IPC §186 → BNS §221

Obstructing public servant in discharge of public functions

Substantively sameConfidence: mediumStatus: cross checkedconsolidation context(precautionary)
View government sourcemha.gov.in(opens the Indian Penal Code, 1860 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 §186
Obstructing public servant in discharge of public functions

186. Obstructing public servant in discharge of public functions.—Whoever voluntarily obstructs any public servant in the discharge of his public functions, shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to three months, or with fine which may extend to five hundred rupees, or with both.

New law
BNS §221
Obstructing public servant in discharge of public functions

Whoever voluntarily obstructs any public servant in the discharge of his public functions, shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to three months, or with fine which may extend to two thousand and five hundred rupees, or with both.

What changedAI-inferred

IPC 186 (voluntarily obstructing public servant in discharge of public functions) is preserved as BNS 221 with fine cap modernisation (5x). Imprisonment ceiling (3 months) preserved.

Old position

IPC 186 is concerned with Obstructing public servant in discharge of public functions. Obstructing public servant in discharge of public functions

New position

BNS 221 modifies the framework. Topic: Obstructing public servant in discharge of public functions. Whoever voluntarily obstructs any public servant in the discharge of his public functions, shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to three months, or with fine which may extend to two thousand

IPC 186 (voluntarily obstructing public servant in discharge of public functions) is preserved as BNS 221 with fine cap modernisation (5x). Imprisonment ceiling (3 months) preserved.

Editorial deltaAI-indicated (source-linked)

BNS-221 reproduces IPC-186's framework on obstructing public servant in discharge of functions character-identically. Historical-amendment brackets are incorporated as plain text. Punishment levels are preserved.

Transitional note (repeal & savings)

For matters initiated before 1 July 2024, IPC 186 continues to apply. For matters from that date forward, BNS 221 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 221 (Obstructing public servant in discharge of public functions). The relationship is classified as modified — 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 §186 → BNS §221 Mapping Page, last updated 2026-05-01, accessed 2026-10-29, https://newlaws.in/ipc/186.

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.