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BNS • May 28, 2026 • 8 min read

BNS vs IPC: What Changed for the Accused Under India's New Criminal Code

The transition from the Indian Penal Code (IPC) to the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) reclassified several criminal charges and introduced progressive reforms.

Key Section Changes

Defamation is now under Section 356 BNS. Cheating (formerly IPC 420) is now Section 318 BNS. Murder (formerly IPC 302) is Section 101 BNS. Theft (formerly IPC 379) is Section 303 BNS.

Progressive Reforms

The BNS has introduced community service for petty crimes, increased penalties for organized syndicate crimes, and updated definitions to cover digital transactions and assets.

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