IPC→BNS · CrPC→BNSS · Evidence→BSA · 4 Labour Codes · Consumer Protection 2019 · Companies Act 2013 · Telecom Act 2023 · Motor Vehicles 2019 · Jan Vishwas 2023 · DPDPA 2023
| Offence / Topic | IPC 1860 | BNS 2023 |
|---|---|---|
| Murder | S.302 — Death or Life + Fine | S.101 — Same Renumbered |
| Culpable Homicide | S.304 | S.105 Renumbered |
| Rape | S.375/376 — 7 yrs to Life | S.63/64 — Enhanced; gang rape of minor: death Enhanced |
| Dowry Death | S.304B — Min 7 yrs to Life | S.80 — Same retained Renumbered |
| Cruelty by Husband (498A) | S.498A — Up to 3 yrs | S.85 — Same retained Renumbered |
| Cheating (420) | S.420 — Up to 7 yrs | S.318(4) Renumbered |
| Terrorism | Not in IPC — only in UAPA | S.113 — Terrorist act now in main penal code New |
| Organised Crime | Not in IPC — only state MCOCAs | S.111 — Now in central law New |
| Hit & Run (fleeing) | S.304A — Up to 2 yrs | S.106(2) — Up to 10 yrs + ₹7L Fine Enhanced |
| Sedition | S.124A — Sedition | S.152 — Acts endangering sovereignty (wider scope) Replaced |
| Attempt to Suicide | S.309 — Criminal offence | Omitted — Decriminalised in BNS Omitted |
| Adultery | S.497 — Criminal offence | Omitted — SC struck down in Joseph Shine 2018 Omitted |
| Community Service | Not available as punishment | S.4 — Added as formal punishment New |
| Topic | CrPC 1973 | BNSS 2023 |
|---|---|---|
| FIR Registration | S.154 — Zero FIR only by SC direction | S.173 — Zero FIR now statutory right; e-FIR; SP approach if refused Enhanced |
| Anticipatory Bail | S.438 — HC/Sessions; no time limit | S.482 — 40-day interim AB limit in most cases Time limit added |
| Undertrial Bail | S.436A — Half sentence benefit | S.479 — First-time offender: bail if half sentence served Enhanced |
| Remand / Custody | S.167 — 15 days police custody continuous | S.187 — 15-day PC can be in parts (not necessarily first 15 days) Modified |
| Charge Framing | No mandatory timeline | S.230 — Charges within 60 days of first hearing New timeline |
| Trial Completion | No statutory deadline | S.346 — Sessions trial must end in 3 years New |
| Judgment Delivery | No deadline after arguments | S.392 — Judgment within 45 days of completing arguments New |
| Forensics | No mandatory forensics provision | S.176(3) — Mandatory for 7+ yr offences; video recording of scene New |
| Victim Rights | Limited — S.372 appeal on acquittal | S.335-339 — Victim heard before plea bargaining; updates mandatory Enhanced |
| Maintenance | S.125 CrPC | S.144 BNSS — Same right retained Renumbered |
| Witness Protection | No specific provision | S.398 — Witness protection scheme now statutory New |
| Trial in Absentia | S.299 — Limited to proclaimed offenders | S.356 — Expanded: proceeds if accused repeatedly absents after charge Expanded |
| Topic | Indian Evidence Act, 1872 | BSA 2023 |
|---|---|---|
| Electronic Records | S.65A/65B — Secondary evidence; mandatory certificate | S.61-62 — PRIMARY evidence; S.63 certificate simplified Major change |
| WhatsApp / Emails | Secondary evidence; printout + 65B certificate | Admissible as primary evidence in electronic form Enhanced |
| DNA Evidence | Accepted through general expert opinion | S.39 — DNA explicitly named as admissible expert opinion Clarified |
| Dying Declaration | S.32(1) — Admissible | S.26 — Retained; video recording now preferred Enhanced |
| Confession to Police | S.25 — Inadmissible | S.23 — Inadmissible — same rule retained ✅ |
| Burden of Proof | S.101-114 — General rules | S.95-113 — Same structure; S.113 rape presumption retained Renumbered |
| Hostile Witness | S.154 — Court permission to cross-examine | S.147 — Same, retained Renumbered |
| Expert Opinion | S.45 — Handwriting, science etc. | S.39 — Retained + fingerprint, DNA explicitly included Expanded |
| Labour Code | Old Acts Repealed | Key New Provisions |
|---|---|---|
| Code on Wages, 2019 | Payment of Wages Act 1936 Minimum Wages Act 1948 Payment of Bonus Act 1965 Equal Remuneration Act 1976 | • Universal minimum wage for ALL workers (not just scheduled jobs) • National Floor Wage — states cannot go below • Basic + DA must be ≥50% of CTC • Uniform definition of "wages" across all laws New |
