# BNS vs IPC: Complete Comparison Chart for Indian Lawyers
The Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 (BNS) replaced the Indian Penal Code, 1860 (IPC) with effect from 1 July 2024, marking the most significant overhaul of India's substantive criminal law in over 160 years. For practising advocates, prosecutors, and judicial officers, the transition is not merely academic — it affects every FIR you draft, every chargesheet you scrutinise, every bail argument you make, and every trial you conduct.
This guide provides a complete, section-by-section comparison of the BNS and the IPC, along with detailed analysis of the new offences introduced, the sections deleted, and the practical implications for legal practice. Bookmark this article — it is designed to be a ready reference you can consult in court, in chambers, or while drafting.
Why the Shift from IPC to BNS?
The IPC, enacted by the British colonial government in 1860 and drafted largely by Lord Thomas Babington Macaulay, served India for over 163 years. While it was amended numerous times — most notably after the Nirbhaya case in 2013 — its fundamental structure remained colonial in origin, and several provisions had become outdated or insufficient for contemporary India.
The BNS was introduced as part of a three-law reform package:
- Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) — replacing the Indian Penal Code (IPC)
- Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) — replacing the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC)
- Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam (BSA) — replacing the Indian Evidence Act
The stated objectives of the reform include decolonising the criminal justice framework, introducing harsher penalties for crimes against women and children, criminalising new forms of offences (organised crime, terrorism, mob lynching), and rationalising outdated provisions.
Structural Overview: BNS vs IPC at a Glance
Before examining individual sections, here is a high-level structural comparison:
| Parameter | IPC (1860) | BNS (2023) |
|---|---|---|
| Total Sections | 511 | 358 |
| Total Chapters | 23 | 20 |
| New Provisions Added | — | 21 new offences |
| Provisions Repealed/Deleted | — | 19 IPC sections omitted |
| Provisions Revised with Changes | — | 33 sections modified with enhanced penalties or revised definitions |
| Effective Date | 1 January 1862 | 1 July 2024 |
The BNS is more compact — 358 sections versus 511 — primarily because several overlapping or redundant provisions were consolidated, and certain obsolete offences were removed.
Complete Section-Wise Comparison Chart: IPC to BNS
Below is a comprehensive conversion chart covering the most frequently used sections in criminal practice. This is the reference table every criminal lawyer needs.
Chapter 1 — General Provisions and Definitions
| Subject | IPC Section | BNS Section | Key Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Title and extent | 1 | 1 | Renamed to Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita |
| Definitions — "offence" | 40 | 2(1) | Consolidated definitions chapter |
| General explanations | 6–52A | 2–14 | Streamlined into 14 sections |
| "Document" | 29 | 2(8) | Now expressly includes electronic records |
| "Movable property" | 22 | 2(25) | No substantial change |
| "Valuable security" | 30 | 2(37) | Updated to include digital securities |
Chapter 2 — Offences Against the State
| Subject | IPC Section | BNS Section | Key Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Waging war against Government of India | 121 | 147 | No substantial change |
| Sedition | 124A | 152 (renamed) | **Major change:** Sedition replaced with "acts endangering sovereignty, unity and integrity of India." Broader scope — includes financial, economic, and electronic means |
| Promoting enmity between groups | 153A | 196 | No substantial change |
| Statements conducing to public mischief | 505 | 197 | No substantial change |
Chapter 3 — Offences Against the Human Body (Murder, Hurt, etc.)
| Subject | IPC Section | BNS Section | Key Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Murder | 302 | 103(1) | No change in definition; penalty unchanged (death or life imprisonment) |
| Murder by group (mob lynching) | No equivalent | 103(2) | **NEW:** Murder by a group of 5 or more on grounds of race, caste, community, language, etc. — death penalty or life imprisonment with minimum 7 years |
| Culpable homicide not amounting to murder | 304 | 105 | No substantial change |
| Dowry death | 304B | 80 | No substantial change |
| Attempt to murder | 307 | 109 | No substantial change |
| Abetment of suicide | 306 | 108 | No substantial change |
| Attempt to commit suicide to compel or restrain public servant | 309 | Omitted | **DELETED:** Attempt to suicide decriminalised (consistent with MHCA 2017) |
| Hurt | 323 | 115 | No substantial change |
| Grievous hurt | 325 | 117 | No substantial change |
| Voluntarily causing hurt by dangerous weapon | 324 | 118 | No substantial change |
| Grievous hurt by dangerous weapon | 326 | 118 | Merged with hurt by dangerous weapon |
| Acid attack | 326A | 124 | Enhanced minimum punishment — not less than 10 years, extendable to life |
| Wrongful restraint | 341 | 126 | No substantial change |
| Wrongful confinement | 342 | 127 | No substantial change |
| Kidnapping | 359–363 | 137–140 | Consolidated; no major change |
Chapter 4 — Offences Against Women and Children
