Section 63 BSA Certificate Format PDF & Word — Free Template Download 2026

1. What Is Section 63 BSA and Why Do You Need a Certificate?

The Legal Framework

Section 63 of the Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam (BSA), 2023 governs the admissibility of electronic records in Indian courts. It replaced Section 65B of the Indian Evidence Act, 1872 from 1 July 2024 and applies to all cases filed after that date.

The section says that any electronic record — a WhatsApp chat as evidence, an email, a CCTV recording, a phone call recording, or a social media post — must be accompanied by a certificate when submitted in court. This certificate must:

1. Identify the electronic record and describe how it was produced
2. Give particulars of the device involved in producing the record
3. Confirm the device was operating properly during the relevant period
4. Include a SHA-256 hash value to verify file integrity
5. Be signed by the person in charge of the device AND an expert (or self-certified)

Why the Certificate Is Non-Negotiable

The Supreme Court in Arjun Panditrao Khotkar v. Kailash Kushanrao Gorantyal (2020) held that the certificate is a condition precedent for admissibility. This means:

• The court cannot exercise discretion to admit the evidence without the certificate
• The certificate must be filed with the electronic record, not produced later
• Even genuine evidence is excluded entirely if the certificate is missing or defective

The Delhi High Court in Dell International Services India Private Limited v. Adeel Feroze & Ors (2024) went further. It held that mere technical compliance with the certificate format is insufficient — the party must also demonstrate the genuineness, completeness, and reliability of the record.

What Happens Without the Certificate?

The bottom line: If you are fighting a case in any Indian court — district court, family court, magistrate court, or High Court — and your evidence includes any digital record, you must have a Section 63 BSA certificate. There are no exceptions.

2. Section 63 vs Section 65B: What Changed in 2024?

On 1 July 2024, India replaced the 152-year-old Indian Evidence Act with the Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam, 2023. Read our detailed analysis on Section 63 vs 65B differences. Here is exactly what changed for electronic evidence:

The Three Biggest Changes

1. Prescribed Certificate Format: The old Section 65B had no standard template, causing inconsistent drafting and heavy rejection. BSA 2023 includes a statutory Schedule with a prescribed two-part certificate format that must be followed strictly.

2. Two-Part Certificate (Part A + Part B): The certificate is structurally bifurcated into Part A (device owner) and Part B (expert verification). This makes cryptographic verification standard practice.

3. Explicit Hash Value Requirement: The Schedule explicitly asks for the HASH value of the electronic record and the hash function used (SHA-256, SHA-1, or MD5). This establishes an objective digital chain of custody.

3. The Section 63 BSA Certificate Format: Part A Explained

Part A of the certificate is filled by the person who owns or operates the device from which the electronic record was produced. For most litigants, this is you.

The Schedule to BSA 2023 requires Part A to contain the following 7 essential elements:

4. The Section 63 BSA Certificate Format: Part B Explained

Part B is the component that distinguishes BSA 2023 from the old Section 65B regime. It verifies the integrity of the data.

The controlling legal authority: The Andhra Pradesh High Court (May 2026) held that a self-certificate by the party is legally admissible and generally sufficient for WhatsApp messages on the party's own phone, provided the statutory requirements are met. This has become standard practice across Indian courts.

5. Complete Fillable Certificate Template (Copy-Paste Ready)

Below is the exact statutory format prescribed in the Schedule to BSA 2023. You can click the button below to copy it directly into Word or your affidavit:

================================================================================
CERTIFICATE UNDER SECTION 63(4)(c) OF THE
BHARATIYA SAKSHYA ADHINIYAM, 2023
================================================================================

PART A
(To be filled by the person producing the electronic record)

1. IDENTIFICATION OF ELECTRONIC RECORD:

   Description: [Precise description of the record]
   Example: WhatsApp chat conversation between [Your Name] and 
   [Opposing Party Name] from [DD/MM/YYYY] to [DD/MM/YYYY], containing 
   [Number] text messages and [Number] media files.

   File Name(s): [Exact filename as exported]
   Example: WhatsApp_Chat_with_[Name]_[Date].txt
   Example: WhatsApp_Chat_with_[Name]_[Date].zip

2. MANNER OF PRODUCTION:

   The above electronic record was produced by:
   [Describe the exact method — e.g., "Export Chat" function in WhatsApp]

   Date of Production: [DD/MM/YYYY]
   Time of Production: [HH:MM] (24-hour format)

   The export was saved to: [Location — e.g., "Device internal storage"]
   The file has been preserved without alteration since production.

