Preparing a comprehensive table comparing every section of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), 1860 (511 sections), and the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023 (358 sections), is impractical within this format due to its sheer volume and complexity. Such a table would span hundreds of entries, many of which involve repealed, merged, or reorganized provisions, making it unwieldy and difficult to digest. Instead, I’ll provide a structured overview with key highlights, covering the range from Section 1 to the last section of both acts, focusing on significant alignments, changes, and notable absences. For brevity, I’ll summarize by chapter or theme and include examples of corresponding sections where feasible.
If you need a specific section-by-section breakdown for a smaller range (e.g., Sections 1–50), please let me know, and I can refine the response accordingly.
Comparative Overview: IPC vs. BNS (Section 1 to Last Section)
1. Preliminary Sections
Aspect
IPC Sections
BNS Sections
Key Changes/Notes
Title and Extent
1–4
1
IPC defines title, extent, and operation in 4 sections; BNS consolidates into Section 1.
Definitions
6–52A
2
IPC spreads definitions across 47 sections; BNS consolidates into a single Section 2 with 44 clauses.
IPC: Sections 1–4 cover title, extent, and extraterritorial application; Sections 6–52A define terms like “act,” “injury,” “public servant,” etc.
BNS: Section 1 is succinct, covering title and applicability; Section 2 provides a unified list of definitions, modernizing terms (e.g., “document” includes electronic records explicitly).
2. Punishments
Aspect
IPC Sections
BNS Sections
Key Changes/Notes
Types of Punishment
53–75
4–13
BNS introduces community service (Section 4); retains death, imprisonment, fine, but reorganizes.
Commutation of Sentence
54–55A
6–7
Similar provisions; BNS simplifies commutation rules.
IPC: Sections 53–75 detail punishments (death, imprisonment, forfeiture, fine) and related rules (e.g., solitary confinement in Section 73).
BNS: Sections 4–13 streamline punishments, adding community service as a reformative option for minor offences (e.g., theft under Section 303(2)).
3. General Exceptions
Aspect
IPC Sections
BNS Sections
Key Changes/Notes
Exceptions (e.g., Insanity, Consent)
76–106
14–47
BNS retains most exceptions (e.g., mistake of fact, insanity) with updated language and structure.
IPC: Sections 76–106 cover acts not constituting offences (e.g., Section 84 for insanity, Section 96 for private defence).
BNS: Sections 14–47 reorganize these, aligning with modern legal phrasing (e.g., Section 22 for insanity mirrors IPC Section 84).
4. Abetment, Conspiracy, and Attempts
Aspect
IPC Sections
BNS Sections
Key Changes/Notes
Abetment
107–120
48–60
BNS expands abetment to include acts outside India (Section 48); penalties unchanged.
Criminal Conspiracy
120A–120B
61
BNS consolidates into Section 61; punishment up to life imprisonment retained.
Attempt to Commit Offences
511
62
General attempt provision retained; specific attempts (e.g., murder) moved to respective sections.
IPC: Sections 107–120B and 511 cover abetment, conspiracy, and attempts broadly.
BNS: Sections 48–62 streamline these, with specific attempts integrated into offence sections (e.g., attempt to murder in Section 109).
5. Offences Against the State
Aspect
IPC Sections
BNS Sections
Key Changes/Notes
Waging War
121–130
147–151
BNS retains core provisions; punishment (death or life) unchanged.
Sedition
124A
152
Replaced with “Acts endangering sovereignty, unity, and integrity”; broader scope, no “sedition” label.
IPC: Chapter VI (Sections 121–130) focuses on offences like waging war and sedition.
BNS: Chapter VII (Sections 147–156) modernizes these, adding terrorism (Section 113) as a new offence.
6. Offences Against Public Tranquility
Aspect
IPC Sections
BNS Sections
Key Changes/Notes
Unlawful Assembly
141–160
189–205
BNS reorganizes provisions; punishment structure largely retained (e.g., rioting: up to 2 years).
IPC: Sections 141–160 cover riots, affray, etc.
BNS: Sections 189–205 align these under “Offences Against Public Tranquility,” with minor updates.
7. Offences Against the Human Body
Aspect
IPC Sections
BNS Sections
Key Changes/Notes
Murder
300–302
101–103
BNS retains core definitions; punishment unchanged (death or life imprisonment).
Reorganized with similar punishments; BNS uses modern terminology.
IPC: Chapter XVI (Sections 299–377) is extensive, covering murder, rape, hurt, etc.
BNS: Chapter VI (Sections 99–146) consolidates these, with new provisions like mob lynching (Section 103(2)).
8. Offences Against Property
Aspect
IPC Sections
BNS Sections
Key Changes/Notes
Theft
378–382
303
BNS adds community service for petty theft; core punishment retained.
Robbery/Dacoity
390–402
308–312
Reorganized; punishment unchanged (e.g., robbery: up to 7 years).
Cheating
415–420
316–318
Retained with minor rewording; punishment up to 7 years.
IPC: Chapter XVII (Sections 378–462) covers theft, extortion, cheating, etc.
BNS: Chapter XVII (Sections 301–334) streamlines these, adding clarity to definitions.
9. Offences Against Women and Children
Aspect
IPC Sections
BNS Sections
Key Changes/Notes
Cruelty by Husband
498A
85
Retained with minor updates; punishment unchanged (up to 3 years).
Dowry Death
304B
80
Similar provisions; punishment (7 years to life) retained.
IPC: Scattered across sections (e.g., 304B, 498A).
BNS: Chapter V (Sections 63–98) consolidates offences against women and children, enhancing penalties.
10. Miscellaneous Offences
Aspect
IPC Sections
BNS Sections
Key Changes/Notes
Defamation
499–502
356
BNS adds community service; punishment up to 2 years retained.
Public Servant Offences
161–171
197–205
BNS updates and enhances penalties; aligns with anti-corruption laws.
Last Section
511 (Attempt)
358 (Repeal)
IPC ends with attempt; BNS concludes with repeal and savings clause.
IPC: Covers a wide range up to Section 511.
BNS: Ends at Section 358, focusing on repeal of IPC and transitional provisions.
Key Observations:
Reorganization: BNS reduces the total number of sections (358 vs. 511) by consolidating provisions and removing outdated ones (e.g., IPC Section 377’s unnatural offences partially repealed).
New Additions: BNS introduces terrorism (Section 113), organized crime (Section 111), and petty offence punishments like community service (Section 4).
Deletions: Some IPC sections (e.g., adultery under Section 497) are omitted in BNS following judicial rulings.
Modernization: BNS updates language, enhances gender-based offence penalties, and aligns with digital and global crime trends.
This overview captures the essence of both acts from Section 1 to their respective last sections. For a detailed section-by-section table, I’d need to focus on a specific range due to space constraints. Would you like me to expand on a particular chapter or section range (e.g., Sections 1–100)? Let me know!
