It is August 2026. You are drafting a bail application in a cheating case; the alleged cheating took place in September 2024. You write "Section 420 IPC" — then stop. The offence was committed after July 1, 2024, so IPC 420 does not apply. It is BNS 318(4). You change it. Then you cite "Section 438 CrPC" for anticipatory bail — wrong again. An application made after July 1, 2024 is under 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 1,233-row concordance map that auto-converts IPC to BNS, CrPC to BNSS, and IEA to BSA citations 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). Which code applies depends on what you are citing. The offence is governed by the code in force when it was committed: an offence committed before July 1, 2024 is charged and punished under the IPC, which Section 358 BNS saves, and Article 20(1) of the Constitution bars any heavier penalty. Procedure and evidence follow the proceeding: an investigation, inquiry, trial or appeal already pending on July 1, 2024 continues under the CrPC and the IEA (Section 531(2)(a) BNSS, Section 170 BSA), while one that begins after that date runs under the BNSS and the BSA.
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: The offence is charged under the code in force when it was committed — before July 1, 2024 that is the IPC (saved by Section 358 BNS; Article 20(1) bars a heavier penalty). Procedure and evidence follow the proceeding — an investigation, inquiry, trial or appeal pending on July 1, 2024 continues under the CrPC and IEA (Section 531(2)(a) BNSS, Section 170 BSA); one begun after that date runs under the BNSS and BSA. So an offence of June 2024 with an FIR of August 2024 is an IPC offence investigated and tried under the BNSS.
IPC → BNS: The Most-Cited Sections
Part A: Offences Against the Person
| IPC Section | IPC Offence | BNS Section | Changed? |
|---|---|---|---|
| 302 | Murder | 103 | Number only — punishment unchanged; BNS 103(2) adds murder by a group of five or more on grounds such as race, caste or community |
| 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) | Fine raised to Rs 10,000 |
| 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(1)/303(2) | Number only, plus a new proviso for petty first offences (Part D) |
| 383/384 | Extortion | 308 | Number only |
| 390/392 | Robbery | 309 | Number only |
| 395 | Dacoity | 310(2) | Number only |
| 406 | Criminal breach of trust | 316 | Punishment raised: up to 5 years (IPC 406: 3 years) |
| 415/417 | Cheating (simple) | 318(1)/(2) | Restructured into sub-sections |
| 420 | Cheating + dishonest inducement | 318(4) | ⚠️ There is no BNS 420 — the BNS ends at section 358 |
| 425/426 | Mischief | 324 | Number only |
| 441/447 | Criminal trespass (definition / punishment) | 329 | Number only |
| 442/448 | House-trespass (definition / punishment) | 329 | Number only |
| 463 | Forgery | 336 | Number only |
| 468 | Forgery for cheating | 336 | 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 | 189-191 | 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) |
| 379 (Theft) | 303(2) | NEW proviso: a first conviction for theft of property worth less than Rs 5,000 is punished with community service once the property is returned or restored |
| — | 69 | NEW: Sexual intercourse by deceitful means (promise to marry) — did not exist in IPC |
| — | 111 | NEW: Organised crime — continuing unlawful activity by an organised crime syndicate (a group of two or more persons) |
| — | 113 | NEW: Terrorist act — newly defined in substantive criminal law (was only in UAPA) |
| — | 304 | NEW: Snatching — a separate offence (⚠️ not to be confused with murder: IPC 302 = BNS 103) |
CrPC → BNSS: The Most-Cited Sections
| CrPC Section | Provision | BNSS Section | Changed? |
|---|---|---|---|
| 154 | FIR registration | 173 | Zero FIR now codified; a preliminary enquiry is allowed for offences punishable with three years or more but less than seven (Section 173(3)) |
| 161 | Examination of witnesses by police | 180 | Number only |
| 164 | Confession/statement before Magistrate | 183 | Number only |
| 167 | Procedure for remand / default bail | 187 | Police custody of up to 15 days may now be taken in parts during the first 40 or 60 days |
| 173 | Chargesheet (police report) | 193 | Number only |
| 190 | Cognisance by Magistrate | 210 | Number only |
| 200 | Examination of complainant | 223 | Number only |
| 227 | Discharge (Sessions case) | 250 | Number only |
| 239/240 | Discharge / framing of charge (warrant case) | 262/263 | Number only |
| 260 | Summary trial | 283 | Scope widened to offences punishable with up to 3 years (Section 283(2)) |
