सं Samvidhan

IPC → BNS

IPC Section 489A is now BNS Section 178

Counterfeiting currency-notes or bank-notes. The Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 replaced the Indian Penal Code with effect from 1 July 2024.

Repealed

IPC Section 489A

Counterfeiting currency-notes or bank-notes

Whoever counterfeits, or knowingly performs any part of the process of counterfeiting, any currency-note or bank-note, shall be punished with imprisonment for life, or with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to ten years, and shall also be liable to fine.

Read the full IPC section →

In force

BNS Section 178

Counterfeiting coin, Government stamps, currency-notes or bank-notes

Whoever counterfeits, or knowingly performs any part of the process of counterfeiting, any coin, stamp issued by Government for the purpose of revenue, currency-note or bank-note, shall be punished with imprisonment for life, or with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to ten years, and shall also be liable to fine. Explanation.—For the purposes of this Chapter,— (1) the expression “bank-note” means a promissory note or engagement for the payment of money to bearer on demand issued by any person carrying on the business of banking in any part of the world, or issued by or under the authority of any State or Sovereign Power, and intended to be used as equivalent to, or as a substitute for money; (2) “coin” shall have the same meaning as assigned to it in section 2 of the Coinage Act, 2011 (11 of 2011) and includes metal used for the time being as money and is stamped and issued by or under the authority of any State or Sovereign Power intended to be so used; (3) a person commits the offence of “counterfeiting Government stamp” who counterfeits by causing a genuine stamp of one denomination to appear like a genuine stamp of a different denomination; (4) a person commits the offence of counterfeiting coin who intending to practise deception, or knowing it to be likely that deception will thereby be practised, causes a genuine coin to appear like a different coin; and (5) the offence of “counterfeiting coin” includes diminishing the weight or alteration of the composition, or alteration of the appearance of the coin.

Read the full BNS section →

Common questions

Which BNS section replaced IPC 489A?

BNS Section 178Counterfeiting coin, Government stamps, currency-notes or bank-notes. IPC 489A dealt with counterfeiting currency-notes or bank-notes; the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita carries it forward under the new numbering.

Is IPC 489A still valid?

The IPC was repealed from 1 July 2024. Offences committed before that date are still tried under the IPC; anything after falls under the BNS. Both matter for exams — questions are set on the old and the new numbering.

Mapping cross-checked against both section texts and editorially reviewable. Education, not legal advice — verify critical use against the official Gazette.