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In short: The Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 (Act No. 45 of 2023) is the main law of crimes and punishments: what acts are offences and what punishment each carries. It came into force on 1 July 2024 and replaced the Indian Penal Code, 1860 (IPC). It has 358 sections in 20 chapters. Every section is listed in the chapter pages below with its old number and a plain-English summary.
हिंदी में: भारतीय न्याय संहिता, 2023 1 जुलाई 2024 से लागू है। इसमें 358 धाराएँ और 20 अध्याय हैं। नीचे हर अध्याय की सभी धाराएँ पुरानी धारा संख्या के साथ दी गई हैं।
Chapters of the BNS
| Chapter | Subject | Sections |
|---|---|---|
| I | Preliminary | 1–3 |
| II | Punishments | 4–13 |
| III | General Exceptions | 14–44 |
| IV | Abetment, Criminal Conspiracy and Attempt | 45–62 |
| V | Offences Against Woman and Child | 63–99 |
| VI | Offences Affecting the Human Body | 100–146 |
| VII | Offences Against the State | 147–158 |
| VIII | Offences Relating to the Army, Navy and Air Force | 159–168 |
| IX | Offences Relating to Elections | 169–177 |
| X | Offences Relating to Coin, Currency-Notes, Bank-Notes and Government Stamps | 178–188 |
| XI | Offences Against the Public Tranquillity | 189–197 |
| XII | Offences by or Relating to Public Servants | 198–205 |
| XIII | Contempts of the Lawful Authority of Public Servants | 206–226 |
| XIV | False Evidence and Offences Against Public Justice | 227–269 |
| XV | Offences Affecting the Public Health, Safety, Convenience, Decency and Morals | 270–297 |
| XVI | Offences Relating to Religion | 298–302 |
| XVII | Offences Against Property | 303–334 |
| XVIII | Offences Relating to Documents and to Property Marks | 335–350 |
| XIX | Criminal Intimidation, Insult, Annoyance, Defamation, etc. | 351–357 |
| XX | Repeal and Savings | 358 |
Most searched BNS sections
- Section 3(5) — common intention (Chapter I)
- Section 61 — criminal conspiracy (Chapter IV)
- Section 64 — rape (Chapter V)
- Section 80 — dowry death (Chapter V)
- Section 85 — cruelty by husband or relatives (old 498A) (Chapter V)
- Section 103 — murder (Chapter VI)
- Section 106 — death by negligence (Chapter VI)
- Section 108 — abetment of suicide (Chapter VI)
- Section 109 — attempt to murder (Chapter VI)
- Section 303 — theft (Chapter XVII)
- Section 318 — cheating (old 420) (Chapter XVII)
- Section 351 — criminal intimidation (Chapter XIX)
Have an old section number? Use the IPC to BNS converter and the BNS bailable offence checker.
Need help with a case? See our criminal law practice, bail lawyer in Ghaziabad or book a consultation. Back to the Law Library.
Prepared by Adv. Mridul Jindal, Law Chambers of Mridul Jindal, Indirapuram, Ghaziabad. Last updated 11 November 2026. Summaries are in plain English for general information and are not the text of the law or legal advice; always read the official text on India Code. Disclaimer.
