Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023

The Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 (BNS) is India's main criminal code. It defines offences and their punishments. It came into force on 1 July 2024, replacing the Indian Penal Code, 1860.

Also available in: हिंदी

Chapters and sections

1. Chapter 1: Preliminary3 sections
2. Chapter 2: Of Punishments10 sections
3. Chapter 3: General Exceptions - (Including Of right of private defence)31 sections
4. Chapter 4: Of Abetment, Criminal Conspiracy and Attempt18 sections
5. Chapter 5: Of Offences Against Woman and Child - Of sexual offences - Of criminal force and assault against woman - Of offences relating to marriage - Of causing miscarriage, etc. - Of offences against child37 sections
6. Chapter 6: Of Offences Affecting the Human Body - Of offences affecting life - Of hurt - Of wrongful restraint and wrongful confinement - Of criminal force and assault - Of kidnapping, abduction, slavery and forced labour47 sections
7. Chapter 7: Of Offences Against the State12 sections
8. Chapter 8: Of Offences Relating to the Army, Navy and Air Force10 sections
9. Chapter 9: Of Offences Relating to Elections9 sections
10. Chapter 10: Of Offences Relating to Coin, Currency-notes, Bank-notes, and - Government Stamps11 sections
11. Chapter 11: Of Offences Against the Public Tranquillity9 sections
12. Chapter 12: Of Offences by or Relating to Public Servants8 sections
13. Chapter 13: Of Contempts of the Lawful Authority of Public Servants21 sections
14. Chapter 14: Of False Evidence and Offences Against Public Justice43 sections
15. Chapter 15: Of Offences Affecting the Public Health, Safety, Convenience, - Decency and Morals28 sections
16. Chapter 16: Of Offences Relating to Religion5 sections
17. Chapter 17: Of Offences Against Property - Of theft - Of extortion - Of robbery and dacoity - Of criminal misappropriation of property - Of criminal breach of trust - Of receiving stolen property - Of cheating - Of fraudulent deeds and dispositions of property - Of mischief - Of criminal trespass32 sections
18. Chapter 18: Of Offences Relating to Documents and to Property Marks - Of property marks16 sections
19. Chapter 19: Of Criminal Intimidation, Insult, Annoyance, Defamation, Etc - Of defamation7 sections
20. Chapter 20: Repeal and Savings1 sections

Official reference: Ministry of Home Affairs: Gazette text, 25 December 2023 — source link checked: 2 October 2026.Recorded edition / snapshot date: 2024-07-01.Mobile-app reference import; the recorded snapshot date is not a fresh legal-currency guarantee. The linked government text is an independent authoritative reference, not certification that this website reproduces the same edition. The source link was checked, not every provision or subsequent amendment. Check commencement notifications, savings and jurisdiction-specific variations separately.