BNS vs IPC: Complete Section Mapping Guide (2026)
India's criminal justice system underwent the most sweeping legislative overhaul since Independence when three landmark codes replaced the colonial-era statutes on 1 July 2024:
- Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) 2023 — replaces the Indian Penal Code (IPC) 1860
- Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) 2023 — replaces the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) 1973
- Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam (BSA) 2023 — replaces the Indian Evidence Act 1872
If you practice criminal law, you are already living with these codes every day. If you don't, you will encounter them the moment a client walks in with an FIR, a bail application, or a trial matter filed after 1 July 2024.
This guide is a practitioner's reference — dense, tabular, and direct. It maps the sections you know by heart to their BNS/BNSS/BSA equivalents, highlights every substantive change that goes beyond renumbering, and closes with practical advice for updating your workflow.
Quick tool: LawCentral's BNS–IPC Code Converter lets you paste any section number and instantly get the equivalent. Use it alongside this guide.
1. Why Mapping Matters — And Why It's More Than Renumbering
The government's stated rationale for the new codes was to decolonise Indian law and introduce modern procedural safeguards. In practice, this means:
- Most offences survive — the same conduct is criminalised, just under a new section number.
- Some offences are restructured — ingredients, punishments, or sub-categories changed.
- New offences were introduced — mob lynching, organised crime, terrorism, and petty organised crime now have standalone provisions.
- One major offence was effectively repealed — sedition under IPC § 124A has been replaced by a narrower (but arguably still broad) provision under BNS § 152.
- Procedural timelines are now codified — BNSS imposes statutory deadlines for trials, judgments, and supply of documents that did not exist in CrPC.
Courts are still working through transitional questions: which law governs offences committed before 1 July 2024 but tried after? The general principle is that the substantive law at the time of the offence applies (IPC for pre-July 2024 acts), while procedure follows the new code unless a saved provision applies. Always verify the FIR date before advising on applicable sections.
2. IPC to BNS: Key Section Mappings
2.1 Offences Against the Person
These are the sections that appear most frequently in trial courts. Memorise the mapping — your clients will ask you to explain why the FIR says "Section 103 BNS" when they expected "Section 302 IPC."
| IPC Section | IPC Offence | BNS Section | Changes / Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 299 | Culpable homicide | 100 | Definition largely retained |
| 300 | Murder | 101 | Definition largely retained |
| 302 | Punishment for murder | 103(1) | Same punishment (death or life imprisonment + fine) |
| 303 | Murder by life-convict | Omitted | Removed after Mithu v. State of Punjab made mandatory death unconstitutional |
| 304 | Punishment for culpable homicide not amounting to murder | 105 | Two parts retained; Part II max increased to 10 years |
| 304A | Causing death by negligence | 106(1) | Same ingredients; § 106(2) adds aggravated negligence for hit-and-run (up to 10 yrs) |
| 304B | Dowry death | 80 | Same ingredients; now in the "offences against women and children" chapter |
| 306 | Abetment of suicide | 108 | Retained; § 108(2) adds specific provision for abetment by a public servant |
| 307 | Attempt to murder | 109 | Largely same; punishment for life-convict on attempt retained |
| 308 | Attempt to commit culpable homicide | 110 | Retained |
| 309 | Attempt to commit suicide | 226 | Retained with reference to mental illness provisions |
| 319 | Hurt | 114 | Definition unchanged |
| 320 | Grievous hurt | 114 | Definition unchanged |
| 323 | Punishment for voluntarily causing hurt | 115(2) | Same punishment |
| 324 | Causing hurt by dangerous weapons | 117(2) | Same punishment |
| 325 | Punishment for voluntarily causing grievous hurt | 116(2) | Same |
| 326 | Causing grievous hurt by dangerous weapons | 117(3) | Same |
| 326A | Acid attack | 124 | Retained; minimum 10 years to life |
| 326B | Attempt to throw acid | 125 | Retained |
| 354 | Assault or criminal force on woman with intent to outrage modesty | 74 | Now in women/children chapter; punishment enhanced (min 1 yr) |
| 354A | Sexual harassment | 75 | Retained with same punishment |
| 354B | Assault with intent to disrobe | 76 | Retained |
| 354C | Voyeurism | 77 | Retained |
| 354D | Stalking | 78 | Retained |
| 363 | Kidnapping | 137 | Definition split across § 137–138 |
| 375 | Rape (definition) | 63 | Definition retained; marital rape exception preserved |
| 376 | Punishment for rape | 64 | Same punishment (7 years minimum, life maximum) |
| 376A | Rape causing death or persistent vegetative state | 66 | Same punishment (20 years to life) |
| 376AB | Rape of child under 12 | 65(1) | Same punishment |
| 376B | Sexual intercourse by husband during separation | 67 | Retained |
| 376C | Sexual intercourse by authority | 68 | Retained |
| 376D | Gang rape | 70(1) | Same punishment (20 years to life) |
| 376DA | Gang rape of child under 16 | 70(2) | Same punishment |
| 376DB | Gang rape of child under 12 | 70(2) | Same punishment |
| 377 | Unnatural offences | Omitted (partially) | Non-consensual acts covered under § 63; consensual adult acts decriminalised post Navtej Singh Johar |
New provision — Mob Lynching:
BNS § 103(2) is entirely new. It criminalises murder by a group of five or more persons on grounds of race, caste, community, sex, place of birth, language, or personal belief. Punishment: death or life imprisonment. There was no equivalent in the IPC — mob lynching prosecutions under IPC required cobbling together §§ 302, 149, and 34.
