Practice paper — BNS Chapter X — Of Offences Relating To Coin, Currency-Notes, Bank-Notes, And Government Stamps

1.Which of the following best matches the definition of a "bank-note" under Section 178 Explanation (1) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023?

• (A) A promissory note issued by any person carrying on banking business or by/under authority of a State, payable to bearer on demand and intended to be used as equivalent to or as a substitute for money.
• (B) Any government-issued paper evidencing debt and payable to a named creditor on a future date.
• (C) A cheque drawn by a bank on itself for payment to a specified person.
• (D) A central bank's internal accounting entry that represents monetary reserves.

2.What is the maximum punishment provided for counterfeiting a coin, Government stamp, currency-note or bank-note under Section 178?

• (A) Imprisonment up to five years and fine.
• (B) Imprisonment up to seven years and fine.
• (C) Imprisonment for life without the possibility of a lesser term.
• (D) Imprisonment for life, or imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to ten years, and also liable to fine.

3.Which of the following acts falls within the offence of "counterfeiting coin" as per Explanation (5) and (4) of Section 178?

• (A) Melting down a genuine coin and recasting it into a new genuine coin of the same denomination without altering weight or composition.
• (B) Diminishing the weight of a genuine coin so as to alter its composition or appearance with intention to deceive or knowing deception is likely.
• (C) Selling a genuine coin at a price below its face value in a private sale.
• (D) Marking a coin with a private owner's initials without changing weight, composition or appearance.

4.A person takes a genuine Government revenue stamp of denomination X and alters it so that it appears to be denomination Y. Under Section 178 Explanation (3), this act is:

• (A) Not an offence under counterfeiting provisions because the stamp itself is genuine.
• (B) Only an offence if the person also forges the issuing authority's signature.
• (C) An offence of "counterfeiting Government stamp" because causing a genuine stamp of one denomination to appear like a different denomination is defined as such.
• (D) Not covered because the provision applies only to currency-notes and coins, not stamps.

5.Consider a privately produced metal token that people use locally as money but which is not stamped or issued by any State or Sovereign Power. Under the definition of "coin" in Explanation (2), is such a token covered by the offence of "counterfeiting coin" in Section 178?

• (A) No — Explanation (2) defines "coin" to include metal that is stamped and issued by or under the authority of a State or Sovereign Power intended to be used as money.
• (B) Yes — any metal used as money is automatically a "coin" regardless of issuing authority, so counterfeiting it is covered.
• (C) Yes — because the provision treats any token used as money as a bank-note for the purposes of the offence.
• (D) No — because Section 178 applies only to paper currency and government stamps, not metal tokens.

6.Which mental state does Section 179 require for a person to be guilty under this provision?

• (A) Strict liability (no mental element required)
• (B) Negligence or lack of care
• (C) Knowing or having reason to believe that the coin, stamp, currency‑note or bank‑note is forged or counterfeit
• (D) Intention to defraud only

7.Which of the following items is expressly covered by Section 179?

• (A) Passport
• (B) Academic certificate
• (C) Forged or counterfeit coin
• (D) Land registration document

8.A person unknowingly buys a counterfeit bank‑note (has no knowledge or reason to believe it is counterfeit). Is this person liable under Section 179?

• (A) Yes; buying a counterfeit bank‑note is an offence irrespective of knowledge
• (B) No; liability requires knowing or having reason to believe it is forged or counterfeit
• (C) Yes; but only if the buyer later uses it as genuine
• (D) No; the section applies only to importers and exporters

9.Which of the following correctly states the punishment provided by Section 179?

• (A) Fine only
• (B) Imprisonment for life, or imprisonment for a term which may extend to ten years, and also liable to fine
• (C) Imprisonment for a term which may extend to ten years but no life imprisonment option
• (D) Community service and fine

10.Does Section 179 criminalise mere private possession of a counterfeit coin known to be forged, where the person does not import, export, sell, deliver, buy, receive, traffic or use it as genuine?

• (A) Yes; any possession of a known counterfeit is punishable under the section
• (B) No; the section criminalises specific acts (import, export, sell, deliver, buy, receive, traffic or use as genuine) and does not by its terms penalise mere possession
• (C) Yes; receiving from any person automatically makes possession an offence
• (D) No; because the section applies only to counterfeit currency‑notes, not coins

11.Which mental state(s) are required under Section 180 for possession to attract punishment?

• (A) Knowledge or having reason to believe it is forged or counterfeit, and intention to use it as genuine or that it may be used as genuine
• (B) Mere possession without any knowledge or belief about authenticity
• (C) Negligence about the authenticity of the coin, stamp or note
• (D) Belief that it is counterfeit but no intention regarding its use

12.A person lawfully inherits a forged bank-note from a relative and can establish the lawful source of possession. Under Section 180, is this possession an offence?

