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The Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 
 (ACT NO. 45 OF 2023) 

[As on the 6th October, 2025] 

  



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LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS USED 

G.S.R.              . . . .            .            for           General Statutory Rules.  

S.O.                 . . . . .            ,,              Statutory Order. 

Notifn.  . . . . .  ,,    Notification. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



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THE BHARATIYA NYAYA SANHITA, 2023 

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ARRANGEMENT OF SECTIONS 

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CHAPTER I 

PRELIMINARY 

SECTIONS 

1. Short title, commencement and application. 

2. Definitions. 

3. General explanations. 

CHAPTER II 

OF PUNISHMENTS 

4. Punishments. 

5. Commutation of sentence. 

6. Fractions of terms of punishment. 

7. Sentence may be (in certain cases of imprisonment) wholly or partly rigorous or simple. 

8. Amount of fine, liability in default of payment of fine, etc. 

9. Limit of punishment of offence made up of several offences. 

10. Punishment of person guilty of one of several offences, judgment stating that it is doubtful of 

which. 

11. Solitary confinement. 

12. Limit of solitary confinement. 

13. Enhanced punishment for certain offences after previous conviction. 

CHAPTER III 

GENERAL EXCEPTIONS 

14. Act done by a person bound, or by mistake of fact believing himself bound, by law. 

15. Act of Judge when acting judicially. 

16. Act done pursuant to judgment or order of Court. 

17. Act done by a person justified, or by mistake of fact believing himself justified, by law. 

18. Accident in doing a lawful act. 

19. Act likely to cause harm, but done without criminal intent, and to prevent other harm. 

20. Act of a child under seven years of age.  

21. Act of a child above seven and under twelve years of age of immature understanding. 

22. Act of a person of unsound mind.  

23. Act of a person incapable of judgment by reason of intoxication caused against his will. 

24. Offence requiring a particular intent or knowledge committed by one who is intoxicated. 

 



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SECTIONS 

25. Act not intended and not known to be likely to cause death or grievous hurt, done by consent. 

26. Act not intended to cause death, done by consent in good faith for person's benefit. 

27. Act done in good faith for benefit of child or person of unsound mind, by, or by consent of 

guardian. 

28. Consent known to be given under fear or misconception. 

29. Exclusion of acts which are offences independently of harm caused. 

30. Act done in good faith for benefit of a person without consent. 

31. Communication made in good faith. 

32. Act to which a person is compelled by threats. 

33. Act causing slight harm. 

Of right of private defence 

34. Things done in private defence. 

35. Right of private defence of body and of property. 

36. Right of private defence against act of a person of unsound mind, etc. 

37. Acts against which there is no right of private defence. 

38. When right of private defence of body extends to causing death. 

39. When such right extends to causing any harm other than death. 

40. Commencement and continuance of right of private defence of body. 

41. When right of private defence of property extends to causing death. 

42. When such right extends to causing any harm other than death. 

43. Commencement and continuance of right of private defence of property.  

44. Right of private defence against deadly assault when there is risk of harm to innocent person. 

CHAPTER IV 

OF ABETMENT, CRIMINAL CONSPIRACY AND ATTEMPT 

of abetment 

45.  Abetment of a thing. 

46. Abettor. 

47. Abetment in India of offences outside India. 

48. Abetment outside India for offence in India. 

49. Punishment of abetment if act abetted is committed in consequence and where no express 

provision is made for its punishment. 

50. Punishment of abetment if person abetted does act with different intention from that of 

abettor. 

51. Liability of abettor when one act abetted and different act done. 

52. Abettor when liable to cumulative punishment for act abetted and for act done. 

53. Liability of abettor for an effect caused by act abetted different from that intended by abettor. 

54. Abettor present when offence is committed. 



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SECTIONS 

55. Abetment of offence punishable with death or imprisonment for life. 

56. Abetment of offence punishable with imprisonment. 

57. Abetting commission of offence by public or by more than ten persons. 

58. Concealing design to commit offence punishable with death or imprisonment for life. 

59. Public servant concealing design to commit offence which it is his duty to prevent. 

60. Concealing design to commit offence punishable with imprisonment. 

Of criminal conspiracy 

61. Criminal conspiracy. 

Of attempt 

62. Punishment for attempting to commit offences punishable with imprisonment for life or other 

imprisonment. 

 

CHAPTER V 

OF OFFENCES AGAINST WOMAN AND CHILD 

Of sexual offences 

63. Rape. 

64. Punishment for rape. 

65. Punishment for rape in certain cases. 

66. Punishment for causing death or resulting in persistent vegetative state of victim. 

67. Sexual intercourse by husband upon his wife during separation. 

68. Sexual intercourse by a person in authority.  

69. Sexual intercourse by employing deceitful means, etc. 

70. Gang rape. 

71. Punishment for repeat offenders. 

72. Disclosure of identity of victim of certain offences, etc. 

73. Printing or publishing any matter relating to Court proceedings without permission. 

Of criminal force and assault against woman 

74. Assault or use of criminal force to woman with intent to outrage her modesty. 

75. Sexual harassment. 

76. Assault or use of criminal force to woman with intent to disrobe. 

77. Voyeurism. 

78. Stalking. 

79. Word, gesture or act intended to insult modesty of a woman. 

Of offences relating to marriage 

80. Dowry death. 