IPC §255 → BNS §178
Counterfeiting Government stamp
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Comparison
255. Counterfeiting Government stamp.—Whoever counterfeits, or knowingly performs any part of the process of counterfeiting, any stamp issued by Government for the purpose of revenue shall be punished with 2[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.—A person commits this offence who counterfeits by causing a genuine stamps of one denomination to appear like a genuine stamp of a different denomination.
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 255 (counterfeiting Government stamp issued for the purpose of revenue; imprisonment for life or up to 10 years with mandatory fine) is preserved character-identically as BNS 178. The counterfeiting offence is unified across coin/Government stamp/currency-note/bank-note. The Explanation (3) defining 'counterfeiting Government stamp' (causing genuine stamp of one denomination to appear like genuine stamp of different denomination) is preserved.
Old position
IPC 255 is concerned with Counterfeiting Government stamp. Counterfeiting Government stamp
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 255 (counterfeiting Government stamp issued for the purpose of revenue; imprisonment for life or up to 10 years with mandatory fine) is preserved character-identically as BNS 178. The counterfeiting offence is unified across coin/Government stamp/currency-note/bank-note. The Explanation (3)...
Editorial deltaAI-indicated (source-linked)
IPC 255 (counterfeiting Government stamp issued for the purpose of revenue; imprisonment for life or up to 10 years with mandatory fine) is preserved character-identically as BNS 178. The counterfeiting offence is unified across coin/Government stamp/currency-note/bank-note. The Explanation (3) defining 'counterfeiting Government stamp' (causing genuine stamp of one denomination to appear like genuine stamp of different denomination) is preserved.
Transitional note (repeal & savings)
For matters initiated before 1 July 2024, IPC 255 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 §255 → BNS §178 Mapping Page, last updated 2026-05-01, accessed 2026-06-12, https://newlaws.in/ipc/255.
Compiled using AI-assisted tools · Source-linked · Last updated 2026-05-01
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