Important Renumbering: IPC Sections to Corresponding BNS Sections - A Complete Reference Table

One of the most immediate and practical challenges of the transition from the Indian Penal Code, 1860, to the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, is the RENUMBERING of the sections. For over 160 years, Indian lawyers, judges, police, and citizens had come to know criminal offences by their IPC section numbers - 302 for murder, 420 for cheating, 376 for rape, 498A for matrimonial cruelty, 120B for criminal conspiracy. These numbers were so deeply embedded that some entered common vocabulary. The BNS renumbers all of them. Knowing the correspondence between the old IPC numbers and the new BNS numbers is essential for every practitioner and student - for reading old judgments (which use IPC numbers), for filing and understanding new cases (which use BNS numbers), and for the transition period in which both numbering systems are in use. This module provides a complete reference table of the important renumbering, organised by category (general principles, offences against the state, public tranquillity, offences against the person, sexual offences, property offences, document offences, and others), with the key IPC sections and their corresponding BNS sections.

1. Introduction

The renumbering challenge

The transition from the IPC to the BNS involves the RENUMBERING of all sections:

• For over 160 years, offences were known by their IPC section numbers.
• Some IPC numbers were so embedded that they entered common vocabulary (302, 420, 376).
• The BNS renumbers all of them.
• Knowing the correspondence is essential for practitioners and students.

Why the correspondence matters

The correspondence between IPC and BNS numbers matters because:

• OLD JUDGMENTS use IPC numbers - reading and citing them requires knowing the correspondence.
• NEW CASES use BNS numbers - filing and understanding them requires the new numbers.
• The TRANSITION PERIOD sees both numbering systems in use (old cases under IPC, new under BNS).
• BRIDGING IPC jurisprudence with the BNS requires knowing which BNS section corresponds to which IPC section.

How to use this reference

This reference table is organised by category:

• General principles, abetment/conspiracy/attempt, offences against the state and public tranquillity, homicide, hurt, kidnapping, sexual offences, offences against women, property offences, document offences, and others.
• For each key offence, the IPC section(s) and the corresponding BNS section(s) are given.
• (Note: some correspondences are approximate, as the BNS consolidates, splits, or reorganises some provisions. The BNS section is the closest corresponding provision.)

2. General Principles and Preliminary

3. Abetment, Conspiracy, and Attempt

Notable points:

• Criminal conspiracy: the famous Section 120B IPC becomes Section 61(2) BNS.
• Attempt: the residuary attempt provision (Section 511 IPC) becomes Section 62 BNS.
• Common intention: Section 34 IPC becomes Section 3(5) BNS.

4. Offences Against the State and Public Tranquillity

Notable points:

• Sedition (Section 124A IPC) is REPLACED by Section 152 BNS (endangering sovereignty, unity, integrity) - a change, not merely a renumbering.
• Unlawful assembly (141) and constructive liability (149) become Sections 189 and 190 BNS.

5. Offences Affecting the Human Body: Homicide

Notable points:

• MURDER: the famous Section 302 IPC becomes Section 103 BNS.
• Section 103(2) BNS is the NEW mob lynching provision.
• Death by negligence (304A) becomes 106 (with the enhanced hit-and-run provision and reduced punishment for registered medical practitioners).

6. Hurt, Grievous Hurt, and Related

Notable points:

• Acid attack (326A/326B IPC) becomes Section 124 BNS.
• Hurt to extort confession (330/331 IPC, relevant to custodial violence) becomes Section 120 BNS.

7. Kidnapping, Abduction, and Wrongful Restraint

8. Sexual Offences

Notable points:

• RAPE: Sections 375/376 IPC become Sections 63/64 BNS.
• Section 69 BNS (sexual intercourse by deceitful means) is a NEW offence.
• The sexual harassment provisions (354 series) become Sections 74-79 BNS.

9. Offences Against Women (Dowry, Cruelty)

Notable points:

• DOWRY DEATH: Section 304B IPC becomes Section 80 BNS.
• CRUELTY BY HUSBAND: the famous Section 498A IPC becomes Sections 85 and 86 BNS (85 for the offence, 86 for the definition of cruelty).

10. Property Offences

Notable points:

• THEFT: Section 378/379 IPC becomes Section 303 BNS.
• Section 304 BNS (snatching) is a NEW offence.
• CHEATING: the famous Section 420 IPC becomes Section 318(4) BNS.
• CRIMINAL BREACH OF TRUST: Section 406 IPC becomes Section 316 BNS.

11. Document Offences and Others

Notable points:

• FORGERY: Section 463 IPC becomes Section 336 BNS.
• CRIMINAL INTIMIDATION: Sections 503/506 IPC become Section 351 BNS.
• DEFAMATION: Sections 499/500 IPC become Section 356 BNS.

12. The Practical Use of the Renumbering

The practical use of the renumbering reference:

• READING OLD JUDGMENTS: old judgments use IPC numbers; the reference allows identification of the corresponding BNS section.
• FILING NEW CASES: new cases use BNS numbers; the reference allows identification of the corresponding IPC section (and its jurisprudence).
• BRIDGING JURISPRUDENCE: the reference allows the bridging of IPC jurisprudence with the BNS - finding the IPC case law relevant to a BNS provision.
• THE TRANSITION PERIOD: both numbering systems are in use; the reference is essential for navigating both.

