IPC §51 → BNS §2

“Oath”

ModifiedConfidence: mediumStatus: cross checkedconsolidation context(precautionary)scope drift(observed)
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: 2026-05-02.

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Comparison

Old law
IPC §51
“Oath”

51. “Oath”.—The word “oath” includes a solemn affirmation substituted by law for an oath, and any declaration required or authorised by law to be made before a public servant or to be used for the purpose of proof, whether in a Court of Justice or not.

New law
BNS §2
Definitions

In this Sanhita, unless the context otherwise requires,—

What changedAI-inferred

BNS Section 2(23) preserves the same coverage. Court of Justice is renamed to Court (consistent with the IPC 20 → BNS 2(5) label change); authorized is normalised to UK spelling authorised.

Old position

IPC Section 51 brought within oath the secular solemn affirmation substituted by law, and any declaration before a public servant or used for proof, whether in a Court of Justice or not.

New position

BNS Section 2(23) preserves the same coverage. Court of Justice is renamed to Court (consistent with the IPC 20 → BNS 2(5) label change); authorized is normalised to UK spelling authorised.

Editorial deltaAI-indicated (source-linked)

IPC Section 51 and BNS Section 2(23) carry the same definition of oath across the same set: a solemn affirmation substituted by law, plus any declaration required or authorised by law to be made before a public servant or used for proof, in or out of Court. Two text-level shifts: (i) Court of Justice (anchored to IPC 20) is replaced by Court (anchored to BNS 2(5)) — cross-definition linkage drift, low-weight; (ii) UK-spelling normalisation of authorized to authorised (drafting polish only).

Transitional note (repeal & savings)

For matters initiated before 1 July 2024, IPC 51 continues to apply. For matters from that date forward, BNS 2 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 2, sub-clause (23). The definition is preserved with the cross-definition pointer shifted from IPC 20 ('Court of Justice') to BNS 2(5) ('Court').

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 §51 → BNS §2 Mapping Page, last updated 2026-05-01, accessed 2026-10-29, https://newlaws.in/ipc/51.

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.