3. DEVICE PARTICULARS:

   Device Make & Model: [e.g., Apple iPhone 15 Pro / Samsung Galaxy S23]
   Operating System: [e.g., iOS 17.4 / Android 14]
   OS Version: [e.g., 17.4.1 / One UI 6.1]
   WhatsApp Version: [e.g., 2.24.5.78]
   IMEI Number: [Dial *#06# on your phone]
   Phone Number: [+91-XXXXXXXXXX]
   Device Serial Number: [If available]

4. DECLARATION OF LAWFUL CONTROL:

   I, [Your Full Name], declare that the above-mentioned device was 
   under my lawful control during the period of the conversation and at 
   the time of export.

5. STATEMENT OF PROPER OPERATION:

   I declare that the device and WhatsApp application were operating 
   properly during the relevant period and at the time of export, and 
   that the electronic record was produced in the ordinary course of 
   activity.

6. HASH VALUE:

   I state that the HASH value/s of the electronic/digital record/s is:

   [64-character SHA-256 hash value]

   Hash Function Used: [X] SHA-256  [ ] SHA-1  [ ] MD5

7. SIGNATURE:

   Signature: _____________________________

   Name: [Your Full Name]
   Father's/Husband's Name: [Name]
   Age: [Age]
   Occupation: [Occupation]
   Address: [Full Address]

   Date: [DD/MM/YYYY]
   Place: [City, State]

================================================================================

PART B
(To be filled by the expert / self-certifying party)

1. EXPERT VERIFICATION:

   I, [Full Name], have examined the electronic record described in 
   Part A and hereby certify that:

   a) The SHA-256 hash value stated in Part A has been verified against 
      the original file and matches exactly.

   b) The file has not been altered, tampered with, or modified in any 
      way since the hash was computed.

   c) The electronic record appears to be authentic and complete.

2. EXPERT DETAILS:

   Name: [Full Name]
   Qualification/Designation: [e.g., "Device Owner and Operator" / 
                              "Digital Forensics Consultant"]
   Experience: [If applicable]

   Signature: _____________________________

   Date: [DD/MM/YYYY]
   Place: [City, State]

================================================================================
ANNEXURE (Optional but Recommended)

A. Screenshot of WhatsApp profile showing phone number
B. Screenshot of device "About" page showing model and OS version
C. Screenshot of WhatsApp "Settings" showing version number
D. Call logs linking the phone number to the opposing party
E. Any other corroborating evidence
================================================================================

6. SHA-256 Hash: How to Generate It for Your Certificate

The SHA-256 hash is the digital fingerprint of your file. It is the single most important technical element of your Section 63 certificate. Without it, your certificate is incomplete. With a mismatched hash, your evidence is compromised.

How to Generate SHA-256 Hash: 3 Methods

Method 1: Using Chat2Evidence (Fastest & Safest)

Upload your exported WhatsApp .txt or .zip file to Chat2Evidence. The SHA-256 hash is calculated client-side in your browser in under 60 seconds — completely private, no server upload.

Method 2: Windows PowerShell

Open PowerShell and run the following command:

Get-FileHash "WhatsApp_Chat.txt" -Algorithm SHA256

Method 3: Mac / Linux Terminal

Open Terminal and run:

shasum -a 256 WhatsApp_Chat.txt

7. How to Fill the Certificate for WhatsApp Evidence (Full Example)

Here is a complete, real-world filled example for a matrimonial dispute:

PART A

1. IDENTIFICATION OF ELECTRONIC RECORD:
   Description: WhatsApp chat conversation between Rajesh Kumar (petitioner)
   and Priya Sharma (respondent) from 15/01/2026 to 28/02/2026, containing
   347 text messages and 12 media files (images and voice notes).
   File Name(s): WhatsApp_Chat_with_Priya_Sharma_20260228.txt

2. MANNER OF PRODUCTION:
   Produced using WhatsApp's "Export Chat" feature (More -> Export Chat -> Include Media)
   on Samsung Galaxy S23 on 28/02/2026 at 14:30. Preserved without alteration.