• (A) Yes, possession of a forged bank-note is always an offence
• (B) No, if the person establishes the possession to be from a lawful source it shall not constitute an offence under this section
• (C) Only if the person intends to circulate the note further
• (D) Only if the person knew the note was forged before inheritance

13.A numismatist knowingly keeps counterfeit coins purely for display in a private collection and has no intention that they be used as genuine. Under Section 180, is this conduct punishable?

• (A) Yes, because knowledge of counterfeiting alone is sufficient
• (B) Yes, because possession of counterfeit items is always illegal
• (C) No, because the section requires intent to use them as genuine or that they may be used as genuine
• (D) No, unless the collector sells them

14.If a person knows a coin is forged and intends that it may be used as genuine by another person (rather than intend to use it personally), does Section 180 apply?

• (A) Yes — the section includes intention that it "may be used as genuine," which covers intending others may use it as genuine
• (B) No — the intent must be to use it personally, not merely that others might use it
• (C) Only if the person actively gives it to someone else for use as genuine
• (D) Only if the coin is actually used by another as genuine

15.Which of the following acts is expressly covered by Section 181 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023?

• (A) Making or mending any machinery, die, instrument or material for forging or counterfeiting
• (B) Buying, selling, disposing of or having in possession any such machinery or material intended for forging or counterfeiting
• (C) All of the above
• (D) Only possession of forged coins or notes

16.Which of the following items are specifically mentioned in Section 181 as falling within its scope?

• (A) Only machinery and dies
• (B) Machinery, die, instrument or material for forging or counterfeiting coin, revenue stamp, currency-note or bank-note
• (C) Only forged coins and counterfeit bank-notes
• (D) Only instruments used by banks

17.Under Section 181, which mental state in relation to the item is sufficient to attract punishment?

• (A) Possessing or dealing with the machinery/material for the purpose of being used, or knowing or having reason to believe it is intended to be used for forging or counterfeiting
• (B) Possessing the item purely innocently with no knowledge or reason to believe of its intended use
• (C) Possessing a genuine government-issued coin or note
• (D) Casually borrowing an item for lawful repair by a licensed workshop

18.Which of the following correctly states the punishments provided by Section 181?

• (A) Imprisonment up to three years and fine
• (B) Only a fine is prescribed
• (C) Imprisonment of either description up to five years without option of fine
• (D) Imprisonment for life, or imprisonment of either description up to ten years, and also liable to fine

19.Which of the following is NOT required to establish an offence under Section 181?

• (A) Proof that the accused made, mended, bought, sold, disposed of, or possessed the relevant machinery, die, instrument or material
• (B) Proof that the accused acted with purpose to use the item for forging or with knowledge or reason to believe it was intended for forging
• (C) Proof that an actual forged or counterfeited coin, stamp, currency-note or bank-note was ultimately produced or circulated
• (D) Proof that the item was capable of being used for forging or counterfeiting

20.Under Section 182(1) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, what is the maximum punishment for making or using a document purporting to be, or resembling, a currency-note or bank-note?

• (A) Imprisonment up to six months and fine up to three hundred rupees
• (B) Fine which may extend to six hundred rupees
• (C) Fine which may extend to three hundred rupees
• (D) Imprisonment up to one year or fine up to three hundred rupees

21.Does Section 182(1) require proof of an intention to deceive for an act to be an offence (i.e., is mens rea required) when a person makes, uses, or delivers a document resembling a currency-note?

• (A) Yes — the prosecution must prove the maker intended to deceive
• (B) No — the provision penalises making/using/delivering such documents for any purpose without an express intent requirement
• (C) Yes — mens rea is required only if the document merely resembles and is not purporting to be a currency-note
• (D) No — but only if the document is actually used to pass as legal tender

22.Which of the following best describes the effect of Section 182(3) when the name of a person appears on a document that is the subject of a charge under subsection (1) or on a connected document?

• (A) The person is conclusively presumed to have caused the document to be made, with no possibility of rebuttal
• (B) No presumption arises; the name's appearance is irrelevant unless independently proved
• (C) The court may presume that the person caused the document to be made, but only if convicted under subsection (1)
• (D) It may be presumed, until the contrary is proved, that the person caused the document to be made (a rebuttable presumption)

23.What is the nature of the presumption created by Section 182(3) regarding a person whose name appears on an offending or connected document?

• (A) A rebuttable presumption — it holds unless the contrary is proved
• (B) An irrebuttable (conclusive) presumption — it cannot be challenged
• (C) Only an evidential guideline with no legal presumption attached
• (D) A presumption that shifts the burden beyond reasonable doubt to the accused

24.Under Section 183 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, which mental state(s) make removal or effacing of writing/stamp an offence?

