Indian Penal Code (IPC), 1860

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Indian Penal Code (IPC)

The Indian Penal Code (IPC) has been one of the most important laws in the history of India’s criminal justice system. For more than 160 years, it served as the main law that defined crimes and punishments in the country. Whether it was murder, theft, assault, cheating, or other criminal acts, the IPC provided the legal framework used by courts, police, and lawyers to deal with these offences.

The origins of the IPC go back to the British colonial period in India. Before its creation, criminal laws in different parts of the country were not uniform. Various regions followed different systems based on local customs, religious laws, and administrative rules. This lack of uniformity often created confusion and inconsistency in the administration of justice. To solve this problem, the British government decided to introduce a single, comprehensive criminal code that could apply across the entire country.

The task of drafting this code was given to the first Law Commission of India, headed by Thomas Babington Macaulay. Macaulay and his team prepared a detailed draft of the criminal code in 1837, although it took several years of discussion and revision before the final law was enacted. Eventually, the IPC was officially passed in 1860 and came into force in 1862.

The IPC was considered a remarkable piece of legislation for its time. It clearly defined a wide range of criminal offences and prescribed specific punishments for them. Over the years, it became the foundation of criminal law in India and even influenced the legal systems of several other countries such as Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka.

Although the IPC was replaced in 2024 by the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, its historical importance remains undeniable. The IPC not only shaped India’s criminal justice system for generations but also laid the groundwork for the modern criminal laws that exist today.

Structure of the Indian Penal Code

The IPC was carefully organized into different chapters, each dealing with a specific category of offences.

Originally, the IPC consisted of 23 chapters and 511 sections. These sections covered almost every possible criminal offence that could occur in society.

The parts of the IPC included:

Chapter	Chapter Name	Sections
Chapter I	Introduction	1 – 5
Chapter II	General Explanations	6 – 52A
Chapter III	Of Punishments	53 – 75
Chapter IV	General Exceptions	76 – 106
Chapter V	Of Abetment	107 – 120
Chapter VA	Criminal Conspiracy	120A – 120B
Chapter VI	Offences Against the State	121 – 130
Chapter VII	Offences relating to Army, Navy and Air Force	131 – 140
Chapter VIII	Offences Against Public Tranquillity	141 – 160
Chapter IX	Offences by or relating to Public Servants	161 – 171
Chapter IXA	Offences relating to Elections	171A – 171I
Chapter X	Contempts of the Lawful Authority of Public Servants	172 – 190
Chapter XI	False Evidence and Offences Against Public Justice	191 – 229A
Chapter XII	Offences relating to Coin and Government Stamps	230 – 263A
Chapter XIII	Offences relating to Weights and Measures	264 – 267
Chapter XIV	Offences affecting Public Health, Safety, Decency and Morals	268 – 294A
Chapter XV	Offences relating to Religion	295 – 298
Chapter XVI	Offences Affecting the Human Body	299 – 377
Chapter XVII	Offences Against Property	378 – 462
Chapter XVIII	Offences relating to Documents and Property Marks	463 – 489E
Chapter XIX	Criminal Breach of Contracts of Service	490 – 492
Chapter XX	Offences relating to Marriage	493 – 498
Chapter XXA	Cruelty by Husband or Relatives	498A
Chapter XXI	Defamation	499 – 502
Chapter XXII	Criminal Intimidation, Insult and Annoyance	503 – 510
Chapter XXIII	Attempts to Commit Offences	511

This systematic structure made the IPC one of the most comprehensive criminal codes in the world.

THE INDIAN PENAL CODE

CHAPTER I - INTRODUCTION

PREAMBLE

SECTIONS

Title and extent of operation of the Code.
Punishment of offences committed within India.
Punishment of offences committed beyond, but which by law may be tried within, India.
Extension of Code to extra-territorial offences.
Certain laws not to be affected by this Act.

CHAPTER II - GENERAL EXPLANATIONS

Definitions in the Code to be understood subject to exceptions.
Sense of expression once explained.
Gender.
Number.
“Man”. “Woman”.
“Person”.
“Public”.
[Omitted.].
“Servant of Government”.
[Repealed.].
[Repealed.].
“Government”.
“India”.
“Judge”.
“Court of Justice”.
“Public servant”.
“Moveable property”.
“Wrongful gain”.

“Wrongful loss”.

Gaining wrongfully/ Losing wrongfully.

“Dishonestly”.
“Fraudulently”.
“Reason to believe”.
Property in possession of wife, clerk or servant.
“Counterfeit”.
“Document”.
29A. “Electronic record”.
“Valuable security”.
“A will”.
Words referring to acts include illegal omissions.
“Act”.

