Stats and highlights
Figures and procedural changes as reported by the Government of India and PRS Legislative Research, each with its source. Counts described by the Ministry of Home Affairs are its own characterisation and are attributed as such. Where a provision is named, it links to the text.
At a glance
531
Sections
According to the Ministry of Home Affairs: The Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 contains 531 sections; the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 (2 of 1974) it replaced had 484.
Source: The Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 (Act No. 46 of 2023), Gazette of India, Extraordinary, Ministry of Law and Justice (via PRS Legislative Research), 25 December 2023; The Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha (Second) Sanhita, 2023 (Bill Track), PRS Legislative Research
39 + 2
Chapters & Schedules
The Act is arranged in 39 chapters (from Chapter I, Preliminary, to Chapter XXXIX, Miscellaneous) and two Schedules (Classification of Offences and 58 Forms), compared with 37 chapters and two Schedules in the CrPC, 1973.
Source: The Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 (Act No. 46 of 2023), Gazette of India, Extraordinary, Ministry of Law and Justice (via PRS Legislative Research), 25 December 2023
1 July 2024
In force from
According to the Ministry of Home Affairs: The Act came into force on 1 July 2024 by notification S.O. 848(E), dated 23 February 2024, except the entry in the First Schedule relating to sub-section (2) of section 106 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023.
Source: Highlights of New Criminal Laws, PIB, 30 July 2024; Three criminal laws to be effective from July 1, The Hindu, 24 February 2024
Legislative history
11 August 2023
Introduced in Lok Sabha
The Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 (Bill No. 122 of 2023) was introduced in the Lok Sabha on 11 August 2023 and referred to the Standing Committee on Home Affairs.
Source: The Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 (Bill Track), PRS Legislative Research
10 November 2023
Standing Committee report
The Department-related Parliamentary Standing Committee on Home Affairs presented its 247th Report on the Bill on 10 November 2023.
Source: Two Hundred Forty-Seventh Report on the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, Department-related Parliamentary Standing Committee on Home Affairs, Rajya Sabha Secretariat (via PRS), 10 November 2023; The Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 (Bill Track), PRS Legislative Research
12 December 2023
First Bill withdrawn; second Bill introduced
The first Bill was withdrawn and the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha (Second) Sanhita, 2023 (Bill No. 174 of 2023) was introduced in the Lok Sabha on 12 December 2023.
Source: The Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha (Second) Sanhita, 2023 (Bill Track), PRS Legislative Research
21 December 2023
Passed by Parliament
The Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha (Second) Sanhita, 2023 was passed by the Lok Sabha on 20 December 2023 and by the Rajya Sabha on 21 December 2023.
Source: The Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha (Second) Sanhita, 2023 (Bill Track), PRS Legislative Research; Union Home Minister … Shri Amit Shah replied to the discussion on the Bharatiya Nyaya (Second) Sanhita, 2023 … in the Lok Sabha today, PIB, 20 December 2023
25 December 2023
Presidential assent
The Bill received the President's assent on 25 December 2023 and was published in the Gazette of India the same day as Act No. 46 of 2023.
Source: The Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 (Act No. 46 of 2023), Gazette of India, Extraordinary, Ministry of Law and Justice (via PRS Legislative Research), 25 December 2023
23 February 2024
Commencement notification
According to the Ministry of Home Affairs: Ministry of Home Affairs notification S.O. 848(E), dated 23 February 2024, appointed 1 July 2024 as the date on which the provisions of the Sanhita come into force (except the entry relating to section 106(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 in the First Schedule).
Source: MHA Notification S.O. 848(E) — Commencement of BNSS (23 Feb 2024), Ministry of Home Affairs, 23 February 2024
Reported changes from the CrPC
177
Provisions modified
According to the Ministry of Home Affairs: 177 provisions of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 have been modified in the BNSS.
Source: Union Home Minister … Shri Amit Shah replied to the discussion on the Bharatiya Nyaya (Second) Sanhita, 2023 … in the Lok Sabha today, PIB, 20 December 2023
9 + 39
New sections and sub-sections added
According to the Ministry of Home Affairs: 9 new sections and 39 new sub-sections have been added, along with 44 new provisos and Explanations.
Source: Union Home Minister … Shri Amit Shah replied to the discussion on the Bharatiya Nyaya (Second) Sanhita, 2023 … in the Lok Sabha today, PIB, 20 December 2023
14
CrPC sections repealed
According to the Ministry of Home Affairs: 14 sections of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 have been deleted or repealed.