2.2 Property Offences
| IPC Section | IPC Offence | BNS Section | Changes / Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 378 | Theft (definition) | 303(1) | Definition retained |
| 379 | Punishment for theft | 303(2) | Same punishment (up to 3 years) |
| 380 | Theft in dwelling house | 305 | Same punishment (up to 7 years) |
| 381 | Theft by clerk or servant | 306 | Same |
| 382 | Theft after preparation made for causing hurt | 307 | Same |
| 390 | Robbery (definition) | 309 | Definition retained |
| 391 | Dacoity (definition) | 310 | Definition retained |
| 392 | Punishment for robbery | 309(1) | Same punishment |
| 395 | Punishment for dacoity | 310(2) | Same |
| 396 | Dacoity with murder | 311 | Same |
| 406 | Criminal breach of trust | 316(2) | Retained; § 316 restructures definition and punishment |
| 415 | Cheating (definition) | 318(1) | Definition retained |
| 420 | Cheating and dishonestly inducing delivery of property | 318(4) | Same punishment (up to 7 years) |
| 425 | Mischief (definition) | 324 | Definition retained |
| 426 | Punishment for mischief | 324(1) | Same |
| 427 | Mischief causing damage of 50 rupees | 324(2) | Threshold unchanged (though arguably outdated) |
| 441 | Criminal trespass | 329 | Definition retained |
| 447 | Punishment for criminal trespass | 329(1) | Same |
2.3 Offences Against the State
| IPC Section | IPC Offence | BNS Section | Changes / Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 121 | Waging war against India | 147 | Retained; same punishment |
| 121A | Conspiracy to wage war | 148 | Retained |
| 120B | Criminal conspiracy | 61 | Definition and punishment retained |
| 124A | Sedition | 152 | See detailed note below — substantively changed |
| 153A | Promoting enmity between groups | 196 | Retained with minor drafting changes |
| 153B | Imputations prejudicial to national integration | 197 | Retained |
| 505 | Statements conducing to public mischief | 353 | Retained |
Key Change — Sedition (§ 124A IPC → § 152 BNS):
Section 124A IPC punished exciting "disaffection" towards the government — a phrase so broad that colonial courts used it against Gandhi, Tilak, and Bal Gangadhar Tilak. The Supreme Court stayed its application in S.G. Vombatkere v. Union of India (2022) pending review.
BNS § 152 replaces it with "acts endangering sovereignty, unity and integrity of India." The new section punishes — by life imprisonment or up to 7 years — anyone who, by words, signs, or visible representation:
- excites or attempts to excite secession, armed rebellion, or subversive activities; or
- encourages feelings of separatist activities; or
- endangers the sovereignty or unity and integrity of India.
Critically, § 152 adds the phrase "knowingly or deliberately" — introducing a mens rea requirement absent in § 124A. Whether this meaningfully narrows the provision's scope remains contested; the Supreme Court's Vombatkere matter is pending.
New provisions in BNS:
- § 111 — Organised Crime: Covers criminal syndicates, extortion, contract killing, cybercrime, and trafficking by gangs. Punishment: death or life imprisonment (if killing involved); 5 years to life (others).
- § 112 — Petty Organised Crime: Covers theft, snatching, cheating, and unauthorised SIM/passport procurement by organised groups. Punishment: 1 to 7 years.
- § 113 — Terrorist Acts: A standalone anti-terrorism provision in the general penal code. Punishment: death or life imprisonment. Previously, terrorism was handled exclusively under UAPA.
