IPC to BNS Complete Mapping Guide: Every Section You Need for Court (2026)
It is August 2026. You are drafting a bail application for a cheating case registered in September 2024. You write "Section 420 IPC" — then stop. The FIR was registered after July 1, 2024. IPC 420 does not apply. It is BNS 318(4). You change it. Then you cite "Section 438 CrPC" for anticipatory bail — wrong again. It is BNSS 482.
Two years after the transition, Indian advocates are STILL making section-number errors in filings — because three entire criminal codes were simultaneously renumbered on July 1, 2024, and the new numbers bear almost no relationship to the old ones.
This guide is the definitive cross-reference. Bookmark it. Print it. Pin it next to your computer. Every commonly cited section, accurately mapped, with flags for the sections where the substance changed — not just the number. NyayaVeda AI maintains a 1,162-row concordance map that auto-converts IPC to BNS, CrPC to BNSS, and IEA to BSA citations in real time during legal research.
What Is the IPC to BNS Transition?
The IPC to BNS transition refers to the simultaneous replacement of three Indian criminal codes on July 1, 2024: the Indian Penal Code 1860 was replaced by the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita 2023 (BNS), the Code of Criminal Procedure 1973 was replaced by the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita 2023 (BNSS), and the Indian Evidence Act 1872 was replaced by the Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam 2023 (BSA). The transitional rule under Article 20(1) of the Constitution requires that the law at the date of commission of the offence governs — not the date of FIR or trial.
The Three Laws That Changed
| Old Law | New Law | Sections Old → New | Key Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Indian Penal Code 1860 (IPC) | Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita 2023 (BNS) | 511 → 358 sections | Renumbered + 20 new offences added |
| Code of Criminal Procedure 1973 (CrPC) | Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita 2023 (BNSS) | 484 → 531 sections | Renumbered + electronic/digital procedures added |
| Indian Evidence Act 1872 (IEA) | Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam 2023 (BSA) | 167 → 170 sections | Renumbered + electronic evidence expanded |
Transitional Rule (Article 20(1) Constitution): The law applicable at the time of commission of the offence governs. Offence committed before July 1, 2024 = IPC/CrPC/IEA. Offence committed on or after July 1, 2024 = BNS/BNSS/BSA. The date of FIR does NOT matter — only the date of offence.
IPC → BNS: The 50 Most-Cited Sections
Part A: Offences Against the Person
| IPC Section | IPC Offence | BNS Section | Changed? |
|---|---|---|---|
| 302 | Murder | 103 | Number only — substance identical |
| 304 | Culpable homicide not amounting to murder | 105 | Number only |
| 304B | Dowry death | 80 | Number only |
| 306 | Abetment of suicide | 108 | Number only |
| 307 | Attempt to murder | 109 | Number only |
| 323 | Voluntarily causing hurt | 115(2) | Number only |
| 324 | Voluntarily causing hurt by dangerous weapon | 118(1) | Number only |
| 325 | Voluntarily causing grievous hurt | 117(2) | Number only |
| 326 | Grievous hurt by dangerous weapon | 118(2) | Number only |
| 354 | Assault on woman with intent to outrage modesty | 74 | Number only |
| 354A | Sexual harassment | 75 | Number only |
| 375/376 | Rape / punishment for rape | 63/64 | Expanded — consent definition widened |
| 498A | Cruelty by husband or relatives | 85 | Number only |
| 509 | Word/gesture to insult modesty of woman | 79 | Number only |
Part B: Offences Against Property
| IPC Section | IPC Offence | BNS Section | Changed? |
|---|---|---|---|
| 378/379 | Theft | 303(2) | Number only |
| 383/384 | Extortion | 308 | Number only |
| 390/392 | Robbery | 309 | Number only |
| 395 | Dacoity | 310(2) | Number only |
| 406 | Criminal breach of trust | 316 | Number only |
| 415/417 | Cheating (simple) | 318(1)/(2) | Restructured into sub-sections |
| 420 | Cheating + dishonest inducement | 318(4) | ⚠️ BNS 420 does NOT exist |
| 425/426 | Mischief | 324 | Number only |
| 441/447 | Criminal trespass / house-trespass | 329/331 | Number only |
| 463 | Forgery | 336 | Number only |
| 468 | Forgery for cheating | 338 | Number only |
| 471 | Using forged document as genuine | 340 | Number only |
Part C: Public Order and State Offences
| IPC Section | IPC Offence | BNS Section | Changed? |
|---|---|---|---|
| 120B | Criminal conspiracy | 61 | Number only |
| 124A | Sedition | 152 | ⚠️ SUBSTANTIVELY CHANGED — now "acts endangering sovereignty" |
| 141-149 | Unlawful assembly / rioting | 189-196 | Restructured |
| 153A | Promoting enmity between groups | 196 | Number only |
| 170 | Personating a public servant | 204 | Number only |
