Last Updated: May 2026
On 1 July 2024, India’s 162-year-old Indian Penal Code (IPC), 1860 was replaced by the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023. For CLAT 2027 aspirants, this transition is one of the most heavily tested topics — both in Legal Reasoning passages and Current Affairs MCQs. This guide compares the IPC and BNS section-by-section across all the high-yield zones.
Quick Facts: IPC vs BNS for CLAT 2027
| Aspect | IPC (1860) | BNS (2023) |
|---|---|---|
| Sections | 511 | 358 |
| Chapters | 23 | 20 |
| Effective date | 1 January 1862 | 1 July 2024 |
| Drafted by | Lord Macaulay (1834-37) | Committee under Prof. Ranbir Singh |
| Replaces | — | IPC, 1860 |
| Companion codes | CrPC 1973, IEA 1872 | BNSS 2023, BSA 2023 |
Why the Change Was Needed
The IPC, drafted in 1860 to govern colonial subjects, retained dated terminology (“transportation for life”, “felony”), gendered offences, and absent provisions for cybercrime, organised crime, terrorism, and mob lynching. The BNS modernises the criminal code with:
- Gender-neutral offences (Sections 63-99)
- Community service as a punishment (Sec 4)
- Specific section on terrorism (Sec 113)
- Mob lynching as a distinct offence (Sec 103)
- Snatching and organised crime as standalone offences (Sec 304, 111)
Section-Wise Comparison: 12 High-Yield Zones
1. Murder
IPC §300, §302 → BNS §101, §103. Same elements, same punishment (death or life imprisonment + fine). BNS adds Section 103(2): mob-lynching murder = mandatory life imprisonment minimum.
2. Sedition vs Acts Endangering Sovereignty
IPC §124A (Sedition) → BNS §152. The colonial term “sedition” is dropped; new offence titled “acts endangering sovereignty, unity and integrity of India”. Punishment: life imprisonment or up to 7 years + fine.
3. Rape
IPC §375, 376 → BNS §63, §64-70. Age of consent unchanged at 18. Gang-rape minimum punishment increased; rape of woman under 12 = death or life imprisonment.
4. Cheating
IPC §415, §420 → BNS §316, §318. Substantially identical, with cyber-cheating now expressly covered.
5. Theft
IPC §378, §379 → BNS §303. Snatching gets a new dedicated section (§304) — punishment up to 3 years.
6. Criminal Conspiracy
IPC §120A, §120B → BNS §61. Definition unchanged; punishment scheme retained.
7. Defamation
IPC §499, §500 → BNS §356. Punishment: up to 2 years OR fine OR community service (new option).
8. Kidnapping & Abduction
IPC §359-363 → BNS §137-140. Trafficking-related kidnapping now carries enhanced punishment.
9. Adultery
IPC §497 — Decriminalised in Joseph Shine v. UoI (2018); not in BNS.
10. Section 377 (Unnatural Offences)
Read down in Navtej Singh Johar v. UoI (2018); BNS does not retain a parallel section. Sexual offences against men/transgenders covered under §63-71 indirectly.
11. Mob Lynching (NEW)
BNS §103(2) — death of any person by a group of 5+ acting “on grounds of race, caste, sex, language” is a distinct offence with mandatory life term.
12. Terrorism (NEW)
BNS §113 — borrows definition from UAPA 1967; punishment death or life imprisonment + fine of ₹10 lakh+.
Procedural Companion Comparison
| Old Law | Replaced By | Notable Change |
|---|---|---|
| CrPC 1973 | BNSS 2023 | Mandatory videography of search; trial in absentia for proclaimed offenders |
| IEA 1872 | BSA 2023 | Electronic records expressly admissible (Sec 61) |
| IPC 1860 | BNS 2023 | Community service punishment; mob lynching, organised crime, terrorism |
Constitutional Concerns Raised
Multiple PILs are pending before the Supreme Court challenging:
- Vagueness of “endangering sovereignty” under §152 (Article 14, 19)
- Police custody extended from 15 to 60-90 days under BNSS (Article 21 — D.K. Basu safeguards)
- Trial in absentia (Article 21 — fair trial)
How CLAT 2027 Will Test This
Expect 250-word principle passages on a specific BNS section followed by 4 application questions. Hot zones: §103(2) lynching, §113 terrorism, §152 sovereignty, §63 rape consent, §304 snatching.
FAQ — IPC vs BNS for CLAT 2027
Q1. From which date is the BNS in force?
Q2. Has sedition been abolished by the BNS?
Q3. Which BNS section deals with mob lynching?
Q4. Is community service a new form of punishment?
Q5. What is the BNS section for terrorism?
Practice MCQs
Quiz data missing.
Related Reading
- Doctrine of Severability
- Locus Standi & PIL
- CLAT Current Affairs May 2026
- CLAT 2027 Syllabus
- Free CLAT Mock Test
Bottom line: Treat IPC vs BNS as a “compare-and-contrast” topic. Memorise the 12 high-yield zones above and you’ll handle every CLAT 2027 BNS question.
