The Women’s and Children’s Institutions (Licensing) Act, 1956.

(1) This Act may be called the Women’s and Children’sInstitutions (Licensing) Act, 1956. (2) It extends to the whole of India except the State of Jammu and Kashmir. (3) It shall come into force in a State on such date as the State Government may, by notification in theOfficial Gazette, appoint.

In this Act, unless the context otherwise requires,― (a) “child” means a boy or girl who has not completed the age of eighteen years; (b) “institution” means an institution established and maintained for the reception, care,protection and welfare of women or children; (c) “licensing authority” means the State Government or such officer or authority as may beprescribed; (d) “prescribed” means prescribed by rules made by the State Government under this Act; (e) “woman” means a female who has completed the age of eighteen years.

After the commencement of this Act, no person shall establish ormaintain an institution except under and in accordance with the conditions of a licence granted under thisAct.

Every person desiring to establish an institution shall make anapplication to the licensing authority in such form and containing such particulars as may be prescribed: Provided that a person maintaining an institution at the commencement of this Act shall be allowed aperiod of three months from such commencement to make an application for a licence.

(1) On receipt of an application under section 4, the licensing authority, aftermaking such inquiry as it considers necessary, shall, by order in writing, either grant thelicence or refuseto grant it. (2) Where a licence is refused, the grounds for such refusal shall be communicated to the applicant inthe prescribed manner. (3) A licence, unless sooner revoked, shall remain in force for such period as may be specified in thelicence and may, on application made in this behalf sixty days before the date of its expiration, berenewed for such period as the licensing authority may deem proper: Provided that a licence may be renewed on an application made within sixty days before the date ofits expiration if the licensing authority is satisfied that there was sufficient cause for not making theapplication earlier. (4) Every licence granted under this Act shall be in the prescribed form and shall be subject to suchconditions as may be prescribed: Provided that any such condition may require that the management of an institution shall, whereverpracticable, be entrusted to women. (5) No fee shall be charged for the grant of a licence under this Act.