BNS §186
Prohibition of fictitious stamps
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Comparison
1[263A. Prohibition of fictitious stamps.—(1) Whoever— (a) makes, knowingly utters, deals in or sells any fictitious stamp, or knowingly uses for any postal purpose any fictitious stamp, or (b) has in his possession, without lawful excuse, any fictitious stamp, or (c) makes or, without lawful excuse, has in his possession any die, plate, instrument or materials for making any fictitious stamp, shall be punished with fine which may extend to two hundred rupees.
(2) Any such stamp, die, plate, instrument or materials in the possession of any person for making any fictitious stamp 2[may be seized and, if seized] shall be forfeited.
(3) In this section “fictitious stamp” means any stamp falsely purporting to be issued by Government for the purpose of denoting a rate of postage, or any facsimile or imitation or representation, whether on paper or otherwise, of any stamp issued by Government for that purpose. 1. Added by Act 3 of 1895, s. 2. 2. Subs. by Act 42 of 1953, s. 4 and the Third Sch., for “may be seized and”.
(4) In this section and also in sections 255 to 263, both inclusive, the word “Government”, when used in connection with, or in reference to any stamp issued for the purpose of denoting a rate of postage, shall, notwithstanding anything in section 17, be deemed to include the person or persons authorized by law to administer executive government in any part of India, and also in any part of Her Majesty's dominions or in any foreign country. CHAPTER XIII OF OFFENCESRELATINGTO WEIGHTSAND MEASURES
(1) Whoever—
(a) makes, knowingly utters, deals in or sells any fictitious stamp, or knowingly uses for any postal purpose any fictitious stamp; or
(b) has in his possession, without lawful excuse, any fictitious stamp; or
(c) makes or, without lawful excuse, has in his possession any die, plate, instrument or materials for making any fictitious stamp,
shall be punished with fine which may extend to two hundred rupees.
(2) Any such stamp, die, plate, instrument or materials in the possession of any person for making any fictitious stamp may be seized and, if seized shall be forfeited.
(3) In this section "fictitious stamp" means any stamp falsely purporting to be issued by Government for the purpose of denoting a rate of postage, or any facsimile or imitation or representation, whether on paper or otherwise, of any stamp issued by Government for that purpose.
(4) In this section and also in sections 178 to 181 (both inclusive), and sections 183 to 185 (both inclusive) the word "Government", when used in connection with, or in reference to any stamp issued for the purpose of denoting a rate of postage, shall, notwithstanding anything in clause (12) of section 2, be deemed to include the person or persons authorised by law to administer executive Government in any part of India or in any foreign country.
What changedAI-inferred
IPC 263A (prohibition of fictitious stamps — added by Act 3 of 1895) is preserved character-identically as BNS 186 including the four-sub-section structure (offence; seizure-and-forfeiture; fictitious-stamp definition; extended Government definition for postage stamps).
Old position
IPC 263A is concerned with Prohibition of fictitious stamps. 1[263A
New position
BNS 186 preserves the framework with drafting modernisations as required by the new code. Topic: Prohibition of fictitious stamps. Whoever
IPC 263A (prohibition of fictitious stamps — added by Act 3 of 1895) is preserved character-identically as BNS 186 including the four-sub-section structure (offence; seizure-and-forfeiture; fictitious-stamp definition; extended Government definition for postage stamps).
Editorial deltaAI-indicated (source-linked)
IPC 263A (prohibition of fictitious stamps — added by Act 3 of 1895) is preserved character-identically as BNS 186 including the four-sub-section structure (offence; seizure-and-forfeiture; fictitious-stamp definition; extended Government definition for postage stamps).
Transitional note (repeal & savings)
For matters initiated before 1 July 2024, IPC 263A continues to apply. For matters from that date forward, BNS 186 applies. The transition is governed by the repeal-and-savings clause in the new code (BNS 358 / BNSS 531 / BSA 170 as the case may be); pending proceedings under the old code carry forward unaffected.
Frequently asked
BNS 186 (Prohibition of fictitious stamps). The relationship is classified as substantively_same — see the change-note above for the textual delta.
Sources
- India Code — Indian Penal Code, 1860
- Gazette of India — Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023
Cite this page
Newlaws.in, IPC §263A → BNS §186 Mapping Page, last updated 2026-05-01, accessed 2026-06-12, https://newlaws.in/bns/186.
Compiled using AI-assisted tools · Source-linked · Last updated 2026-05-01
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