BNS Sections: The 50 Most Important Provisions Every Indian Lawyer Should Know

The fifty BNS sections a criminal practice actually opens are not 1 to 50. They are 103 for murder, 318 for cheating, 303 for theft, 64 for rape, 85 for cruelty, 61 for conspiracy, 351 for criminal intimidation, and new offences with no IPC number, such as 69, 95, 111, 112, 113 and 304. This page lists all fifty in one numbered table, grouped by practice area, with the answer to the three questions you ask first about any charge: is it cognizable, is it bailable, and which court tries it. Every entry links to the statutory text on IndiaCode by eCourtsIndia, where the predecessor IPC section and the reported judgments sit on the same page.

Need the old number for a section not listed here? Use our full IPC to BNS section mapping.

Last updated: 28 September 2026

Key takeaways

The BNS has 358 sections, in force since 1 July 2024. Permanent URL: indiacode.ecourtsindia.com/bns/section/{number}/. Murder is 103, not 302.
All 50 rows below carry the BNSS First Schedule classification: cognizable or not, bailable or not, and the court that tries the offence. Checked against the schedule on 23 September 2026.
New offences with no IPC equivalent include 69, 95, 111, 112, 113 and 304. Mob lynching (103(2)) and hit-and-run (106(2)) are also new. BNS 152 took the place of sedition but is worded differently.
BNS 143 (trafficking) is not new. It carries over IPC 370 as substituted in 2013.
Old numbers: IPC to BNS mapping and the full table. Procedure: CrPC to BNSS mapping.

How to read the table

The classification columns come from the First Schedule to the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, which is the only place the law says whether an offence is cognizable, whether it is bailable and which court tries it. The BNS itself does not say. That matters because the BNS renumbered the IPC wholesale, so a classification remembered from the IPC days can end up attached to the wrong section.

Three rules for using the columns:

Sub-sections are classified separately. Where a section has several rows, the table shows the main offence and the practice note flags the variants that change bail or forum. Cheating is the best example: 318(2) is non-cognizable and bailable, but 318(4), the old 420, is cognizable and non-bailable.
“Follows the object offence” means the classification depends on the offence the accused conspired to commit or tried to screen. Conspiracy under BNS 61 is the common case.
The IPC column is a research aid. Linked numbers open the IndiaCode comparison page, which says how close the wording is. Lettered IPC sections such as 354A and 376D are listed from the section headings.

Each BNS number opens the section page on IndiaCode by eCourtsIndia. The same classification is available as data through the eCourtsIndia API (for example GET /api/partner/acts/2023/45/sections/318) and through the lookup_offence tool on the eCourtsIndia MCP server, both charged per section like the rest of the API.

Cognizable means police can register an FIR, investigate and arrest without a warrant. Bailable means the accused can claim bail as a right. Triable by names the court that holds the trial.

The rows are taken from the First Schedule to the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, as transcribed by IndiaCode by eCourtsIndia (see IndiaCode by eCourtsIndia vs the official India Code). IndiaCode by eCourtsIndia is an independent structured republication; the Gazette and competent issuing authority remain authoritative. Check the Gazette copy before relying on a row in a filing.

