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IT Act Act No. 21 of 2000

The Information Technology Act, 2000

The bare text of the Information Technology Act, 2000 (21 of 2000), as amended by the Information Technology (Amendment) Act, 2008, the Finance Act, 2017 and the Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Act, 2023, with the amendment history of every section.

155 recorded amendments See what changed and when
21 of 2000 Act No.
17 October 2000 In force from
14 Chapters
30 November 2023 Last amended
Act No. 21 of 2000 Enacted 09 June 2000 Enforced 17 October 2000 Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology
94 sections
Default readable text
Opening text

Preamble

An Act to provide legal recognition for transactions carried out by means of electronic dataDefined in section 2(o): data means a representation of information, knowledge, facts, concepts or instructions which are being prepared or have been prepared in a formalised manner, and is intended to be processed, is being processed or has been processed in a computer system or computer network, and may be in any form (including computer ... interchange and other means of electronic communication, commonly referred to as "electronic commerce", which involve the use of alternatives to paper-based methods of communication and storage of informationDefined in section 2(v): information includes 6[data, message, text,] images, sound, voice, codes, computer programmes, software and data bases or micro film or computer generated micro fiche; 7[(w) intermediary, with respect to any particular electronic records, means any person who on behalf of another person receives, stores or transmits..., to facilitate electronic filing of documents with the Government agencies and further to amend the Indian Penal Code, the Indian Evidence Act, 1872, the Bankers' Books Evidence Act, 1891 and the Reserve Bank of India Act, 1934 and for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto;
WHEREAS the General Assembly of the United Nations by resolution A/RES/51/162, dated the 30th January, 1997 has adopted the Model LawDefined in section 2(y): law includes any Act of Parliament or of a State Legislature, Ordinances promulgated by the President or a Governor, as the case may be, Regulations made by the President under article 240, Bills enacted as President's Act under sub clause (a) of clause (1) of article 357 of the Constitution and includes rules, regu... on Electronic Commerce adopted by the United Nations Commission on International Trade LawDefined in section 2(y): law includes any Act of Parliament or of a State Legislature, Ordinances promulgated by the President or a Governor, as the case may be, Regulations made by the President under article 240, Bills enacted as President's Act under sub clause (a) of clause (1) of article 357 of the Constitution and includes rules, regu...;
AND WHEREAS the said resolution recommends inter alia, that all States give favourable consideration to the said Model LawDefined in section 2(y): law includes any Act of Parliament or of a State Legislature, Ordinances promulgated by the President or a Governor, as the case may be, Regulations made by the President under article 240, Bills enacted as President's Act under sub clause (a) of clause (1) of article 357 of the Constitution and includes rules, regu... when they enact or revise their laws, in view of the need for uniformity of the lawDefined in section 2(y): law includes any Act of Parliament or of a State Legislature, Ordinances promulgated by the President or a Governor, as the case may be, Regulations made by the President under article 240, Bills enacted as President's Act under sub clause (a) of clause (1) of article 357 of the Constitution and includes rules, regu... applicable to alternatives to paper-based methods of communication and storage of informationDefined in section 2(v): information includes 6[data, message, text,] images, sound, voice, codes, computer programmes, software and data bases or micro film or computer generated micro fiche; 7[(w) intermediary, with respect to any particular electronic records, means any person who on behalf of another person receives, stores or transmits...;
AND WHEREAS it is considered necessary to give effect to the said resolution and to promote efficient delivery of Government services by means of reliable electronic records.
BE it enacted by Parliament in the Fifty-first Year of the Republic of India as follows:—
Chapter I

Preliminary

2 sections
Chapter II

Digital Signature and Electronic Signature

2 sections
Chapter III

Electronic Governance

10 sections
Chapter IV

Attribution, Acknowledgment and Despatch of Electronic Records

3 sections
Chapter V

Secure Electronic Records and Secure Electronic Signature

3 sections
Chapter VI

Regulation of Certifying Authorities

18 sections
Chapter VII

Electronic Signature Certificates

5 sections
Chapter VIII

Duties of Subscribers

4 sections
Chapter IX

Penalties, Compensation and Adjudication

6 sections
Chapter X

Appellate Tribunal

21 sections
Chapter XI

Offences

30 sections
Chapter XII

Intermediaries not to be Liable in Certain Cases

1 sections
Chapter XIIA

Examiner of Electronic Evidence

1 sections
Chapter XIII

Miscellaneous

19 sections
Schedules