Under administrative law, when a subordinate authority exercises a power that has been delegated to it by a superior authority, the sub-delegate cannot further delegate that power unless expressly authorised. This principle is known as:

The maxim 'delegatus non potest delegare' means that a delegate cannot further delegate the powers delegated to him. This principle is rooted in the idea that when a statute confers a power or discretion upon a specific authority, the legislature intends that authority-and no other-to exercise it. If the delegate were free to sub-delegate without authorisation, it would undermine legislative intent and accountability. The Supreme Court in Sahni Silk Mills v. ESI Corporation (1994) held that administrative functions can be delegated but quasi-judicial functions generally cannot, unless the parent statute expressly authorises sub-delegation. However, purely ministerial acts may be performed by subordinate officials as they involve no exercise of discretion or judgment.