New Delhi, Aug. 10 -- The Rajya Sabha on Monday passed the Bankers' Books Evidence Bill, 2026, which seeks to replace the 1891 legislation governing the use of banking records as evidence in legal proceedings and bring the law in line with the digital transformation of the banking sector.

The Bill, which was passed by the Lok Sabha on August 5, was approved by voice vote in the Upper House.

Replying to the debate, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said the new legislation would provide a technology-neutral legal framework for bankers' books and recognise records maintained in physical, electronic, digital, virtual or cloud-based formats.

"The Bill strengthens public confidence by providing a clear, secure and transparent legal framew...