2.4 Document and Communication Offences
| IPC Section | IPC Offence | BNS Section | Changes / Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 463 | Forgery (definition) | 336(1) | Definition retained |
| 465 | Punishment for forgery | 336(2) | Same punishment (up to 2 years) |
| 468 | Forgery for purpose of cheating | 338 | Same punishment (up to 7 years) |
| 471 | Using forged document | 340 | Same |
| 499 | Defamation (definition) | 356(1) | Definition retained with same exceptions |
| 500 | Punishment for defamation | 356(2) | Same punishment (up to 2 years) |
| 503 | Criminal intimidation (definition) | 351(1) | Definition retained |
| 506 | Punishment for criminal intimidation | 351(2) | Same punishment; § 351(3) adds aggravated form for death threat |
| 509 | Word, gesture, or act intended to insult the modesty of a woman | 79 | Retained; now in women/children chapter |
3. Community Service — A New Punishment Category
BNS introduces community service as a fifth category of punishment (alongside death, imprisonment, forfeiture, and fine). It applies to minor offences such as:
- Attempt to commit suicide to compel a public servant (§ 226)
- Public intoxication (§ 355)
- Defamation in certain cases (§ 356)
- Petty theft (first offence, property under ₹5,000) (§ 303)
Community service is not defined in BNS — courts will need to develop guidelines for its implementation. This is a significant gap in the legislation that is likely to generate early appellate precedent.
4. CrPC to BNSS: Critical Procedure Mappings
Procedural changes under BNSS are as important as the substantive changes in BNS. Many affect daily practice: how FIRs are filed, how bail is sought, and how trials run.
| CrPC Section | CrPC Provision | BNSS Section | Changes / Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 41 | When police may arrest without warrant | 35 | Retained; § 35(7) adds that arrest must be reported to magistrate within 24 hours |
| 125 | Order for maintenance of wives, children and parents | 144 | Retained; § 144(1) clarifies "wife" includes divorced wife |
| 154 | Information in cognizable cases (FIR) | 173 | Zero FIR now statutory; electronic FIR added; copy to informant immediately |
| 167 | Procedure when investigation cannot be completed in 24 hours | 187 | Remand by audio-video conferencing now permitted |
| 173 | Report of police officer on completion of investigation | 193 | Report must include forensic report if forensic team deployed |
| 309 | Power to postpone or adjourn proceedings | 346 | Adjournments capped; court must give reasons for each adjournment |
| 374 | Appeals from convictions | 415 | Same structure; time limits tightened |
| 437 | When bail may be taken in case of non-bailable offence | 478 | Added: bail shall ordinarily be granted if trial not concluded within certain time |
| 438 | Direction for grant of anticipatory bail | 482 | Retained; § 482(4) adds that protection continues through trial unless cancelled |
| 482 | Saving of inherent powers of High Court | 528 | Retained |
Key Procedural Changes Under BNSS:
Zero FIR (§ 173): A police station must register an FIR regardless of jurisdiction and transfer it to the competent station. This was previously only a Supreme Court directive (Lalita Kumari v. Govt. of UP); it is now statutory.
Electronic FIR: Complainants can file an FIR electronically. The FIR must be signed by the person within 3 days of electronic submission.
Mandatory Forensic Evidence (§ 176): For offences punishable with 7 or more years, a forensic team must visit the crime scene and collect evidence. If a state has no forensic facility, it must be recorded.
Video Recording of Statements (§ 183): Statements of witnesses and accused persons must be video-recorded where possible. This creates both an evidentiary safeguard and a compliance burden for police.
Judgment Timelines (§ 258): Courts must pronounce judgment within 45 days after completion of arguments. This is the first statutory deadline for judgments in Indian criminal procedure — enforcement mechanisms remain to be seen.
Trial Completion Timelines: BNSS § 346 caps individual adjournments and imposes a duty to explain each one. Read with § 258, these provisions create a framework for time-bound trials that, if implemented, will fundamentally change docket management.
5. Evidence Act to BSA: Key Mappings
The Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam 2023 (BSA) largely restates the Evidence Act but modernises the treatment of electronic records — a critical update given the volume of digital evidence in modern litigation.
| Evidence Act Section | Provision | BSA Section | Changes / Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | Definitions (including "document") | 2 | "Document" now expressly includes electronic and digital records |
| 17 | Admission | 15 | Definition retained |
| 25 | Confession to police officer | 23 | Retained; confessions to police remain inadmissible |
| 27 | How much of information received from accused may be proved | 24 | Retained; discovery evidence still admissible |
| 32 | Cases in which statement of relevant fact by person who is dead or cannot be found, etc., is relevant (dying declaration) | 26 | Retained; § 26(a) now expressly permits dying declaration recorded by video |
| 45 | Opinions of experts | 39 | Retained; § 39(2) now recognises electronic records expert as a category |
| 65A | Special provisions as to evidence relating to electronic record | Merged into 57–63 | New dedicated chapter on electronic evidence |
| 65B | Admissibility of electronic records | 63 | Substantially revised — see note below |
Key Change — Electronic Evidence (§ 63 BSA vs § 65B Evidence Act):
Section 65B of the Evidence Act was the source of endless litigation — primarily over the requirement for a "certificate" from a responsible official. The Supreme Court in Arjun Panditrao Khotkar v. Kailash Kushanrao Gorantyal (2020) held the certificate mandatory for secondary evidence of electronic records.
