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States Reorganisation Act, 1956 · Chapter XI: Legal and Miscellaneous Provisions

Section 120: Power to adapt laws

For the purpose of facilitating the application of any law in relation to any of the States [or Union territories] formed or territorially altered by the provisions of Part II, the appropriate Government may, before the expiration of one year from the appointed day, by order make such adaptations and modifications of the law, whether by way of repeal or amendment, as may be necessary or expedient, and thereupon every such law shall have effect subject to the adaptations and modifications so made until altered, repealed or amended by a competent Legislature or other competent authority.

Explanation.—In this section, the expression "appropriate Government" means—

(a) as respects any law relating to a matter enumerated in the Union List, the Central Government; and

(b) as respects any other law,—

(i) in its application to a *** State, the State Government, and

(ii) in its application to a [Union territory], the Central Government.

Source: India Code (indiacode.gov.in), the consolidated text published by the Legislative Department, Government of India. Text as updated on India Code on 15 October 2026. Words in square brackets [ ] were inserted or substituted by later amending Acts, and *** marks words omitted by an amendment. The amendment footnotes are not reproduced here. Official text on India Code.

Supreme Court judgments citing the section 120