“Omission”.

Acts done by several persons in furtherance of common intention.
When such an act is criminal by reason of its being done with a criminal knowledge or intention.
Effect caused partly by act and partly by omission.
Co-operation by doing one of several acts constituting an offence.
Persons concerned in criminal act may be guilty of different offences.
“Voluntarily”.
“Offence”.
“Special law”.
“Local law”.
“Illegal”.

“Legally bound to do”.

“Injury”.
“Life”.
“Death”.
“Animal”.
“Vessel”.
“Year”.

“Month”.

“Section”.
“Oath”.
“Good faith”.

52A. “Harbour”.

CHAPTER III - OF PUNISHMENTS

Punishments.
53A. Construction of reference to transportation.
Commutation of sentence of death.
Commutation of sentence of imprisonment for life.
55A. Definition of "appropriate Government".
[Repealed.].
Fractions of terms of punishment.
[Repealed.].
[Repealed.].
Sentence may be (in certain cases of imprisonment) wholly or partly rigorous of simple.
[Repealed.].
[Repealed.].
Amount of fine.
Sentence of imprisonment for non-payment of fine.
Limit to imprisonment for non-payment of fine, when imprisonment and fine awardable.
Description of imprisonment for non-payment of fine.
Imprisonment for non-payment of fine, when offence punishable with fine only.
Imprisonment to terminate on payment of fine.
Termination of imprisonment on payment of proportional part of fine.
Fine leviable within six years, or during imprisonment. Death not to discharge property from liability.
Limit of punishment of offence made up of several offences.
Punishment of person guilty of one of several offences, the judgment stating that it is doubtful of which.
Solitary confinement.
Limit of solitary confinement.
Enhanced punishment for certain offences under Chapter XII or Chapter XVII after previous conviction.

CHAPTER IV - GENERAL EXCEPTIONS

Act done by a person bound, or by mistake of fact believing himself bound, by law.
Act of Judge when acting judicially.
Act done pursuant to the judgment or order of Court.
Act done by a person justified, or by mistake of fact believing himself justified, by law.
Accident in doing a lawful act.
Act likely to cause harm, but done without criminal intent, and to prevent other harm.
Act of a child under seven years of age.
Act of a child above seven and under twelve of immature understanding.
Act of a person of unsound mind.
Act of a person incapable of judgment by reason of intoxication caused against his will.
Offence requiring a particular intent or knowledge committed by one who is intoxicated.
Act not intended and not known to be likely to cause death or grievous hurt, done by consent.
Act not intended to cause death, done by consent in good faith for person's benefit.
Act done in good faith for benefit of child or insane person, by or by consent of guardian.

Provisos.

Consent known to be given under fear or misconception.

Consent of insane person.

Consent of child.

Exclusion of acts which are offences independently of harm caused.
Act done in good faith for benefit of a person without consent.

Provisos.

Communication made in good faith.
Act to which a person is compelled by threats.
Act causing slight harm.

Of the Right of Private Defence

Things done in private defence.
Right of private defence of the body and of property.
Right of private defence against the act of a person of unsound mind, etc.
Acts against which there is no right of private defence.

Extent to which the right may be exercised.

When the right of private defence of the body extends to causing death.
When such right extends to causing any harm other than death.
Commencement and continuance of the right of private defence of the body.
When the right of private defence of property extends to causing death.
When such right extends to causing any harm other than death.
Commencement and continuance of the right of private defence of property.
Right of private defence against deadly assault when there is risk of harm to innocent person.

CHAPTER V - OF ABETMENT

Abetment of a thing.
Abettor.

108A. Abetment in India of offences outside India.

Punishment of abetment if the act abetted is committed in consequence and where no express provision is made for its punishment.
Punishment of abetment if person abetted does act with different intention from that of abettor.
Liability of abettor when one act abetted and different act done.
Abettor when liable to cumulative punishment for act abetted and for act done.
Liability of abettor for an effect caused by the act abetted different from that intended by the abettor.
Abettor present when offence is committed.
Abetment of offence punishable with death or imprisonment for life.—if offence not committed.

If act causing harm be done in consequence.

Abetment of offence punishable with imprisonment.—if offence be not committed.

If abettor or person abetted be a public servant whose duty it is to prevent offence.

Abetting commission of offence by the public or by more than ten persons.
Concealing design to commit offence punishable with death or imprisonment for life.

If offence be committed.

If offence be not committed.

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

If offence be committed.

If offence be punishable with death, etc.

If offence be not committed.

