Since Section 165 IPC is repealed, accepting gifts from people involved in your official work is now legal for public servants.

The conduct is still illegal—it is now covered under the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988, which replaced this section with more detailed and updated provisions.

Indian Penal Code, 1860

Section 165

repealed

Rep. by the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988

Repealed by the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 (49 of 1988), S. 31.§

Why this exists

Originally, Section 165 IPC made it a crime for a public servant to accept any valuable item without paying for it from someone connected to a proceeding or business the servant was handling. As India's anti-corruption framework grew more detailed, lawmakers decided to consolidate all corruption-related offenses into one focused statute. The Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 was enacted to comprehensively cover bribery and corruption by public servants, and it repealed overlapping IPC provisions like Section 165 to avoid duplication and to modernize enforcement, penalties, and procedures.

Common misconceptions

Myth: Since Section 165 IPC is repealed, accepting gifts from people involved in your official work is now legal for public servants.
Fact: The conduct is still illegal—it is now covered under the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988, which replaced this section with more detailed and updated provisions.