3. DEVICE PARTICULARS:
   Make & Model: Samsung Galaxy S23 (SM-S911B) | OS: Android 14 (One UI 6.1)
   WhatsApp Version: 2.24.5.78 | IMEI: 354601080768901 | Phone: +91-9876543210

4. DECLARATION OF LAWFUL CONTROL:
   Device was under lawful personal control during the conversation and export.

5. STATEMENT OF PROPER OPERATION:
   Device and app functioned properly during the relevant period.

6. HASH VALUE:
   a1b2c3d4e5f6789012345678901234567890abcdef1234567890abcdef123456
   Hash Function: [X] SHA-256

7. SIGNATURE:
   Rajesh Kumar, S/o Mahesh Kumar, Age 34, 42 Lajpat Nagar, New Delhi
   Date: 05/03/2026 | Place: New Delhi

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PART B

1. EXPERT VERIFICATION:
   I, Rajesh Kumar, have examined the record and certify that the SHA-256 hash
   matches the original export file and has not been altered in any way.

2. EXPERT DETAILS:
   Name: Rajesh Kumar | Designation: Device Owner and Operator
   Signature: Rajesh Kumar | Date: 05/03/2026 | Place: New Delhi

8. How to Fill the Certificate for CCTV Evidence

For CCTV recordings, the device particulars shift from phone metadata to Digital Video Recorder (DVR) parameters:

• Device: DVR / NVR Make and Model (e.g. Hikvision DS-7104HGHI-F1)
• Camera ID: Camera location / identifier (e.g. CAM-03 Main Entrance)
• Resolution & Frame Rate: 1080p, 25 fps
• Storage Media: 2TB Surveillance Hard Disk
• Signatory: Premises owner, security head, or IT administrator

9. How to Fill the Certificate for Email Evidence

For commercial or contract disputes, email evidence requires full RFC-compliant header logging:

• Full Email Headers: Message-ID, SPF/DKIM verification, sender & receiver server IP paths
• File Formats: .eml, .msg, or raw print to PDF
• Account Ownership: Screenshot of registered email account settings and server configuration

10. 10 Common Mistakes That Get Certificates Rejected

1. Using Old 65B Format: Submitting a pre-July 2024 IEA format without BSA Schedule Part B.
2. Wrong or Missing Hash: Copying the hash incorrectly or failing to calculate it before modifying the file.
3. Vague Device Particulars: Writing generic phrases like "My phone" rather than model and IMEI.
4. Missing Export Timestamp: Omitting the exact date and 24-hour time of extraction.
5. Unqualified Signatory: Having a third party sign without lawful custody or technical standing.
6. Notarization Confusion: Believing a notary stamp on a screenshot substitutes a Section 63 certificate.
7. Editing the Exported File: Opening and resaving the .txt file, which irreversibly corrupts the SHA-256 hash.
8. Filing Certificate Belatedly: Failing to annex the certificate at the initial admissibility stage.
9. Omitting Counterparty Identity: Failing to establish the telephone number connection to the opposite party.
10. Using Obsolete MD5/SHA-1: Relying on weak algorithms vulnerable to mathematical collision challenges.

11. Who Can Sign Part B? Self-Certification vs Expert

Section 63(4)(c) states the certificate should be signed by the person in charge of the device "and an expert". Here is how Indian courts apply this in practice:

12. Frequently Asked Questions (25+ Questions Answered)

13. Free Resources: Templates, Checklists & Tools

Use these free resources to prepare your court evidence correctly:

Pre-Filing Court Submission Checklist

• ✓ Preserved original device and chat untouched without factory resets
• ✓ Exported chat using official WhatsApp "Export Chat" feature
• ✓ Generated SHA-256 hash before opening or formatting the export
• ✓ Completed Part A with device model, OS, IMEI, and WhatsApp version
• ✓ Completed Part B verifying hash integrity (self-certify or expert)
• ✓ Bound certificate with full chronological chat timeline table
• ✓ Annexed to primary evidence affidavit at initial filing stage

Related Guides and Resources

• Complete Guide: WhatsApp Evidence in Indian Courts (2026)
• Best Tool to Print WhatsApp Chat for Legal Evidence
• Section 63 BSA vs Section 65B: Complete Comparison
• How to Export WhatsApp Chat for Court
• How to Submit WhatsApp Evidence in Indian Courts
• Why Screenshots Are Rejected in Court
• WhatsApp Deleted Messages Recovery Guide
• WhatsApp Audio & Voice Note Transcripts
• Section 63 BSA Guide in Hindi (हिंदी मार्गदर्शिका)

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute formal legal advice. For specific case filings, consult an advocate licensed with the Bar Council.

Last updated: September 4, 2026 · Jurisdiction: India · Governing Law: Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam, 2023