• (A) Only if done fraudulently
• (B) Only if done with intent to cause loss to the Government
• (C) Either fraudulently or with intent to cause loss to the Government
• (D) No mental state required (strict liability)

25.What is the maximum imprisonment prescribed under Section 183 for removing or effacing a writing or removing a used stamp as described?

• (A) Imprisonment up to one year
• (B) Imprisonment up to three years
• (C) Imprisonment up to seven years
• (D) Death penalty

26.A person removes a stamp that has been used on Document A in order to use that same stamp on Document B. Under Section 183, is this act an offence?

• (A) Yes — if done fraudulently or with intent to cause loss to the Government
• (B) Yes — it is an offence irrespective of the person's intent
• (C) No — once a stamp is used it cannot be an offence to move it
• (D) Only if the private owner of Document A suffers a loss

27.If someone effaces (scrapes away) writing from a substance that bears a Government revenue stamp, but the stamp was not used for that particular writing, does Section 183 apply?

• (A) Yes — presence of a Government revenue stamp on the substance is sufficient for Section 183 to apply
• (B) Yes — but only when the actor also removes the stamp
• (C) Yes — but only if the actor intended to use the stamp elsewhere
• (D) No — Section 183 applies when the stamp has been used for that writing or document, so it does not apply if the stamp was not used for that writing

28.Which of the following scenarios is NOT covered by Section 183 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita?

• (A) Fraudulently effacing writing from a document for which a Government revenue stamp was used
• (B) Removing a stamp used on Document A to use it on Document B with intent to defraud the Government
• (C) Removing an unused Government revenue stamp from a document where it was never applied for any writing
• (D) Effacing writing from a stamped substance for which the stamp was used, with intent to cause loss to the Government

29.Under Section 184 BNS 2023, what is the maximum term of imprisonment that may be imposed for using a government revenue stamp known to have been before used?

• (A) One year
• (B) Two years
• (C) Three years
• (D) Six months

30.Which stamp is covered by the offence under Section 184 BNS 2023?

• (A) A stamp issued by Government for the purpose of revenue
• (B) Any private commercial stamp
• (C) A postage stamp issued by postal authorities
• (D) An official non-revenue seal

31.If a person knowingly uses a government revenue stamp that has been before used but does so without fraud and without intent to cause loss to the Government, is he punishable under Section 184?

• (A) Yes — knowledge alone makes the act punishable
• (B) Yes — provided the stamp was used for a revenue purpose
• (C) Yes — because any reuse of a stamp is an offence regardless of intent
• (D) No — the provision requires the use to be "fraudulently or with intent to cause loss to the Government" in addition to knowledge

32.Which combination of mental and material elements is required for conviction under Section 184 BNS 2023?

• (A) Only fraudulent conduct is required; knowledge is optional
• (B) Either fraudulent conduct or intent to cause loss to the Government, together with knowledge that the stamp was before used
• (C) Only knowledge that the stamp was before used is required
• (D) Either knowledge of prior use or intent to cause loss is sufficient on its own

33.Under Section 185, what mental element is required for a person who erases or removes the mark denoting that a Government revenue stamp has been used?

• (A) No specific mental element is required; the act alone is punishable.
• (B) The act must be done fraudulently or with intent to cause loss to Government.
• (C) Only knowledge that the stamp was used is required.
• (D) Only the intent to sell the stamp is required.

34.What is the maximum imprisonment that may be imposed under Section 185 for erasing or dealing with a stamp as described?

• (A) One year
• (B) Two years
• (C) Three years
• (D) Five years

35.If a person unknowingly has in his possession a Government revenue stamp from which the used-mark has been erased, is he punishable under Section 185?

• (A) No — the provision requires that he "knowingly has in his possession" such a stamp.
• (B) Yes — mere possession of a stamp with the mark erased is sufficient for liability.
• (C) Yes — possession is punishable only if accompanied by fraudulent intent.
• (D) No — possession is punishable only if the person intends to sell the stamp.

36.A person erases the mark on a revenue stamp but did so innocently, without fraud and without intent to cause loss to the Government. Under Section 185, is this act punishable?

• (A) Yes — any erasure of the mark is punishable regardless of motive.
• (B) Yes — it is punishable only if the person later sells the stamp.
• (C) Yes — if the person knows the stamp was used, then it is punishable.
• (D) No — the provision requires the erasure to be done fraudulently or with intent to cause loss to Government.

37.Which statement correctly captures the difference in mental element between erasing a used-mark and selling a stamp under Section 185?

