IPC §231 → BNS §178
Counterfeiting coin
Jump to section
Comparison
231. Counterfeiting coin.—Whoever counterfeits or knowingly performs any part of the process of counterfeiting coin, shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to seven years, and shall also be liable to fine. Explanation.—A person commits this offence 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.
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.
What changedAI-inferred
IPC 231 (counterfeiting coin, or knowingly performing any part of the process of counterfeiting; imprisonment up to 7 years with mandatory cumulative fine) is preserved as BNS 178 with one upward enhancement: the imprisonment ceiling rises from 7 years (IPC 231) to 'imprisonment for life or up to 10 years' (BNS 178). However, this enhancement reflects unification with the more serious IPC 232 counterpart (counterfeiting Indian coin, which carried life imprisonment). For counterfeiting Indian coin, BNS 178 is character-identical; for counterfeiting other-State coin, BNS 178 is a punishment expansion.
Old position
IPC 231 is concerned with Counterfeiting coin. Counterfeiting coin
New position
BNS 178 preserves the framework with drafting modernisations as required by the new code. Topic: 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
IPC 231 (counterfeiting coin, or knowingly performing any part of the process of counterfeiting; imprisonment up to 7 years with mandatory cumulative fine) is preserved as BNS 178 with one upward enhancement: the imprisonment ceiling rises from 7 years (IPC 231) to 'imprisonment for life or up to...
Editorial deltaAI-indicated (source-linked)
IPC 231 (counterfeiting coin, or knowingly performing any part of the process of counterfeiting; imprisonment up to 7 years with mandatory cumulative fine) is preserved as BNS 178 with one upward enhancement: the imprisonment ceiling rises from 7 years (IPC 231) to 'imprisonment for life or up to 10 years' (BNS 178). However, this enhancement reflects unification with the more serious IPC 232 counterpart (counterfeiting Indian coin, which carried life imprisonment). For counterfeiting Indian coin, BNS 178 is character-identical; for counterfeiting other-State coin, BNS 178 is a punishment expansion.
Transitional note (repeal & savings)
For matters initiated before 1 July 2024, IPC 231 continues to apply. For matters from that date forward, BNS 178 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 178 (Counterfeiting coin, Government stamps, currency-notes or bank-notes). 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 §231 → BNS §178 Mapping Page, last updated 2026-05-01, accessed 2026-06-12, https://newlaws.in/ipc/231.
Compiled using AI-assisted tools · Source-linked · Last updated 2026-05-01
Not legal advice. Verify against the bare act and consult a qualified advocate for any specific matter.