The Ministry of Law and Justice stands as one of the foundational pillars of the Indian government, tracing its roots back to the Charter Act of 1833 enacted by the British Parliament. This act, a pivotal moment in India’s legal history, vested legislative power for the first time in a single authority, the Governor General in Council. Through subsequent legislative milestones such as the Indian Councils Act of 1861 and the Government of India Acts of 1919 and 1935, the landscape of legal governance evolved.

Following the Indian Independence Act of 1947, which marked India’s transition into a Dominion, legislative authority rested with the Dominion Legislature until the enactment of the Constitution of India on January 26, 1950, which formally vested legislative power in Parliament.

Composition of the Ministry

The Ministry of Law and Justice operates through three key departments: the Legislative Department, the Department of Legal Affairs, and the Department of Justice. Each department plays a crucial role in shaping and upholding the legal framework of the nation.

The Legislative Department holds primary responsibility for drafting principal legislation for the Central Government, ensuring its publication, and scrutinizing subordinate legislations under Central Acts. Additionally, it oversees the administration of Election Law and Electoral Reforms, and deals with legislation concerning various concurrent fields such as civil procedure and personal law.

One of the notable resources provided by the Legislative Department is the India Code, a comprehensive compilation of unrepealed Central Acts enacted from the previous century. This resource, available on the department’s website, serves as a valuable repository of legislation in force across the territory of India.