• (A) Both erasing the mark and selling a used stamp require proof of fraudulent intent.
• (B) Erasing requires acting fraudulently or with intent to cause loss to Government, whereas selling or possessing a stamp is punishable if done "knowingly" (knowledge that it is used or the mark erased).
• (C) Selling a used stamp requires fraudulent intent, but erasing requires only knowledge.
• (D) Possession of a stamp from which the mark is erased requires no mental element; only erasure requires intent.

38.Under Section 186 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, which of the following best defines a "fictitious stamp"?

• (A) Any stamp falsely purporting to be issued by Government for denoting a rate of postage, or any facsimile, imitation or representation, whether on paper or otherwise, of any such stamp.
• (B) Any stamp that has been cancelled or defaced and is no longer valid for postage.
• (C) Any non-postal sticker or label used to decorate letters or parcels.
• (D) Any revenue stamp used for non-postal purposes.

39.What is the maximum punishment prescribed by Section 186(1) for making, uttering, dealing in, selling or knowingly using a fictitious stamp for postal purposes?

• (A) Imprisonment for up to six months
• (B) Fine which may extend to five hundred rupees
• (C) Fine which may extend to two hundred rupees
• (D) Both fine and imprisonment

40.If a person knowingly uses a printed facsimile of a government postage stamp to send a letter, is that conduct covered by Section 186?

• (A) No, because only original government-issued stamps are covered.
• (B) Yes, because Section 186(1)(a) prohibits knowingly using for any postal purpose any fictitious stamp and Section 186(3) includes facsimiles.
• (C) No, unless the facsimile was sold or dealt in.
• (D) Yes, but only if the person also has a die or plate to make such facsimiles.

41.How is the word "Government" to be understood in Section 186 when used in connection with stamps issued for the purpose of denoting a rate of postage?

• (A) It refers only to the Central Government of India.
• (B) It includes persons authorised by law to administer executive Government in any part of India or in any foreign country, notwithstanding clause (12) of section 2.
• (C) It excludes any foreign authority and applies only within India.
• (D) It refers only to the postal department and not to other executive authorities.

42.Under Section 187 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, which person is covered by the offence described?

• (A) A person being employed in any mint lawfully established in India
• (B) Any person who handles coins anywhere in India
• (C) Only the head of a mint or its senior officials
• (D) Any manufacturer of coin blanks or metal

43.What is the maximum term of imprisonment prescribed by Section 187 for causing a coin to be of different weight or composition?

• (A) Imprisonment which may extend to three years
• (B) Imprisonment which may extend to seven years
• (C) Imprisonment for life
• (D) Imprisonment which may extend to ten years

44.Would Section 187 apply to a person employed in a privately run mint that is not lawfully established in India?

• (A) Yes — employment in any mint is sufficient
• (B) Yes — but only if the coin becomes legal tender
• (C) No — it applies only to mints lawfully established in India
• (D) Only if the central government later validates the mint

45.If a mint employee causes a coin to differ in weight or composition by accident (without intent), does Section 187 apply?

• (A) Yes — the section is one of strict liability and intent is irrelevant
• (B) It applies only if the coin has already been issued
• (C) It applies only if both weight and composition are altered
• (D) No — the offence requires intention to cause the coin to differ

46.If an employee intentionally alters the appearance (e.g., color) of a coin but does not change its weight or composition, does Section 187 criminalize that conduct?

• (A) No — the section criminalizes changes in weight or composition fixed by law, not mere appearance changes
• (B) Yes — any intentional alteration of a coin by a mint employee is covered
• (C) Yes — appearance is included within "composition" under the section
• (D) No — only omissions are covered, not affirmative alterations

47.What is the maximum term of imprisonment prescribed by the provision for unlawfully taking a coining tool or instrument from a mint?

• (A) Imprisonment which may extend to seven years
• (B) Imprisonment which may extend to three years
• (C) Life imprisonment
• (D) Imprisonment which may extend to one year

48.According to the provision, from where must the coining tool or instrument be taken to constitute the offence?

• (A) Any mint located outside India
• (B) Any private workshop in India
• (C) Any mint lawfully established in India
• (D) Any mint whether lawfully established or not

49.If a person takes a coining tool from a mint acting with lawful authority, does the provision apply?

• (A) Yes — punishable as under the section
• (B) No — the offence is limited to taking 'without lawful authority'
• (C) Yes — but only a fine may be imposed
• (D) Yes — imprisonment is mandatory and no fine

50.Would the provision apply if the instrument is taken out of a mint that is not lawfully established in India?

• (A) Yes — it applies to any mint globally
• (B) Yes — provided the instrument is intended for coining
• (C) No — the provision specifies 'lawfully established in India'
• (D) No — only coins are covered, not instruments