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Bankers' Books Evidence Act, 2026 Comes Into Force, Replacing the 135-Year-Old 1891 Law

1 October 2026National

The Bankers' Books Evidence Act, 2026 took effect on 1 October 2026, replacing the colonial-era Bankers' Books Evidence Act, 1891 and making India's rules on banking evidence technology-neutral. 'Bankers' books' now covers records kept in written or physical form or stored in any data-storage mechanism, so electronic and digital records are admissible provided they are true copies with no unauthorised alteration or tampering. Banks may file certified copies instead of originals, and a bank officer cannot be compelled to testify or produce records unless a court records a special cause in writing. The Government may extend the Act to other financial entities by notification.

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The Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam, 2023 replaced the Indian Evidence Act, 1872 as India's general law of evidence | The Banking Regulation Act, 1949 is the principal statute governing banking companies in India | The Reserve Bank of India was established on 1 April 1935 under the RBI Act, 1934 and was nationalised in 1949

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