IPC 468 Is Now BNS 336(3): Forgery for Purpose of Cheating

What Changed From IPC 468 to BNS 336(3)?

Section 468 IPC corresponds to Section 336(3) BNS. The offence and the punishment of imprisonment of either description for up to seven years and liability to fine remain unchanged. Section 336 BNS consolidates the definition of forgery from Section 463 IPC as Section 336(1) BNS, the general punishment from Section 465 IPC as Section 336(2) BNS, forgery for cheating from Section 468 IPC as Section 336(3) BNS, and forgery for harming reputation from Section 469 IPC as Section 336(4) BNS.

IPC 468 vs BNS 336(3): Comparison Table

Aspect	IPC 1860 (repealed)	BNS 2023 (in force)
Section	468	336(3)
Offence	Forgery for purpose of cheating	Same
Punishment	Imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to seven years.	Same
Fine	The offender is also liable to fine. The statute does not prescribe a mandatory fine or fix a maximum amount.	Same
Bail	Non-Bailable	Same
Cognizance	Cognizable	Same
Compoundable	Non-Compoundable	Same
Triable By	Magistrate of the first class	Same

IPC 468 and BNS 336(3): Bare Act Text Side by Side

IPC 1860 (repealed)

Section 468, IPC 1860

468. Forgery for purpose of cheating.—Whoever commits forgery, intending that the document or electronic record forged shall be used for the purpose of cheating, 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 336(3), BNS 2023

Whoever commits forgery, intending that the document or electronic record forged shall be used for the purpose of cheating, shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to seven years, and shall also be liable to fine.

Ingredients: IPC 468 vs BNS 336(3)

Under IPC 468

The accused committed forgery as defined in Section 463 IPC by making a false document or electronic record under Section 464 IPC
At the time of committing the forgery, the accused intended that the forged document or electronic record should be used for the purpose of cheating as defined in Section 415 IPC

Under BNS 336(3)

Committing forgery as defined in Section 336(1) BNS by making a false document or electronic record under Section 335 BNS
Intending that the document or electronic record so forged shall be used for the purpose of cheating

What IPC 468 to BNS 336(3) Means for Pending Cases

For Section 468 IPC (now Section 336(3) BNS): under Section 336(3) BNS, the offence and penalties for forgery for the purpose of cheating remain identical to Section 468 IPC. A charge for an act done after the BNS came into force cites Section 336(3) BNS and requires proof of the same intent to use the forged record for cheating.

FAQs: IPC 468 to BNS 336(3)

What changed in Section 468 IPC under the BNS?▼

The substantive offence and punishment remain identical. Section 336(3) BNS reproduces the text of Section 468 IPC, providing imprisonment of either description for up to seven years and liability to fine.

Where does Section 468 IPC sit in the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita?▼

It sits in Section 336(3) BNS, within Chapter XVIII, Of Offences Relating to Documents and to Property Marks.

Does Section 468 IPC or Section 336(3) BNS apply to an act done before 1 July 2024?▼

Section 468 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 468 IPC. Section 336(3) BNS governs acts done on or after 1 July 2024.

IPC 468 to BNS 336(3): Forgery for purpose of cheating

IPC 468 to BNS 336(3) at a Glance