Home The Constitution Part XII Article 300

Art. 300 Part XII: Finance, Property, Contracts and Suits

Suits and Proceedings

Exact text — Constitution of India

(1) The Government of India may sue or be sued by the name of the Union of India and the Government of a State may sue or be sued by the name of the State and may, subject to any provisions which may be made by Act of Parliament or of the Legislature of such State enacted by virtue of powers conferred by this Constitution, sue or be sued in relation to their respective affairs in the like cases as the Dominion of India and the corresponding Provinces or the corresponding Indian States might have sued or been sued if this Constitution had not been enacted...

In Plain English

What this Article actually means

This Article confirms that the government CAN be sued — 'Union of India' or the relevant State government is the proper party name for litigation — continuing essentially the same suability that existed under the pre-1950 government structure, subject to whatever specific legislation Parliament or a State Legislature might enact regarding it.

Why This Matters To You

How it shows up in everyday life

This is why you'll see 'Union of India' as the respondent in so many court cases challenging central government action — this Article is the formal basis confirming the government isn't above being sued and specifies the correct legal name to use when doing so.

Read alongside this one

Art. 299 — Contracts

Frequently Asked

Quick answers about Article 300

Can I sue the government directly, or do I need special permission?

You generally CAN sue the government like any other legal entity for many kinds of claims, though certain government actions may have specific procedural requirements or immunities (like sovereign function immunity in some contexts) — the exact scope has been shaped by extensive case law over the decades.

← PreviousArticle 299: Contracts Next →Article 300A: Persons Not to Be Deprived of Property Save by Authority of Law

The text above reproduces Article 300 of the Constitution of India as amended to date, for general educational reference. It is public-domain legislative text, but we recommend cross-checking the authoritative version at legislative.gov.in or india.gov.in before relying on it for a legal matter. The explanation, examples and FAQs are general information, not legal advice — consult a qualified advocate for guidance on your specific situation.