Concealing design to commit offence punishable with imprisonment.

If offence be committed.

If offence be not committed.

CHAPTER VA - CRIMINAL CONSPIRACY

120A. Definition of criminal conspiracy.

120B. Punishment of criminal conspiracy.

CHAPTER VI - OF OFFENCES AGAINST THE STATE

Waging or attempting to wage war or abetting waging of war against the Government of India.

121A. Conspiracy to commit offences punishable by section 121.

Collecting arms, etc., with intention of waging war against the Government of India.
Concealing with intent to facilitate design to wage war.
Assaulting President, Governor, etc., with intent to compel or restrain the exercise of any lawful power.

124A. Sedition.

Waging war against any Asiatic power in alliance with the Government of India.
Committing depredation on territories of power at peace with the Government of India.
Receiving property taken by war or depredation mentioned in sections 125 and 126.
Public servant voluntarily allowing prisoner of State or war to escape.
Public servant negligently suffering such prisoner to escape.
Aiding escape of, rescuing or harbouring such prisoner.

CHAPTER VII - OF OFFENCES RELATING TO THE ARMY, NAVY AND AIR FORCE

Abetting mutiny, or attempting to seduce a soldier, sailor or airman from his duty.
Abetment of mutiny, if mutiny is committed in consequence thereof.
Abetment of assault by soldier, sailor or airman on his superior officer, when in execution of his office.
Abetment of such assault, if the assault is committed.
Abetment of desertion of soldier, sailor or airman.
Harbouring deserter.
Deserter concealed on board merchant vessel through negligence of master.
Abetment of act of insubordination by soldier, sailor or airman.

138A. [Repealed].

Persons subject to certain Acts.
Wearing garb or carrying token used by soldier, sailor or airman.

CHAPTER VIII - OF OFFENCES AGAINST THE PUBLIC TRANQUILLITY

Unlawful assembly.
Being member of unlawful assembly.
Punishment.
Joining unlawful assembly armed with deadly weapon.
Joining or continuing in unlawful assembly, knowing it has been commanded to disperse.
Rioting.
Punishment for rioting.
Rioting, armed with deadly weapon.
Every member of unlawful assembly guilty of offence committed in prosecution of common object.
Hiring, or conniving at hiring, of persons to join unlawful assembly.
Knowingly joining or continuing in assembly of five or more persons after it has been commanded to disperse.
Assaulting or obstructing public servant when suppressing riot, etc.
Wantonly giving provocation, with intent to cause riot—

If rioting be committed—

If not committed.

153A. Promoting enmity between different groups on grounds of religion, race, place of birth, residence, language, etc., and doing acts prejudicial to maintenance of harmony.

Offence committed in place of worship, etc.

153AA. Punishment for knowingly carrying arms in any procession or organizing, or holding or taking part in any mass drill or mass training with arms.

153B. Imputation assertions prejudicial to national integration.

Owner or occupier of land on which an unlawful assembly is held.
Liability of person for whose benefit riot is committed.
Liability of agent of owner or occupier for whose benefit riot is committed.
Harbouring persons hired for an unlawful assembly.
Being hired to take part in an unlawful assembly or riot.
Affray.
Punishment for committing affray.

CHAPTER IX - OF OFFENCES BY OR RELATING TO PUBLIC SERVANTS

[Repealed.]
[Repealed.]
[Repealed.]
[Repealed.]
[Repealed.]
165A. [Repealed.]
Public servant disobeying law, with intent to cause injury to any person.

166A. Public servant disobeying direction under law.

166B. Punishment for non-treatment of victim.

Public servant framing an incorrect document with intent to cause injury.
Public servant unlawfully engaging in trade.
Public servant unlawfully buying or bidding for property.
Personating a public servant.
Wearing garb or carrying token used by public servant with fraudulent intent.

CHAPTER IXA - OF OFFENCES RELATING TO ELECTIONS

171A. “Candidate”, “Electoral right” defined.

171B. Bribery.

171C. Undue influence at elections.

171D. Personation at elections.

171E. Punishment for bribery.

171F. Punishment for undue influence or personation at an election.

171G. False statement in connection with an election.

171H. Illegal payments in connection with an election.

171I. Failure to keep election accounts.

CHAPTER X - OF CONTEMPTS OF THE LAWFUL AUTHORITY OF PUBLIC SERVANTS

Absconding to avoid service of summons or other proceeding.
Preventing service of summons or other proceeding, or preventing publication thereof.
Non-attendance in obedience to an order from public servant.

174A. Non-appearance in response to a proclamation.

