IPC Section 263A: Prohibition of fictitious stamps
Indian Penal Code, 1860 · Chapter 12: Offences relating to coin and Government Stamps
Repealed on 1 July 2024 and replaced by the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 (BNS).
¶1(1) Whoever—
¶(a) makes, knowingly utters, deals in or sells any fictitious stamp, or knowingly uses for any postal purpose any fictitious stamp, or
¶(b) has in his possession, without lawful excuse, any fictitious stamp, or
¶(c) makes or, without lawful excuse, has in his possession any die, plate, instrument or materials for making any fictitious stamp,
¶shall be punished with fine which may extend to two hundred rupees.
¶(2) Any such stamp, die, plate, instrument or materials in the possession of any person for making any fictitious stamp 2[may be seized and, if seized] shall be forfeited.
¶(3) In this section “fictitious stamp” means any stamp falsely purporting to be issued by Government for the purpose of denoting a rate of postage, or any facsimile or imitation or representation, whether on paper or otherwise, of any stamp issued by Government for that purpose.
¶(4) In this section and also in sections 255 to 263, both inclusive, the word “Government”, when used in connection with, or in reference to any stamp issued for the purpose of denoting a rate of postage, shall, notwithstanding anything in section 17, be deemed to include the person or persons authorized by law to administer executive government in any part of India, and also in any part of Her Majesty's dominions or in any foreign country.
¶_________________________________________
¶1. Added by Act 3 of 1895, s. 2.
¶2. Subs. by Act 42 of 1953, s. 4 and the Third Sch., for “may be seized and”.
Study: explanations and related material
Now BNS 186 (same provision). IPC → BNS converterSource: BPR&D BNS–IPC corresponding section table (UP Police, 2024-06-28), p12
Official reference: Delhi District & Sessions Judge: government historical reference — source link checked: 2 October 2026.Recorded edition / snapshot date: 2024-06-30.Mobile-app reference import; the recorded snapshot date is not a fresh legal-currency guarantee. The linked government text is an independent authoritative reference, not certification that this website reproduces the same edition. The source link was checked, not every provision or subsequent amendment. Check commencement notifications, savings and jurisdiction-specific variations separately. Historical code retained for reference; read the repeal/savings provisions in the successor code.
This text is for reference, not legal advice. Consult the official source for the authoritative text.
Other sections in this chapter
- 230. Coin defined
- 231. Counterfeiting coin
- 232. Counterfeiting Indian coin
- 233. Making or selling instrument for counterfeiting coin
- 234. Making or selling instrument for counterfeiting Indian coin
- 235. Possession of instrument, or material for the purpose of using the same for counterfeiting coin
- 236. Abetting in India the counterfeiting out of India of coin
- 237. Import or export of counterfeit coin
- 238. Import or export of counterfeits of the India coin
- 239. Delivery of coin, possessed with knowledge that it is counterfeit
- 240. Delivery of Indian coin, possessed with knowledge that it is counterfeit
- 241. Delivery of coin as genuine, which, when first possessed, the deliverer did not know to be counterfeit
- 242. Possession of counterfeit coin by person who knew it to be counterfeit when he became possessed thereof
- 243. Possession of Indian coin by person who knew it to be counterfeit when he became possessed thereof
- 244. Person employed in mint causing coin to be of different weight or composition from that fixed by law
- 245. Unlawfully taking coining instrument from mint
- 246. Fraudulently or dishonestly diminishing weight or altering composition of coin
- 247. Fraudulently or dishonestly diminishing weight or altering composition of Indian coin
- 248. Altering appearance of coin with intent that it shall pass as coin of different description
- 249. Altering appearance of Indian coin with intent that it shall pass as coin of different description
- 250. Delivery of coin, possessed with knowledge that it is altered
- 251. Delivery of Indian coin, possessed with knowledge that it is altered
- 252. Possession of coin by person who knew it to be altered when he became possessed thereof
- 253. Possession of Indian coin by person who knew it to be altered when he became possessed thereof
- 254. Delivery of coin as genuine, which, when first possessed, the deliverer did not know to be altered
- 255. Counterfeiting Government stamp
- 256. Having possession of instrument or material for counterfeiting Government stamp
- 257. Making or selling instrument for counterfeiting Government stamp
- 259. Having possession of counterfeit Government stamp
- 260. Using as genuine a Government stamp known to be a counterfeit
- 261. Effacing, writing from substance bearing Government stamp, or removing from document a stamp used for it, with intent to cause loss to Government
- 262. Using Government stamp known to have been before used
- 263. Erasure of mark denoting that stamp has been used