Ministry of Finance Notifies Bankers' Books Evidence Act 2026 to Operate From October 1, 2026

Key facts

• The Ministry of Finance, through the Department of Financial Services, notified that all provisions of the Bankers' Books Evidence Act, 2026 (15 of 2026) will come into force from October 1, 2026.
• The notification (No. S.O. 5041(E)) was issued on September 10, 2026 by the Department of Financial Services.
• The Bankers' Books Evidence Act, 2026 replaces the colonial-era Bankers' Books Evidence Act, 1891.
• The new Act recognises electronic and digital banking records as admissible evidence in legal proceedings, subject to safeguards on authenticity, integrity and protection against tampering.
• The new law provides a clearer framework on when courts may require production or inspection of banking records, replacing rules designed for physical ledgers.