IPC to BNS mapping helps you find the equivalent section in the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 for any provision of the old Indian Penal Code, 1860. From 1 July 2024, the BNS replaced the IPC entirely. The numbering has changed substantially, so checking the correspondence table is essential before drafting any pleading or advice.
Key points
- The Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 (BNS) replaced the Indian Penal Code, 1860 (IPC) with effect from 1 July 2024. All new FIRs, charge-sheets and trials commenced on or after that date must cite BNS sections.
- Section numbers in the BNS do not mirror IPC section numbers. Many provisions have been renumbered, merged, split, or reworded. You cannot assume a 1:1 correspondence by number alone.
- The IPC had 511 sections. The BNS has fewer numbered sections because several scattered offences have been consolidated. Always verify the exact text of the BNS provision before relying on a mapping table.
- For proceedings that began before 1 July 2024, the IPC continues to apply under the savings and transitional provisions of the BNS. Ongoing trials follow the old law; new complaints follow the new law.
- The official text of both the IPC and the BNS is available free of charge on India Code (indiacode.nic.in), which is the authoritative government repository and the safest source to verify any section.
- Alongside the BNS, the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 (BNSS) replaced the CrPC, and the Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam, 2023 (BSA) replaced the Indian Evidence Act — procedural and evidentiary cross-references must also be updated.
Why does IPC to BNS mapping matter for practicing lawyers?
Different numbers, same subject matter — but not always the same law
When the BNS came into force on 1 July 2024, courts, police stations, and prosecutors had to shift overnight to a new numbering scheme. A charge framed under the wrong code — or the wrong section number within the correct code — can lead to objections, amendments, and delays.
More importantly, the BNS is not a word-for-word re-enactment of the IPC. Some offences have been redefined, some punishments revised, and new offences added. Mapping is a starting point, not a substitute for reading the actual section.
Which cases still run under the IPC?
Offences alleged to have occurred before 1 July 2024 continue to be tried under the IPC. The BNS contains savings provisions to this effect. If your client faces a charge for an act committed before that date, cite the IPC section in all documents — even if the trial continues after 2024.
Check the date of the alleged offence first. That single fact determines which code applies to the substantive charge.
IPC to BNS mapping: a reference table for commonly cited sections
The table below covers frequently used IPC provisions and their BNS counterparts. Section headings are paraphrased for brevity. Always read the full text of the BNS provision to confirm scope and punishment before relying on this table in practice.
| Subject matter | IPC section | BNS section | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Culpable homicide not amounting to murder | 304 | 105 | Verify punishment parts — BNS retains Part I / Part II structure |
| Murder | 302 | 103 | Death penalty and life imprisonment retained; verify exceptions |
| Attempt to commit murder | 307 | 109 | Wording broadly similar; confirm aggravated circumstances |
| Causing death by negligence | 304A | 106 | Hit-and-run aggravated offence added in BNS; verify sub-sections |
| Hurt | 323 | 115(2) | BNS consolidates hurt provisions; check full section |
| Grievous hurt | 325 | 117(2) | Confirm sub-section numbering in the official text |
| Assault | 351 | 130 | Broadly retained; verify related provisions |
| Kidnapping | 359–363 | 137–140 | Range of sections; match the specific allegation |
| Rape | 375–376 | 63–70 | BNS expands and restructures sexual offences; read carefully |
| Theft | 378–382 | 303–307 | Core definition retained; punishment sections renumbered |
| Extortion | 383–389 | 308–313 | Verify aggravated forms in BNS text |
| Robbery and dacoity | 390–402 | 309–317 | Cross-check each variant; some sub-categories renumbered |
| Cheating | 415–420 | 316–318 | Widely cited; confirm the exact BNS provision for the allegation |
| Mischief | 425–440 | 324–326 | Several IPC sub-sections consolidated in BNS |
| Criminal breach of trust | 405–409 | 314–316 | Verify public servant and carrier sub-sections |
| Defamation | 499–500 | 356 | Exceptions retained; confirm text |
| Criminal intimidation | 503–506 | 351–353 | BNS broadly retains structure; verify aggravated forms |
| Sedition (repealed in BNS) | 124A | 152 (new offence) | Section 124A IPC is not re-enacted; BNS s.152 addresses acts endangering sovereignty — the scope differs materially |
Important: This table is a working reference compiled from the published text of the BNS. Section numbers can shift between gazette notifications and amendments. Always verify against the current India Code text before filing.
How to do your own IPC to BNS mapping in three steps
Step 1 — Identify the IPC section and its subject matter
Note the section number and read the full text of the IPC provision on India Code. Understanding exactly what the provision covers — including exceptions and explanations — is essential before you search for its BNS equivalent.
Step 2 — Search by subject matter in the BNS, not by number
Open the BNS on India Code. Use the table of contents or the search function to find provisions dealing with the same subject matter. Do not assume the BNS section number will be close to the IPC section number — in many cases it is not.
Step 3 — Compare text, not just headings
Read the BNS provision in full. Check whether the definition, ingredients, exceptions, and punishment match what you need. Where the BNS has added, removed, or reworded elements, note the difference. If you are advising a client, this textual comparison is the core of your analysis.
What changed substantively, not just in numbering?
Several BNS provisions are not mere re-numberings. Notable changes include the addition of an aggravated hit-and-run provision, the restructuring and expansion of sexual offence provisions, the omission of sedition as previously framed under IPC section 124A, and the introduction of new offences relating to organised crime and terrorism that were previously dealt with under special statutes. These are areas where IPC-to-BNS mapping requires particular care — a corresponding section number does not mean identical law.
Frequently asked questions
Is IPC still valid after 1 July 2024?
The IPC ceased to apply to new offences from 1 July 2024, when the BNS came into force. However, the IPC continues to govern proceedings relating to offences alleged to have occurred before that date, under the transitional and savings provisions in the BNS. If the date of the alleged offence is before 1 July 2024, the IPC applies to the substantive charge; if on or after that date, the BNS applies.
Where can I find the official IPC to BNS correspondence table?
There is no single government-published cross-reference table that is universally authoritative. The Ministry of Home Affairs and various high courts have issued circulars and comparative charts, but the safest approach is to read the full text of both the IPC and the BNS on India Code (indiacode.nic.in) and compare provisions by subject matter. Bar Council publications and law ministry guidance notes can assist, but always verify against the primary statutory text.
What happens if a charge-sheet filed after 1 July 2024 cites an IPC section instead of the BNS section?
An error in citing the section of the code does not by itself invalidate a charge-sheet if the material facts and the ingredients of the offence are correctly described. Courts have generally taken the view that a misdescription of the section is not fatal if the accused is not misled. However, it is prudent practice to cite the correct BNS section from the outset to avoid objections, applications for amendment, and procedural delays. If you spot such an error in an existing filing, consider applying for amendment at the earliest opportunity.
This article is for general information only and is not legal advice. Laws change; verify against the primary sources cited and consult a qualified advocate for your situation.
