An affidavit is a written, sworn statement of facts made voluntarily before a competent authority empowered to administer oaths. In India, affidavits underpin court filings, regulatory submissions, banking transactions, and commercial dealings. A correctly drafted affidavit is legally binding. A defective one can be rejected; a false one exposes the deponent to criminal liability.
The Law: Bns 2023 Replaces Ipc Section 191
Until 1 July 2024, false affidavit statements were prosecuted under IPC Section 191. That provision is repealed. The operative provision is now BNS Section 229 - false statements on oath are punishable with imprisonment of up to seven years. Any affidavit template still citing IPC Section 191 is outdated. Maintenance and financial disclosure in family proceedings now fall under BNSS Section 144 (replacing CrPC Section 125) - separate from general affidavit law.
What Makes An Affidavit Legally Valid?
Key points to check before relying on this document:
- Personal knowledge: Every factual statement must be within the deponent's direct knowledge. Matters outside personal knowledge must be stated as "on information and belief."
- Sworn before competent authority: Must be administered before a Notary Public, Oath Commissioner, or empowered Magistrate. An unauthorised attestation has no legal force.
- Proper identification: Deponent's full name, age, occupation, and address must appear in the body.
- Signature and official seal: Deponent's signature or thumb impression plus the administering authority's stamp, signature, and date.
- Correct stamp paper denomination: Gujarat requires non-judicial stamp paper per the Gujarat Stamp Act schedule. Wrong denomination is a common rejection ground.
- No whitener on factual statements: All corrections must be initialled by both deponent and administering authority.
Structure Of A Standard Affidavit
1. Title - "AFFIDAVIT" in capitals, followed by specific context (e.g., "AFFIDAVIT OF IDENTITY AND RESIDENCE") 2. Cause title - Court name, case number, parties (for court-filed affidavits only) 3. Deponent's particulars - Full name, age, occupation, address 4. Oath clause - "I, [Full Name], do hereby solemnly affirm and state on oath as under…" 5. Numbered paragraphs - One discrete factual assertion per paragraph 6. Verification - "Contents of paragraphs 1 to [X] are true to my knowledge. Nothing material has been concealed." 7. Deponent's signature and date 8. Jurat - Administering authority's designation, stamp, date, and signature
Personal Affidavits: Most Common Types
Identity Affidavit: Name variation between documents (e.g., PAN vs Aadhaar). Required by banks, passport authorities, employers. Must match the deponent's current valid ID. Address Proof Affidavit: Where documentary proof of residence is unavailable. Required by banks for account opening, passport offices, government departments. Sworn statement of address accepted by most authorities when supported by any secondary document. Date of Birth Affidavit: Discrepancy in birth records or no birth certificate registered. Used alongside school records and hospital documents. Commonly required for passport applications and PF claims. Income Affidavit: For scholarships, government schemes, subsidised housing, legal aid. Must be sworn before an Executive Magistrate in most states, not merely a notary. Relationship Affidavit: For succession claims, insurance nominee changes, PF withdrawals, property mutation where formal succession papers are not available. Courts and financial institutions accept these as interim proof pending formal succession proceedings.
Commercial And Corporate Affidavits
Section 248 Companies Act - Strike-Off Declarations When a company applies for voluntary strike-off under Section 248 of the Companies Act 2013, each director must file sworn affidavits with the MCA confirming: no outstanding liabilities, no pending legal proceedings, no unresolved statutory dues. Errors attract personal director liability - the corporate veil does not protect against sworn false declarations to the government. Related internal resource: voluntary strike-off under Section 248 MCA Director Non-Conviction Declarations Directors must file declarations confirming no convictions for moral turpitude or economic offences in the preceding five years. Required at appointment, annual filings, and in response to show-cause notices. Must be individually tailored, on correct stamp paper, and accurately reflect the director's actual record. Indemnity Bonds and Affidavit-cum-Indemnity Bonds Required by banks for: duplicate share certificates, lost FD receipts, duplicate passbooks. These combine a sworn factual statement (affidavit) with a contractual indemnity (bond). Stamp duty is calculated on the indemnified value, not a flat fee. Both components must be correctly executed. Bank Loan Declarations Business loans - MSME loans under CGTMSE, ECLGS, machinery financing - require sworn affidavits at sanction (financial position, no undisclosed liabilities), disbursement (purpose confirmation), and annual review (continuing compliance). These are binding sworn statements, not routine forms.
Common Mistakes That Invalidate Affidavits
Key points to check before relying on this document:
- Facts outside personal knowledge stated without qualification
- Unsigned or improperly executed stamp paper
- Wrong denomination for state and purpose
- Blanks anywhere in the body - can be filled in by others after signing
- Name inconsistency between affidavit and identity documents
- Missing or incomplete jurat
- Whitener on factual statements
- Affidavit administered by a person not empowered for that proceeding type
How Inamdar Legal Can Help
We regularly assist clients from Vesu, Adajan, Piplod, and Katargam who need affidavit drafting for banking, government, and court purposes. Same-day affidavit drafting is available for straightforward matters at our Surat office. We draft and review every category of affidavit - personal declarations (identity, address, income, relationship), MCA corporate affidavits, bank loan declarations, and court-filed affidavits - ensuring correct stamp paper denomination for Gujarat and execution before the right authority. Inamdar Legal is a Surat-based legal practice advising businesses, MSMEs, startups, and individuals across Gujarat and India. We combine deep knowledge of Indian law with practical, plain-English advice that helps clients act with confidence. Contact our Surat office for a consultation. We respond the same day for straightforward matters. DISCLAIMER: This article is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Laws and procedures may change. Please consult a qualified lawyer for advice specific to your situation. ⚙ Technical: Schema markup code block follows (for website developer) Type: FAQPage
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When to obtain a review
A review is especially useful when…
- — You are about to sign, send, rely on or respond to this document.
- — The draft was copied from an old template or another state.
- — There is money, property, business control, statutory deadline or reputation risk involved.
- — You need Surat/Gujarat-specific drafting, review or negotiation support.
Legal information notice
This article is general legal information for India and Gujarat. It is not a substitute for advice on your specific facts, documents, limitation period, stamp duty position or court strategy.

