The Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 (BNS) is India’s principal substantive criminal code, which officially replaced the 164-year-old Indian Penal Code (IPC), 1860 on July 1, 2024. Enacted to modernize the criminal justice framework, the BNS comprises 358 sections organized into 20 comprehensive chapters, incorporating contemporary jurisprudence, victim-centric procedures, and modern definitions of criminal liability.
Key Legal Reforms & Innovations in BNS 2023
- New Statutory Offenses: Codifies targeted provisions against Organized Crime (Section 111), Terrorist Acts (Section 113), Mob Lynching & Hate Crime (Section 103(2)), and Sexual Intercourse by Deceitful Means (Section 69).
- Introduction of Community Service: Formally recognizes community service under Chapter II as an alternative restorative punishment for petty crimes (e.g., small thefts, public servant defamation).
- Decolonization & Repeal of Sedition: The archaic sedition law (former IPC 124A) has been repealed and replaced with Section 152, punishing acts endangering the sovereignty, unity, and integrity of India.
- Enhanced Penalties for Heinous Crimes: Severe minimum mandatory sentencing and death penalty/life imprisonment provisions for gang rape, crimes against minors, and aggravated assaults.
- Streamlined Structure: Rationalized 511 sections of the former IPC into 358 cohesive sections across 20 distinct chapters.
Quick Landmark Section Shortcuts
All 20 Chapters in Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) 2023
Select any chapter below to explore its constituent sections, statutory provisions, and penal sanctions.
Chapter 1
Sections 1–3
→
Preliminary
Chapter 2
Sections 4–13
→
Of Punishments
Chapter 3
Sections 14–44
→
General Exceptions
Chapter 4
Sections 45–62
→
Of Abetment, Criminal Conspiracy and Attempt
Chapter 5
Sections 63–99
→
Of Offences Against Woman and Children
Chapter 6
Sections 100–146
→
Of Offences Affecting the Human Body
Chapter 7
Sections 147–158
→
Of Offences Against the State
Chapter 8
Sections 159–168
→
Offences Relating to the Army, Navy and Air Force
Chapter 9
Sections 169–177
→
Of Offences Relating to Elections
Chapter 10
Sections 178–188
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Offences Relating to Coin, Currency Notes, Bank Notes & Government Stamps
Chapter 11
Sections 189–197
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Of Offences Against the Public Tranquillity
Chapter 12
Sections 198–205
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Of Offences by or Relating to Public Servants
Chapter 13
Sections 206–226
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Of Contempts of the Lawful Authority of Public Servants
Chapter 14
Sections 227–269
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Of False Evidence and Offences Against Public Justice
Chapter 15
Sections 270–297
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Offences Affecting Public Health, Safety, Convenience, Decency & Morals
Chapter 16
Sections 298–302
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Of Offences Relating to Religion
Chapter 17
Sections 303–334
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Of Offences Against Property
Chapter 18
Sections 335–350
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Offences Relating to Documents and Property Marks
Chapter 19
Sections 351–357
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Criminal Intimidation, Insult, Annoyance, Defamation, Etc.
Chapter 20
Section 358
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Of Repeal and Savings
Criminal Law Reform & Related Legal Frameworks
PROCEDURAL LAW
BNSS 2023 Chapters
39 chapters covering arrest, investigation, trial procedure, and bail under BNSS.
LAW OF EVIDENCEBSA 2023 Chapters
12 chapters governing evidence admissibility, electronic records, and witnesses.
LEGACY CODEIPC 1860 Chapters
Comprehensive comparative index of all 23 chapters of the former Indian Penal Code.
FOUNDATIONAL LAWConstitution of India
Explore all 395+ articles across Parts I–XXII and constitutional safeguards.
BNS 2023 Complete Chapter Directory
| Chapter No. | Chapter Subject | Section Range | Action |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chapter 1 | Preliminary | Sections 1–3 | Read Chapter 1 → |
| Chapter 2 | Of Punishments | Sections 4–13 | Read Chapter 2 → |
| Chapter 3 | General Exceptions | Sections 14–44 | Read Chapter 3 → |
| Chapter 4 | Of Abetment, Criminal Conspiracy and Attempt | Sections 45–62 | Read Chapter 4 → |
| Chapter 5 | Of Offences Against Woman and Children | Sections 63–99 | Read Chapter 5 → |
| Chapter 6 | Of Offences Affecting the Human Body | Sections 100–146 | Read Chapter 6 → |
| Chapter 7 | Of Offences Against the State | Sections 147–158 | Read Chapter 7 → |
| Chapter 8 | Offences Relating to the Army, Navy and Air Force | Sections 159–168 | Read Chapter 8 → |
| Chapter 9 | Of Offences Relating to Elections | Sections 169–177 | Read Chapter 9 → |
| Chapter 10 | Offences Relating to Coin, Currency Notes, Bank Notes & Government Stamps | Sections 178–188 | Read Chapter 10 → |
| Chapter 11 | Of Offences Against the Public Tranquillity | Sections 189–197 | Read Chapter 11 → |
| Chapter 12 | Of Offences by or Relating to Public Servants | Sections 198–205 | Read Chapter 12 → |
| Chapter 13 | Of Contempts of the Lawful Authority of Public Servants | Sections 206–226 | Read Chapter 13 → |
| Chapter 14 | Of False Evidence and Offences Against Public Justice | Sections 227–269 | Read Chapter 14 → |
| Chapter 15 | Offences Affecting Public Health, Safety, Convenience, Decency & Morals | Sections 270–297 | Read Chapter 15 → |
| Chapter 16 | Of Offences Relating to Religion | Sections 298–302 | Read Chapter 16 → |
| Chapter 17 | Of Offences Against Property | Sections 303–334 | Read Chapter 17 → |
| Chapter 18 | Offences Relating to Documents and Property Marks | Sections 335–350 | Read Chapter 18 → |
| Chapter 19 | Criminal Intimidation, Insult, Annoyance, Defamation, Etc. | Sections 351–357 | Read Chapter 19 → |
| Chapter 20 | Of Repeal and Savings | Section 358 | Read Chapter 20 → |