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Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS)

PYQs

4

Articles

1

Momentum

13

Phase IFoundation

Background

Overview

UPSC focuses on major legal reforms, their implications for governance, justice delivery, and the rights of citizens. The BNS is a landmark change in India's criminal justice system with wide-ranging impacts.

The Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) is a new criminal code enacted in India, replacing the Indian Penal Code (IPC) of 1860, effective from July 1, 2024. It aims to modernize and streamline the criminal justice system by consolidating and amending provisions related to offenses and their punishments, reflecting contemporary societal needs and technological advancements.

Phase IIStatic core

Facts & tables

Key facts

Replacement

Replaced the Indian Penal Code (IPC) of 1860.

Broader Reform

Part of a broader reform of India's criminal laws, alongside Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) and Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam (BSA).

New Offenses

Introduces new offenses like organized crime, terrorism, and modifies existing ones.

Focus

Emphasizes victim-centric justice, community service as punishment, and technological integration in investigations.

Reference table

Key Changes: IPC vs. BNS

FeatureIndian Penal Code (IPC)Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS)
Enactment Year18602023 (effective 2024)
SeditionSection 124A (retained)Replaced with 'offences against the State' (Section 152)
Community ServiceNot explicitly presentIntroduced as a form of punishment
Organized CrimeLimited provisionsSpecific provisions introduced (Section 111)

Reference table

Static syllabus anchors

TypeReference
Conceptual areaConstitutional Amendments & Structure
Conceptual areaJudiciary & Judicial Review

Reference table

Institutions & roles

BodyRole
ParliamentEnacted
Ministry of Home AffairsDrafted/implemented
JudiciaryInterprets and applies
Phase IIIExam lens

Prelims angle

Overview

Prelims angle: Factual recall

Prelims angle: Multi-statement analysis

Quick revision

  • Replaced IPC 1860, effective July 1, 2024.
  • Part of a trio of new criminal laws (BNS, BNSS, BSA).
  • Aims to modernize and streamline criminal justice.
  • Introduces new offenses like organized crime and terrorism.
  • Focuses on victim-centric approach and community service.

High-confidence PYQs

2026Statement-based questions, Conceptual understanding

Consider the following assertion : **The genesis of political alliances based on community lay in the very nature of the Montague-Chelmsford Reforms, 1919.*...

Modern HistoryOpen question
2024Factual recall, Multi-statement analysis

Which of the following statements are correct about the Constitution of India? 1. Powers of the Municipalities are given in Part IX A of the Constitution. 2...

Indian PolityOpen question

As per Article 368 of the Constitution of India, the Parliament may amend any provision of the Constitution by way of: 1. Addition 2. Variation 3. Repeal S...

Indian PolityOpen question
2024Factual recall, Conceptual understanding

Which of the following statements are correct about the Constitution of India? 1. Powers of the Municipalities are given in Part IX A of the Constitution. 2...

Indian PolityOpen question

As per Article 368 of the Constitution of India, the Parliament may amend any provision of the Constitution by way of: 1. Addition 2. Variation 3. Repeal S...

Indian PolityOpen question
2017Statement-based questions, Conceptual understanding

Which of the following statements is/are true of the Fundamental Duties of an Indian citizen? 1. A legislative process has been provided to enforce these du...

Indian PolityOpen question

Topic timeline

Constitutional Amendments & StructureJudiciary & Judicial Review
Prelims 2017· Statement-based questions, Conceptual understanding

Which of the following statements is/are true of the Fundamental Duties of an Indian citizen? 1. A legislative process has been provided to enforce these du...

Open question
Prelims 2024· Factual recall, Multi-statement analysis

Which of the following statements are correct about the Constitution of India? 1. Powers of the Municipalities are given in Part IX A of the Constitution. 2...

Open question

As per Article 368 of the Constitution of India, the Parliament may amend any provision of the Constitution by way of: 1. Addition 2. Variation 3. Repeal S...

Open question
Prelims 2024· Factual recall, Conceptual understanding

Which of the following statements are correct about the Constitution of India? 1. Powers of the Municipalities are given in Part IX A of the Constitution. 2...

Open question

As per Article 368 of the Constitution of India, the Parliament may amend any provision of the Constitution by way of: 1. Addition 2. Variation 3. Repeal S...

Open question
Prelims 2026· Statement-based questions, Conceptual understanding

Consider the following assertion : **The genesis of political alliances based on community lay in the very nature of the Montague-Chelmsford Reforms, 1919.*...

Open question

‘I apologised, threats did not stop’: after Jantar Mantar protest, women face doxxing, calls to 'teach them a lesson'

31 Jul 2026 · The BNS replaces the IPC, modernizing criminal law with new offenses, victim-centric approaches, and technological adaptations, marking a significant reform in India's justice system.

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Related topics

Current topic

Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS)

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Civil Liberties and State Overreach

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Online Harassment and Cybercrime

Open notes

Practice writing on this topic

UPSC has asked 4 linked questions on Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) in Mains. Write an answer to one — and get it evaluated.

See Mains PYQsEvaluate an answer

UPSC Prelims PYQs on Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS)

Practice official previous year questions asked by UPSC related to this concept.

Which of the following statements are correct about the Constitution of India? 1. Powers of the Municipalities are given in Part IX A of the Constitution. 2...

2024·Indian Polity
Solve

Which of the following statements is/are true of the Fundamental Duties of an Indian citizen? 1. A legislative process has been provided to enforce these du...

2017·Indian Polity
Solve

Consider the following assertion : **The genesis of political alliances based on community lay in the very nature of the Montague-Chelmsford Reforms, 1919.*...

2026·Modern History
Solve

As per Article 368 of the Constitution of India, the Parliament may amend any provision of the Constitution by way of: 1. Addition 2. Variation 3. Repeal S...

2024·Indian Polity
Solve

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