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The Finance Ministry said on 11 September 2026 that a notification dated 10 September appoints 1 October 2026 as the date the Bankers' Books Evidence Act, 2026 comes into force.
The Act repeals and replaces the Bankers' Books Evidence Act, 1891, written when bank records existed only on paper.
It is technology-neutral: physical, electronic, digital, virtual and cloud-based banking records are all recognised as evidence.
Certification can be by manual, digital or electronic signature, and a court must record a 'special cause' in writing before summoning bank officials in cases where the bank is not a party.
The Centre can extend the Act by notification to other entities in the financial sector.
New law in force from 1 October 2026; governs how certified copies of bank records are admitted as evidence in court
Repealed. Allowed certified copies of entries in bankers' books to be used as prima facie evidence so original ledgers need not be produced in court
India's general law of evidence (replaced the Indian Evidence Act, 1872); the new banking Act aligns bank-record evidence with its treatment of electronic records
Piloted the Bill and issued the commencement notification
Bankers' Books Evidence Act enacted
Bankers' Books Evidence Bill, 2026 introduced in Lok Sabha
Passed by Lok Sabha
Passed by Rajya Sabha
President's assent
Commencement notification issued
Act comes into force
Banking Awareness > Banking laws and regulations
GS Paper 2 > Government policies and legislation; GS Paper 3 > Banking sector
The Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam (BSA) aims to align Indian evidence law with advancements in:
Answer: Forensic science and digital technology
With reference to the Government of India, consider the following information: I. Directorate of Enforcement : Enforcement of the Fugitive Economic Offenders Act, 2018 : Internal Security Division-I, Ministry of Home Affairs II. Directorate of Revenue Intelligence : Enforces the Provisions of the Customs Act, 1962 : Department of Revenue, Ministry of Finance III. Directorate General of Systems and Data Management : Carrying out big data analytics... : Department of Revenue, Ministry of Finance In how many of the above rows is the information correctly matched?
Answer: Only two
A law that applies the same rules whatever medium a record is kept in - paper, electronic or cloud
A reason a court must record in writing before compelling bank officials to produce books or testify where the bank is not a party
Evidence accepted as proof unless rebutted