Omission to produce document to public servant by person legally bound to produce it.
Omission to give notice or information to public servant by person legally bound to give it.
Furnishing false information.
Refusing oath or affirmation when duly required by public servant to make it.
Refusing to answer public servant authorised to question.
Refusing to sign statement.
False statement on oath or affirmation to public servant.
False information, with intent to cause public servant to use his lawful power to the injury of another person.
Resistance to the taking of property by the lawful authority of a public servant.
Obstructing sale of property offered for sale by authority of public servant.
Illegal purchase or bid for property offered for sale by authority of public servant.
Obstructing public servant in discharge of public functions.
Omission to assist public servant when bound by law to give assistance.
Disobedience to order duly promulgated by public servant.
Threat of injury to public servant.
Threat of injury to induce person to refrain from applying for protection to public servant.

CHAPTER XI - OF FALSE EVIDENCE AND OFFENCES AGAINST PUBLIC JUSTICE

Giving false evidence.
Fabricating false evidence.
Punishment for false evidence.
Giving or fabricating false evidence with intent to procure conviction of capital offence.
Giving or fabricating false evidence with intent to procure conviction of offence punishable with imprisonment for life or imprisonment.

195A. Threatening any person to give false evidence.

Using evidence known to be false.
Issuing or signing false certificate.
Using as true a certificate known to be false.
False statement made in declaration which is by law receivable as evidence.
Using as true such declaration knowing it to be false.
Causing disappearance of evidence of offence, or giving false information, to screen offender.
Intentional omission to give information of offence by person bound to inform.
Giving false information respecting an offence committed.
Destruction of document to prevent its production as evidence.
False personation for purpose of act or proceeding in suit or prosecution.
Fraudulent removal or concealment of property to prevent its seizure.
Fraudulent claim to property to prevent its seizure.
Fraudulently suffering decree for sum not due.
Dishonestly making false claim in Court.
Fraudulently obtaining decree for sum not due.
False charge of offence made with intent to injure.
Harbouring offender.
Taking gift, etc., to screen an offender from punishment.
Offering gift or restoration of property in consideration of screening offender.
Taking gift to help to recover stolen property.
Harbouring offender who has escaped from custody.

216A. Penalty for harbouring robbers or dacoits.

Public servant disobeying direction of law with intent to save person from punishment.
Public servant framing incorrect record to save person from punishment.
Public servant in judicial proceeding corruptly making report contrary to law.
Commitment for trial or confinement by person having authority who knows that he is acting contrary to law.
Intentional omission to apprehend on the part of public servant bound to apprehend.
Intentional omission to apprehend person under sentence.
Escape from confinement negligently suffered by public servant.
Resistance or obstruction by a person to his lawful apprehension.
Resistance or obstruction to lawful apprehension of another person.

225A. Omission to apprehend, or sufferance of escape, on part of public servant.

225B. Resistance or obstruction to lawful apprehension or escape.

[Repealed.]
Violation of condition of remission of punishment.
Intentional insult or interruption to public servant sitting in judicial proceeding.

228A. Disclosure of identity of the victim of certain offences.

Personation of a juror or assessor.

229A. Failure by person released on bail or bond to appear in Court.

CHAPTER XII - OF OFFENCES RELATING TO COIN AND GOVERNMENT STAMPS

“Coin” defined.
Counterfeiting coin.
Counterfeiting Indian coin.
Making or selling instrument for counterfeiting coin.
Making or selling instrument for counterfeiting Indian coin.
Possession of instrument for counterfeiting coin.
Abetting in India the counterfeiting out of India of coin.
Import or export of counterfeit coin.
Import or export of counterfeit Indian coin.
Delivery of coin possessed with knowledge that it is counterfeit.
Delivery of Indian coin possessed with knowledge that it is counterfeit.
Delivery of coin as genuine which was not known to be counterfeit when first possessed.
Possession of counterfeit coin.
Possession of counterfeit Indian coin.
Person employed in mint causing coin to be of different weight.
Unlawfully taking coining instrument from mint.
Fraudulently diminishing weight of coin.
Fraudulently diminishing weight of Indian coin.
Altering appearance of coin with intent that it shall pass as coin of different description.
Altering appearance of Indian coin.
Delivery of coin possessed with knowledge that it is altered.
Delivery of Indian coin possessed with knowledge that it is altered.
Possession of coin by person who knew it to be altered.
Possession of Indian coin by person who knew it to be altered.
Delivery of coin as genuine which when first possessed was not known to be altered.
Counterfeiting Government stamp.
Possession of instrument for counterfeiting Government stamp.
Making or selling instrument for counterfeiting Government stamp.
Sale of counterfeit Government stamp.
Possession of counterfeit Government stamp.
Using as genuine a Government stamp known to be counterfeit.
Effacing writing from substance bearing Government stamp.
Using Government stamp known to have been used before.
Erasure of mark denoting that stamp has been used.

