IPC 256→BNS 181

IPC 256 to BNS 181: Having possession of instrument or material for counterfeiting Government stamp

Section 256 IPC (1860) replaced by Section 181 BNS (2023)

View IPC Section 256 →View BNS Section 181 →

IPC 256 to BNS 181 at a Glance

Section 256 IPC (Having possession of instrument or material for counterfeiting Government stamp) is now Section 181 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 256 to BNS 181?

Section 256 IPC punished possessing any instrument or material for counterfeiting any stamp issued by Government for revenue, with imprisonment of either description for up to seven years and fine. Section 181 BNS absorbs this offence into a unified section covering making, mending, buying, selling, disposing of, or possessing machinery, dies, instruments, or materials for forging or counterfeiting coin, Government stamps, currency-notes, or bank-notes. Under Section 181 BNS, the maximum penalty increases from seven years imprisonment to imprisonment for life, or imprisonment of either description for up to ten years, and fine.

IPC 256 vs BNS 181: Comparison Table

AspectIPC 1860 (repealed)BNS 2023 (in force)
Section256181
OffenceHaving possession of instrument or material for counterfeiting Government stampSame
PunishmentImprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to seven years.Imprisonment of either description for up to seven years under Section 256 IPC. Section 181 BNS increases the punishment to imprisonment for life, or imprisonment of either description for up to ten years.
FineThe offender shall also be liable to fine.Liable to fine in addition to imprisonment under both Section 256 IPC and Section 181 BNS.
BailNon-BailableSame
CognizanceCognizableSame
CompoundableNon-CompoundableSame
Triable ByMagistrate of the first classSame

IPC 256 and BNS 181: Bare Act Text Side by Side

IPC 1860 (repealed)

Section 256, IPC 1860

256. Having possession of instrument or material for counterfeiting Government stamp.—Whoever has in his possession any instrument or material for the purpose of being used, or knowing or having reason to believe that it is intended to be used, for the purpose of counterfeiting any stamp issued by Government for the purpose of revenue, 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 181, BNS 2023

Whoever makes or mends, or performs any part of the process of making or mending, or buys or sells or disposes of, or has in his possession, any machinery, die, or instrument or material for the purpose of being used, or knowing or having reason to believe that it is intended to be used, for forging or 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.

Ingredients: IPC 256 vs BNS 181

Under IPC 256
  1. The accused had in his possession any instrument or material
  2. The possession was for the purpose of being used, or knowing or having reason to believe that it was intended to be used, for counterfeiting any stamp
  3. The stamp was one issued by Government for the purpose of revenue
Under BNS 181
  1. Making, mending, performing part of the process of making or mending, buying, selling, disposing of, or having in possession any machinery, die, instrument, or material
  2. For the purpose of being used, or knowing or having reason to believe that it is intended to be used, for forging or counterfeiting any coin, Government revenue stamp, currency-note, or bank-note
  3. Punishment of imprisonment for life, or imprisonment of either description for up to ten years, and liability to fine

What IPC 256 to BNS 181 Means for Pending Cases

For Section 256 IPC (now Section 181 BNS): for an act committed after the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 came into force, possessing materials or instruments for counterfeiting Government stamps is charged under Section 181 BNS, which absorbs the offence into unified instrument possession and increases the maximum sentence from seven years imprisonment to imprisonment for life or ten years and fine.

FAQs: IPC 256 to BNS 181

What changed when Section 256 IPC became Section 181 BNS?▼

Section 256 IPC is consolidated into Section 181 BNS, which merges making, buying, selling, and possessing instruments or materials for counterfeiting coin, Government stamps, and currency. Section 181 BNS explicitly includes machinery and dies alongside instruments and materials. The maximum penalty increases from seven years imprisonment under Section 256 IPC to imprisonment for life, or imprisonment of either description for up to ten years, and fine.

Where does Section 256 IPC sit in the BNS?▼

In Section 181 BNS, in Chapter X, Of Offences Relating to Coin, Currency-Notes, Bank-Notes, and Government Stamps.

Does Section 256 IPC or Section 181 BNS apply to an act done before 1 July 2024?▼

Section 256 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 256 IPC. Section 181 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 ·