Negotiable Instruments Act, 1881
”—A “Promissory note” is an instrument in writing (not being a bank-note or a currency-note) containing an unconditional undertaking, signed by the maker, to pay a certain sum of money only to, or to the order of, a certain person, or to the bearer of the instrument. Illustrations A Signs instruments in the following terms: (a ) “I promise to pay B or order Rs. 500.” (b) “I acknowledge myself to be indebted to B in Rs. 1,000, to be paid on demand, for value received.” (c) “Mr. B, I O U Rs. 1,000.” (d) “I promise to Pay B Rs. 500 and all other sums which shall be due to him.” (e) “I promise to Pay B Rs. 500, first deducting thereout any money which he may owe me.” (f) “I promise to Pay B Rs. 500 seven days after my marriage with C.” (g) “I, promise to Pay B Rs. 500 on D's death, provided D leaves me enough to pay that sum.” 1. The Act has been extended to Goa, Daman and Diu with modifications, by Reg. 12 of 1962, s. 3 and Sch., extended to and brought into force in Dadra and Nagar Haveli by Reg. 6 of 1963, s. 2 and Sch. I (w.e.f. 1-7-1965), to the Union territory of Lakshadweep by Reg. 8 of 1965, s. 3 and the Sch. (w.e.f. 1-10-1967) [and to the State of Arunachal Pradesh by Act 44 of 1993, s. 2 and the Sch. (w.e.f. 1-7-1994)]. 4. Definition of the word “India”, which was subs. by Act 3 of 1951, for the definition of the word “State”, omitted by Act 62 of 1956, s. 2 and the Sch. (h) “I promise to Pay B Rs. 500 and to deliver to him my black horse on 1st January next.” The instruments respectively marked (a) and (b) are promissory notes. The instruments respectively marked (c), (d), (e), (f), (g) and (h)are not promissory notes.