| Subject | IPC Section | BNS Section | Key Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rape | 376 | 64 | Punishment enhanced — minimum 10 years RI (was 7 years under IPC) |
| Gang rape | 376D | 70 | Minimum 20 years RI, extendable to life (enhanced from IPC) |
| Rape of minor under 12 | 376AB | 65(2) | **Enhanced:** Minimum 20 years RI, extendable to life imprisonment or death |
| Rape of minor 12–16 years | 376(3) | 65(1) | Minimum 20 years RI, extendable to life |
| Rape of minor 16–18 years | 376(2) | 64(2) | Enhanced penalties |
| Rape resulting in death or vegetative state | 376A | 66 | Minimum 20 years RI or life or death (retained) |
| Sexual harassment | 354A | 75 | No substantial change |
| Voyeurism | 354C | 77 | No substantial change |
| Stalking | 354D | 78 | No substantial change |
| Assault to outrage modesty | 354 | 74 | No substantial change |
| Cruelty by husband/relatives | 498A | 85 | No substantial change |
| Sexual intercourse by deceitful promise of marriage | No equivalent | 69 | **NEW:** Sexual intercourse by false promise of marriage, employment, or promotion — up to 10 years imprisonment |
Chapter 5 — Theft, Robbery, Dacoity, and Property Offences
| Subject | IPC Section | BNS Section | Key Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Theft | 378–382 | 303–305 | Consolidated; no major change |
| Extortion | 383–389 | 308–312 | No substantial change |
| Robbery | 390–394 | 309, 310 | Consolidated |
| Dacoity | 395–399 | 310(2)–(5) | Consolidated under robbery provisions |
| Criminal breach of trust | 405–409 | 316–319 | No substantial change |
| Cheating | 415–420 | 318–323 | No substantial change |
| Mischief | 425–440 | 324–331 | Consolidated; fewer sub-sections |
| Criminal trespass | 441–462 | 329–333 | Consolidated; no major change |
| Snatching | No equivalent | 304 | **NEW:** Snatching defined as a distinct offence — up to 3 years imprisonment |
Chapter 6 — Forgery, Fraud, and Documents
| Subject | IPC Section | BNS Section | Key Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forgery | 463–477A | 336–348 | Consolidated; scope expanded to include electronic records |
| Counterfeiting | 230–263A | 178–190 | Consolidated; no major change |
Chapter 7 — New Offences Introduced by BNS (No IPC Equivalent)
These are entirely new offences that did not exist in the IPC:
| BNS Section | New Offence | Punishment |
|---|---|---|
| 103(2) | Murder by mob lynching (group of 5+) | Death, life imprisonment, or minimum 7 years RI |
| 69 | Sexual intercourse by false promise of marriage | Up to 10 years imprisonment |
| 111 | Organised crime | Death or life imprisonment (if causing death); otherwise minimum 5 years extendable to life |
| 112 | Petty organised crime | 1–7 years imprisonment |
| 113 | Terrorism | Death or life imprisonment (if causing death); otherwise minimum 5 years extendable to life |
| 152 | Acts endangering sovereignty (replaces sedition) | Life imprisonment or up to 7 years + fine |
| 304 | Snatching | Up to 3 years imprisonment |
| 117(3) | Hit and run (grievous hurt by rash driving and fleeing) | Up to 10 years imprisonment + fine |
Chapter 8 — Deleted/Omitted Sections (Present in IPC, Absent in BNS)
| IPC Section | Subject | Reason for Omission |
|---|---|---|
| 309 | Attempt to commit suicide | Decriminalised — consistent with Mental Healthcare Act, 2017 |
| 377 | Unnatural offences | Removed — consistent with Navtej Singh Johar v. Union of India (2018) which decriminalised consensual same-sex relations |
| 497 | Adultery | Removed — consistent with Joseph Shine v. Union of India (2018) which struck down adultery as unconstitutional |
| 124A | Sedition (as defined under IPC) | Replaced with broader Section 152 BNS — "acts endangering sovereignty" |
| 292–294 | Sale of obscene books/objects | Partially consolidated under IT Act provisions |
Key Punishment Enhancements Under BNS
The BNS introduces harsher penalties for several categories of offences. Here is a summary of the most significant enhancements:
Offences Against Women
- Rape (BNS 64): Minimum punishment increased from 7 years to 10 years rigorous imprisonment
- Gang rape (BNS 70): Minimum increased to 20 years RI, extendable to life (was 20 years under IPC but now with life as natural life)
- Rape of minor under 12 (BNS 65(2)): Minimum 20 years RI, extendable to life or death penalty
- Acid attack (BNS 124): Minimum 10 years RI, extendable to life imprisonment
Organised Crime and Terrorism
- Organised crime (BNS 111): Death or life imprisonment where it causes death; otherwise 5 years to life — this was previously addressed only through special laws like MCOCA
- Terrorism (BNS 113): Brought into the general criminal code for the first time — death or life where it causes death
Offences Against the State
- Acts endangering sovereignty (BNS 152): Replaces sedition — maximum life imprisonment, and expressly covers acts through electronic means, financial means, and sub-national movements
Community Service as Punishment: A New Concept
One of the most progressive additions in the BNS is the introduction of community service as a form of punishment for certain petty offences. This is defined under Section 4(f) of the BNS and applies to offences such as:
- Attempted suicide to prevent public servant from discharging duty - Public servant disobeying law (in specified minor cases) - Misconduct by a drunken person in public - Defamation (in certain cases)
This marks a shift toward restorative justice — a principle that was virtually absent in the colonial-era IPC.
