Official BNS Reference

India's New Criminal Laws — Plain Language Guide

India's criminal justice system underwent its most significant reform in over 160 years when the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), and the Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam (BSA) came into force on 1 July 2024, replacing the Indian Penal Code (IPC), the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC), and the Indian Evidence Act respectively.

This section provides a plain-language reference to the key provisions of these new laws — helping citizens, students, and legal professionals understand how India's criminal justice system works today.

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BNS Sections – Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (FAQs)

The Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) 2023 came into force on 1 July 2024, replacing the Indian Penal Code 1860. It retains many familiar offences while introducing modern provisions for organised crime, terrorism, digital evidence, and enhanced protection for women and children. Below are the most commonly asked questions about the BNS.

The Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) replaces the Indian Penal Code (IPC) 1860. While many offences and their punishments remain similar, the BNS renumbers all sections, introduces community service as a punishment, adds provisions for modern crimes (organised crime, terrorism, petty gang crime), and places greater emphasis on victims' rights. Practitioners must now refer to BNS section numbers rather than the old IPC sections.

The Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) replaces the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) 1973. Key changes for bail include: Section 480 BNSS (regular bail), Section 482 BNSS (anticipatory bail), and new default bail provisions requiring chargesheets within 60 or 90 days depending on the offence. The BNSS also introduces timelines for investigation and trial to reduce unnecessary custody.

Default bail — also called statutory bail — is an automatic right to bail if the police fail to file a chargesheet (final report) within the prescribed period: 60 days for offences punishable with imprisonment less than 10 years, and 90 days for offences punishable with 10 years or more, or with death. This right must be availed promptly before the chargesheet is filed.

The Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam (BSA) 2023 replaces the Indian Evidence Act 1872. It introduces comprehensive recognition of electronic and digital evidence — emails, chat messages, metadata, server logs, and electronic documents — as admissible primary evidence. It also updates rules on confessions, expert testimony, and burden of proof.

India's New Criminal Laws — Plain Language Guide

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Murder

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Of Abetment, Criminal Conspiracy and Attempt

Of Offences Against the Woman and Child

Of Offences Affecting the Human Body

Of Offences Against the State

Of Offences Relating to the Army, Navy and Air Force

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Of Offences Relating to Coin, Government Stamps, Currency-Notes and Bank-Notes

Of Offences Against the Public Tranquillity

Of Offences by or Relating to Public Servants

Of Contempts of the Lawful Authority of Public Servants

Of False Evidence and Offences Against Public Justice

Of Offences Affecting the Public Health, Safety, Convenience, Decency and Morals

Of Offences Relating to Religion

Of Offences Against Property

Of Offences Relating to Documents and to Property Marks

Of Criminal Intimidation, Insult and Annoyance

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