The Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023
India's substantive criminal law: it defines offences and their punishments. It replaced the Indian Penal Code, 1860 for offences committed on or after 1 July 2024.
In force · In force from 1 Jul 2024 · 358 sections
Replaces the The Indian Penal Code, 1860. Old vs new comparison
358 sections
- 1Short title, commencement and application.
- 2Definitions.
- 3General explanations.
- 4Punishments.
- 5Commutation of sentence.
- 6Fractions of terms of punishment.
- 7Sentence may be (in certain cases of imprisonment) wholly or partly rigorous or simple.
- 8Amount of fine, liability in default of payment of fine, etc.
- 9Limit of punishment of offence made up of several offences.
- 10Punishment of person guilty of one of several offences, judgment stating that it is doubtful of which.
- 11Solitary confinement.
- 12Limit of solitary confinement.
- 13Enhanced punishment for certain offences after previous conviction.
- 14Act done by a person bound, or by mistake of fact believing himself bound, by law.
- 15Act of Judge when acting judicially.
- 16Act done pursuant to judgment or order of Court.
- 17Act done by a person justified, or by mistake of fact believing himself justified, by law.
- 18Accident in doing a lawful act.
- 19Act likely to cause harm, but done without criminal intent, and to prevent other harm.
- 20Act of a child under seven years of age.
- 21Act of a child above seven and under twelve years of age of immature understanding.
- 22Act of a person of unsound mind.
- 23Act of a person incapable of judgment by reason of intoxication caused against his will.
- 24Offence requiring a particular intent or knowledge committed by one who is intoxicated.
- 25Act not intended and not known to be likely to cause death or grievous hurt, done by consent.
- 26Act not intended to cause death, done by consent in good faith for person's benefit.
- 27Act done in good faith for benefit of child or person of unsound mind, by, or by consent of guardian.
- 28Consent known to be given under fear or misconception.
- 29Exclusion of acts which are offences independently of harm caused.
- 30Act done in good faith for benefit of a person without consent.
- 31Communication made in good faith.
- 32Act to which a person is compelled by threats.
- 33Act causing slight harm.
- 34Things done in private defence.
- 35Right of private defence of body and of property.
- 36Right of private defence against act of a person of unsound mind, etc.
- 37Acts against which there is no right of private defence.
- 38When right of private defence of body extends to causing death.
- 39When such right extends to causing any harm other than death.
- 40Commencement and continuance of right of private defence of body.
- 41When right of private defence of property extends to causing death.
- 42When such right extends to causing any harm other than death.
- 43Commencement and continuance of right of private defence of property.
- 44Right of private defence against deadly assault when there is risk of harm to innocent person.
- 45Abetment of a thing.
- 46Abettor.
- 47Abetment in India of offences outside India.
- 48Abetment outside India for offence in India.
- 49Punishment of abetment if act abetted is committed in consequence and where no express provision is made for its punishment.
- 50Punishment of abetment if person abetted does act with different intention from that of abettor.
Source: India Code: The Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 · Last reviewed 25 Oct 2026
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