Whoever counterfeits, or knowingly performs any part of the process of counterfeiting, any coin, stamp issued by Government for the purpose of revenue, currency-note or bank-note, shall be punished with imprisonment for life, or with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to ten years, and shall also be liable to fine.

Explanation.—For the purposes of this Chapter,—

1. "coin" shall have the same meaning as assigned to it in section 2 of the Coinage Act, 2011;
2. "counterfeit" means a coin, stamp, currency-note or bank-note fabricated to resemble or pass as a genuine coin, stamp, currency-note or bank-note; and includes imitation and alteration;
3. "Indian coin" means a coin which is for the time being legal tender in India;
4. "currency-note" means a note issued by the Reserve Bank of India payable on demand;
5. "bank-note" means a promissory note or engagement for the payment of money to bearer on demand issued by any person carrying on the business of banking;
6. "Government stamp" means any stamp issued by the Government for the purpose of revenue.