Section 178 BNS: Counterfeiting coin, Government stamps, currency-notes or bank-notes
Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023
Section 178 BNS at a Glance
Section 178 BNS deals with counterfeiting coin, Government stamps, currency-notes or bank-notes. It is non-bailable and cognizable, triable by Magistrate of the first class; it replaced Section 249 IPC on 1 July 2024.
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.
Section 178 BNS Bare Act Text
178. Altering appearance of Indian coin with intent that it shall pass as coin of different description
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.
ExplanationFor 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.
Source: Section 178, Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023
Section 178 BNS in Simple Words
Section 178 BNS consolidates the offences of counterfeiting coin, Government revenue stamps, currency-notes, and bank-notes into a single provision.
Under clauses four and five of the Explanation to Section 178 BNS, counterfeiting coin includes altering the appearance of a coin or causing a genuine coin to appear like a different coin intending to practise deception or knowing that deception is likely to be practised.
The offence is punishable with imprisonment for life, or imprisonment of either description for up to ten years, and liability to fine.
Ingredients of Section 178 BNS
- Performing any operation which alters the appearance of a coin
- Intending that the coin shall pass as a coin of a different description or that deception will be practised
- Conduct defined as counterfeiting coin under clauses four and five of the Explanation to Section 178 BNS
- Punishment of imprisonment for life, or imprisonment of either description for up to ten years, and liability to fine
Punishment Under Section 178 BNS
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.
Under Section 178 BNS, the offender is also liable to fine.
Under clauses four and five of the Explanation to Section 178 BNS, altering the appearance of a coin or causing a genuine coin to appear like a different coin to deceive is treated as counterfeiting coin, punishable with imprisonment for life, or imprisonment of either description for up to ten years, and liability to fine.
Example of Section 178 BNS
When Section 178 BNS Does Not Apply
- No operation was performed on any coin
- The operation did not alter the appearance of the coin or cause it to appear like a different coin
- The operation was performed without intending to practise deception and without knowing it to be likely that deception would thereby be practised
Section 178 BNS in the IPC (Previous Law)
Section 178 BNS replaces Section 249 IPC from the old criminal code.
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.
View IPC Section 249 →FAQs on Section 178 BNS
What does Section 178 of the BNS cover?▼
Section 178 BNS covers counterfeiting of any coin, Government revenue stamp, currency-note, or bank-note. It also applies if a person knowingly does any part of the counterfeiting process, even if they do not complete the whole act.
What has to be proved for an offence under Section 178 BNS?▼
The prosecution must show that the person either counterfeited, or knowingly performed part of the process of counterfeiting, a coin, Government stamp, currency-note, or bank-note. The text also explains that making a genuine stamp look like another denomination, or making a genuine coin look like a different coin, can amount to counterfeiting in the situations stated there.
Is Section 178 BNS bailable?▼
No. This is a non-bailable offence, so bail is not a matter of right. The accused must apply to the court, which decides in light of the facts, the seriousness of the allegations, and other relevant circumstances.
What is the punishment for counterfeiting coin, Government stamps or notes under Section 178 BNS?▼
The punishment under Section 178 BNS is imprisonment for life, or imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to ten years, and liability to fine. The exact sentence in a case depends on the facts and the court's decision.
Does changing a real coin or stamp also count as counterfeiting under Section 178 BNS?▼
Yes, in some situations it can. The explanation says counterfeiting a Government stamp includes making a genuine stamp of one denomination appear like a genuine stamp of another denomination, and counterfeiting coin includes making a genuine coin appear like a different coin, as well as diminishing its weight, changing its composition, or changing its appearance.
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Sources: Bare Act Text, Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 · Last updated: 16 Oct 2026 ·