Offences against the body

#	BNS	Offence	IPC	Cognizable	Bailable	Triable by	Practice note
1	103(1)	Murder	302	Cognizable	Non-bailable	Court of Session	103(2) covers murder by a group of five or more on grounds such as race, caste or community, sex, place of birth, language or personal belief. Search both `302 IPC` and `103 BNS`.
2	105	Culpable homicide not amounting to murder	304	Cognizable	Non-bailable	Court of Session	Two limbs, as under IPC 304: intention to cause death, or knowledge only.
3	106(1)	Causing death by negligence	304A	Cognizable	Bailable	Magistrate of the first class	106(2), a driver who causes death and escapes without reporting, was kept out of force when the BNS commenced (S.O. 850(E), 23 February 2024). Check whether it has since been notified before relying on it. The BNSS schedule lists it as non-bailable.
4	108	Abetment of suicide	306	Cognizable	Non-bailable	Court of Session	Usually charged with cruelty under BNS 85 in matrimonial deaths.
5	109(1)	Attempt to murder	307	Cognizable	Non-bailable	Court of Session	Sessions-triable; bail goes to the Sessions Court or High Court under BNSS 483. See our BNSS bail and procedure sections.
6	115(2)	Voluntarily causing hurt	323	Non-cognizable	Bailable	Any Magistrate	Non-cognizable: police need a Magistrate’s order to investigate.
7	117(2)	Voluntarily causing grievous hurt	325	Cognizable	Bailable	Any Magistrate	117(3) and 117(4), permanent disability or a group of five, are non-bailable and Sessions-triable.
8	118(1)	Voluntarily causing hurt by dangerous weapons or means	324	Cognizable	Non-bailable	Any Magistrate	118(2), grievous hurt by dangerous weapons or means (old IPC 326), is non-bailable and triable by a Magistrate of the first class.
9	281	Rash driving on a public way	279	Cognizable	Bailable	Any Magistrate	Often paired with BNS 106 in road accident cases.

Offences against the body: classification from the BNSS First Schedule on IndiaCode by eCourtsIndia, checked 23 September 2026. Where a section has several rows, the main offence row is shown.

Women and children

#	BNS	Offence	IPC	Cognizable	Bailable	Triable by	Practice note
10	64(1)	Rape	376	Cognizable	Non-bailable	Court of Session	Investigation must finish within two months under BNSS 193(2).
11	69	Sexual intercourse by deceitful means	New	Cognizable	Non-bailable	Court of Session	No IPC equivalent. Covers false promise of marriage and deceit about identity or employment.
12	70(1)	Gang rape	376D	Cognizable	Non-bailable	Court of Session	70(2), gang rape of a woman under eighteen, carries imprisonment for the remainder of natural life and fine, or death.
13	74	Assault to outrage modesty	354	Cognizable	Non-bailable	Any Magistrate	Non-bailable and cognizable, as under IPC 354.
14	75(2)	Sexual harassment	354A	Cognizable	Non-bailable	Court of Session	As transcribed from the BNSS First Schedule. The official print is misaligned around sections 74 to 81 and IPC 354A was bailable and magistrate-triable, so verify against the Gazette and local practice before relying on it.
15	76	Assault with intent to disrobe	354B	Cognizable	Non-bailable	Court of Session	Minimum three years. Forum as printed in the BNSS First Schedule (verify against the Gazette).
16	77	Voyeurism	354C	Cognizable	Bailable	Court of Session	Bailable on first conviction, non-bailable on a second. Forum as printed in the BNSS First Schedule (verify against the Gazette).
17	78(2)	Stalking	354D	Cognizable	Bailable	Any Magistrate	Bailable on first conviction, non-bailable on a second.
18	79	Word or gesture to insult modesty	509	Cognizable	Bailable	Any Magistrate	Cognizable but bailable.
19	80(2)	Dowry death	304B	Cognizable	Non-bailable	Court of Session	Death within seven years of marriage; read with the presumption in section 118 of the Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam (old Evidence Act 113B).
20	85	Cruelty by husband or relatives	498A	Cognizable on a complaint by the aggrieved woman or a relative (see note)	Non-bailable	Magistrate of the first class	Cognizable only when the aggrieved woman, a relative, or a notified public servant gives the information. Definition in BNS 86. See our Supreme Court judgments on divorce, alimony and 498A.
21	87	Kidnapping a woman to compel marriage	366	Cognizable	Non-bailable	Court of Session	Sessions-triable.
22	95	Hiring a child to commit an offence	New	Cognizable	Non-bailable	Magistrate of the first class	Where the offence is committed, punishment follows the offence itself.

Women and children: classification from the BNSS First Schedule on IndiaCode by eCourtsIndia, checked 23 September 2026. Where a section has several rows, the main offence row is shown.

