Under the Information Technology Act, 2000 (Amended 2008) there are 124 Sections (Section 1 to Section 124).
⚠ Important for Exams:
Not all 124 sections contain punishments.
Many sections are about definitions, authorities, procedures, powers, and administration.
Punishments mainly appear in Sections 43, 65–74, 84B, 84C, etc.
Below is a Complete One-Liner Summary of All 124 Sections (Short Exam-Oriented Version).
📘 IT ACT 2000 – ALL 124 SECTIONS (One-Liner Summary)
🔹 CHAPTER I – Preliminary
Section 1 – Short title, extent & commencement.
Section 2 – Definitions (computer, data, intermediary, etc.).
🔹 CHAPTER II – Digital / Electronic Signature
Section 3 – Authentication of electronic records.
Section 3A – Electronic signature recognition.
Section 4 – Legal recognition of electronic records.
Section 5 – Legal recognition of digital signatures.
Section 6 – Use of electronic records in Government.
Section 6A – Delivery of services electronically.
Section 7 – Retention of electronic records.
Section 7A – Audit of electronic records.
Section 8 – Publication of rules electronically.
Section 9 – Exceptions (not applicable to certain documents).
Section 10 – Power to make rules for digital signature.
Section 10A – Validity of e-contracts.
🔹 CHAPTER III – Certifying Authorities
Section 11–34 – Licensing, powers & duties of Certifying Authorities.
(No criminal punishment; administrative provisions.)
🔹 CHAPTER IX – Penalties & Adjudication (VERY IMPORTANT)
Section 43 – Damage to computer system → Compensation up to ₹1 crore.
Section 43A – Failure to protect data → Compensation.
Section 44 – Failure to furnish information → Fine up to ₹1.5 lakh.
Section 45 – Residuary penalty → Up to ₹25,000.
🔹 CHAPTER XI – OFFENCES (MOST IMPORTANT FOR EXAMS)
Section 65 – Tampering with source code → 3 years / ₹2 lakh / both.
Section 66 – Computer-related offences → 3 years / ₹5 lakh / both.
Section 66A – (Struck down by Supreme Court in 2015).
Section 66B – Receiving stolen computer resource → 3 years / ₹1 lakh.
Section 66C – Identity theft → 3 years / ₹1 lakh.
Section 66D – Cheating by personation → 3 years / ₹1 lakh.
Section 66E – Violation of privacy → 3 years / ₹2 lakh.
Section 66F – Cyber terrorism → Life imprisonment.
Section 67 – Publishing obscene content → 3 years + ₹5 lakh (1st).
Section 67A – Sexually explicit content → 5 years + ₹10 lakh.
Section 67B – Child pornography → 5 years + ₹10 lakh.
Section 67C – Intermediary must preserve data.
Section 68 – Non-compliance with Controller → 2 years / ₹1 lakh.
Section 69 – Interception power → Non-compliance 7 years.
Section 69A – Blocking public access to information.
Section 69B – Monitor traffic data.
Section 70 – Protected system → 10 years imprisonment.
Section 70A – Critical Information Infrastructure authority.
Section 70B – CERT-In powers.
Section 71 – Misrepresentation → 2 years / ₹1 lakh.
Section 72 – Breach of confidentiality → 2 years / ₹1 lakh.
Section 72A – Disclosure of information → 3 years / ₹5 lakh.
Section 73 – False digital signature certificate → 2 years / ₹1 lakh.
Section 74 – Publication for fraudulent purpose → 2 years / ₹1 lakh.
🔹 CHAPTER XII – Intermediary Liability
Section 79 – Safe harbour to intermediaries (if due diligence).
Section 79A – Examiner of electronic evidence.
🔹 CHAPTER XIII – Miscellaneous
Section 80 – Power to enter, search & arrest.
Section 81 – Act overrides other laws.
Section 82–90 – Powers, rule-making & procedures.
Section 84A – Encryption rules.
Section 84B – Abetment → Punished as offence.
Section 84C – Attempt → Punishable.
Section 85 – Offences by companies.
🔹 Section 86
Removal of difficulties in giving effect to provisions of the Act.
🔹 Section 87
Power of Central Government to make rules under the Act.
🔹 Section 88
Power of State Government to make rules.
🔹 Section 89
Rules made by Central Government to be laid before Parliament.
🔹 Section 90
Power of Controller to make regulations (regarding Certifying Authorities).
🔹 Section 91
Power of Central Government to amend Schedule.
🔹 Section 92
Power to make rules regarding electronic signature.
🔹 Section 93
Amendment of Indian Penal Code (IPC) to include cyber offences.
🔹 Section 94
Amendment of Indian Evidence Act (Electronic records admissibility).
🔹 Section 95
Amendment of Bankers’ Books Evidence Act.
🔹 Section 96
Amendment of RBI Act (electronic fund transfer recognition).
🔹 Section 97
Repeal and saving clause (earlier ordinance repealed).
🔹 Sections 98–124
(These sections mainly deal with amendments to various existing laws to align them with electronic records and digital transactions.)
They include amendments to:
- Indian Penal Code
- Code of Criminal Procedure
- Indian Evidence Act
- Bankers’ Books Evidence Act
- RBI Act
These sections ensure that:
✔ Electronic records are legally valid
✔ Digital signatures are recognized
✔ Cyber offences are punishable under IPC
✔ Electronic evidence is admissible in court
🎯 EXAM POINTS (VERY IMPORTANT)
🎯 MOST EXAM-IMPORTANT SECTIONS
✔ 43 – Damage to computer
✔ 65 – Source code tampering
✔ 66C – Identity theft
✔ 66D – Online cheating
✔ 66F – Cyber terrorism
✔ 67 – Obscene content
✔ 69 – Interception
✔ 70 – Protected system
✔ 72 – Breach of confidentiality
✔ 79 – Intermediary liability
✔ Sections 86–92 → Rule-making powers
✔ Sections 93–96 → Amendments to IPC & Evidence Act
✔ Section 97 → Repeal & saving clause
✔ 98–124 → Consequential amendments