BNS 2023
Definition
Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita 2023, Act 45 of 2023. India's substantive criminal code with effect from 1 July 2024. Contains 358 sections in 20 chapters.
- Total sections
- 358
- Number of chapters
- 20
- Effective date
- July 1, 2024
- Replaced
- Indian Penal Code 1860
Common questions
What is BNS 2023 and why does it matter?+
BNS 2023 (Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita 2023) is India's new substantive criminal code. It replaced the Indian Penal Code 1860 on July 1, 2024. Understanding it is essential for forensic professionals working in India because it defines offences and punishments that directly affect case investigation.
How is BNS 2023 structured?+
The code contains 358 sections organized into 20 chapters. Different chapters address different categories of offences, including sexual offences and cyber crimes. Each section defines specific offences and their corresponding punishments.
Does BNS 2023 define sexual offences differently than the old code?+
Yes. Section 63 of BNS 2023 defines rape, while Sections 64 to 71 set graded punishments and aggravated forms of sexual offences. This restructuring allows for more nuanced categorization of these serious crimes under the new code.
Related terms
- BNSS 2023
- Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita 2023, the statute that replaced the Code of Criminal Procedure. It introduced a mandatory forensic-scene-visit requirement for offences...
- BSA 2023
- Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam 2023: the Indian evidence statute that replaced the Indian Evidence Act 1872 on 1 July 2024; retains the section...
- BAU Sex-Crimes Model
- The Hazelwood and Burgess operational profiling model developed at the FBI Behavioural Analysis Unit, building on Groth and integrating victimology, scene behaviour...
- Culpable Homicide
- BNS Section 100. The genus offence; murder under Section 101 is the species when one of four enumerated conditions is met.
- Dual Charging
- The Indian cyber FIR practice of adding both an IT Act section and a BNS section for the same act, so each...
- Groth Typology
- A four-category classification of rapists by motive proposed by Nicholas Groth in 1979: power-reassurance, power-assertive, anger-retaliatory, and anger-excitation (sadistic).
- Inchoate Offences
- Offences punished even though the principal harm did not occur: abetment (Sec 45-50), criminal conspiracy (Sec 61), attempt (Sec 62).
- Modus Operandi (MO)
- The functional, learned behaviours the offender uses to commit the offence: how to gain entry, control the victim, complete the act, and...
- Organised Crime
- A structured group of three or more persons that operates continuously, with the aim of committing serious offences for material benefit, and...
- POCSO 2012
- The Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act 2012 (India); establishes criminal liability for child sexual abuse but does not mandate sex-offender...
- Primary vs Secondary Electronic Evidence
- Primary is the original electronic record in the originating computer system; secondary is any copy, output or printout. BSA Sections 60 and...
- Section 39 BSA
- Expert opinion provision; covers science, art, handwriting, finger impressions, footprints and electronic evidence. Successor to IEA Section 45.
Explained in these topics
- Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita 2023: A Forensic Student's MapBharatiya Nyaya Sanhita 2023, Act 45 of 2023. India's substantive criminal code with effect from 1 July 2024. Contains 358 sections in 20 chapters.
- BNS 2023 Cyber Provisions and BSA 2023 Electronic EvidenceBharatiya Nyaya Sanhita 2023, the substantive criminal code that replaced the IPC 1860 from 1 July 2024. 358 sections, 20 chapters.
- Sexual Offences: Profiling ApproachThe Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita 2023, replacing the IPC. Section 63 defines rape; Sections 64 to 71 set graded punishments and aggravated forms.