1[4. Definitions.--In this Act, unless the context otherwise requires,--
(a) "aircraft" means any machine which can derive support in the atmosphere from the reactions of the air, other than the reactions of the air against the earth's surface, and includes balloons, whether fixed or free, airships, kites, gliders and flying machines;
(b) "carriage" includes any carriage, wagon, cart, truck, vehicle or other means of conveying goods or passengers by land, in whatever manner the same may be propelled,
(c) "District Magistrate", in relation to any area for which a Commissioner of Police has been appointed, means the Commissioner of Police thereof and includes--
(a) any such Deputy Commissioner of Police, exercising jurisdiction over the whole or any part of such area, as may be specified by the State Government in this behalf in relation to such area or part: and
(b) an Additional District Magistrate;
(d) "explosive" means gunpowder, nitoglycerine, nitroglycol, gun-cotton, di-nitro-toluene, tri-nitro-toluene, picric acid, di-nitro-phenol, tri-nitro-resorcinol (styphnic acid), cyclo-trime- thylene-trinitramine, penta-erythritol-tetranitrate, tetryl, nitro-guanidine, lead azide, lead styphynate, fulminate of mercury or any other metal, diazo -di-nitro-phenol, coloured fires or any other substance whether a single chemical compound or a mixture of substances, whether solid or liquid or gaseous used or manufactured with a view to produce a practical effect by explosion or pyrotechnic effect; and includes fog-signals, fireworks, fuses, rockets, percussion-caps, detonators, cartidgcs, ammunition of all descriptions and every adaptation or preparation of an explosive as defined in this clause;
(e) "export" means taking out of India to a place outside India by land, sea or air;
(f) "import" means to bring into India from a place outside India by land, sea or air;
(g) "master",--
(a) in relation to any vessel or aircraft means any person, other than a pilot, harbour master, assistant harbour master or berthing master, having for the time bein g the charge or control of such vessel or aircraft, as the ease may be; and
(b) in relation to any boat belonging to a ship, means the master of that ship;
(h) "manufacture" in relation to an explosive includes the process of--
(1) dividing the explosive into its component parts or otherwise breaking up or unmaking the explosive, or making fit for use any damaged explosive; and
(2) re-making, altering or repairing the explosive;
(i) "prescribed" means prescribed by rules made under this Act;
(j) "vessel" includes any ship, boat, sailing vessel, or other description of vessel used in navigation whether propelled by oars or otherwise and anything made for the conveyance, mainly by water, of human beings or of goods and a caisson.]
(a) "aircraft" means any machine which can derive support in the atmosphere from the reactions of the air, other than the reactions of the air against the earth's surface, and includes balloons, whether fixed or free, airships, kites, gliders and flying machines;
(b) "carriage" includes any carriage, wagon, cart, truck, vehicle or other means of conveying goods or passengers by land, in whatever manner the same may be propelled,
(c) "District Magistrate", in relation to any area for which a Commissioner of Police has been appointed, means the Commissioner of Police thereof and includes--
(a) any such Deputy Commissioner of Police, exercising jurisdiction over the whole or any part of such area, as may be specified by the State Government in this behalf in relation to such area or part: and
(b) an Additional District Magistrate;
(d) "explosive" means gunpowder, nitoglycerine, nitroglycol, gun-cotton, di-nitro-toluene, tri-nitro-toluene, picric acid, di-nitro-phenol, tri-nitro-resorcinol (styphnic acid), cyclo-trime- thylene-trinitramine, penta-erythritol-tetranitrate, tetryl, nitro-guanidine, lead azide, lead styphynate, fulminate of mercury or any other metal, diazo -di-nitro-phenol, coloured fires or any other substance whether a single chemical compound or a mixture of substances, whether solid or liquid or gaseous used or manufactured with a view to produce a practical effect by explosion or pyrotechnic effect; and includes fog-signals, fireworks, fuses, rockets, percussion-caps, detonators, cartidgcs, ammunition of all descriptions and every adaptation or preparation of an explosive as defined in this clause;
(e) "export" means taking out of India to a place outside India by land, sea or air;
(f) "import" means to bring into India from a place outside India by land, sea or air;
(g) "master",--
(a) in relation to any vessel or aircraft means any person, other than a pilot, harbour master, assistant harbour master or berthing master, having for the time bein g the charge or control of such vessel or aircraft, as the ease may be; and
(b) in relation to any boat belonging to a ship, means the master of that ship;
(h) "manufacture" in relation to an explosive includes the process of--
(1) dividing the explosive into its component parts or otherwise breaking up or unmaking the explosive, or making fit for use any damaged explosive; and
(2) re-making, altering or repairing the explosive;
(i) "prescribed" means prescribed by rules made under this Act;
(j) "vessel" includes any ship, boat, sailing vessel, or other description of vessel used in navigation whether propelled by oars or otherwise and anything made for the conveyance, mainly by water, of human beings or of goods and a caisson.]
Source footnotes
1. Subs. by Act 32 of 1978, s. 4. for section 4 (w.e.f. 2-3-1983).आगे पढ़ें / Continue reading
Explore the next section or browse this act in the selected language.
Next · Section 5Power to make rules as to licensing of the manufacture, possession, use, sale, transport and import and Export of explosives. →All sections / सभी धाराएँThe Explosives Act, 1884 →
More sections of this act
Section 1 · Short titleSection 2 · Commencement.Section 3 · Repealed.Section 5 · Power to make rules as to licensing of the manufacture, possession, use, sale, transport and import and Export of explosives.Section 5A · Persons already in business in respect of certain explosives to carry on such business without licence for a certain period.Section 6 · Power for Central Government to prohibit the manufacture, possession or importation of specially dangerous explosives.Section 6A · Prohibition of manufacture, possession, sale or transport of explosives by young persons and certain other personsSection 6B · Grant of licencesIndia Code, Government of India. Text fetched 22 Oct 2026. Check the linked official text and subsequent notifications when applying a provision.