| 186 | Obstructing public servant | 221 | Number only |
| 193 | False evidence | 229 | Number only |
| 211 | False charge of offence | 248 | Number only |
Part D: Sections That ACTUALLY Changed (Not Just Renumbered)
These are the sections where the substance — not just the number — changed:
| IPC | BNS | What Changed |
|---|---|---|
| 124A (Sedition) | 152 | Reframed as "acts endangering sovereignty, unity and integrity of India" — broader but with safeguards |
| 375 (Rape) | 63 | Consent definition expanded — includes consent obtained by deception about identity or marriage |
| 377 (Unnatural offences) | Deleted | Consensual same-sex relations decriminalised (already by Navtej Singh Johar 2018) |
| — | 69 | NEW: Sexual intercourse by deceitful means (promise to marry) — did not exist in IPC |
| — | 111 | NEW: Organised crime — 5+ persons, continuing unlawful activity |
| — | 113 | NEW: Terrorist act — newly defined in substantive criminal law (was only in UAPA) |
| — | 302 | NEW: Snatching — separate offence (⚠️ NOT murder — IPC 302 = BNS 103) |
| — | 303(1) | NEW: Petty theft (below Rs 5,000) — reduced punishment |
CrPC → BNSS: The 30 Most-Cited Sections
| CrPC Section | Provision | BNSS Section | Changed? |
|---|---|---|---|
| 154 | FIR registration | 173 | Zero FIR now codified |
| 161 | Examination of witnesses by police | 180 | Number only |
| 164 | Confession/statement before Magistrate | 183 | Number only |
| 167 | Procedure for remand / default bail | 187 | Number only |
| 173 | Chargesheet (police report) | 193 | Number only |
| 190 | Cognisance by Magistrate | 210 | Number only |
| 200 | Examination of complainant | 223 | Number only |
| 227 | Discharge | 250 | Number only |
| 239/240 | Acquittal / Framing charge (warrant) | 258/262 | Number only |
| 260 | Summary trial | 283 | Number only |
| 313 | Examination of accused | 337 | Number only |
| 354 | Judgment format | 392 | Number only |
| 374 | Appeal from conviction | 411 | Number only |
| 389 | Suspension of sentence during appeal | 432 | Number only |
| 397 | Revision | 442 | Number only |
| 125 | Maintenance | 144 | Number only |
| 437 | Bail in non-bailable offence | 480 | Number only |
| 438 | Anticipatory bail | 482 | Interim protection now codified |
| 439 | Special powers of HC/Sessions for bail | 483 | Number only |
| 446 | Cancellation of bail | 484 | Number only |
| 468 | Limitation for complaints | 513 | Number only |
| 482 | Inherent powers of HC (quashing) | 528 | Number only |
IEA → BSA: Key Changes
| IEA Section | Provision | BSA Section | Changed? |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | Interpretation | 2 | Number only |
| 24-30 | Confessions | 22-28 | Renumbered |
| 25 | Confession to police inadmissible | 23 | Number only |
| 27 | Fact discovered in consequence of information | 25 | Number only |
| 32 | Relevance of certain statements | 29 | Number only |
| 45 | Expert opinion | 39 | Number only |
| 65B | Electronic records | 63 | ⚠️ EXPANDED — certificate requirement clarified, hash value provisions added |
| 101-104 | Burden of proof | 104-107 | Number only |
| 113A | Presumption of dowry death | 118 | Number only |
| 113B | Presumption of abetment of suicide (married woman) | 119 | Number only |
| 114 | Court may presume | 120 | Number only |
BSA Section 63 (Electronic Evidence): What Changed
The most significant substantive change in BSA is the treatment of electronic evidence:
- Certificate under Section 63(2) is now more explicitly required — the person responsible for the computer/device must certify authenticity
- Hash value and metadata preservation are now referenced (aligning with Arjun Panditrao Khotkar v. Kailash Kushanrao Gorantyal, 2020 SC)
- Original electronic record — the device itself is primary evidence; printouts are secondary unless certified
The 7 Numbering Traps That Catch Advocates
| Trap | Wrong Citation | Correct Citation | Why It's Confusing |
|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | "BNS 302" for murder | BNS 103 | IPC 302 was murder; BNS 302 is snatching |
| #2 | "BNS 420" for cheating | BNS 318(4) | IPC 420 was cheating; BNS 420 does not exist as "cheating" |
| #3 | "BNSS 438" for anticipatory bail | BNSS 482 | CrPC 438 was anticipatory bail; BNSS 438 is a different provision |
| #4 | "BNSS 482" for quashing | BNSS 528 | CrPC 482 was inherent powers; BNSS 482 is anticipatory bail |
| #5 | "BSA 65B" for electronic evidence | BSA 63 | IEA 65B was electronic evidence; BSA has different numbering |
| #6 | "BNS 376" for rape | BNS 64 | IPC 376 was rape punishment; BNS 376 does not exist as "rape" |
| #7 | "BNSS 125" for maintenance | BNSS 144 | CrPC 125 was maintenance; BNSS 125 is different |
Print this table and keep it at your desk. These 7 traps account for over 80% of section-citation errors in post-July 2024 filings.
Which Precedents Still Apply?
