# Preliminary [Section 1]
## What is the 'Preliminary' Part?
The Preliminary is the introductory part of any law. It generally contains:
1. Short Title — what the Act is called
2. Extent — territorial application
3. Commencement — when the Act comes into force
4. Application — to whom/what the Act applies
## Peculiarity of the General Clauses Act, 1897
The General Clauses Act is unusual because its Preliminary part contains only the Short Title — no extent clause, no commencement clause in the typical sense.
### Short Title
> "This Act may be called the General Clauses Act, 1897."
## Comparison with Typical Acts
| Element | Typical Act | General Clauses Act, 1897 |
|---|---|---|
| Short Title | Yes | Yes |
| Extent | Yes | No |
| Commencement | Yes | No (only date of enactment) |
| Application | Yes | No |
## Why no Extent Clause?
Because the General Clauses Act is an interpretation Act that applies wherever a Central Act applies. It needs no independent territorial extent — its application is derivative of the Central Acts it helps interpret.
## Connection to Applicability
This ties directly with the applicability principle:
- No territorial extent clause
- Applies wherever a Central Act applies
- Used in the construction of that Central Act