IPC Section 489A: Counterfeiting currency-notes or bank-notes
Indian Penal Code, 1860 · Chapter 18: Offences relating to Documents and Property Marks
Repealed on 1 July 2024 and replaced by the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 (BNS).
¶Whoever counterfeits, or knowingly performs any part of the process of counterfeiting, any currency-note or bank-note, shall be punished with 1[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.
¶Explanation.—For the purposes of this section and of sections 489B, 2[489C, 489D and 489E], 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.
¶_____________________________________
¶1. Subs. by Act 26 of 1955, s. 117 and the Sch., for “transportation for life” (w.e.f. 1-1-1956).
¶2. Subs. by Act 35 of 1950, s. 3 and the Second Sch., for “489C and 489D”.
Study: explanations and related material
Now BNS 178 (combined with other sections). IPC → BNS converterSource: BPR&D BNS–IPC corresponding section table (UP Police, 2024-06-28), p11
Official reference: Delhi District & Sessions Judge: government historical reference — source link checked: 2 October 2026.Recorded edition / snapshot date: 2024-06-30.Mobile-app reference import; the recorded snapshot date is not a fresh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
- 463. Forgery
- 464. Making a false document
- 465. Punishment for forgery
- 466. Forgery of record of court or of public register, etc
- 467. Forgery of valuable security, will, etc
- 468. Forgery for purpose of cheating
- 469. Forgery for purpose of harming reputation
- 470. Forged document or electronic record
- 471. Using as genuine a forged document or electronic record
- 472. Making or possessing counterfeit seal, etc., with intent to commit forgery punishable under section 467
- 473. Making or possessing counterfeit seal, etc., with intent to commit forgery punishable otherwise
- 474. Having possession of document described in Section 466 or 467, knowing it to be forged and intending to use it as genuine
- 475. Counterfeiting device or mark used for authenticating documents described in Section 467, or possessing counterfeit marked material
- 476. Counterfeiting device or mark used for authenticating documents other than those described in section 467, or possessing counterfeit marked material
- 477. Fraudulent cancellation, destruction, etc., of will, authority to adopt, or valuable security
- 477A. Falsification of accounts
- 478. Trade marks
- 479. Property mark
- 480. Using a false trade mark
- 481. Using a false property mark
- 482. Punishment for using a false property mark
- 483. Counterfeiting a property mark used by another
- 484. Counterfeiting a mark used by a public servant
- 485. Making or possession of any instrument for counterfeiting a property mark
- 486. Selling goods marked with a counterfeit property mark
- 487. Making a false mark upon any receptacle containing goods
- 488. Punishment for making use of any such false mark
- 489. Tampering with property mark with intent to cause injury
- 489B. Using as genuine, forged or counterfeit currency-notes or bank-notes
- 489C. Possession of forged or counterfeit currency-notes or bank-notes
- 489D. Making or possessing instruments or materials for forgoing or counterfeiting currency-notes or bank-notes
- 489E. Making or using documents resembling currency-notes or bank-notes