Bankers' Books Evidence Act, 2026 replaces the 1891 law and takes effect on 1 October 2026

The Ministry of Finance announced that the Bankers' Books Evidence Act, 2026 will come into force on 1 October 2026, under a notification dated 10 September 2026. The Act received the President's assent on 13 August 2026 and replaces the Bankers' Books Evidence Act, 1891. It sets out a modern framework for using banking records as evidence in legal proceedings.

The Act is technology-neutral: it recognises banking records kept in physical, electronic, digital, virtual, cloud-based and other contemporary forms, rather than only traditional ledgers. It provides for simplified and standardised certification of banking records, which may be signed manually, digitally or electronically. This is meant to make it easier to produce bank records in court without calling bank officials.

The Act also clarifies when bank officials can be summoned in proceedings to which the bank is not a party: the court must record in writing a 'special cause' for summoning them. The Central Government may extend the Act's provisions to specified financial sector entities or classes of entities, so that the framework can cover newer kinds of financial institutions. The government described the law as part of its effort to modernise statutes in line with technology and to promote ease of doing business.