ALL precedents decided under IPC/CrPC/IEA continue to apply to their BNS/BNSS/BSA equivalents — unless the new law has substantively changed the provision.
| Situation | Applicable Precedent |
|---|---|
| BNS 103 murder trial | All IPC 302 precedents (Bachan Singh, Machhi Singh, etc.) |
| BNSS 482 anticipatory bail | All CrPC 438 precedents (Gurbaksh Singh, Sushila Aggarwal, etc.) |
| BSA 63 electronic evidence | All IEA 65B precedents (Anvar P.V., Arjun Panditrao, etc.) |
| BNS 152 (new sedition) | IPC 124A precedents apply partially — the offence is reframed, so pre-BNS judgments on scope may need re-examination |
| BNS 69 (sexual intercourse by deception) | No IPC precedent — entirely new offence |
| BNS 111 (organised crime) | No IPC precedent — new definition (MCOCA state-level precedents may guide) |
Frequently Asked Questions
My client's offence occurred in June 2024 but the FIR was filed in August 2024. Which law applies?
IPC/CrPC/IEA applies. The applicable law is determined by the date of commission of the offence — not the date of FIR, arrest, or trial. Article 20(1) of the Constitution prohibits retrospective application of criminal law. An offence committed before July 1, 2024 is governed by IPC/CrPC/IEA even if the entire trial happens in 2026 using BNSS procedural framework.
Do I need to cite both IPC and BNS in my filing?
For transitional clarity, citing both is recommended but not legally required: "BNS Section 103 (corresponding to IPC Section 302)" helps the court and reduces confusion. The strict rule is: for FIRs involving offences on or after July 1, 2024, cite BNS only; for offences before July 1, 2024, cite IPC only. NyayaVeda AI auto-generates the correct paired citation for any section you look up.
Has the punishment changed for any major offence?
For the vast majority of offences, no — punishments are identical. Murder (life/death), cheating (7 years), criminal breach of trust (3-7 years), voluntarily causing hurt (1-3 years), robbery (10 years) — all unchanged. The notable exceptions are: (a) mob lynching now carries a specific enhanced punishment under BNS, (b) petty theft below Rs 5,000 has a reduced sentence, and (c) organised crime and terrorist acts are new standalone offences with severe penalties that did not exist in IPC.
Is BNS harder or easier for the accused compared to IPC?
BNS is generally neutral for the accused — the substantive law is almost identical. However, BNSS does introduce some prosecution-friendly changes: (a) electronic evidence provisions are clearer under BSA 63, (b) zero FIR is codified making registration easier for complainants, and (c) forensic investigation is now mandatory for offences above 7 years. The accused gains on two fronts: (d) anticipatory bail interim protection is now statutory under BNSS 482 rather than purely judge-made, and (e) the summary trial scope is slightly expanded, enabling faster disposal of minor offences.
Where can I find the complete section-by-section mapping?
NyayaVeda AI provides instant access to a 1,162-row concordance map covering every IPC to BNS, CrPC to BNSS, and IEA to BSA mapping, with auto-conversion of old section citations to new ones in real time during legal research. The official authoritative source is the Ministry of Home Affairs gazette notification and the BNS/BNSS/BSA bare acts published by the Government of India.
Quick Reference Card
⚖️ IPC → BNS TRANSITION — PRACTITIONER'S QUICK REFERENCE
EFFECTIVE DATE: July 1, 2024 TRANSITIONAL RULE: Date of offence determines law (Art 20(1))
TOP 10 SECTIONS (MEMORISE THESE):
- IPC 302 (Murder) → BNS 103
- IPC 304B (Dowry death) → BNS 80
- IPC 420 (Cheating) → BNS 318(4)
- IPC 498A (Cruelty) → BNS 85
- IPC 376 (Rape) → BNS 64
- CrPC 125 (Maintenance) → BNSS 144
- CrPC 438 (Anticipatory bail) → BNSS 482
- CrPC 482 (Quashing/Inherent powers) → BNSS 528
- CrPC 167 (Remand/Default bail) → BNSS 187
- IEA 65B (Electronic evidence) → BSA 63
7 TRAPS: BNS 302 = snatching (NOT murder) BNS 420 ≠ cheating BNSS 438 ≠ anticipatory bail BNSS 482 = anticipatory bail (NOT quashing) BNSS 528 = quashing (NOT anticipatory bail)
ALL OLD PRECEDENTS APPLY unless substance changed.
Auto-Convert IPC to BNS Instantly with NyayaVeda AI
Stop manually cross-referencing section numbers. NyayaVeda AI has a proprietary 1,162-row concordance map that auto-converts every IPC → BNS, CrPC → BNSS, and IEA → BSA citation in real-time during your legal research.
- Type "IPC 420" → get BNS 318(4) result with all applicable precedents
- Type "CrPC 438 bail" → get BNSS 482 case law instantly
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Disclaimer: This article is for informational and educational purposes only. It does not constitute legal advice. For specific legal matters, consult a qualified advocate registered with the Bar Council of India.
Last Updated: August 2026 | Author: NyayaVeda Legal Research Team
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Disclaimer: This article is for informational and educational purposes only. It does not constitute legal advice. For specific legal matters, consult a qualified advocate registered with the Bar Council of India. NyayaVeda AI is an AI-powered research tool, not a law firm, and does not establish any advocate-client relationship.