263A. Prohibition of fictitious stamps.

CHAPTER XIII - OF OFFENCES RELATING TO WEIGHTS AND MEASURES

Fraudulent use of false instrument for weighing.
Fraudulent use of false weight or measure.
Being in possession of false weight or measure.
Making or selling false weight or measure.

CHAPTER XIV - OF OFFENCES AFFECTING PUBLIC HEALTH, SAFETY, DECENCY AND MORALS

Public nuisance.
Negligent act likely to spread infection of disease dangerous to life.
Malignant act likely to spread infection of disease dangerous to life.
Disobedience to quarantine rule.
Adulteration of food or drink intended for sale.
Sale of noxious food or drink.
Adulteration of drugs.
Sale of adulterated drugs.
Sale of drug as a different drug.
Fouling water of public spring or reservoir.
Making atmosphere noxious to health.
Rash driving or riding on a public way.
Rash navigation of vessel.
Exhibition of false light or mark.
Conveying person by water in unsafe vessel.
Danger or obstruction in public way.
Negligent conduct with respect to poisonous substance.
Negligent conduct with respect to fire or combustible matter.
Negligent conduct with respect to explosive substance.
Negligent conduct with respect to machinery.
Negligent conduct with respect to pulling down or repairing buildings.
Negligent conduct with respect to animal.
Punishment for public nuisance in cases not otherwise provided for.
Continuance of nuisance after injunction.
Sale of obscene books, etc.
Sale of obscene objects to young person.
Obscene acts and songs.

294A. Keeping lottery office.

CHAPTER XV

OF OFFENCES RELATING TO RELIGION

Injuring or defiling place of worship.

295A. Deliberate and malicious acts intended to outrage religious feelings.

Disturbing religious assembly.
Trespassing on burial places.
Uttering words with deliberate intent to wound religious feelings.

CHAPTER XVI - OF OFFENCES AFFECTING THE HUMAN BODY

Culpable homicide.
Murder.

Culpable homicide by causing death of person other than person whose death was intended.
Punishment for murder.
Punishment for murder by life-convict.
Punishment for culpable homicide not amounting to murder.

304A. Causing death by negligence.

304B. Dowry death.

Abetment of suicide of child or insane person.
Abetment of suicide.
Attempt to murder.
Attempt to commit culpable homicide.
Attempt to commit suicide.
Thug.
Punishment.

Of the causing of Miscarriage, of Injuries to Unborn Children, of the Exposure of Infants, and of the Concealment of Births

Causing miscarriage.
Causing miscarriage without woman's consent.
Death caused by act done with intent to cause miscarriage.
Act done with intent to prevent child being born alive or to cause it to die after birth.
Causing death of quick unborn child by act amounting to culpable homicide.
Exposure and abandonment of child under twelve years.
Concealment of birth by secret disposal of dead body.

Of Hurt

Hurt.
Grievous hurt.
Voluntarily causing hurt.
Voluntarily causing grievous hurt.
Punishment for voluntarily causing hurt.
Voluntarily causing hurt by dangerous weapons or means.
Punishment for voluntarily causing grievous hurt.
Voluntarily causing grievous hurt by dangerous weapons or means.

326A. Voluntarily causing grievous hurt by use of acid.

326B. Voluntarily throwing or attempting to throw acid.

Voluntarily causing hurt to extort property.
Causing hurt by means of poison with intent to commit an offence.
Voluntarily causing grievous hurt to extort property.
Voluntarily causing hurt to extort confession.
Voluntarily causing grievous hurt to extort confession.
Voluntarily causing hurt to deter public servant from duty.
Voluntarily causing grievous hurt to deter public servant from duty.
Voluntarily causing hurt on provocation.
Voluntarily causing grievous hurt on provocation.
Act endangering life or personal safety of others.
Causing hurt by act endangering life or personal safety of others.
Causing grievous hurt by act endangering life or personal safety of others.

Of Wrongful Restraint and Wrongful Confinement

Wrongful restraint.
Wrongful confinement.
Punishment for wrongful restraint.
Punishment for wrongful confinement.
Wrongful confinement for three or more days.
Wrongful confinement for ten or more days.
Wrongful confinement of person for whose liberation writ has been issued.
Wrongful confinement in secret.
Wrongful confinement to extort property.
Wrongful confinement to extort confession.