How Advocates Should Adapt to the BNS
The transition demands immediate and practical adjustments from every criminal law practitioner:
1. Update Your FIR and Complaint Drafting
Every FIR, complaint, and private complaint must now cite BNS sections instead of IPC sections. For offences committed before 1 July 2024, IPC sections continue to apply — but for all offences committed on or after this date, BNS sections are mandatory. Dual-citation errors (citing IPC for post-2024 offences) are already being flagged by courts and can lead to procedural complications.
2. Revise Your Bail and Trial Arguments
Several BNS sections carry enhanced penalties compared to their IPC equivalents. This directly affects:
- Bail arguments — a higher maximum sentence makes bail harder to obtain - Plea bargaining eligibility — the threshold has shifted for many offences - Sentencing submissions — new minimum mandatory sentences limit judicial discretion
3. Understand the New Offences
Offences like organised crime (Section 111), terrorism (Section 113), and mob lynching (Section 103(2)) are entirely new additions to the general criminal law. Advocates must understand their ingredients, evidentiary requirements, and defences — particularly since these were previously handled only under special laws with different procedural safeguards.
4. Leverage Technology for Quick Section Conversion
During the transition period, advocates frequently need to look up BNS equivalents of IPC sections — and vice versa — while in court. AI-powered legal tools like JuniorLawyer offer instant section conversion, making it possible to look up corresponding sections in seconds rather than flipping through reference books. The AI research and drafting features are specifically designed to help advocates navigate the IPC-to-BNS transition seamlessly.
5. Train Your Juniors and Paralegals
If you run a chamber or practice, ensure your team is updated. A junior who drafts an FIR citing Section 302 IPC for an offence committed in 2025 creates a record that will need correction — potentially delaying investigation and trial.
Transitional Provisions: Which Law Applies When?
A critical practical question: what happens to cases that straddle the 1 July 2024 transition date?
The general principle is straightforward:
- Offences committed before 1 July 2024: IPC continues to apply (the BNS does not have retrospective effect)
- Offences committed on or after 1 July 2024: BNS applies
- Continuing offences that began before but extend beyond 1 July 2024: Courts are applying the BNS where the offence or its consequences continued post-transition
- Pending trials for pre-2024 offences: Continue under IPC sections, with CrPC (not BNSS) procedural rules
This means that for the next several years, advocates must be fluent in both the IPC and BNS — a dual-competency that makes ready-reference comparison charts like this article essential.
Quick Cross-Reference: 20 Most-Used IPC Sections and Their BNS Equivalents
For daily courtroom use, here are the 20 sections criminal lawyers use most frequently:
| Offence | IPC | BNS |
|---|---|---|
| Murder | 302 | 103(1) |
| Attempt to murder | 307 | 109 |
| Culpable homicide | 304 | 105 |
| Dowry death | 304B | 80 |
| Abetment of suicide | 306 | 108 |
| Hurt | 323 | 115 |
| Grievous hurt | 325 | 117 |
| Rape | 376 | 64 |
| Kidnapping | 363 | 140 |
| Cruelty (498A) | 498A | 85 |
| Theft | 379 | 303(2) |
| Robbery | 392 | 309 |
| Dacoity | 395 | 310(2) |
| Cheating | 420 | 318 |
| Criminal breach of trust | 406 | 316 |
| Criminal intimidation | 506 | 351 |
| Defamation | 499/500 | 356 |
| Rioting | 147/148 | 191 |
| Forgery | 463/465 | 336/338 |
| Criminal conspiracy | 120B | 61 |
> Pro tip: Save this table on your phone or print it out. During the transition years, you will need it in virtually every criminal matter.
Conclusion
The transition from the Indian Penal Code to the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita is the most sweeping reform of Indian criminal law since independence. While the BNS retains the core structure and most substantive provisions of the IPC, the changes it introduces — new offences like organised crime and mob lynching, enhanced penalties for crimes against women, the deletion of colonial-era provisions like sedition and adultery, and the introduction of community service — collectively represent a modernisation of criminal law for 21st-century India.
For practising advocates, the practical imperative is clear: learn the new sections, update your drafting, and invest in tools that accelerate the transition. The lawyers who master the BNS framework earliest will have a decisive advantage — in court, with clients, and in building a reputation as forward-thinking practitioners.
The comparison charts in this article are designed to be your everyday reference. But for real-time assistance — converting sections on the fly, drafting FIRs under the correct BNS provisions, or researching case law under the new framework — try JuniorLawyer and let AI handle the lookup while you focus on advocacy.