Limitation Act, 1963: Mains Previous Year Questions (Subjective)
Explore topic-wise, source-attributed questions on limitation, delay, disability, exclusion, acknowledgement, prescription and possession. All historical paper contexts and distinct question occurrences are retained.
Scope and source verification
Collected from 21 attributed examination-paper sources, spanning 2013–2025. Each question is a labelled English editorial paraphrase. Where identifiable paper scans were checked, these are marked grade A; reproduced or attributed question-paper transcriptions are grade B. Neither grade implies every link is hosted by the examining authority.
Exam-cycle labels may differ from the sitting date. For example, the Mizoram Judicial Service 2025 paper is dated 24 April 2026 in the scanned source. No inferred section numbers, hypothetical facts, answers or solutions have been inserted.
Research checked: . Historical limitation questions remain identified by their original examination year. Question cards contain no answers, solutions or model responses.
Find mains questions
Object, nature and application
7 questionsLA001 · Remedy and right
Examine the proposition that limitation bars a legal remedy without destroying the underlying right.
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LA008 · Applicability and purpose
(a) Write on the applicability of the Limitation Act, 1963. (b) Explain the objectives and reasons for legislation fixing limitation periods.
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LA015 · General effect and distinction
(a) Explain the statement that limitation bars the remedy without extinguishing the right. (b) Distinguish limitation from prescription.
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LA029 · Remedy and right
Explain the statement that limitation extinguishes the remedy but not the underlying right.
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LA039 · Exceptions to the general rule
Discuss the proposition that limitation bars the remedy but not the right, and identify any exceptions.
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LA051 · Remedy against right
Explain and illustrate the statement that limitation bars the remedy without extinguishing the right.
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LA058 · Procedural nature
Discuss the proposition that limitation law is procedural and ordinarily bars enforcement through suit without extinguishing the underlying right.
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Bar of limitation and prescribed periods
5 questionsLA003 · Suits against trustees
Explain the limitation rules governing suits against an express trustee and the trustee’s legal representatives.
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LA022 · Writ petitions and effect on rights
Write notes on (a) application of limitation law to writ petitions, and (b) the principle that limitation bars the remedy but does not extinguish the right.
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LA023 · Sections 3–11
Discuss the law governing limitation of suits, appeals and applications under Sections 3–11.
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LA063 · Government suit
The State of Himachal Pradesh sued to recover land after the prescribed limitation period. The defendant objected. May the State claim an exemption from limitation applicable to ordinary litigants? Decide.
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LA069 · Section 3 and effect on right
Explain the scope of Section 3(1) of the Limitation Act, 1963, and examine whether expiry of limitation extinguishes a substantive right or only the remedy.
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Condonation of delay and court holidays
10 questionsLA002 · Court closed on last day
What relief is available when the prescribed limitation period for filing a suit ends on a day when the court is closed?
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LA016 · Section 5
Describe the general principles governing extension of the prescribed period under Section 5 of the Limitation Act, 1963.
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LA034 · State delay applications
What factors should a court consider when deciding an application under Section 5 for condonation of delay? Should the approach differ where the applicant is the State? Discuss with relevant case law.
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LA045 · Five sufficient cause illustrations
Identify and illustrate at least five instances of sufficient cause for extending limitation under Section 5 of the Limitation Act, 1963.
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LA048 · Delay in filing and re-filing
Compare the considerations relevant to condoning delay in the initial filing of an application and in its re-filing.
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LA055 · Late appeals
May a court entertain an appeal after the prescribed period has expired? State the conditions and reasons.
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LA061 · Condonation of late appeals
State the circumstances in which a court may condone delay in filing appeals or applications.
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LA062 · Sufficient cause
Explain the doctrine of sufficient cause for condonation of delay.
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LA067 · Two condonation problems
Consider whether sufficient cause exists under Section 5 in both situations: (i) a rural, illiterate litigant sought restoration three years late after communication failed with distant counsel; (ii) substitution was requested three years after a party’s death and condonation seven further years later, citing a lawyer-spouse’s unfamiliarity with civil procedure.
