---
title: "Doctrine of Colourable Legislation Explained"
description: "The doctrine of colourable legislation voids laws that disguise an ultra vires purpose. Indian courts judge substance, not form — key for UPSC GS2 polity."
url: "https://modeldiplomat.com/learn/glossary/doctrine-of-colourable-legislation"
---

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Model Diplomat Research Team · Last reviewed June 22, 2026

TL;DR

- The doctrine of colourable legislation holds that a legislature cannot do indirectly what the constitution forbids it from doing directly within its assigned legislative competence.
- What is the constitutional basis of the doctrine of colourable legislation in India?
- Does the motive of the legislature matter when applying the doctrine?
- How does colourable legislation differ from the doctrine of pith and substance?
- When does the doctrine of colourable legislation not apply?

[Civil Service & Diplomatic Exams](https://modeldiplomat.com/learn/civil-services/glossary)Updated June 22, 2026

The doctrine of colourable legislation holds that a legislature cannot do indirectly what the constitution forbids it from doing directly within its assigned legislative competence.

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In K.C. Gajapati Narayan Deo v. State of Orissa (1953), the Supreme Court of India upheld the Orissa Agricultural Income-tax Amendment, ruling it was not colourable because the State held competence over agricultural income tax.

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