Liberty, kidnapping and trafficking

#	BNS	Offence	IPC	Cognizable	Bailable	Triable by	Practice note
23	127(2)	Wrongful confinement	342	Cognizable	Bailable	Any Magistrate	Confinement for ten days or more, 127(4), becomes non-bailable.
24	137(2)	Kidnapping	363	Cognizable	Bailable	Magistrate of the first class	Bailable, triable by a first class Magistrate.
25	143(2)	Trafficking of person	370 (as substituted in 2013)	Cognizable	Non-bailable	Court of Session	Not a new offence: the text carries over from IPC 370 as amended in 2013. Every limb is non-bailable and Sessions-triable.

Liberty, kidnapping and trafficking: classification from the BNSS First Schedule on IndiaCode by eCourtsIndia, checked 23 September 2026. Where a section has several rows, the main offence row is shown.

Property and fraud

#	BNS	Offence	IPC	Cognizable	Bailable	Triable by	Practice note
26	303(2)	Theft	379	Cognizable	Non-bailable	Any Magistrate	Where the stolen property is worth less than ₹5,000 and the accused is convicted for the first time, returning the property or its value leads to community service. The schedule lists this as non-cognizable and bailable.
27	304(2)	Snatching	New	Cognizable	Non-bailable	Any Magistrate	Separated from theft; non-bailable.
28	308(2)	Extortion	384	Cognizable	Non-bailable	Magistrate of the first class	Punishment rises with the kind of threat used, 308(3) to 308(7).
29	309(4)	Robbery	392	Cognizable	Non-bailable	Magistrate of the first class	Robbery on a highway between sunset and sunrise carries up to 14 years.
30	310(2)	Dacoity	395	Cognizable	Non-bailable	Court of Session	Murder in dacoity, 310(3), can attract death.
31	316(2)	Criminal breach of trust	406	Cognizable	Non-bailable	Magistrate of the first class	Breach by a public servant, banker or agent, 316(5), can attract life.
32	317(2)	Receiving stolen property	411	Cognizable	Non-bailable	Any Magistrate	Habitual dealing, 317(4), is Sessions-triable.
33	318(4)	Cheating and dishonestly inducing delivery of property	420	Cognizable	Non-bailable	Magistrate of the first class	Row shown is 318(4), the old 420. Simple cheating, 318(2), is non-cognizable and bailable. There is no BNS 420.
34	319(2)	Cheating by personation	419	Cognizable	Bailable	Any Magistrate	Cognizable but bailable.
35	324(2)	Mischief	426	Non-cognizable	Bailable	Any Magistrate	Loss of ₹20,000 to under ₹1 lakh is 324(4), the old 427. Loss of ₹1 lakh or more, 324(5), becomes cognizable.
36	329(3)	Criminal trespass	447	Cognizable	Bailable	Any Magistrate	House-trespass is 329(4), the old 448.
37	336(2)	Forgery	465	Non-cognizable	Bailable	Magistrate of the first class	Forgery for cheating, 336(3), the old 468, is cognizable and non-bailable.
38	340(2)	Using a forged document as genuine	471	Cognizable	Bailable	Magistrate of the first class	Punished as forgery of that document.

Property and fraud: classification from the BNSS First Schedule on IndiaCode by eCourtsIndia, checked 23 September 2026. Where a section has several rows, the main offence row is shown.

