BNS, BNSS & BSA: India's New Criminal Laws Explained
On 1 July 2024, India replaced its three colonial-era criminal codes. Every advocate now works across two frameworks — old cases under the IPC/CrPC and new ones under the BNS/BNSS. This guide explains what changed and maps the most-used sections from old to new.
What replaced what
- Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023 replaced the Indian Penal Code (IPC), 1860 — the substantive offences.
- Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023 replaced the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC), 1973 — procedure.
- Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam (BSA), 2023 replaced the Indian Evidence Act, 1872 — evidence.
When they apply
The new codes apply to offences committed on or after 1 July 2024. FIRs and cases registered before that date continue under the IPC, CrPC, and Evidence Act. This is why drafting during the transition means getting the right code — and the right section — for the date of the offence.
IPC → BNS: common offence mapping
| Offence | Old (IPC) | New (BNS) |
|---|---|---|
| Murder | Section 302 | Section 103 |
| Culpable homicide not amounting to murder | Section 304 | Section 105 |
| Dowry death | Section 304B | Section 80 |
| Cheating & dishonestly inducing delivery | Section 420 | Section 318(4) |
| Theft | Section 379 | Section 303 |
| Criminal breach of trust | Section 406 | Section 316 |
| Cruelty by husband or relatives | Section 498A | Section 85 |
| Defamation | Sections 499/500 | Section 356 |
CrPC → BNSS: common procedure mapping
| Procedure | Old (CrPC) | New (BNSS) |
|---|---|---|
| FIR / information in cognizable cases | Section 154 | Section 173 |
| Police report / charge sheet | Section 173 | Section 193 |
| Anticipatory bail | Section 438 | Section 482 |
| Bail in non-bailable offences | Sections 437/439 | Sections 480/483 |
Draft under the new codes automatically
AdvoDraftAI keeps templates aligned to the BNS, BNSS, and BSA, so your petitions, bail applications, and complaints cite the correct new-code provisions without manual cross-referencing.
Try AdvoDraftAI free →Frequently asked questions
What are BNS, BNSS, and BSA?
India's three new criminal laws: BNS replaced the IPC, BNSS replaced the CrPC, and BSA replaced the Indian Evidence Act.
When did they come into force?
1 July 2024. Offences before that date stay under the IPC/CrPC/Evidence Act; offences on or after fall under the new codes.
Which section replaced IPC 302 (murder)?
Section 103 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).
Do old cases get re-registered under BNS?
No. Pre-1 July 2024 cases continue under the old codes; only new offences are registered under the new codes.