For over 160 years, the Indian Penal Code, 1860 (IPC) served as the backbone of criminal law in India. On 1 July 2024, it was replaced by the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 (BNS). Since then, one question comes up again and again from students, lawyers, and ordinary citizens alike — what changed, and where did my old IPC section go? This IPC vs BNS guide answers both, with a clear section-wise mapping table and a simple breakdown of the key changes.

IPC vs BNS: What Actually Changed?

The IPC had 511 sections. The BNS trims and reorganises the law into 358 sections. Most offences remain the same in substance — murder is still murder, theft is still theft — but the section numbers have changed, some provisions were merged, a few were dropped, and several new offences were added.

Three shifts stand out in the IPC vs BNS comparison:

• New offences added — the BNS introduces specific provisions for organised crime, terrorism, and mob lynching, which the IPC never covered directly.
• Sedition reframed — the old sedition offence (Section 124A IPC) is gone. In its place, Section 152 BNS punishes acts that endanger the sovereignty, unity, and integrity of India.
• Community service introduced — for the first time, community service is recognised as a form of punishment for certain minor offences.

IPC vs BNS Section Mapping Table

The table below maps the most searched and most important IPC sections to their new BNS equivalents. Keep it handy as a quick reference.

Offence	Old Law (IPC 1860)	New Law (BNS 2023)
Common intention	Section 34	Section 3(5)
Criminal conspiracy	Section 120A / 120B	Section 61
Acts endangering sovereignty (old sedition)	Section 124A	Section 152
Promoting enmity between groups	Section 153A	Section 196
Culpable homicide	Section 299	Section 100
Murder (definition)	Section 300	Section 101
Punishment for murder	Section 302	Section 103
Culpable homicide not amounting to murder	Section 304	Section 105
Death by negligence	Section 304A	Section 106
Dowry death	Section 304B	Section 80
Abetment of suicide	Section 306	Section 108
Attempt to murder	Section 307	Section 109
Voluntarily causing hurt	Section 323	Section 115
Grievous hurt by dangerous weapons	Section 326	Section 118
Assault on a woman (outraging modesty)	Section 354	Section 74
Kidnapping	Section 363	Section 137
Rape (definition)	Section 375	Section 63
Punishment for rape	Section 376	Section 64
Cruelty by husband or relatives	Section 498A	Section 85
Theft	Section 379	Section 303
Robbery	Section 392	Section 309
Dacoity	Section 395	Section 310
Criminal breach of trust	Section 406	Section 316
Cheating	Section 420	Section 318
Mischief	Section 425	Section 324
Criminal trespass	Section 441	Section 329
Defamation	Section 500	Section 356
Criminal intimidation	Section 506	Section 351

Note: The BNS reorganises the entire code, so a single IPC section may map to more than one BNS sub-section. Always read the full provision for exact wording.

Key Differences Between IPC and BNS

1. Structure and Numbering

The IPC was arranged in a specific order built up over decades of amendments. The BNS regroups offences more logically — for example, crimes against women and children are brought together earlier in the code. This is why familiar numbers like 302 and 420 now sit at 103 and 318.

2. Crimes Against Women and Children

The BNS gives these offences priority placement and adds tougher provisions in several areas. Gang rape of a minor and certain sexual offences carry stricter punishment, and the section on cruelty by a husband or his relatives continues under Section 85 BNS.

3. New-Age and Organised Crime

The IPC had no dedicated section for organised crime or terrorism; these were handled through special laws. The BNS brings them into the main criminal code through Sections 111 and 113, and it also creates a specific provision punishing mob lynching.

4. Sedition Replaced

Perhaps the most debated change in the IPC vs BNS shift is the removal of the word “sedition.” Section 124A IPC is gone. Section 152 BNS instead targets acts that threaten the sovereignty, unity, and integrity of the nation, with the language redrawn to focus on genuine threats to the State.

5. Community Service as Punishment

The BNS formally recognises community service as a punishment for minor offences such as petty theft or public misconduct. This is a first for Indian criminal law and reflects a move toward reformative justice.

Does the IPC Still Apply in 2026?

Yes, but only to old cases. Any offence committed before 1 July 2024 is still tried under the IPC, because criminal law is not applied retrospectively. Every offence committed on or after 1 July 2024 falls under the BNS. This is why courts, police, and lawyers currently work with both codes side by side, and why understanding the IPC vs BNS mapping remains essential for years to come.

Why This Comparison Matters

For a law student, the mapping is exam-critical. For a practising advocate, quoting the correct BNS section is now a daily requirement. For an ordinary citizen, knowing that “Section 420” is now “Section 318” helps in reading an FIR or understanding a case. The IPC vs BNS transition is not just a change of numbers — it is a modernisation of India’s criminal justice framework, and staying updated is the safest way to protect your rights.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. When did the BNS replace the IPC? The Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 came into force on 1 July 2024, replacing the Indian Penal Code, 1860.

2. How many sections does the BNS have compared to the IPC? The IPC had 511 sections; the BNS has 358 sections.

3. What is Section 302 IPC in BNS? The punishment for murder, earlier under Section 302 IPC, is now under Section 103 BNS.

4. What is Section 420 IPC in BNS? Cheating, earlier under Section 420 IPC, is now covered by Section 318 BNS.

5. Is sedition still an offence under the BNS? The word “sedition” has been removed. Section 152 BNS now punishes acts endangering the sovereignty, unity, and integrity of India.

6. Does the IPC still apply after 1 July 2024? Yes, but only to offences committed before that date. New offences are tried under the BNS.

7. What new offences did the BNS add? The BNS added specific provisions for organised crime, terrorism, and mob lynching, and introduced community service as a punishment.

Conclusion

The move from IPC to BNS marks the biggest overhaul of Indian criminal law in more than a century. Most offences carry forward in substance, but the numbering, structure, and a few key rules have changed. Bookmark this IPC vs BNS comparison and mapping table so you can always find the new section behind any old one.