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LA070 · Objectives and sufficient cause
Discuss the fundamental object of the Limitation Act, 1963 and critically consider the operation of Section 5, particularly the interpretation of sufficient cause.
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Legal disability and continuing time
5 questionsLA019 · Sections 6–9
Discuss the doctrine of disability under Sections 6–9 of the Limitation Act, 1963.
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LA024 · Optional distinctions
Distinguish any two pairs: (a) limitation period and prescribed period; (b) legal disability under Section 6 and disability of one of several persons under Section 7; (c) suits against trustees under Section 10 and lex fori under Section 11.
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LA031 · Once time begins
Briefly explain the rule that once time begins to run, a subsequent disability or inability cannot stop it.
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LA050 · Disability and joint creditors
A owes money to a firm whose partners include two persons of unsound mind and a minor. Determine when the limitation period runs against them.
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LA057 · Death of respondent before appeal
An appeal was filed against a land-acquisition award despite the sole respondent dying before its filing. An application to implead legal representatives was made later. Parties dispute whether Order I Rule 10 or Order XXII CPC applies and whether Articles 120 or 137 of the Limitation Act governs the request. Decide the effect on the appeal.
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Computation and exclusion of time
11 questionsLA009 · Computing limitation
Explain the rules for computing a limitation period under the Limitation Act, 1963.
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LA025 · Sections 12–24
Discuss the law governing computation of the limitation period under Sections 12–24 of the Limitation Act, 1963.
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LA030 · Exclusion in proceedings
Briefly state the law on exclusion of time in legal proceedings under the Limitation Act, 1963.
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LA037 · Excluded periods
Explain the circumstances in which specified periods are excluded while computing limitation.
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LA042 · Limitation short notes
Write short notes on (i) acknowledgement and part payment when computing limitation; (ii) limitation for a suit accompanied by an application for leave to sue as an indigent person; (iii) effect of death before or upon accrual of the right to sue or be sued.
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LA046 · Proceedings in wrong forum
A recovery suit was instituted in Delhi in 2016 despite a territorial-jurisdiction objection, was decreed there in 2020, and was withdrawn at the first appellate hearing for fresh filing in Mumbai. Examine whether the previous period can be excluded under Section 14(3), considering good faith, due diligence and the court’s discretion.
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LA052 · Reckoning time
Explain how limitation periods are reckoned under the Limitation Act, 1963, with reference to case law.
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LA056 · Exclusion exceptions
Explain the statutory exclusions that qualify the ordinary computation of limitation periods.
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LA064 · Certified copy and appeal
Judgment was pronounced on 10 July 2002; the decree was prepared on 25 July. The appellant applied for a certified copy on 11 July, which was ready on 1 August and collected on 5 August. Determine the period excluded under Section 12 when calculating the appeal deadline.
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LA068 · Delay collecting returned plaint
A court lacking jurisdiction ordered return of a plaint for filing before the proper forum. The claimant collected it four months after the order. Decide whether those four months can be excluded under Section 14.
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LA071 · Time spent in wrong court
Discuss periods excluded when computing limitation, including time spent prosecuting proceedings bona fide in a court lacking jurisdiction.
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Fraud, mistake and effect of death
4 questionsLA010 · Death, fraud and mistake
Discuss the effect of death, fraud and mistake on computation of limitation.
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LA032 · Fraud and mistake
What effect do fraud or mistake have on the period of limitation for a suit or application?
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LA054 · Fraud/mistake and time
Explain how fraud and mistake affect limitation, citing the statutory provisions and case law.
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LA066 · Mistaken bank remittance
A bank remitted Rs 14,22,070 on 7 November 1977 although the customer had Rs 1 lakh in the account. The bank claimed discovery of the error on 9 December 1983 and sued in March 1985. Decide whether the bank’s diligence justified reliance on Section 17(c).
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Acknowledgement and part payment
7 questionsLA004 · Acknowledgement and delayed money suit
(a) Explain how an acknowledgement of liability affects the limitation period. (b) X sold and delivered goods to Y on 1 January 2015. X sued for the price on 10 January 2018 and requested condonation of the delay. Could the court condone it?
