Last Updated: May 2026
Order VII (Plaint) of the Civil Procedure Code 1908 governs the very first step of every civil suit — drafting the plaint. For Judiciary 2027 aspirants, Order VII is among the highest-frequency CPC topics in Prelims and Mains. Drafting questions in Mains and rejection-of-plaint Prelims questions appear with near-certainty in BPSC, UP-PCS-J, MP-PCS-J, Rajasthan PCS-J and other state syllabi.
Quick Reference Table — Rules of Order VII
| Rule | Subject |
|---|---|
| Rule 1 | Particulars to be contained in the plaint |
| Rule 2 | Plaint in money suits — precise figures |
| Rule 3 | Description of immovable property |
| Rule 4 | Where plaintiff sues as representative |
| Rule 6 | Grounds of exemption from limitation |
| Rule 7 | Relief to be specifically stated |
| Rule 9 | Procedure on admitting plaint |
| Rule 10 | Return of plaint |
| Rule 11 | Rejection of plaint — six grounds |
| Rule 14–18 | Production of documents at the time of plaint |
Rule 1 — Eight Particulars Every Plaint Must Contain
- Name of the court in which the suit is brought
- Name, description and place of residence of plaintiff
- Name, description and place of residence of defendant (so far as known)
- If plaintiff or defendant is a minor or person of unsound mind — a statement to that effect
- Facts constituting the cause of action and when it arose
- Facts showing that the court has jurisdiction
- The relief which the plaintiff claims
- The valuation of the subject matter for purposes of jurisdiction and court fees
Rule 11 — Six Grounds for Rejection of Plaint
The court shall reject the plaint in the following cases (mandatory, not discretionary):
- Where it does not disclose a cause of action
- Where the relief claimed is under-valued and the plaintiff fails to correct valuation within fixed time
- Where the relief claimed is properly valued but the plaint is written upon paper insufficiently stamped and the plaintiff fails to supply the deficit within fixed time
- Where the suit appears from the statement in the plaint to be barred by any law
- Where it is not filed in duplicate (added by 1999 amendment)
- Where the plaintiff fails to comply with the provisions of Rule 9
Test for “no cause of action”: Read the plaint as a whole, accepting its averments as true. If even then no cause of action emerges, reject. T. Arivandandam v. T.V. Satyapal (1977) — courts must use this power liberally to weed out vexatious suits.
Cause of Action — Defined
The Supreme Court has consistently held that cause of action means every fact which the plaintiff would have to prove to obtain a decree. It is a bundle of essential facts. Read v. Brown (1888) remains the classical statement: “every fact which would be necessary to be proved by the plaintiff to support his right to the judgment of the Court.”
Rejection vs Return of Plaint — Distinguish
| Aspect | Rejection (Rule 11) | Return (Rule 10) |
|---|---|---|
| Reason | Six grounds in Rule 11 | Court has no jurisdiction |
| Effect | Disposal of the plaint, but suit may be re-filed (Rule 13) | Plaint returned for filing in proper court |
| Order | Decree (appealable) | Order (appealable under Order 43 Rule 1(a)) |
| Limitation impact | Date of original filing not preserved | Date of original filing preserved if re-filed within prescribed time |
Drafting Tips for Mains — Common Pitfalls
- Place the cause-of-action paragraph immediately after the parties’ descriptions — not buried in the body
- State the date when the cause arose; it triggers the limitation clock
- Specify all reliefs in alphabetical paragraphs (a), (b), (c) — courts cannot grant relief not asked for
- Always plead jurisdiction expressly — pecuniary, territorial, subject matter
- Verify the plaint as required by Order VI Rule 15
Recent Precedents
- Sopan Sukhdeo Sable v. Asst. Charity Commissioner (2004) — court can reject part of plaint in respect of one defendant if cause of action does not lie against him
- Saleem Bhai v. State of Maharashtra (2003) — Order VII Rule 11 application can be filed at any stage; no need to wait for written statement
- Liverpool & London S.P. & I. Association v. M.V. Sea Success (2004) — clever drafting designed to camouflage a barred claim must be ignored
20 Practice MCQs — CPC Order VII
Quiz data missing.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the six grounds for rejection of plaint under Rule 11?
No cause of action; under-valuation uncorrected; insufficient stamp uncorrected; barred by any law on the face of plaint; not filed in duplicate; non-compliance with Rule 9 (procedure on admitting plaint).
Can a rejected plaint be re-filed?
Yes — Rule 13 expressly preserves the right to file a fresh plaint after rejection on any ground other than those that go to the merits. However, the date of the original plaint is not preserved for limitation.
When does Order VII Rule 11 application lie?
Saleem Bhai v. State of Maharashtra (2003) — at any stage of the suit, even before written statement is filed. The court must read the plaint as it stands without considering the defence.
What is the difference between rejection and return of plaint?
Rejection (Rule 11) is on six specific defects on the plaint itself; results in a decree. Return (Rule 10) is for lack of jurisdiction; the plaint is sent to be filed in the proper court and is treated as a continuation if filed within prescribed time.
Continue Your Judiciary 2027 Prep
- Transfer of Property Act 1882
- BNSS 2023 FIR and Investigation
- Judiciary Gurukul Courses
- Judiciary Mock Test
Bottom line: Memorise the eight Rule 1 particulars, the six Rule 11 rejection grounds, and the rejection-vs-return distinction. T. Arivandandam, Saleem Bhai and Sopan Sukhdeo are the three case names you must be able to cite in Mains.
