Section 465 IPC: Punishment for forgery

Indian Penal Code, 1860

Section 465 IPC at a Glance

Section 465 IPC deals with punishment for forgery. It is bailable and non-cognizable, triable by Magistrate of the first class; from 1 July 2024 it is replaced by Section 336(2) BNS.

Punishment

Imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to two years.

Bailable ⓘNon-Cognizable ⓘNon-Compoundable ⓘ🏛️ Magistrate of the first class ⓘ
BNS Equivalent

Section 336(2) →

Section 465 IPC Bare Act Text

465. Punishment for forgery

Whoever commits forgery shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to two years, or with fine, or with both.

Source: Section 465, Indian Penal Code, 1860

Section 465 IPC in Simple Words

Section 465 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) prescribes the general punishment for forgery. Whoever commits forgery is punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to two years, or with fine, or with both.

Forgery is defined in Section 463 IPC, and the elements of making a false document or electronic record are set out in Section 464 IPC. Aggravated forms of forgery involving public records, valuable securities or specific fraudulent purposes are punished under Section 466 to Section 469 IPC.

Under the First Schedule to the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973, an offence under Section 465 IPC is non-cognizable and bailable, and it is triable by a Magistrate of the first class. The offence is not compoundable under Section 320 CrPC.

Ingredients of Section 465 IPC

  • The accused made a false document or false electronic record, or part of a document or electronic record, as defined in Section 464 IPC
  • The accused acted with at least one of the specific statutory intents listed in Section 463 IPC

Punishment Under Section 465 IPC

Imprisonment

Imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to two years.

Fine

The court may impose a fine instead of imprisonment, or both. The statute does not fix a maximum fine amount.

Bailable ⓘNon-Cognizable ⓘNon-Compoundable ⓘ🏛️ Magistrate of the first class ⓘ

Forgery under Section 465 IPC is punishable with imprisonment of either description for up to two years, or with fine, or with both.

Example of Section 465 IPC

In 2019 in Mysuru, Karthik wanted to delay a disciplinary hearing scheduled by a local sports club against him. Without the knowledge or permission of club member Dinesh, Karthik wrote a petition in the name of Dinesh requesting an adjournment of the hearing and dishonestly signed the name of Dinesh, intending the club committee to believe that Dinesh had authored and signed the request. By making a false document with intent to commit fraud and support his claim for an adjournment, Karthik committed forgery. Karthik is punishable under Section 465 IPC.

When Section 465 IPC Does Not Apply

  • A person signs or alters a document or electronic record with the genuine permission of the individual whose name or authority is used.
  • A false document or electronic record is created without any intent to commit fraud, cause injury, support a claim, or induce someone to part with property or enter into a contract.
  • A person tells a verbal falsehood without creating or modifying any document or electronic record.
  • An accidental spelling or numerical mistake is made in a record in good faith without dishonest or fraudulent intention.

Section 465 IPC in the BNS

Section 465 IPC is now covered under Section 336(2) BNS.

Section 465 IPC corresponds to Section 336(2) BNS. The offence and the punishment are unchanged. Section 336(2) BNS consolidates the definition of forgery from Section 463 IPC as Section 336(1) BNS, the general penalty 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.

View detailed comparison (IPC 465 vs BNS 336(2)) →

FAQs on Section 465 IPC

What does Section 465 IPC provide?▼

Section 465 IPC provides the general penalty for forgery, punishing whoever commits forgery with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to two years, or with fine, or with both.

Is Section 465 IPC bailable?▼

Yes. The First Schedule to the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 classifies Section 465 IPC as bailable. It is also non-cognizable and triable by a Magistrate of the first class.

Can an offence under Section 465 IPC be compounded?▼

No. Section 465 IPC is not listed in Section 320 CrPC, so it cannot be compounded.

Must the forged document actually be used to complete the offence under Section 465 IPC?▼

No. The offence under Section 465 IPC is complete once a false document is made with the requisite statutory intent. Using a forged document as genuine is punished separately under Section 471 IPC.

Which court tries an offence under Section 465 IPC?▼

An offence under Section 465 IPC is triable by a Magistrate of the first class.

When does an aggravated section apply instead of Section 465 IPC?▼

Heavier penalties apply where the forgery involves court records or public registers under Section 466 IPC, valuable securities or wills under Section 467 IPC, or is committed for cheating under Section 468 IPC or harming reputation under Section 469 IPC.

Where is Section 465 IPC placed in the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita?▼

Section 465 IPC is incorporated into Section 336(2) BNS, in Chapter XVIII, Of Offences Relating to Documents and to Property Marks.

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Disclaimer: This is for informational purposes only. Always consult a qualified advocate for legal advice.

Sources: Bare Act Text, Indian Penal Code, 1860 · Last updated: 16 Oct 2026 ·