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LA017 · Sections 18–22
Discuss the effects of acknowledgement, payment, and the substitution or addition of parties under Sections 18–22 of the Limitation Act, 1963.
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LA033 · Dishonoured cheque and time bar
A seller supplied goods under an invoice of 15 April 2012 and brought a price-recovery suit on 15 July 2015. The buyer issued a cheque on 6 May 2015, which was dishonoured on 13 May 2015. Decide the buyer’s preliminary objection that the suit is barred by limitation, giving reasons under the relevant law.
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LA036 · Acknowledgement and payment
Explain the effect of acknowledgement of liability and part-payment of debt on the limitation period.
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LA043 · Acknowledgement and set-off
A trader advanced Rs 1.80 crore on 1 January 2014 and received goods worth Rs 1.60 crore by 1 June 2014. The trader sued on 1 January 2018, relying on a letter dated 1 January 2016 admitting receipts and deliveries but denying any amount due because of a counterclaim for warehouse rent. Identify the statutory requirements for extending limitation and decide if the action was timely.
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LA053 · Acknowledgement effect
Explain acknowledgement of liability and its effect upon the running of limitation.
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LA072 · Acknowledgement of principal and interest
Explain the acknowledgement rule under Section 18, the requirements for valid acknowledgement and its effect on limitation concerning principal and interest.
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Addition or substitution of parties
1 questionLA038 · Adding parties
Discuss how adding or substituting a plaintiff or defendant affects the date of institution of a suit for limitation purposes.
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Limitation in suits and specific performance
5 questionsLA040 · Specific performance, historical contract
An agreement to sell was executed on 20 December 1964, but the purchaser claimed to have discovered the seller’s refusal on 21 November 1993 and sued for specific performance and injunction on 6 April 1994. Decide the preliminary limitation objection to the suit in light of the parties’ assertions.
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LA041 · Agreement with tax clearance contingency
A property was agreed to be sold on 24 December 1970; tax-clearance documentation and the balance price were due within agreed intervals. The purchaser demanded performance in 1971–72 and filed suit on 5 November 1977. The seller pleaded time bar and disputed the claim that overseas residence prevented filing. Apply relevant limitation provisions to decide whether the suit was timely.
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LA044 · Time for specific performance
In a dispute over an agreement to sell immovable property, analyse the limitation period for a specific-performance suit together with questions concerning registration and rejection of the plaint under Order VII Rule 11 CPC.
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LA060 · Accrual after building damage
A landowner dug a tank on adjoining land, and a neighbouring building subsequently subsided. When does time start running for a damages claim arising from the injury? Apply the Limitation Act and relevant case law.
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LA065 · Tenant holding over
A tenant remained in possession after termination of tenancy on 7 July 1987. The landlord went abroad, returned on 15 February 1999, became bedridden and sued on 17 November 1999. Decide the possession claim by applying the relevant limitation law.
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Easements, prescription and adverse possession
10 questionsLA005 · Easements
(a) Define an easement. (b) Discuss how easements may be acquired by prescription.
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LA006 · Prescription and possession
(a) Discuss the functions and different types of prescription. (b) State the essentials of adverse possession.
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LA007 · Distinctions
Distinguish (a) limitation from prescription, and (b) limitation from laches.
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LA012 · Easements and comparison
(a) Explain easements with illustrations. (b) Distinguish limitation from prescription.
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LA014 · Law of prescription
Write short notes on any two: (a) functions of the law of prescription; (b) adverse possession; (c) types of prescription.
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LA026 · Limitation versus prescription
Critically distinguish the law of limitation from the law of prescription.
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LA027 · Prescriptive easements
Discuss legal rules governing acquisition of an easement by prescription.
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LA028 · Easement and prescription notes
Write notes on (a) the concept of easement, and (b) the law of prescription.
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LA047 · Adverse possession
State the prerequisites for establishing adverse possession under the applicable law and the Limitation Act.
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LA059 · Adverse possession
Write a detailed note on adverse possession.
