Presumption as to maps or plans made by authority of Government

Reference: The Indian Evidence Act
Section 83

The Court shall presume that maps or plans purporting to be made by the authority of the Central Government or any State Government were so made, and are accurate; but maps or plans made for the purposes of any cause must be proved to be accurate.

The presumption of accuracy does not extend to maps or plans made by private persons. This Section should be read with Section 36 which speaks of the relevancy of maps which are made under the authority of the Central or any State Government as well as of public maps or charts generally offered for sale to the public although only maps and plans made under the authority of the Central or any State Government are covered by Section 83. Further, maps or plans covered by Section 83 can be proved by certified copied under Sections 77 and 79.