Section 466 IPC: Forgery of record of Court or of public register, etc.

Indian Penal Code, 1860

Section 466 IPC at a Glance

Section 466 IPC deals with forgery of record of Court or of public register, etc. It is non-bailable and non-cognizable, triable by Magistrate of the first class; from 1 July 2024 it is replaced by Section 337 BNS.

Punishment

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

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

BNS Equivalent

Section 337 →

Section 466 IPC Bare Act Text

466. Forgery of record of Court or of public register, etc.
Whoever forges a document or an electronic record, purporting to be a record or proceeding of or in a Court of Justice, or a register of birth, baptism, marriage or burial, or a register kept by a public servant as such, or a certificate or document purporting to be made by a public servant in his official capacity, or an authority to institute or defend a suit, or to take any proceedings therein, or to confess judgment, or a power of attorney, shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to seven years, and shall also be liable to fine.
Explanation
For the purposes of this section, “register” includes any list, data or record of any entries maintained in the electronic form as defined in clause (r) of sub-section (1) of section 2 of the Information Technology Act, 2000 (21 of 2000).

Source: Section 466, Indian Penal Code, 1860

Section 466 IPC in Simple Words

Section 466 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) punishes the forgery of specified public, court and official records. It applies where a person forges a document or an electronic record purporting to be a record or proceeding of or in a Court of Justice, a register of birth, baptism, marriage or burial, a register kept by a public servant as such, a certificate or document purporting to be made by a public servant in his official capacity, an authority to institute or defend a suit, or to take any proceedings therein, or to confess judgment, or a power of attorney.

The punishment is imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to seven years, and the offender is also liable to fine. Under the First Schedule to the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973, an offence under Section 466 IPC is non-cognizable and non-bailable, and it is triable by a Magistrate of the first class.

The offence is not compoundable under Section 320 CrPC.

Ingredients of Section 466 IPC

The accused committed forgery as defined in Section 463 IPC by making a false document or electronic record under Section 464 IPC
The document or electronic record purported to be a record or proceeding of or in a Court of Justice, or a register of birth, baptism, marriage or burial, or a register kept by a public servant in that capacity, or an official certificate, or an authority to conduct legal proceedings or confess judgment, or a power of attorney

Punishment Under Section 466 IPC

Imprisonment

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

Fine

The offender is also liable to fine. The statute does not prescribe a mandatory fine or fix a maximum amount.

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

Forgery of a court record or public register under Section 466 IPC carries imprisonment of either description for up to seven years, and the offender is also liable to fine.

Example of Section 466 IPC

In 2018 in Dehradun, Gaurav wanted to enroll his nephew Siddharth in a government school despite Siddharth being below the minimum admission age. Gaurav dishonestly created a false birth certificate purporting to be issued and signed by the chief medical officer in an official capacity, showing an earlier date of birth for Siddharth, intending to support a claim for school admission. The chief medical officer had never issued or authorized that certificate. By making a false document purporting to be a certificate made by a public servant in his official capacity, Gaurav committed forgery. Gaurav is punishable under Section 466 IPC.

When Section 466 IPC Does Not Apply

The record, register, certificate, or power of attorney was genuinely issued or signed with the lawful authority of the court, public servant, or person concerned.
An alteration in a register or document was made in good faith to correct a clerical mistake without any intent to commit fraud or cause injury.
The forged document is a purely private writing that does not purport to be a court record, public register, official certificate, litigation authority, or power of attorney.
A person makes an untrue oral statement before a court or public officer without fabricating or altering any document or electronic record.

Section 466 IPC in the BNS

Section 466 IPC is now covered under Section 337 BNS.

Section 466 IPC corresponds to Section 337 BNS. The maximum term of imprisonment remains seven years, and the offender is also liable to fine. Section 337 BNS expands the statutory scope by adding an identity document issued by Government including voter identity card or Aadhaar Card. It omits baptism from the listed registers and refers to a Court rather than a Court of Justice. The Explanation relating to electronic registers remains unchanged.

View detailed comparison (IPC 466 vs BNS 337) →

FAQs on Section 466 IPC

What does Section 466 IPC punish?▼

Section 466 IPC punishes forging a document or electronic record purporting to be a record or proceeding of or in a Court of Justice, a register of birth, baptism, marriage or burial, a register kept by a public servant, an official certificate, an authority to conduct legal proceedings, or a power of attorney.

What is the punishment under Section 466 IPC?▼

Imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to seven years, and the offender is also liable to fine.

Is an offence under Section 466 IPC bailable?▼

No. The First Schedule to the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 classifies Section 466 IPC as non-bailable. It is non-cognizable and triable by a Magistrate of the first class.

Can an offence under Section 466 IPC be compounded?▼

No. Section 466 IPC is not listed in Section 320 CrPC, so it cannot be compounded.

Does Section 466 IPC apply to electronic registers?▼

Yes. The Explanation clarifies that register includes any list, data or record of entries maintained in the electronic form as defined in the Information Technology Act, 2000.

Does forging a power of attorney fall under Section 466 IPC?▼

Yes. A power of attorney is explicitly listed in Section 466 IPC. If the power of attorney purports to give authority to make or transfer any valuable security, or to receive or deliver any money, movable property or valuable security, Section 467 IPC may apply instead.

Where is Section 466 IPC placed in the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita?▼

Section 466 IPC corresponds to Section 337 BNS, located 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 ·