Legal acts have two important dates: enactment and enforcement. Enactment is when the law is passed. Enforcement is when it becomes active. Think of it like a law being announced versus it actually starting. For law students preparing for exams like AIBE, APO, CLAT 2026, UGC NET (Law), or State Judiciary, knowing these dates is very useful. This article provides a list of key legislation with both enactment vs enforcement acts in India. You will find this list helpful.
Difference Between Enactment and Enforcement of Acts in India
| Aspect | Enactment | Enforcement |
| Meaning | The process of making a bill into a law | The process of applying or implementing the law |
| Stage | Happens in the legislative phase | Happens after the law is passed |
| Authority Involved | Parliament or State Legislature | Central or State Government, relevant departments |
| Legal Status | Law is created but has not yet in use | The law comes into operation and is followed |
| Gazette Notification | Published in the Gazette after the Act is passed | The enforcement date is mentioned in the Gazette or notified later |
| Example | The GST Act was enacted in 2016 | The GST Act was enforced on 1st July 2017 |
| Timeline | No fixed date for enforcement after enactment | The government decides the enforcement date |
| Public Impact | No direct effect on citizens immediately | Direct effect on the public, businesses, and officials |
Constitutional Law
| Statute Name | Date of Enactment | Date of Enforcement |
| Government of India Act, 1935 | 2 August 1935 | 1 August 1937 |
| Constitution of India, 1949 | 26 November 1949 | 26 January 1950 |
| The Representation of the People Act, 1951 | 17 July 1951 | 12 August 1951 |
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LAW OF TORTS
| Statue Name | Date of Enactment | Date of Enforcement |
| Consumer Protection Act, 2019 | 9 August 2019 | 20 July 2020 |
| Motor Vehicles Act, 2019 | 9 August 2019 | 1 September 2019 |
| Competition Act, 2002 | 13 January 2003 | 31 March 2003 |
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Article: Enactment vs Enforcement of Acts in India
In India, laws come into being through a two-step process—enactment and enforcement. Although they are often used together, these terms have different meanings and roles in lawmaking.
Enactment means the creation of a law. This starts when a bill is introduced in the Parliament or the State Legislature. The bill goes through debates and approvals in both houses. Once passed, it gets the President’s or the Governor’s signature. It is then published in the Official Gazette. From this point, the Act becomes law, but it is not yet active or applied.
Enforcement, on the other hand, means the law starts working in real life. After an Act is enacted, the government decides when to bring it into action. Sometimes, an Act is enforced on the same day it is enacted. Other times, there may be a gap of weeks or even months. The enforcement date is often given in the Gazette or through a separate notification.
For example, the Goods and Services Tax (GST) law was enacted in 2016. But it was enforced on 1st July 2017. This gave time for preparations like setting up systems, training officials, and informing the public.
This gap between enactment and enforcement is important. It helps the government and the people get ready. Once enforced, the Act becomes active, and all citizens and businesses must follow it.
Enactment makes the law official, while enforcement brings it to life. Both steps are key to the legal process in India. Understanding this difference helps us know when a law is just passed and when it starts to affect us.
