IPC 232→BNS 178

IPC 232 to BNS 178: Counterfeiting Indian coin

Section 232 IPC (1860) replaced by Section 178 BNS (2023)

View IPC Section 232 →View BNS Section 178 →

IPC 232 to BNS 178 at a Glance

Section 232 IPC (Counterfeiting Indian coin) is now Section 178 BNS, in force from 1 July 2024. Under the BNS it is non-bailable and cognizable. What changed is set out below.

What Changed From IPC 232 to BNS 178?

Section 232 IPC is consolidated into Section 178 BNS. The BNS removes the separate category of Indian coin, merging counterfeiting of all coin, Government stamps, currency-notes, and bank-notes into a single offence. The punishment remains imprisonment for life, or imprisonment of either description for up to ten years, and fine.

IPC 232 vs BNS 178: Comparison Table

AspectIPC 1860 (repealed)BNS 2023 (in force)
Section232178
OffenceCounterfeiting Indian coinSame
PunishmentImprisonment for life, or imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to ten years.Imprisonment for life, or imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to ten years under Section 178 BNS.
FineThe offender shall also be liable to fine.The offender is also liable to fine under Section 178 BNS.
BailNon-BailableSame
CognizanceCognizableSame
CompoundableNon-CompoundableSame
Triable ByCourt of SessionSame

IPC 232 and BNS 178: Bare Act Text Side by Side

IPC 1860 (repealed)

Section 232, IPC 1860

232. Counterfeiting Indian coin.—Whoever counterfeits, or knowingly performs any part of the process of counterfeiting Indian coin, 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.
BNS 2023 (in force)

Section 178, BNS 2023

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.

Ingredients: IPC 232 vs BNS 178

Under IPC 232
  1. The coin is Indian coin within the definition in Section 230 IPC
  2. Counterfeiting such Indian coin
  3. Knowingly performing any part of the process of counterfeiting such Indian coin
Under BNS 178
  1. Counterfeiting any coin, Government stamp, currency-note or bank-note
  2. Knowingly performing any part of the process of counterfeiting
  3. Punishment of imprisonment for life, or imprisonment of either description for up to ten years, and liability to fine

What IPC 232 to BNS 178 Means for Pending Cases

For Section 232 IPC (now Section 178 BNS): for an act done after the BNS came into force, counterfeiting coin is charged under Section 178 BNS, which removes the separate classification for Indian coin and applies the same punishment of imprisonment for life or up to ten years with fine to all coin counterfeiting.

FAQs: IPC 232 to BNS 178

What changed when Section 232 IPC became Section 178 BNS?▼

Section 178 BNS merges Section 232 IPC into a unified offence covering all coin, Government stamps, and currency. The separate legal distinction for Indian coin is omitted. The penalty of imprisonment for life or up to ten years and fine is preserved without change.

Where does Section 232 IPC sit in the BNS?▼

In Section 178 BNS, in Chapter X, Of Offences Relating to Coin, Currency-Notes, Bank-Notes, and Government Stamps.

Does Section 232 IPC or Section 178 BNS apply to an act done before 1 July 2024?▼

Section 232 IPC. Section 358 BNS repealed the IPC from 1 July 2024 but saves any liability already incurred under it, so an act done before that date is still dealt with under Section 232 IPC. Section 178 BNS governs acts done on or after 1 July 2024.

Disclaimer: This comparison is for informational purposes only. The new criminal laws came into effect on 1 July 2024. Consult a qualified advocate for legal advice.

Sources: Indian Penal Code, 1860 · Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 · Last updated: 16 Oct 2026 ·