Of Criminal Force and Assault

Force.
Criminal force.
Assault.
Punishment for assault or criminal force otherwise than on grave provocation.
Assault or criminal force to deter public servant from duty.
Assault or criminal force to woman with intent to outrage her modesty.

354A. Sexual harassment.

354B. Assault with intent to disrobe.

354C. Voyeurism.

354D. Stalking.

Assault or criminal force with intent to dishonour person.
Assault in attempt to commit theft.
Assault in attempt to wrongfully confine person.
Assault or criminal force on grave provocation.

Of Kidnapping, Abduction, Slavery and Forced Labour

Kidnapping.
Kidnapping from India.
Kidnapping from lawful guardianship.
Abduction.
Punishment for kidnapping.

363A. Kidnapping or maiming a minor for begging.

Kidnapping or abducting in order to murder.

364A. Kidnapping for ransom.

Kidnapping or abducting with intent secretly to confine person.
Kidnapping or abducting woman to compel marriage.

366A. Procuration of minor girl.

366B. Importation of girl from foreign country.

Kidnapping or abducting to subject person to grievous hurt or slavery.
Concealing or keeping in confinement kidnapped person.
Kidnapping child under ten years to steal from its person.
Trafficking of person.

370A. Exploitation of a trafficked person.

Habitual dealing in slaves.
Selling minor for purposes of prostitution.
Buying minor for prostitution.
Unlawful compulsory labour.

Sexual Offences

Rape.
Punishment for rape.

376A. Punishment for causing death or vegetative state of victim.

376AB. Punishment for rape on woman under twelve years.

376B. Sexual intercourse by husband upon his wife during separation.

376C. Sexual intercourse by person in authority.

376D. Gang rape.

376DA. Gang rape on woman under sixteen years.

376DB. Gang rape on woman under twelve years.

376E. Punishment for repeat offenders.

Of Unnatural Offences

Unnatural offences.

CHAPTER XVII - OF OFFENCES AGAINST PROPERTY

Theft.
Punishment for theft.
Theft in dwelling house.
Theft by clerk or servant.
Theft after preparation for causing death or hurt.
Extortion.
Punishment for extortion.
Putting person in fear of injury to commit extortion.
Extortion by putting a person in fear of death or grievous hurt.
Putting person in fear of death to commit extortion.
Extortion by threat of accusation of offence punishable with death.
Putting person in fear of accusation of offence to commit extortion.
Robbery.
Dacoity.
Punishment for robbery.
Attempt to commit robbery.
Voluntarily causing hurt in committing robbery.
Punishment for dacoity.
Dacoity with murder.
Robbery or dacoity with attempt to cause death.
Attempt to commit robbery when armed with deadly weapon.
Making preparation to commit dacoity.
Belonging to gang of dacoits.
Belonging to gang of thieves.
Assembling for purpose of committing dacoity.

Of Criminal Misappropriation

Dishonest misappropriation of property.
Dishonest misappropriation of property possessed by deceased person.

Of Criminal Breach of Trust

Criminal breach of trust.
Punishment for criminal breach of trust.
Criminal breach of trust by carrier.
Criminal breach of trust by clerk or servant.
Criminal breach of trust by public servant or banker.

Of Receiving Stolen Property

Stolen property.
Dishonestly receiving stolen property.
Receiving property stolen in dacoity.
Habitually dealing in stolen property.
Assisting in concealment of stolen property.

Of Cheating

Cheating.
Cheating by personation.
Punishment for cheating.
Cheating with knowledge that wrongful loss may ensue.
Punishment for cheating by personation.
Cheating and dishonestly inducing delivery of property

CHAPTER XVIII - OF OFFENCES RELATING TO DOCUMENTS

Forgery.
Making a false document.
Punishment for forgery.
Forgery of record of Court or public register.
Forgery of valuable security, will etc.
Forgery for purpose of cheating.
Forgery for purpose of harming reputation.
Forged document.
Using as genuine a forged document.
Making counterfeit seal for forgery.
Making counterfeit seal for other forgery.
Possession of forged document.
Counterfeiting device used for authenticating documents.
Counterfeiting device used for authenticating other documents.
Fraudulent cancellation of will or valuable security.

477A. Falsification of accounts.

Of Property and Other Marks

478. [Repealed.]

479. Property mark.

480. [Repealed.]