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Extinguishment of property rights and Schedule
3 questionsLA013 · Ownership by possession
Discuss acquisition of ownership through possession under Sections 25–27 of the Limitation Act, 1963.
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LA021 · Easement and extinguishment
(a) Discuss acquisition of an easement by prescription under Section 25 of the Limitation Act, 1963. (b) Write a note on extinguishment of rights to property.
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LA035 · Guardian transfer and limitation
Determine the limitation period and starting point for the legal representative of a ward to challenge the guardian’s transfer of property where the ward died within three years after attaining majority.
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Interpretation and special applications
4 questionsLA011 · Optional short notes
Write short notes on any two: (a) the rule of lex fori; (b) sufficient cause and condonation of delay; (c) rules of interpretation of the Limitation Act, 1963.
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LA018 · Interpretation
Explain the rules used to interpret the Limitation Act, 1963.
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LA020 · Statutory terms
Explain the meanings of (a) plaintiff and defendant, (b) bond, (c) bar of limitation, and (d) applicant and application.
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LA049 · Cheque complaint timing
Cheques dated 15–16 March 2005 were dishonoured; notices were served on 29 September 2005 and the 15-day payment period ended on 14 October 2005. Complaints were filed on 15 October 2005. Decide an objection that those complaints were presented beyond limitation.
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Original examination papers and attributions
Links go to checked original-paper scans or identified secondary examination-paper reproductions. Availability may change with the source host.
- West Bengal Judicial Service 2018: Mains Optional: Law of Limitation and Prescription · 7 entries · grade A
- West Bengal Judicial Service 2020: Mains Optional: Law of Limitation and Prescription · 7 entries · grade A
- West Bengal Judicial Service 2021: Mains Optional: Law of Limitation and Prescription · 7 entries · grade B
- West Bengal Judicial Service 2022: Mains Optional: Law of Limitation and Prescription · 7 entries · grade A
- Rajasthan Judicial Service 2013: Mains Law Paper I · 2 entries · grade B
- Rajasthan Judicial Service 2015: Mains Law Paper I · 1 entries · grade B
- Rajasthan Judicial Service 2016: Mains Law Paper I · 1 entries · grade B
- Rajasthan Judicial Service 2017: Mains Law Paper I · 1 entries · grade B
- Rajasthan Judicial Service 2021: Mains Law Paper I · 2 entries · grade B
- Madhya Pradesh Civil Judge 2015: Mains First Paper · 1 entries · grade B
- Madhya Pradesh Civil Judge 2019: Mains First Paper · 1 entries · grade B
- Madhya Pradesh Civil Judge 2022: Mains First Paper · 2 entries · grade B
- Delhi Judicial Service 2015: Mains Civil Law II · 3 entries · grade B
- Delhi Judicial Service 2018: Mains Civil Law II · 1 entries · grade B
- Delhi Judicial Service 2019: Mains Civil Law II · 2 entries · grade B
- Delhi Judicial Service 2022: Mains Civil Law II · 1 entries · grade B
- Himachal Pradesh Judicial Service 2014: Mains Civil Law II · 5 entries · grade B
- Himachal Pradesh Judicial Service 2015: Mains Civil Law II · 5 entries · grade B
- Himachal Pradesh Judicial Service 2017: Mains Civil Law I/II · 7 entries · grade B
- Himachal Pradesh Judicial Service 2019: Mains Civil Law II · 5 entries · grade B
- Mizoram Judicial Service Grade I 2025: Mains Paper II, held 24 April 2026 · 4 entries · grade A
Coverage audit and limitations
72 attributable question occurrences across 21 distinct represented papers, 6 examination families, 6 jurisdictions and 12 topics. Grades: 25 original-paper scans and 47 attributed reproductions. All entries were individually catalogued; no repeat occurrence has been silently omitted.
Unverified coverage: many states, Uttar Pradesh judicial-service cycles, Assam, Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Karnataka and others were searched but cannot be claimed as comprehensively covered. Some archives, scans and remote examination papers are not available or were not fully accessible. This is a verified partial compilation, not every question asked nationally.
