Negotiable Instruments Act, 1881 · Chapter IX: O F N O T I N G A N D P R O T E S T
Section 100: Protest
In plain words
When a note or bill is dishonoured, the holder can, within a reasonable time, have the dishonour noted and certified by a notary public. That certificate is a protest.
- If the acceptor becomes insolvent or their credit is publicly questioned before maturity, the holder can have a notary demand better security, and certify any refusal. This is a protest for better security.
A simplified explanation, prepared with AI assistance from the official text below and checked automatically against it for numbers and cross-references. The official text is the law and prevails over this summary. Not legal advice.
Official text
When a promissory note or bill of exchange has been dishonoured by non-acceptance or non-payment, the holder may, within a reasonable time, cause such dishonour to be noted and certified by a notary public. Such certificate is called a protest.
Protest for better security.— When the acceptor of a bill of exchange has become insolvent, or his credit has been publicly impeached, before the maturity of the bill, the holder may, within a reasonable time, cause a notary public to demand better security of the acceptor, and on its being refused may, within a reasonable time, cause such facts to be noted and certified as aforesaid. Such certificate is called a protest for better security
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 100
No Supreme Court judgment in our database cites this section yet.