481. Using a false property mark.

482. Punishment for using a false property mark.

483. Counterfeiting a property mark used by another.

484. Counterfeiting a mark used by a public servant.

485. Making or possession of any instrument for counterfeiting a property mark.

486. Selling goods marked with a counterfeit property mark.

487. Making a false mark upon any receptacle containing goods.

488. Punishment for making use of any such false mark.

489. Tampering with property mark with intent to cause injury.

Of Currency Notes and Bank Notes

489A. Counterfeiting currency-notes or bank-notes.

489B. Using as genuine, forged or counterfeit currency-notes or bank-notes.

489C. Possession of forged or counterfeit currency-notes or bank-notes.

489D. Making or possessing instruments or materials for forging or counterfeiting currency-notes or bank-notes.

489E. Making or using documents resembling currency-notes or bank-notes.

CHAPTER XIX - OF THE CRIMINAL BREACH OF CONTRACTS OF SERVICE

490. [Repealed.]

491. Breach of contract to attend on and supply wants of helpless person.

492. [Repealed.]

CHAPTER XX - OF OFFENCES RELATING TO MARRIAGE

493. Cohabitation caused by a man deceitfully inducing a belief of lawful marriage.

494. Marrying again during life-time of husband or wife.

495. Same offence with concealment of former marriage from person with whom subsequent marriage is contracted.

496. Marriage ceremony fraudulently gone through without lawful marriage.

497. Adultery.

498. Enticing or taking away or detaining with criminal intent a married woman.

CHAPTER XXA - OF CRUELTY BY HUSBAND OR RELATIVES OF HUSBAND

498A. Husband or relative of husband of a woman subjecting her to cruelty.

CHAPTER XXI - OF DEFAMATION

499. Defamation.

Imputation of truth which public good requires to be made or published.

Public conduct of public servants.

Conduct of any person touching any public question.

Publication of reports of proceedings of Courts.

Merits of case decided in Court or conduct of witnesses and others concerned.

Merits of public performance.

Censure passed in good faith by person having lawful authority over another.

Accusation preferred in good faith to authorised person.

Imputation made in good faith by person for protection of his or other's interests.

Caution intended for good of person to whom conveyed or for public good.

500. Punishment for defamation.

501. Printing or engraving matter known to be defamatory.

502. Sale of printed or engraved substance containing defamatory matter.

CHAPTER XXII - OF CRIMINAL INTIMIDATION, INSULT AND ANNOYANCE

503. Criminal intimidation.

504. Intentional insult with intent to provoke breach of the peace.

505. Statements conducing to public mischief.

Statements creating or promoting enmity, hatred or ill-will between classes.

Offence under sub-section (2) committed in place of worship, etc.

506. Punishment for criminal intimidation.

If threat be to cause death or grievous hurt, etc.

507. Criminal intimidation by an anonymous communication.

508. Act caused by inducing person to believe that he will be rendered an object of the Divine displeasure.

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

510. Misconduct in public by a drunken person.

CHAPTER XXIII - OF ATTEMPTS TO COMMIT OFFENCES

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

Important Sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC)

Section	Offence
121	Waging war against the Government of India
121A	Conspiracy to wage war against the Government
122	Collecting arms to wage war
123	Concealing design to wage war
124A	Sedition
141	Unlawful assembly
142	Member of unlawful assembly
143	Punishment for unlawful assembly
146	Rioting
147	Punishment for rioting
148	Rioting with deadly weapon
149	Offence committed by unlawful assembly
299	Culpable homicide
300	Murder
302	Punishment for murder
304	Culpable homicide not amounting to murder
304A	Causing death by negligence
305	Abetment of suicide of minor
306	Abetment of suicide
307	Attempt to murder
308	Attempt to commit culpable homicide
309	Attempt to suicide
319	Hurt
320	Grievous hurt
321	Voluntarily causing hurt
323	Punishment for causing hurt
324	Hurt by dangerous weapons
325	Punishment for grievous hurt
326	Grievous hurt by dangerous weapon
354	Outraging modesty of woman
354A	Sexual harassment
354B	Assault with intent to disrobe
354C	Voyeurism
354D	Stalking
359	Kidnapping
361	Kidnapping from lawful guardianship
363	Punishment for kidnapping
364	Kidnapping to murder
364A	Kidnapping for ransom
366	Kidnapping to compel marriage
370	Human trafficking
375	Rape
376	Punishment for rape
376A	Rape causing death
376D	Gang rape
378	Theft
379	Punishment for theft
380	Theft in dwelling house
381	Theft by clerk or servant
383	Extortion
384	Punishment for extortion
390	Robbery
391	Dacoity
392	Punishment for robbery
395	Punishment for dacoity
396	Dacoity with murder
415	Cheating
417	Punishment for cheating
418	Cheating with knowledge of wrongful loss
419	Cheating by personation
420	Cheating and dishonestly inducing property
405	Criminal breach of trust
406	Punishment for criminal breach of trust
409	Breach of trust by public servant
463	Forgery
465	Punishment for forgery
467	Forgery of valuable security
468	Forgery for cheating
471	Using forged document
494	Bigamy
497	Adultery (decriminalized)
498A	Cruelty by husband or relatives
499	Defamation
500	Punishment for defamation
503	Criminal intimidation
506	Punishment for criminal intimidation
509	Insulting modesty of woman
511	Attempt to commit offence