State, public order and justice

#	BNS	Offence	IPC	Cognizable	Bailable	Triable by	Practice note
39	61(2)	Criminal conspiracy	120B	Follows the object offence	Follows the object offence	Court that tries the object offence	For serious offences the classification follows the offence that was the object; any other conspiracy is non-cognizable and bailable.
40	111(2)	Organised crime	New	Cognizable	Non-bailable	Court of Session	Minimum five years; death or life where a death results.
41	112	Petty organised crime	New	Cognizable	Non-bailable	Magistrate of the first class	Gang theft, snatching, cheating, ticket touting, betting and paper leaks.
42	113(2)	Terrorist act	New	Cognizable	Non-bailable	Court of Session	An officer not below the rank of SP decides whether to register under this section or the UAPA.
43	152	Act endangering sovereignty, unity and integrity	No close match to 124A	Cognizable	Non-bailable	Court of Session	BNS 152 is not a renumbered 124A. It is a new, differently worded offence that took the place of sedition, which the BNS drops.
44	191(2)	Rioting	147	Cognizable	Bailable	Any Magistrate	Rioting with a deadly weapon, 191(3), is the old 148.
45	196(1)	Promoting enmity between groups	153A	Cognizable	Non-bailable	Magistrate of the first class	196(2), in a place of worship, carries five years.
46	223(a)	Disobeying an order of a public servant	188	Cognizable	Bailable	Any Magistrate	Used for prohibitory orders now issued under BNSS 163.
47	238(a)	Causing disappearance of evidence	201	Follows the object offence	Bailable	Court of Session	Row shown is for screening a capital offence; where the offence screened is less grave, it is non-cognizable and bailable.
48	299	Outraging religious feelings	295A	Cognizable	Non-bailable	Magistrate of the first class	Cognizable and non-bailable.
49	351(2)	Criminal intimidation	506	Non-cognizable	Bailable	Any Magistrate	Non-cognizable and bailable, even for threats to kill under 351(3), which the CrPC schedule had made non-bailable under IPC 506.
50	356(2)	Defamation	499 / 500	Non-cognizable	Bailable	Magistrate of the first class	Non-cognizable and bailable; community service is now a possible punishment.

State, public order and justice: classification from the BNSS First Schedule on IndiaCode by eCourtsIndia, checked 23 September 2026. Where a section has several rows, the main offence row is shown.

IPC or BNS: which code applies to a case?

The date of the offence decides. Offences committed before 1 July 2024 are charged and tried under the IPC, because BNS section 358 saves liabilities under the repealed Code. Investigations, inquiries and trials pending on that date continue under the CrPC (BNSS section 531(2)(a)). Offences committed on or after 1 July 2024 are charged under the BNS.

Hon’ble High Courts have differed on which procedure applies to new applications in older cases, so check the latest ruling of your High Court.

Two general provisions you will cite with almost every charge

Neither of these is an offence on its own, so neither has a classification row, but they sit next to half the charges above.

Common intention is now BNS 3(5), the old IPC 34. It lives inside the general explanations. BNS 34 is a different provision altogether, on private defence, so “34 BNS” in a charge is usually a carry-over from IPC 34.
Common object of an unlawful assembly is BNS 190, the old IPC 149. Its classification follows the offence committed.

There is no BNS 420. Cheque bounce is still NI Act 138, and our analysis of the Section 138 litigation load shows the scale of that docket. For matrimonial files, the numbers behind cruelty prosecutions are in 498A by the numbers, which applies equally to BNS 85.

How to find case law on any of these sections

The date of the offence decides the code. Offences committed before 1 July 2024 are still tried under the IPC, even in orders passed today (BNS s.358). Offences committed on or after that date are charged under the BNS. A search for one number will not find the other, so search both.

On eCourtsIndia search, run the old and new numbers as two separate searches, for example Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita 318 and then Indian Penal Code 420. The OR operator does not combine searches at present, so one query will not return both sets. Each search covers the Supreme Court, all 25 High Courts, and district and taluka courts in every state and union territory on the eCourts network. Registers usually write the Act name in full, so a short phrase like “318 BNS” misses most matches. Add a court or a year to narrow it. Our guide to search operators on eCourtsIndia covers the syntax. eCourtsIndia is an independent, non-government platform, not the Government’s eCourts portal (ecourts.gov.in).

