The New Criminal Codes for the AIBE: BNS, BNSS & BSA
On 1 July 2024, India replaced its three foundational criminal laws. Here is what changed, a verified old-to-new section map, and how to prepare — then practise free with source-anchored mock tests.
What changed, and when
On 1 July 2024, three new criminal codes came into force and replaced the colonial-era statutes that had governed Indian criminal law for over 150 years:
| New code | Replaced | Deals with |
|---|---|---|
| Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 (BNS) | Indian Penal Code, 1860 | Substantive offences & punishments |
| Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 (BNSS) | Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 | Criminal procedure — FIR, arrest, bail, trial |
| Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam, 2023 (BSA) | Indian Evidence Act, 1872 | Rules of evidence |
The re-write was not just a renaming. The BNS has 358 sections (down from the IPC’s 511), the BNSS has 531 sections, and the BSA has 170 sections — so nearly every familiar section number has moved.
Why it matters for the AIBE
The three criminal codes carry heavy weightage in the AIBE, and the current syllabus is set on the new codes. If you studied the IPC, CrPC and Evidence Act in college, the law you learned is largely intact in substance — but the section numbers have changed, and the AIBE will cite the new ones.
Because the AIBE is open book, the exam rewards one skill above all: finding the right provision quickly in the new bare Acts. Practising with the old codes now actively works against you. That is exactly why every criminal-law question on Vidhi is anchored to the current BNS, BNSS or BSA provision.
Key section changes (old → new)
A quick reference to some of the most-tested provisions. Every mapping below is verified against the bare Acts.
| Concept | Old (repealed) | New |
|---|---|---|
| Criminal conspiracy | IPC §120B | BNS §61 |
| Culpable homicide | IPC §299 | BNS §100 |
| Murder (definition) | IPC §300 | BNS §101 |
| Punishment for murder | IPC §302 | BNS §103 |
| Culpable homicide not amounting to murder | IPC §304 | BNS §105 |
| Rape (definition / punishment) | IPC §375 / §376 | BNS §63 / §64 |
| Theft | IPC §378 / §379 | BNS §303 |
| Criminal breach of trust | IPC §405 / §406 | BNS §316 |
| Cheating | IPC §415 / §420 | BNS §318 |
| Criminal intimidation | IPC §503 / §506 | BNS §351 |
| Defamation | IPC §499 / §500 | BNS §356 |
| Concept | Old (repealed) | New |
|---|---|---|
| FIR — information in cognizable cases | CrPC §154 | BNSS §173 |
| Examination of witnesses by police | CrPC §161 | BNSS §180 |
| Recording of confessions & statements | CrPC §164 | BNSS §183 |
| Investigation not completed in 24 hours (default bail) | CrPC §167 | BNSS §187 |
| Bail in a non-bailable offence | CrPC §437 | BNSS §480 |
| Anticipatory bail | CrPC §438 | BNSS §482 |
| Special bail powers of HC / Sessions Court | CrPC §439 | BNSS §483 |
| Concept | Old (repealed) | New |
|---|---|---|
| Confession to a police officer (inadmissible) | Evidence §25 | BSA §23 |
| Statements by a person dead or unavailable (dying declaration) | Evidence §32 | BSA §26 |
| Admissibility of electronic records | Evidence §65B | BSA §63 |
Learn these by concept, not by rote number — then confirm the exact section in the bare Act, the way you will in the hall. Practise the criminal codes free →
What is genuinely new
Beyond renumbering, the codes introduced real substantive and procedural changes worth knowing:
- Community service is introduced as a form of punishment for certain petty offences (BNS).
- Organised crime (BNS §111) and terrorist acts (BNS §113) are now defined offences within the general penal code.
- Sedition (old IPC §124A) is gone; BNS §152 instead penalises acts endangering the sovereignty, unity and integrity of India — a differently-worded provision, not a straight rename.
- Snatching is a distinct offence (BNS §304), separate from theft.
- Zero FIR and e-FIR, statutory timelines, and mandatory forensic investigation for serious offences are built into the BNSS.
- The BSA gives electronic and digital records express standing as evidence.
Is the old law still relevant?
For anything that happened before 1 July 2024, the old laws still apply — investigations, inquiries and trials already under way generally continue under the IPC, CrPC and Evidence Act under the codes’ savings provisions. Offences committed on or after 1 July 2024 are dealt with under the new codes. For the AIBE, however, prepare with the new codes — that is what the paper is set on.
How to prepare
- Switch your bare Acts. Carry the current BNS, BNSS and BSA into the hall — not the IPC/CrPC/Evidence Act. Practise from the same books you will use.
- Re-anchor the section numbers. You already know most of the law; spend your effort on where each rule now lives in the new codes.
- Drill the high-yield offences and procedure — murder, culpable homicide, cheating, theft (BNS); FIR, bail and investigation (BNSS); confessions and electronic evidence (BSA).
- Review every answer against its provision. Seeing the exact BNS/BNSS/BSA section behind each answer is how the new numbers stick.
Frequently asked questions
What are the new criminal laws in India?
Three new codes: the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 (BNS), the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 (BNSS) and the Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam, 2023 (BSA). They came into force on 1 July 2024, replacing the Indian Penal Code, the Code of Criminal Procedure and the Indian Evidence Act respectively.
Which old laws did the BNS, BNSS and BSA replace?
The BNS replaced the Indian Penal Code, 1860 (IPC). The BNSS replaced the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 (CrPC). The BSA replaced the Indian Evidence Act, 1872.
Does the AIBE test the new criminal codes?
Yes. The current AIBE syllabus is based on the BNS, BNSS and BSA, and the three criminal codes carry heavy weightage. Candidates who studied the IPC, CrPC and Evidence Act need to re-learn the new structure and section numbers.
What is IPC Section 302 in the BNS?
The punishment for murder, formerly IPC Section 302, is now Section 103 of the BNS. Murder is defined in BNS Section 101 and culpable homicide in Section 100.
Is the old IPC still valid?
For offences committed before 1 July 2024, the old laws still apply — pending investigations, inquiries and trials generally continue under the IPC, CrPC and Evidence Act. Offences on or after 1 July 2024 fall under the new codes. For AIBE purposes, prepare with the new codes.
How should I prepare for the new codes for the AIBE?
Since the AIBE is open book, the key skill is locating the right provision quickly in the new bare Acts. Practise with the current BNS, BNSS and BSA, get used to the new section numbers, and review each answer against the exact provision behind it.
Practise the new codes
Take a free, timed AIBE mock test on the BNS, BNSS and BSA — every question anchored to the exact current provision, so the new section numbers actually stick.
Start a free mock test →Related
- The Complete AIBE Guide — eligibility, pattern, syllabus & preparation
- AIBE Syllabus 2026 — subject-wise weightage & topics
- AIBE Exam Pattern 2026 — marks, duration, marking scheme
- AIBE Previous Year Papers — how to find & use them
- How to Prepare for the AIBE — a strategy & study plan
- AIBE Eligibility — who can appear
The old-to-new section mappings above are provided as a study aid; for anything you rely on, confirm against the current bare Acts and the official AIBE notification for your edition.