requirement to notify the Registrar of changes in firm constitution (Sections 61, 62, 63) attracts penalties under Section 69A but does not invalidate the registration or bar the maintainability of suits under Section 69(2A). For purposes of Section 69(2A), the partnership firm means the firm as found in the Certificate of Registration, and partners are those found in the Register of Firms.

    On this section: Introduction of a partner - Court examined the language comparing incoming and outgoing partners provisions to determine if induction of new partner creates new firm

    Read the full order on eCourts India

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 31

What have the courts held on Section 31 of the Indian Partnership Act?

Sharad Vasant Kotak vs Ramniklal Mohanlal Chawda (17 Dec 1997) is the leading judgment on this section among those set out below: Introduction of a partner - Court examined the language comparing incoming and outgoing partners provisions to determine if induction of new partner creates new firm.

How do I find court cases under Section 31 of the Indian Partnership 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: Partnership Act 31, section 31 Partnership Act, section 31 of the Indian Partnership Act. People searching for it also type indian partnership act 1932 section 31. 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 Sharad Vasant Kotak vs Ramniklal Mohanlal Chawda (17 Dec 1997).

What should I read with Section 31 of the Indian Partnership Act, and has it changed?

Its own text turns on section 30 (Minors admitted to the benefits of partnership), so none of them can safely be read on its own.

When was Section 31 of the Indian Partnership Act enacted?

Section 31 of the Indian Partnership Act, cited as Partnership Act 31, was enacted on 08 Apr 1932 as Act 9 of 1932. 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 15 Oct 2026. This page is not a substitute for legal advice.