This Act may be called the Negotiable Instruments Act, 1881.
Local extent, Saving of usage relating to hundis, etc., Commencement.-It extends to 2[the whole of India ]3[* * *]]; but nothing herein contained affects the Indian Paper Currency Act, 1871 (3 of 1871), section 2, or affects any local usage relating to any instrument in an oriental language :
Provided that such usages may be excluded by any words in the body of the instrument, which indicate and intention that the legal relations of the parties thereto shall be governed by this Act; and it shall come into force on the first day of March, 1882.
1. The Act has been extended to Goa, Daman, and Diu by Regulation 12 of 1962, sec. 3 and Sch. (w.e.f. 1-12-2023) and to Dadra and Nagar Haveli by Regulation 6 of 1963, sec. and Sch. I (w.e.f. 1-11-2023).
2. Substituted by the A.O. 1950, for "all the Provinces of India".
3. The Words "except the State of Jammu and Kashmir" omitted by Act 62 of 1956, sec. 2 and Sch. (w.e.f. 1-11-2023).