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The Bhartiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023 is the new criminal code that replaces the Indian Penal Code (IPC), 1860, as part of India’s effort to decolonize its legal system. The BNS introduces several new provisions and reorganizes existing ones, aiming for clarity, modernization, and alignment with constitutional principles.
🧾 Key Highlights of the BNS 2023 Structure & Sections:
The BNS has 358 Sections in total (compared to 511 in the IPC), and it’s organized more logically, with modern language and updated classifications.
✅ Important Sections of BNS 2023
| Section | Provision |
|---|---|
| Section 2 | Definitions (updated and clearer than IPC) |
| Section 69 | Offense of murder (equivalent to IPC Section 302) |
| Section 73 | Causing death by negligence |
| Section 113 | Rape (includes expanded definitions and clarity) |
| Section 137 | Gang rape provisions |
| Section 250 | Organized crime and terrorism offenses |
| Section 270 | Mob lynching – newly codified offense |
| Section 309 | Snatching – new specific offense |
| Section 316 | Terrorism (defined for the first time in a codified manner) |
| Section 356 | Sedition replaced with “Acts against the sovereignty of India” |
🆕 Major Changes Compared to IPC:
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Sedition replaced with a broader, constitutionally aligned section.
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Gender-neutral language in many sections (e.g., for sexual offenses).
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Mob lynching, hate crimes, snatching, and organized crime are specifically defined.
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Better focus on victim rights, forensic evidence, and investigation timelines.