Bankers’ Books Evidence Act, 2026 to come into force from 1st October 2026

The Ministry of Finance has announced that the Bankers’ Books Evidence Act, 2026, which received presidential assent on 13th August 2026, will come into force from 1st October 2026. This Act replaces the Bankers’ Books Evidence Act, 1891, to modernise the legal framework for using banking records as evidence. It adopts a technology-neutral approach by recognising physical, electronic, digital, virtual, and cloud-based banking records, and allows certification through manual, digital, or electronic signatures. Furthermore, the Act limits the summoning of bank officials where the bank is not a party to proceedings by requiring a 'special cause' recorded in writing, and enables the Central Government to extend provisions to other specified financial sector entities.