Source: Union Home Minister … Shri Amit Shah replied to the discussion on the Bharatiya Nyaya (Second) Sanhita, 2023 … in the Lok Sabha today, PIB, 20 December 2023
35
Provisions with prescribed timelines
According to the Ministry of Home Affairs: Timelines have been introduced in 35 places across investigation, inquiry and trial procedures.
Section 173(3)Section 193(2)Section 193(3)(ii)Section 232Section 258(1)
Source: Union Home Minister … Shri Amit Shah replied to the discussion on the Bharatiya Nyaya (Second) Sanhita, 2023 … in the Lok Sabha today, PIB, 20 December 2023; Highlights of New Criminal Laws, PIB, 30 July 2024
Key procedural provisions
Section 173(1)
Zero FIR & e-FIR
According to the Ministry of Home Affairs: Information relating to the commission of a cognizable offence may be given orally or by electronic communication, irrespective of the area where the offence is committed; electronic information is taken on record on being signed within three days by the person giving it.
Source: Highlights of New Criminal Laws, PIB, 30 July 2024; Key Features of the New Criminal Laws, PIB, 20 August 2025
Section 176(3)
Mandatory forensic investigation
According to the Ministry of Home Affairs: For offences punishable with imprisonment for seven years or more, the officer in charge of a police station is required to cause a forensics expert to visit the crime scene to collect forensic evidence and record the process on a mobile phone or other electronic device.
Source: Highlights of New Criminal Laws, PIB, 30 July 2024; The Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha (Second) Sanhita, 2023 (Bill Track), PRS Legislative Research
Section 187(2)
Police custody in tranches within 40 or 60 days
Police custody of up to 15 days in the whole may be authorised in parts at any time during the initial 40 days of the 60-day detention period, or during the initial 60 days of the 90-day detention period.
Source: The Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha (Second) Sanhita, 2023 (Bill Track), PRS Legislative Research
Section 107
Attachment and forfeiture of proceeds of crime
According to the Ministry of Home Affairs: A police officer making an investigation may, with the approval of the Superintendent or Commissioner of Police, apply to the Court or Magistrate for attachment of property suspected to be derived or obtained from a criminal activity, and for distribution of proceeds to victims.
Section 107(1)Section 107(6)Section 107(7)
Source: Key Features of the New Criminal Laws, PIB, 20 August 2025; The Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha (Second) Sanhita, 2023 (Bill Track), PRS Legislative Research
Section 356
Trial in absentia of proclaimed offender
According to the Ministry of Home Affairs: When a person declared as a proclaimed offender has absconded to evade trial and there is no immediate prospect of arresting him, the Court may, after waiting 90 days from framing of charge, proceed with the trial in his absence as if he were present.
Section 356(1)Proviso to Section 356(1)Section 356(2)
Source: Highlights of New Criminal Laws, PIB, 30 July 2024; The Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha (Second) Sanhita, 2023 (Bill Track), PRS Legislative Research
Section 479(1)
Bail for undertrial prisoners (one-third / one-half of maximum period)
According to the Ministry of Home Affairs: An undertrial prisoner detained for half of the maximum period of imprisonment specified for an offence (not punishable with death or life imprisonment) shall be released on bail; for a first-time offender never previously convicted, release on bond applies after one-third of the maximum period.
Section 479(1)First proviso to Section 479(1)
Source: Highlights of New Criminal Laws, PIB, 30 July 2024; The Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha (Second) Sanhita, 2023 (Bill Track), PRS Legislative Research
Section 530
Trials and proceedings in electronic mode
According to the Ministry of Home Affairs: All trials, inquiries and proceedings under the Sanhita — including issuance, service and execution of summons and warrants, examination of complainant and witnesses, recording of evidence in inquiries and trials, and all appellate proceedings — may be held in electronic mode by audio-video electronic means.
Source: Highlights of New Criminal Laws, PIB, 30 July 2024
Section 23(2)–(3)
Community service defined & Magistrate fine limits enhanced
Raises the maximum fine a Magistrate of the first class may impose from ₹10,000 to ₹50,000, raises the maximum fine a Magistrate of the second class may impose from ₹5,000 to ₹10,000, and empowers both to impose community service.
Section 23(2)Section 23(3)Explanation to Section 23
Source: Highlights of New Criminal Laws, PIB, 30 July 2024; The Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha (Second) Sanhita, 2023 (Bill Track), PRS Legislative Research
Section 398
Mandatory State Witness Protection Scheme
According to the Ministry of Home Affairs: Every State Government is required to prepare and notify a Witness Protection Scheme for the State with a view to ensuring protection of witnesses.
Source: Highlights of New Criminal Laws, PIB, 30 July 2024
Compiled 28 October 2026. This page reports what was published; it does not assess the changes.