BNS §20

Act of a child under seven years of age

Substantively sameConfidence: mediumStatus: editor verified
View government sourcemha.gov.in(opens the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 PDF on mha.gov.in in a new tab)
Last updated 2026-05-01 · Input coverage: full

Compiled by AI-assisted tools. Text verified against official sources where indicated. Field-level labels (AI-indicated / AI-inferred / Text-verified) apply per edge metadata. Verify current bail/cognizable status against official sources before relying on procedural claims. Last updated: 2026-04-28.

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Comparison

Old law
IPC §82
Act of a child under seven years of age

82. Act of a child under seven years of age.—Nothing is an offence which is done by a child under seven years of age.

New law
BNS §20
Act of a child under seven years of age

Nothing is an offence which is done by a child under seven years of age.

What changedAI-inferred

IPC 82 and BNS 20 carry the same doli-incapax rule for children under seven character-identically.

Old position

IPC 82 is concerned with Act of a child under seven years of age. Act of a child under seven years of age

New position

BNS 20 preserves the framework with drafting modernisations as required by the new code. Topic: Act of a child under seven years of age. Nothing is an offence which is done by a child under seven years of age

BNS 20 (Act of a child under seven years of age) preserves the framework of IPC 82. BNS 20 retains the operative provisions in substantively the same form, with drafting modernisation and structural updates as required by the new code. BNS 20 text: Nothing is an offence which is done by a child...

Editorial deltaAI-indicated (source-linked)

BNS 20 (Act of a child under seven years of age) preserves the framework of IPC 82. BNS 20 retains the operative provisions in substantively the same form, with drafting modernisation and structural updates as required by the new code.

BNS 20 text: Nothing is an offence which is done by a child under seven years of age.

Transitional note (repeal & savings)

For matters initiated before 1 July 2024, IPC 82 continues to apply. For matters from that date forward, BNS 20 applies. The transition is governed by the repeal-and-savings clause in the new code (BNS 358 / BNSS 531 / BSA 170 as the case may be); pending proceedings under the old code carry forward unaffected.

Frequently asked

BNS 20 (Act of a child under seven years of age). The relationship is classified as substantively_same — see the change-note above for the textual delta.

Government source

The statutory text above is compiled from the Act as published by the Government of India. The links open the full Act; use the PDF's search to find the section number. The linked government pages offer no link to a single section.

Newlaws.in is an independent site, not a government body. The mappings and notes on this page are its own AI-assisted comparison and are not published or endorsed by any government body.

Sources

Cite this page

Newlaws.in, IPC §82 → BNS §20 Mapping Page, last updated 2026-05-01, accessed 2026-10-29, https://newlaws.in/bns/20.

Compiled using AI-assisted tools · Source-linked · Last updated 2026-05-01

Not legal advice. Verify against the bare act and consult a qualified advocate for any specific matter.