The important caveats:

• SOME CORRESPONDENCES ARE APPROXIMATE - the BNS consolidates, splits, or reorganises some provisions, so the correspondence may not be exact (the BNS section is the closest corresponding provision).
• SOME PROVISIONS ARE CHANGED, NOT MERELY RENUMBERED - e.g., sedition (124A IPC) is REPLACED by Section 152 BNS (endangering sovereignty), a substantive change, not merely a renumbering.
• SOME PROVISIONS ARE NEW - e.g., snatching (304), mob lynching (103(2)), organised crime (111), terrorism (113), sexual intercourse by deceitful means (69) - with no IPC equivalent.
• SOME PROVISIONS ARE OMITTED - e.g., adultery (497 IPC), the Section 377 equivalent - not carried forward.

The key renumberings to remember:

• MURDER: 302 IPC to 103 BNS.
• CHEATING (S.420): 420 IPC to 318(4) BNS.
• RAPE: 376 IPC to 64 BNS.
• CRUELTY BY HUSBAND: 498A IPC to 85 BNS.
• CRIMINAL CONSPIRACY: 120B IPC to 61 BNS.
• THEFT: 379 IPC to 303 BNS.
• CRIMINAL BREACH OF TRUST: 406 IPC to 316 BNS.
• FORGERY: 463 IPC to 336 BNS.
• DEFAMATION: 500 IPC to 356 BNS.
• CRIMINAL INTIMIDATION: 506 IPC to 351 BNS.

The concluding note:

• This renumbering reference is a bridge between the vast body of IPC jurisprudence (accumulated over 160 years) and the new BNS framework.
• Mastering the key correspondences is essential for the study and practice of criminal law in the transition period and beyond.
• The famous IPC numbers (302, 420, 376) will persist in memory and in old judgments, but the new BNS numbers (103, 318(4), 64) are now the operative provisions for offences committed on or after 1 July 2024.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the BNS section for murder (formerly Section 302 IPC)?

Murder, which was Section 302 IPC (the famous section number that had entered common vocabulary), is now SECTION 103 BNS. The definition of murder (Section 300 IPC) is now Section 101 BNS, and the punishment for murder (Section 302 IPC) is now Section 103 BNS. Additionally, Section 103(2) BNS is a NEW provision for MOB LYNCHING (murder by a group of five or more on identity grounds), which had no IPC equivalent. Related homicide renumberings: culpable homicide (299 IPC to 100 BNS); culpable homicide not amounting to murder (304 IPC to 105 BNS); death by negligence (304A IPC to 106 BNS); attempt to murder (307 IPC to 109 BNS); abetment of suicide (306 IPC to 108 BNS). So the key change to remember: the iconic 'Section 302' for murder is now 'Section 103' under the BNS. This renumbering is one of the most important to learn, given the frequency of murder cases and the deep familiarity with the old number.

What is the BNS section for cheating and the famous Section 420?

Cheating, which was Sections 415-420 IPC, is now consolidated into SECTIONS 318-319 BNS. Specifically: the DEFINITION of cheating (Section 415 IPC) is now Section 318(1) BNS; the general PUNISHMENT for cheating (Section 417 IPC) is now Section 318(2) BNS; and the famous SECTION 420 IPC (cheating and dishonestly inducing delivery of property - 'char sau bees') is now SECTION 318(4) BNS. The famous '420' - so embedded in Indian culture that 'char sau bees' became slang for a cheat/fraudster - is now Section 318(4). Cheating by personation (Sections 416/419 IPC) is now Section 319 BNS. So the key change: the iconic 'Section 420' for cheating is now 'Section 318(4)' under the BNS. While the old '420' will persist colloquially and in old judgments, Section 318(4) is now the operative provision for cheating inducing delivery of property committed on or after 1 July 2024. This is another of the most important renumberings to learn, given the cultural prominence of '420' and the frequency of cheating cases.

What are the BNS sections for rape and Section 498A?

RAPE: the rape provisions (Sections 375/376 IPC) are now Sections 63/64 BNS - the DEFINITION of rape (Section 375 IPC) is now Section 63 BNS, and the PUNISHMENT for rape (Section 376 IPC) is now Section 64 BNS. Rape of a minor (376AB and related IPC provisions) is now Section 65 BNS; gang rape (Section 376D IPC) is now Section 70 BNS; rape causing death or PVS (Section 376A IPC) is now Section 66 BNS. Additionally, Section 69 BNS (sexual intercourse by deceitful means) is a NEW offence. SECTION 498A (cruelty by husband or relative): the famous Section 498A IPC is now SECTIONS 85 AND 86 BNS - Section 85 for the OFFENCE (cruelty by husband or relative, up to three years and fine), and Section 86 for the DEFINITION of cruelty (the two-limb definition: conduct likely to drive to suicide/grave injury, or harassment for unlawful dowry demands). So the key changes: rape (376 IPC) is now 64 BNS; cruelty by husband (498A IPC) is now 85 BNS (with 86 for the definition). These are important renumberings given the frequency and prominence of these offences, particularly in matrimonial litigation (498A/85) and sexual offence cases (376/64).

