Home The Constitution Part XXI Article 372

Art. 372 Part XXI: Temporary, Transitional and Special Provisions

Continuance in Force of Existing Laws and Their Adaptation

Exact text — Constitution of India

(1) Notwithstanding the repeal by this Constitution of the enactments referred to in article 395 but subject to the other provisions of this Constitution, all the law in force in the territory of India immediately before the commencement of this Constitution shall continue in force therein until altered or repealed or amended by a competent Legislature or other competent authority. (2) For the purpose of bringing the provisions of any law in force in the territory of India into accord with the provisions of this Constitution, the President may by order make such adaptations and modifications of such law... as may be necessary or expedient, and provide that the law shall, as from such date as may be specified in the order, have effect subject to the adaptations and modifications so made...

In Plain English

What this Article actually means

This is a foundational continuity-preserving Article — despite the Constitution formally repealing the Government of India Act, 1935 and Indian Independence Act, 1947 (under Article 395), all OTHER pre-1950 laws continued in force automatically, avoiding a legal vacuum. Clause (2) additionally gave the President a one-time power to adapt old laws' specific wording to fit the new constitutional framework.

Why This Matters To You

How it shows up in everyday life

This is why India didn't need to re-enact its entire body of existing law from scratch in 1950 — the vast majority of pre-independence legislation (from property law to criminal procedure) simply continued under this Article, to be gradually updated, amended, or replaced by competent legislatures over subsequent decades as needed.

Read alongside this one

Art. 395 — Repeals

Frequently Asked

Quick answers about Article 372

Are there still pre-1950 laws in force in India today because of this Article?

Yes — a number of laws from the British colonial era (some amended extensively since) remain technically in force today, tracing their continued validity back to this Article's continuity guarantee, though many have since been substantially updated or repealed by subsequent legislation.

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The text above reproduces Article 372 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.