Replacement of IPC by Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita

The Indian Penal Code (IPC), 1860 was the primary criminal law of India for more than 160 years. It defined criminal offences and their punishments across the country. However, the Government of India introduced a new criminal law called the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 to replace the IPC.

The IPC has now been officially replaced by the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, which came into force on 1 July 2024. This reform was part of a major overhaul of India’s criminal justice system.

The Indian Penal Code, 1860 was drafted during British rule and enacted in 1860 under the leadership of Thomas Babington Macaulay.

Although the IPC worked effectively for many years, it was often criticized for:

Being colonial in nature
Having outdated provisions
Not addressing modern crimes like cybercrime, organized crime, and terrorism
Using complex legal language

To modernize criminal law, the Government replaced the IPC with the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023.

The new criminal laws came into force on:

1 July 2024

From this date:

IPC was repealed
BNS became the primary criminal law statute in India

However, cases registered before this date continue to be tried under the IPC.

IPC vs BNS comparison

Feature	IPC (Indian Penal Code)	BNS (Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita)
Full Name	Indian Penal Code	Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita
Year of Enactment	1860	2023
Date of Implementation	1862	1 July 2024
Historical Background	Drafted during British colonial rule	Introduced to replace colonial criminal laws
Total Sections	511 Sections	358 Sections
Total Chapters	23 Chapters	20 Chapters
Drafting Authority	Lord Macaulay and First Law Commission	Government of India
Nature of Law	Colonial-era criminal code	Modern Indian criminal law
Main Objective	Define crimes and punishments	Modernize criminal justice system
Language Style	Traditional British legal language	Simplified modern legal language
Legal Philosophy	Colonial administrative model	Justice-centered Indian approach
Sedition Law	Section 124A – Sedition	Removed and replaced with offences against sovereignty
Community Service	No provision	Introduced as punishment for minor offences
Mob Lynching	Not specifically defined	Defined as a specific offence
Organized Crime	No direct provision	Specific provisions introduced
Terrorism	Handled mainly under special laws	Included within criminal code
Snatching Crime	Not specifically defined	New offence introduced
Cyber Crimes	Mostly covered under IT Act	Better integration with modern crimes
Crimes Against Women	Various sections like 354, 376	Stronger and reorganized provisions
Definition of Terrorism	Not defined in IPC	Defined within BNS framework
Attempt to Suicide	Section 309 criminalized attempt	Reconsidered in modern legal approach
Forensic Investigation	No direct mention	Encourages use of forensic evidence
Victim Protection	Limited provisions	Greater focus on victim rights
Focus of Law	Traditional crimes like theft and murder	Includes modern crimes like cyber offences
Adaptability	Old structure requiring amendments	Designed for modern criminal justice needs
Philosophy of Justice	Punitive approach	Justice and accountability approach
Overall Purpose	Maintain law and order	Ensure justice and national security

Conclusion

The Indian Penal Code (IPC) played a historic role in shaping India’s criminal justice system. Enacted in 1860 under British rule, it provided a comprehensive framework defining crimes and prescribing punishments for more than a century.

With its clear structure and wide coverage of offences, the IPC became the backbone of Indian criminal law and influenced legal systems in several other countries.

Although it has now been replaced by the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, the IPC remains an essential part of India’s legal history and continues to influence modern criminal law principles.

Understanding the IPC is therefore crucial for anyone studying law, criminal justice, or the evolution of the Indian legal system.

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AUTHOR: RABI KR. PANDIT

Hello, I am Rabi Kr. Pandit, the founder of this platform and a resident of Kolkata, India. I hold a degree in History, Political Science, and English, and I am currently pursuing my legal studies at Jogesh Chandra Chaudhary Law College under the University of Calcutta. I manage multiple educational blogs with the aim of delivering knowledge in a clear, structured, and accessible manner. My focus is on simplifying complex topics and presenting reliable information that benefits students and readers from diverse academic backgrounds.

Indian Penal Code (IPC), 1860