NEW LAW
HIGH IMPACT
January 2025
Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) 2023
Act Number
45 of 2023
Enacted
December 25, 2023
In Force
July 1, 2024
What is BNS 2023?
The Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) is India's new criminal code that replaces the 164-year-old Indian Penal Code (IPC) of 1860. This landmark legislation modernizes India's criminal justice system with provisions for digital-age crimes, faster trials, and enhanced protection for vulnerable groups including women and children.
Key Changes
- Removes Sedition: Section 124A (sedition) removed; replaced with new offence for acts endangering sovereignty
- Adds Terrorism: Defines terrorism as offence threatening unity, integrity or security of India
- Organized Crime: New provisions for kidnapping, extortion, cyber-crime by crime syndicates
- Community Service: Introduces community service as a form of punishment
- Mob Lynching: Murder by group of 5+ persons on grounds of caste, language, belief punishable by life imprisonment or death
Implementation Timeline
Dec 25, 2023
Presidential Assent
July 1, 2024
Came into Force ✓
Ongoing
Police & Court Training
Frequently Asked Questions
Does BNS apply to old cases?
Cases registered before July 1, 2024 will continue under IPC. New cases filed after this date fall under BNS provisions.
What happens to pending IPC cases?
All pending cases under IPC will be tried and decided under IPC provisions only. BNS does not apply retrospectively.
How is BNS different from IPC?
BNS has 358 sections (vs IPC's 511), removes colonial-era offences, adds cyber crimes, terrorism, organized crime, and introduces community service as punishment.