Rectification limitation under section 154 is jurisdictional: delayed applications cannot be entertained without statutory power to condone delay.

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....Section 154 rectification applications must be filed within four years from the end of the financial year in which the order sought to be amended was passed. The notes state that section 154(7) is clear and unambiguous and contains no provision allowing condonation of delay for reasonable cause. On a literal construction, expiry of this period removes the authority's jurisdiction to entertain a rectification application, including applications seeking correction of income returned and processed under section 143(1). Accordingly, the delayed applications were treated as time-barred, their rejection was upheld, and the related appeals were dismissed.....