Which BNS numbers correspond to the key property offences?

The key property offence renumberings (IPC to BNS): THEFT - definition (378 IPC to 303 BNS), punishment (379 IPC to 303(2) BNS); SNATCHING - a NEW offence (Section 304 BNS, no IPC equivalent); EXTORTION (383 IPC to 308 BNS); ROBBERY (390 IPC to 309 BNS); DACOITY (391 IPC to 310 BNS), dacoity with murder (396 IPC to 310(3) BNS); CRIMINAL MISAPPROPRIATION (403 IPC to 314 BNS); CRIMINAL BREACH OF TRUST - definition (405 IPC to 316 BNS), punishment (406 IPC to 316(2) BNS); CHEATING - definition (415 IPC to 318(1) BNS), the Section 420 equivalent (420 IPC to 318(4) BNS); RECEIVING STOLEN PROPERTY (410/411 IPC to 317 BNS). Key numbers to remember: theft (379 to 303), robbery (392 to 309), dacoity (395 to 310), criminal breach of trust (406 to 316), cheating/Section 420 (420 to 318(4)). Note that snatching (Section 304 BNS) is a NEW offence with no IPC equivalent. The property offences are largely carried forward with renumbering and some consolidation (e.g., the cheating provisions of Sections 415-420 IPC consolidated into Sections 318-319 BNS). Mastering these correspondences is essential given the frequency of property offence cases and the need to bridge the IPC jurisprudence on theft, cheating, breach of trust, etc.

Is knowing the IPC-BNS correspondence really necessary?

Yes, it is ESSENTIAL for several reasons. (i) READING OLD JUDGMENTS: the vast body of IPC jurisprudence (over 160 years) uses IPC section numbers; to read, understand, and cite these judgments (which remain relevant for the substantively similar BNS provisions), you must know the corresponding BNS section. (ii) FILING AND UNDERSTANDING NEW CASES: new cases (for offences on or after 1 July 2024) use BNS numbers; to file and understand them, you need the new numbers. (iii) BRIDGING JURISPRUDENCE: much of the substantive law is carried forward, so the IPC case law remains relevant to the corresponding BNS provisions - finding the relevant IPC jurisprudence for a BNS provision requires knowing the correspondence. (iv) THE TRANSITION PERIOD: for years, BOTH numbering systems will be in use (old cases under IPC numbers, new cases under BNS numbers), so familiarity with both is necessary. (v) COMMUNICATION: lawyers, judges, and police accustomed to the IPC numbers will use them colloquially and in old contexts, while the BNS numbers are the operative provisions - navigating both is essential. Without knowing the correspondence, one cannot bridge the accumulated IPC jurisprudence with the new BNS framework, cannot properly read old judgments, and cannot navigate the transition period. The renumbering reference is a vital bridge between the old and new codes.

Are all IPC sections simply renumbered in the BNS, or are there other changes?

No - the transition involves MORE than just renumbering. There are FOUR categories of change: (i) RENUMBERING (most provisions) - the offence is substantively carried forward but renumbered (e.g., murder 302 to 103, theft 379 to 303); the IPC jurisprudence remains relevant. (ii) CONSOLIDATION - related IPC provisions are combined into a single BNS section with sub-sections (e.g., cheating 415-420 IPC into 318-319 BNS; criminal intimidation 503/506/507 IPC into 351 BNS). (iii) CHANGE (not merely renumbering) - some provisions are substantively changed (e.g., SEDITION, Section 124A IPC, is REPLACED by Section 152 BNS - endangering sovereignty - a different focus, not merely a renumbering). (iv) NEW OFFENCES - some BNS provisions have NO IPC equivalent (e.g., snatching 304, mob lynching 103(2), organised crime 111, terrorism 113, sexual intercourse by deceitful means 69). (v) OMISSIONS - some IPC offences are NOT retained (e.g., adultery 497, the Section 377 equivalent). So when tracing an IPC section to the BNS, one must determine whether it was RENUMBERED (substance retained), CONSOLIDATED (merged), CHANGED (substantively different), or OMITTED (not retained) - and whether the BNS section is a NEW offence. The renumbering reference must be used with awareness of these categories - a simple number-to-number mapping is insufficient where the provision was changed, omitted, or is new. This nuance is essential for correctly bridging the IPC and BNS.

Related Topics on The Legal Bridge

For a fuller picture, read these companion notes on adjacent doctrines and provisions:

• BNS vs IPC Complete Comparative Study: the comprehensive comparison of the two codes.
• New Offences Introduced by BNS: the offences with no IPC equivalent (snatching, mob lynching, organised crime, etc.).
• IPC Offences Omitted in BNS: the IPC offences not retained in the BNS (adultery, Section 377 equivalent, etc.).
• Changes in Punishments under IPC and BNS: the changes in the sentencing framework accompanying the renumbering.