IPC 248→BNS 178

IPC 248 to BNS 178: Altering appearance of coin with intent that it shall pass as coin of different description

Section 248 IPC (1860) replaced by Section 178 BNS (2023)

View IPC Section 248 →View BNS Section 178 →

IPC 248 to BNS 178 at a Glance

Section 248 IPC (Altering appearance of coin with intent that it shall pass as coin of different description) 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 248 to BNS 178?

Section 248 IPC made altering the appearance of a coin with intent that it shall pass as a coin of a different description an independent offence punishable with imprisonment of either description for up to three years and fine. In Section 178 BNS, this conduct is merged into the general offence of counterfeiting coin through clauses four and five of the Explanation, which state that causing a genuine coin to appear like a different coin and altering the appearance of a coin constitute counterfeiting coin. This consolidation raises the maximum punishment to imprisonment for life, or imprisonment of either description for up to ten years, and fine.

IPC 248 vs BNS 178: Comparison Table

AspectIPC 1860 (repealed)BNS 2023 (in force)
Section248178
OffenceAltering appearance of coin with intent that it shall pass as coin of different descriptionSame
PunishmentImprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to three years.Section 178 BNS punishes counterfeiting coin with imprisonment for life, or with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to ten years.
FineThe offender shall also be liable to fine.Under Section 178 BNS, the offender is also liable to fine.
BailNon-BailableSame
CognizanceCognizableSame
CompoundableNon-CompoundableSame
Triable ByMagistrate of the first classSame

IPC 248 and BNS 178: Bare Act Text Side by Side

IPC 1860 (repealed)

Section 248, IPC 1860

248. Altering appearance of coin with intent that it shall pass as coin of different description.—Whoever performs on any coin any operation which alters the appearance of that coin, with the intention that the said coin shall pass as a coin of a different description, shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to three 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 248 vs BNS 178

Under IPC 248
  1. Performing on any coin any operation
  2. The operation alters the appearance of that coin
  3. Acting with the intention that the said coin shall pass as a coin of a different description
Under BNS 178
  1. Performing any operation which alters the appearance of a coin
  2. Intending that the coin shall pass as a coin of a different description or that deception will be practised
  3. Conduct defined as counterfeiting coin under clauses four and five of the Explanation to Section 178 BNS
  4. Punishment of imprisonment for life, or imprisonment of either description for up to ten years, and liability to fine

What IPC 248 to BNS 178 Means for Pending Cases

For Section 248 IPC (now Section 178 BNS): for an act committed after the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 took effect, altering the appearance of a coin to pass as a different coin is charged under Section 178 BNS as counterfeiting coin, which increases the maximum penalty from three years to imprisonment for life or up to ten years.

FAQs: IPC 248 to BNS 178

What changed when Section 248 IPC became Section 178 BNS?▼

Section 248 IPC is merged into Section 178 BNS. Clauses four and five of the Explanation to Section 178 BNS define altering the appearance of a coin to resemble a different coin as counterfeiting coin. The maximum punishment rises from three years imprisonment under the IPC to imprisonment for life or up to ten years under the BNS, and fine.

Where does Section 248 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 248 IPC or Section 178 BNS apply to an act done before 1 July 2024?▼

Section 248 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 248 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 ·