IPC 249→BNS 178

IPC 249 to BNS 178: Altering appearance of Indian coin with intent that it shall pass as coin of different description

Section 249 IPC (1860) replaced by Section 178 BNS (2023)

View IPC Section 249 →View BNS Section 178 →

IPC 249 to BNS 178 at a Glance

Section 249 IPC (Altering appearance of Indian 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 249 to BNS 178?

Section 249 IPC punished altering the appearance of Indian coin with intent that it pass as a coin of a different description with imprisonment of either description for up to seven years and fine. Section 178 BNS removes the separate category of Indian coin and unifies all coin tampering under a single offence. Under clauses four and five of the Explanation to Section 178 BNS, altering the appearance of any coin to deceive is defined as counterfeiting coin. This increases the maximum penalty to imprisonment for life, or imprisonment of either description for up to ten years, and fine.

IPC 249 vs BNS 178: Comparison Table

AspectIPC 1860 (repealed)BNS 2023 (in force)
Section249178
OffenceAltering appearance of Indian coin with intent that it shall pass as coin of different descriptionSame
PunishmentImprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to seven 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 249 and BNS 178: Bare Act Text Side by Side

IPC 1860 (repealed)

Section 249, IPC 1860

249. Altering appearance of Indian coin with intent that it shall pass as coin of different description.—Whoever performs on any Indian 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 seven 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 249 vs BNS 178

Under IPC 249
  1. Performing on any Indian coin any operation
  2. The coin operated upon was an Indian coin as defined in Section 230 IPC
  3. The operation alters the appearance of that coin
  4. Acting with the intention that the 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 249 to BNS 178 Means for Pending Cases

For Section 249 IPC (now Section 178 BNS): for an act committed after the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 took effect, altering the appearance of Indian coin is charged as counterfeiting coin under Section 178 BNS, raising the maximum imprisonment term from seven years to life or ten years.

FAQs: IPC 249 to BNS 178

What changed when Section 249 IPC became Section 178 BNS?▼

Section 249 IPC is consolidated into Section 178 BNS. The distinct classification of Indian coin is removed, and clauses four and five of the Explanation to Section 178 BNS treat altering coin appearance to resemble a different coin as counterfeiting coin. This increases the maximum punishment from seven years imprisonment under the IPC to imprisonment for life or up to ten years under the BNS, and fine.

Where does Section 249 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 249 IPC or Section 178 BNS apply to an act done before 1 July 2024?▼

Section 249 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 249 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 ·