Legal Resource Center: BNS, BNSS & BSA Master Guides (2026)

BNS, BNSS and BSA: understand the three laws

Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) deals primarily with criminal offences and punishment. Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) addresses criminal procedure. Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam (BSA) sets out rules and principles concerning evidence. These laws have different purposes, so a question about an alleged offence, FIR process or admissibility of a record may require checking more than one statute.

The IPC-to-BNS search table below is a learning aid, not a definitive legal cross-reference. A section number or short description alone cannot determine whether a provision applies to an incident. Check the date, facts, relevant savings or transitional rules, and the current statutory text before relying on a comparison.

Explore practical legal learning guides

• IPC Section 420 and BNS Section 318: understanding cheating provisions
• Electronic FIR and complaint reporting under BNSS
• BNS Section 103 and the former IPC Section 302
• Understanding the distinction between theft and robbery

Official source: Ministry of Home Affairs — texts of the three criminal laws. Verify amendments, commencement and jurisdiction-specific procedure before acting.

This resource provides general legal education only. It is not an advocate-reviewed opinion on your circumstances and does not establish an advocate-client relationship.