Indian Penal Code, 1860

The Indian Penal Code, 1860 (IPC) was India's main criminal code until 30 June 2024. From 1 July 2024 it was repealed and replaced by the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023. Offences committed before that date continue to be dealt with under the IPC.

Repealed on 1 July 2024 and replaced by the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 (BNS).

Chapters and sections

1. Chapter 1: Introduction5 sections
2. Chapter 2: General Explanations49 sections
3. Chapter 3: Punishments25 sections
4. Chapter 4: General Exceptions (Including Right of Private Defence)31 sections
5. Chapter 5: Abetment15 sections
6. Chapter 5A: Criminal Conspiracy2 sections
7. Chapter 6: Offences against the State12 sections
8. Chapter 7: Offences relating to the Army, Navy and Air Force11 sections
9. Chapter 8: Offences against the Public Tranquillity23 sections
10. Chapter 9: Offences by or related to Public Servants14 sections
11. Chapter 9A: Offences relating to Elections9 sections
12. Chapter 10: Contempts of Lawful Authority of Public Servants20 sections
13. Chapter 11: False Evidence and Offences against Public Justice46 sections
14. Chapter 12: Offences relating to coin and Government Stamps34 sections
15. Chapter 13: Offences relating to Weight and Measures4 sections
16. Chapter 14: Offences affecting the Public health, Safety, Convenience, Decency and Morals28 sections
17. Chapter 15: Offences relating to Religion5 sections
18. Chapter 16: Offences affecting the Human Body100 sections
19. Chapter 17: Offences Against Property84 sections
20. Chapter 18: Offences relating to Documents and Property Marks33 sections
21. Chapter 19: The Criminal Breach of Contracts of Service3 sections
22. Chapter 20: Offences Relating to Marriage6 sections
23. Chapter 20A: Cruelty by Husband or Relatives of Husband1 sections
24. Chapter 21: Defamation4 sections
25. Chapter 22: Criminal Intimidation, Insult and Annoyance8 sections
26. Chapter 23: Attempts to Commit Offences1 sections

Official reference: Delhi District & Sessions Judge: government historical reference — source link checked: 2 October 2026.Recorded edition / snapshot date: 2024-06-30.Mobile-app reference import; the recorded snapshot date is not a fresh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. Historical code retained for reference; read the repeal/savings provisions in the successor code.