BSA § 63 retains the certificate requirement but clarifies:
- The certificate can be from the person who manages the device or system — not necessarily the owner.
- For devices in custody of police or courts, the certifying official is the officer in charge.
- The certificate can be submitted at any stage of the proceedings, not just at the time of production.
This is a significant liberalisation that should reduce the number of electronic evidence rejections on purely procedural grounds.
6. Practical Tips for Criminal Law Practitioners
6.1 Always Cite Both Sections During the Transition Period
Courts and clients will ask. For FIRs registered before 1 July 2024, you are arguing under IPC/CrPC/Evidence Act. For anything filed after, it's BNS/BNSS/BSA. When writing submissions or opinions, state the applicable code and date of FIR at the top of the document. Avoid ambiguity.
Example: "The accused is charged under § 103(1) BNS (corresponding to § 302 IPC) for an offence alleged to have been committed on [date after 1 July 2024]."
6.2 Check Substantive Changes, Not Just Numbers
Several BNS sections are not mere renumbering. Before advising on punishment, ingredients, or defences, verify:
- Has the punishment changed (e.g., § 304/105, where Part II maximum was enhanced)?
- Have new sub-clauses been added (e.g., § 106(2) for hit-and-run)?
- Is there a new mens rea requirement (e.g., § 152 vs § 124A)?
- Does a new provision apply instead of the old one (e.g., § 111 organised crime vs cobbling together IPC conspiracy + dacoity sections)?
Use LawCentral's Section Search to pull the full text of BNS/BNSS/BSA sections alongside their IPC counterparts.
6.3 New Offences Have No Precedent — Be Cautious
Sections 111 (organised crime), 112 (petty organised crime), and 113 (terrorism in BNS) are new. There is no judicial interpretation yet. Arguments about ingredients, defences, and bail will be largely first-impression for the next several years. Research thoroughly and build your own internal notes — see how to research Supreme Court judgments and AI legal research in India for research workflows that work.
6.4 Update Your Templates and Precedents
If you use standard templates for bail applications, charge sheets, complaints, or written arguments — update the section numbers now. A bail application citing § 438 CrPC for a post-July 2024 matter signals carelessness to the bench. Update references to § 482 BNSS for anticipatory bail and § 528 BNSS for High Court inherent powers.
6.5 Keep a Converter Handy
This guide covers the most commonly used sections, but the full IPC has 511 sections, CrPC has 484, and Evidence Act has 167. You will encounter obscure provisions. Keep LawCentral's BNS–IPC Code Converter bookmarked — paste any old or new section number and get the equivalent instantly, with notes on changes.
7. Summary Reference Card
| Category | IPC → BNS | CrPC → BNSS | Evidence Act → BSA |
|---|---|---|---|
| Murder | 302 → 103(1) | — | — |
| Culpable homicide | 304 → 105 | — | — |
| Rape | 376 → 64 | — | — |
| Cheating | 420 → 318(4) | — | — |
| Criminal conspiracy | 120B → 61 | — | — |
| Sedition | 124A → 152 (changed) | — | — |
| FIR | — | 154 → 173 (Zero FIR added) | — |
| Remand | — | 167 → 187 (video permitted) | — |
| Anticipatory bail | — | 438 → 482 | — |
| Inherent powers | — | 482 → 528 | — |
| Electronic records | — | — | 65B → 63 (liberalised) |
| Expert opinion | — | — | 45 → 39 |
| Dying declaration | — | — | 32 → 26 (video added) |
The transition to BNS, BNSS, and BSA is the single largest change to Indian criminal law in 150 years. The mapping is mostly straightforward, but the substantive changes — new offences, new punishments, procedural deadlines, and the sedition overhaul — require careful attention. Use this guide as a starting point, verify every section against the full statutory text, and build your practice around the new codes systematically.
For AI-assisted legal research on BNS/BNSS/BSA provisions and case law, see AI Legal Research in India: A Complete Guide.
LawCentral Team
LawCentral India