| 313 | Examination of accused | 351 | Number only |
| 354 | Language and contents of judgment | 393 | Number only |
| 374 | Appeal from conviction | 415 | Number only |
| 389 | Suspension of sentence pending appeal | 430 | Number only |
| 397/401 | Revision (calling for records / High Court's powers of revision) | 438/442 | 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 |
| 437(5)/439(2) | Cancellation of bail | 480(5)/483(3) | Number only |
| 468 | Limitation for taking cognizance | 514 | 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 | 22-24 | Renumbered; IEA 28 and 29 dropped |
| 25 | Confession to police inadmissible | 23 | Number only |
| 27 | Fact discovered in consequence of information | 23 | Now the proviso to BSA 23 |
| 32 | Statement of a person who is dead or cannot be found (dying declaration) | 26 | Number only |
| 45 | Expert opinion | 39 | Number only |
| 65B | Electronic records | 63 | ⚠️ EXPANDED — the certificate under Section 63(4) must now be in the form specified in the Schedule |
| 101-104 | Burden of proof | 104-107 | Number only |
| 113A | Presumption as to abetment of suicide by a married woman | 117 | Number only |
| 113B | Presumption as to dowry death | 118 | Number only |
| 114 | Court may presume existence of certain facts | 119 | 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(4) must now be given in the form specified in the Schedule to the BSA, whose form asks for the hash value of the record — signed by the person in charge of the computer or device and by an expert
- Hash value and metadata preservation therefore become part of the certificate itself (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 punishes uttering words to wound religious feelings, and snatching is BNS 304 |
| #2 | "BNS 420" for cheating | BNS 318(4) | IPC 420 was cheating; there is no BNS 420, since the BNS ends at section 358 |
| #3 | "BNSS 438" for anticipatory bail | BNSS 482 | CrPC 438 was anticipatory bail; BNSS 438 is the revision power (calling for records) |
| #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; the BSA has no lettered sections |
| #6 | "BNS 376" for rape | BNS 64 | IPC 376 was rape punishment; there is no BNS 376, since the BNS ends at section 358 |
| #7 | "BNSS 125" for maintenance | BNSS 144 | CrPC 125 was maintenance; BNSS 125 is security for keeping the peace on conviction |
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?
The IPC for the offence; the BNSS and BSA for the proceedings. The offence is charged and punished under the IPC, because it was committed before July 1, 2024: Section 358 BNS saves the IPC for such offences, and Article 20(1) of the Constitution bars any heavier penalty. But nothing was pending on July 1, 2024 — the FIR came later — so the saving for pending proceedings in Section 531(2)(a) BNSS does not reach this case: the investigation and trial run under the BNSS, and the evidence is governed by the BSA.
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 most offences, no. Murder (life or death), cheating under BNS 318(4) (up to 7 years) and robbery (up to 10 years, or 14 on a highway at night) are unchanged. Some punishments did change: criminal breach of trust under BNS 316(2) now carries up to 5 years (IPC 406: 3 years), simple cheating under BNS 318(2) up to 3 years (IPC 417: 1 year), and the fine for voluntarily causing hurt under BNS 115(2) rose to Rs 10,000. Beyond that: (a) murder by a group of five or more on grounds such as race, caste or community now carries a specific punishment under BNS 103(2), (b) a first conviction for theft of property worth less than Rs 5,000 can be punished with community service under the proviso to BNS 303(2), 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) for offences punishable with seven years or more, BNSS 176(3) requires a forensic expert to visit the crime scene (from dates each State notifies). 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 access to a 1,233-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 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 decides IPC or BNS (Section 358 BNS, Art 20(1)); a proceeding pending on July 1, 2024 stays under the CrPC and IEA (Section 531 BNSS, Section 170 BSA)
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 304 = snatching; BNS 302 is not murder either There is no BNS 420 (the BNS ends at section 358) 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 with NyayaVeda AI
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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: September 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.