What is Section 15 BSA?

Section 15 of the Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam, 2023 defines an admission. It states that an admission is an oral, documentary, or electronic statement suggesting a conclusion about a fact in issue or relevant fact, when made by the persons and in the circumstances listed later in the Adhiniyam.

Can an electronic record or message be an admission under Section 15 BSA?

Yes. Section 15 BSA covers statements contained in electronic form, along with oral and documentary statements, provided the other requirements for an admission are satisfied.

Is every statement that points to a disputed fact an admission under Section 15 BSA?

No. Pointing to an inference about a fact in issue or relevant fact is not enough by itself. The statement must also be made by a person and under the circumstances set out later in the Adhiniyam.

IEA 17 Is Now BSA 15: Admission Defined, What Changed

Q: What is Section 15 BSA in IEA?

Section 17 IEA. Section 17 IEA became Section 15 BSA on 1 July 2024 without any change in wording.

Aspect	IEA 1872 (repealed)	BSA 2023 (in force)
Section	17	15
Heading	Admission defined	Same

Aspect

IEA 1872 (repealed)

BSA 2023 (in force)

Section

Heading

Admission defined

Same

IEA 17 and BSA 15: Bare Act Text Side by Side

IEA 1872 (repealed)

Section 17, IEA 1872

17. Admission defined.—An admission is a statement, oral or documentary or contained in electronic form, which suggests any inference as to any fact in issue or relevant fact, and which is made by any of the persons, and under the circumstances, hereinafter mentioned.

BSA 2023 (in force)

Section 15, BSA 2023

15. Admission defined.—An admission is a statement, oral or documentary or contained in electronic form, which suggests any inference as to any fact in issue or relevant fact, and which is made by any of the persons, and under the circumstances, hereinafter mentioned.

When It Applies: IEA 17 vs BSA 15

Under IEA 17

A statement was made orally, in a document, or in electronic form.
The statement pointed toward a conclusion about a disputed fact or a relevant fact.
The statement was made by a person, and in the circumstances, specified in the provisions that followed in the Act.

Under BSA 15

A statement is made orally, in a document, or in electronic form.
The statement points toward a conclusion about a disputed fact or a relevant fact.
The statement is made by a person, and in the circumstances, specified in the provisions that follow in the Adhiniyam.

What IEA 17 to BSA 15 Means in Practice

Section 17 IEA became Section 15 BSA on 1 July 2024 without any change in wording. The same definition of an admission applies. A person in court should cite Section 15 BSA for matters governed by the Adhiniyam.

IEA 17 to BSA 15: Admission defined

IEA 17 to BSA 15 at a Glance

What Changed From IEA 17 to BSA 15?

IEA 17 vs BSA 15: Comparison Table

IEA 17 and BSA 15: Bare Act Text Side by Side

When It Applies: IEA 17 vs BSA 15

What IEA 17 to BSA 15 Means in Practice