IPC §1 → BNS §1
Title and extent of operation of the Code
Jump to section
Comparison
1. Title and extent of operation of the Code.—This Act shall be called the Indian Penal Code, and shall 3[extend to the whole of India 4[except the State of Jammu and Kashmir]].
(1) This Act may be called the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023.
(2) It shall come into force on such date as the Central Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette, appoint, and different dates may be appointed for different provisions of this Sanhita.
(3) Every person shall be liable to punishment under this Sanhita and not otherwise for every act or omission contrary to the provisions thereof, of which he shall be guilty within India.
(4) Any person liable, by any law for the time being in force in India, to be tried for an offence committed beyond India shall be dealt with according to the provisions of this Sanhita for any act committed beyond India in the same manner as if such act had been committed within India.
(5) The provisions of this Sanhita shall also apply to any offence committed by—
(a) any citizen of India in any place without and beyond India;
(b) any person on any ship or aircraft registered in India wherever it may be;
(c) any person in any place without and beyond India committing offence targeting a computer resource located in India.
(6) Nothing in this Sanhita shall affect the provisions of any Act for punishing mutiny and desertion of officers, soldiers, sailors or airmen in the service of the Government of India or the provisions of any special or local law.
What changedAI-inferred
IPC Section 1's role is now part of BNS Section 1, but the new section is broader. The title carries over (sub-section 1(1)). The territorial idea is preserved but expressed differently — BNS 1(3) says every person is liable for acts done within India. BNS Section 1 also combines rules that were earlier in IPC Sections 2 to 5 (such as application within India, application outside India, and savings for special laws). To see those parts separately, refer to the IPC 2, 3, 4 and 5 mapping pages. This page focuses only on IPC Section 1's role; for the full scope of BNS Section 1, see the BNS 1 page.
Old position
IPC Section 1 was the opening section of the Indian Penal Code, 1860. It did two simple things: named the Act and limited its territorial reach to the whole of India. Originally the section excluded the State of Jammu and Kashmir; that exclusion was deleted in 2019 when J&K was reorganised under the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act, 2019 (Act 34 of 2019).
New position
IPC Section 1's role is now part of BNS Section 1, but the new section is broader. The title carries over (sub-section 1(1)). The territorial idea is preserved but expressed differently — BNS 1(3) says every person is liable for acts done within India. BNS Section 1 also combines rules that were earlier in IPC Sections 2 to 5 (such as application within India, application outside India, and savings for special laws). To see those parts separately, refer to the IPC 2, 3, 4 and 5 mapping pages. This page focuses only on IPC Section 1's role; for the full scope of BNS Section 1, see the BNS 1 page.
Editorial deltaAI-indicated (source-linked)
The title is carried forward as BNS 1(1) with the new Act name. The territorial-extent function of IPC Section 1 is preserved but reframed: IPC 1 stated that the Act shall extend to the whole of India, whereas BNS 1(3) expresses the territorial limit through a person-liability rule — every person shall be liable to punishment under this Sanhita… of which he shall be guilty within India. BNS Section 1 also consolidates additional provisions relating to commencement and extra-territorial application that were previously contained in IPC Sections 2 to 5.
Transitional note (repeal & savings)
For matters initiated before 1 July 2024, IPC 1 continues to apply. For matters from that date forward, BNS 1 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 in their existing frame.
Frequently asked
BNS Section 1. Note that BNS 1 is broader — it also takes over content from IPC Sections 2 to 5.
Sources
- India Code — Indian Penal Code, 1860
- Gazette of India — Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 (Act 45 of 2023)
- Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act, 2019 (Act 34 of 2019)
Cite this page
Newlaws.in, IPC §1 → BNS §1 Mapping Page, last updated 2026-05-01, accessed 2026-06-14, https://newlaws.in/ipc/1.
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.