Table 1: Open in new tab Key differences...

Topic

IPC (1860)

BNS (2023)

Key changes

Definition of “India”

Section 18

Jammu and Kashmir Reorganization Act 2019 had specifically extended the applicability of the Indian penal code to erst-while territories of the state of Jammu and Kashmir. Item 48 of Table 1 of the Fifth schedule amended section 1 of the Indian Penal Code by omitting, words, “except the State of Jammu and Kashmir” from it.

Punishment for Murder

Section 302

Section 103

BNS introduces harsher punishment for murder committed on grounds of race, caste, etc.

Culpable Homicide

Section 299

Section 100

Similar definition, but BNS provides more detailed explanations

Rape

Section 375

Section 63

BNS expands the definition to include digital penetration and other forms of non-consensual acts

Punishment for Rape

Section 376

Section 64

BNS increases minimum punishment and introduces new aggravating factors

Sedition

Section 124A

Removed

BNS removes the colonial-era sedition law

Organized Crime

Not specifically defined

Section 111

BNS introduces a new section on organized crime

Terrorist Act

Defined in separate act (UAPA)

Section 113

BNS incorporates the definition of terrorist act within the main criminal code

Trafficking

Section 370

Section 143

BNS provides a broader definition of trafficking

Snatching

Not specifically defined

Section 304

BNS introduces a specific offense of snatching

Petty Organized Crime

Not specifically defined

Section 112

BNS introduces a new category of petty organized crime

Community Service

Not included as punishment

Section 4(f)

BNS introduces community service as a form of punishment

Abetment

Sections 107-120

Sections 45-62

BNS consolidates and simplifies provisions on abetment

Criminal Conspiracy

Section 120A-120B

Section 61

BNS simplifies the definition and punishment for criminal conspiracy

Attempt to Commit Offences

Section 511

Section 62

BNS brings this provision earlier in the code and simplifies language

Table 1:

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Key differences between IPC and BNS

Topic	IPC (1860)	BNS (2023)	Key changes
Definition of “India”	Section 18	NA	Jammu and Kashmir Reorganization Act 2019 had specifically extended the applicability of the Indian penal code to erst-while territories of the state of Jammu and Kashmir. Item 48 of Table 1 of the Fifth schedule amended section 1 of the Indian Penal Code by omitting, words, “except the State of Jammu and Kashmir” from it.
Punishment for Murder	Section 302	Section 103	BNS introduces harsher punishment for murder committed on grounds of race, caste, etc.
Culpable Homicide	Section 299	Section 100	Similar definition, but BNS provides more detailed explanations
Rape	Section 375	Section 63	BNS expands the definition to include digital penetration and other forms of non-consensual acts
Punishment for Rape	Section 376	Section 64	BNS increases minimum punishment and introduces new aggravating factors
Sedition	Section 124A	Removed	BNS removes the colonial-era sedition law
Organized Crime	Not specifically defined	Section 111	BNS introduces a new section on organized crime
Terrorist Act	Defined in separate act (UAPA)	Section 113	BNS incorporates the definition of terrorist act within the main criminal code
Trafficking	Section 370	Section 143	BNS provides a broader definition of trafficking
Snatching	Not specifically defined	Section 304	BNS introduces a specific offense of snatching
Petty Organized Crime	Not specifically defined	Section 112	BNS introduces a new category of petty organized crime
Community Service	Not included as punishment	Section 4(f)	BNS introduces community service as a form of punishment
Abetment	Sections 107-120	Sections 45-62	BNS consolidates and simplifies provisions on abetment
Criminal Conspiracy	Section 120A-120B	Section 61	BNS simplifies the definition and punishment for criminal conspiracy
Attempt to Commit Offences	Section 511	Section 62	BNS brings this provision earlier in the code and simplifies language

Topic	IPC (1860)	BNS (2023)	Key changes
Definition of “India”	Section 18	NA	Jammu and Kashmir Reorganization Act 2019 had specifically extended the applicability of the Indian penal code to erst-while territories of the state of Jammu and Kashmir. Item 48 of Table 1 of the Fifth schedule amended section 1 of the Indian Penal Code by omitting, words, “except the State of Jammu and Kashmir” from it.
Punishment for Murder	Section 302	Section 103	BNS introduces harsher punishment for murder committed on grounds of race, caste, etc.
Culpable Homicide	Section 299	Section 100	Similar definition, but BNS provides more detailed explanations
Rape	Section 375	Section 63	BNS expands the definition to include digital penetration and other forms of non-consensual acts
Punishment for Rape	Section 376	Section 64	BNS increases minimum punishment and introduces new aggravating factors
Sedition	Section 124A	Removed	BNS removes the colonial-era sedition law
Organized Crime	Not specifically defined	Section 111	BNS introduces a new section on organized crime
Terrorist Act	Defined in separate act (UAPA)	Section 113	BNS incorporates the definition of terrorist act within the main criminal code
Trafficking	Section 370	Section 143	BNS provides a broader definition of trafficking
Snatching	Not specifically defined	Section 304	BNS introduces a specific offense of snatching
Petty Organized Crime	Not specifically defined	Section 112	BNS introduces a new category of petty organized crime
Community Service	Not included as punishment	Section 4(f)	BNS introduces community service as a form of punishment
Abetment	Sections 107-120	Sections 45-62	BNS consolidates and simplifies provisions on abetment
Criminal Conspiracy	Section 120A-120B	Section 61	BNS simplifies the definition and punishment for criminal conspiracy
Attempt to Commit Offences	Section 511	Section 62	BNS brings this provision earlier in the code and simplifies language

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