For the start of a criminal file, the FIR itself is often the first document you need. eCourtsIndia Crime Reports holds 20 lakh+ FIR PDFs from about a dozen states and UTs. These are collected records, not every FIR registered by police. Our guide to checking FIR status online covers the other routes. Once the case is registered in court, a WhatsApp or email alert tells you when it is next listed.

For research at scale, the section pages on IndiaCode list the reported judgments that applied each provision, and the IndiaCode launch article explains how that list is built. To keep a copy of an order you find, see how to download court orders and judgments.

Full Sanhita: indiacode.ecourtsindia.com/bns/.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the BNS section for murder, cheating and theft?

Murder is punished under Section 103 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (it was IPC 302), cheating that induces delivery of property is Section 318(4) (the old IPC 420), and theft is Section 303 (the old IPC 379). Murder is cognizable, non-bailable and triable by the Court of Session. There is no BNS 420, and BNS 302 is a different offence altogether.

How many sections are there in the BNS?

The Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 has 358 sections in 20 chapters. It came into force on 1 July 2024 under notification S.O. 850(E), except Section 106(2) on hit-and-run, and replaced the Indian Penal Code for offences committed from that date. Offences committed before 1 July 2024 are still tried under the IPC because Section 358 saves liabilities under the repealed Code.

How do I know if a BNS offence is bailable or cognizable?

Look at the First Schedule to the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, not the BNS itself. It lists each offence with whether it is cognizable, whether it is bailable and which court tries it. Check the exact sub-section: simple cheating under BNS 318(2) is non-cognizable and bailable, while 318(4) is cognizable and non-bailable. Use the Gazette copy for anything you file.

Which BNS sections are completely new offences?

Offences with no IPC equivalent include BNS 69 (sexual intercourse by deceitful means, such as a false promise of marriage), 95 (hiring a child to commit an offence), 111 (organised crime), 112 (petty organised crime), 113 (terrorist act) and 304 (snatching). Mob lynching under 103(2) and hit-and-run under 106(2) are also new. BNS 152 replaced sedition with differently worded text.

What is the BNS section for 498A cruelty?

Cruelty by a husband or his relatives is Section 85 of the BNS, with the definition of cruelty in Section 86. It is non-bailable and triable by a Magistrate of the first class. It is cognizable only when the information is given by the woman, a relative by blood, marriage or adoption, or, if there is none, by a public servant notified by the State Government.

Does an FIR for an offence before 1 July 2024 use IPC or BNS sections?

The date of the offence decides. An offence committed before 1 July 2024 is charged under the IPC, even if the FIR is registered later, because BNS Section 358 saves liabilities under the repealed Code. Investigations, inquiries and trials already pending on that date continue under the CrPC, under BNSS Section 531(2)(a). High Courts have differed on procedure for fresh applications in older cases.

Is criminal intimidation under BNS 351 bailable?

Yes. Under the BNSS First Schedule, criminal intimidation under BNS 351(2) is non-cognizable, bailable and triable by any Magistrate. A threat to cause death or grievous hurt under 351(3), and intimidation by anonymous communication under 351(4), are also non-cognizable and bailable, triable by a Magistrate of the first class. The CrPC schedule had treated the death-threat limb of IPC 506 as non-bailable.

Sources

Ministry of Home Affairs: The Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 (Act No. 45 of 2023). Checked 28 September 2026. Section text, including 70(2) and 324.
Gazette of India: S.O. 850(E), BNS in force from 1 July 2024 except section 106(2) (23 February 2024). Checked 28 September 2026.
UP Police: BNS and IPC comparative table (NCRB-credited) (June 2024). Checked 28 September 2026. IPC to BNS mappings, including 326 to 118(2), 427 to 324(4) and 468 to 336(3).
Press Information Bureau: highlights of the new criminal laws (30 July 2024). Checked 28 September 2026.
Indian Kanoon: Section 531, Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 (repeal and savings). Checked 28 September 2026.
IndiaCode by eCourtsIndia: Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, section pages with BNSS First Schedule rows. Checked 28 September 2026.

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