| Industrial Relations Code, 2020 | Trade Unions Act 1926 Industrial Employment (Standing Orders) Act 1946 Industrial Disputes Act 1947 | • Fixed-Term Employment (FTE) with full benefit parity • Gratuity after 1 year for FTE (was 5 years) • Retrenchment threshold raised: 100 → 300 workers • Two-member Industrial Tribunals for faster resolution • Re-skilling Fund for retrenched workers Enhanced |
| Code on Social Security, 2020 | EPF Act 1952 ESI Act 1948 Maternity Benefit Act 1961 Payment of Gratuity Act 1972 Employee's Compensation Act 1923 + 4 more Acts | • Gig workers & platform workers get social security — FIRST TIME • ESIC coverage pan-India (removed notified area limit) • Commuting accidents now employment injuries • Higher PF/gratuity due to 50% wage rule • Digital-first compliance systems New |
| OSH Code, 2020 (Occupational Safety, Health & Working Conditions) | Factories Act 1948 Contract Labour Act 1970 Inter-State Migrant Workmen Act 1979 Building & Construction Workers Act 1996 + 9 more Acts | • 4-day workweek option (12-hr shifts, 48-hr weekly cap) • Women can work night shifts in all sectors • Factory threshold raised: 10→20 workers (with power) • Contract labour threshold: 20→50 workers • Mandatory safety committees (500+ workers) • Single registration, single licence, single return Simplified |
| Topic | COPRA 1986 | CPA 2019 |
|---|---|---|
| Regulatory Authority | No central authority; only consumer forums | CCPA (Central Consumer Protection Authority) — suo motu powers, product recall, AD ban New |
| Jurisdiction — District Forum | Up to ₹20 lakhs | Up to ₹1 crore Enhanced |
| Jurisdiction — State Commission | ₹20 lakhs to ₹1 crore | ₹1 crore to ₹10 crore Enhanced |
| Jurisdiction — National Commission | Above ₹1 crore | Above ₹10 crore Enhanced |
| E-commerce | Not covered | Explicitly covered — online platforms, direct sellers liable New |
| Product Liability | Limited — only defect in goods | Chapter VI — Manufacturer, seller AND service provider ALL liable; strict liability for unsafe products New |
| Misleading Advertisements | No specific provision for ad liability | Endorsers (celebrities) also liable for misleading ads; CCPA can impose penalties New |
| Mediation | No mediation mechanism | Consumer Mediation Cells — faster resolution before forum proceedings New |
| Unfair Trade Practice | S.2(r) — Limited definition | S.2(47) — Expanded; includes digital trade practices, fake reviews Expanded |
| Complaint Filing | Physical filing only at respective forum | E-filing from anywhere; complaint can be filed where complainant resides Simplified |
| Time Limit for Decision | No strict timeline | 3 months (no laboratory testing); 5 months (with testing) New timeline |
| Topic | Companies Act, 1956 | Companies Act, 2013 |
|---|---|---|
| Dispute Resolution | Company Law Board (CLB) | NCLT (National Company Law Tribunal) + NCLAT (Appellate) — quasi-judicial, faster New |
| One Person Company | Not allowed — min 2 shareholders for private company | S.2(62) — OPC allowed with 1 director + 1 shareholder New |
| Private Company shareholders | Max 50 shareholders | Max 200 shareholders Enhanced |
| CSR — Corporate Social Responsibility | Voluntary | S.135 — Mandatory 2% of net profit for eligible companies (net worth ≥₹500Cr OR turnover ≥₹1000Cr OR net profit ≥₹5Cr) New — India first globally |
| Independent Directors | Not mandatory | Mandatory for listed companies + specified class; minimum 1/3 of board New |
| Women Directors | Not required | Mandatory for listed companies and specified public companies New |
| Dormant Company | No provision | S.455 — Dormant company status introduced for inactive companies New |
| Audit Rotation | No mandatory rotation | Mandatory rotation of audit firms every 5 years for listed companies New |
| Insolvency | Winding up under Companies Act only | IBC 2016 (Insolvency & Bankruptcy Code) — separate comprehensive law; NCLT handles Separate law |
| Class Action Suits | Not available | S.245 — Members/depositors can file class action suits against company/auditors New |
| Electronic Records | Physical documents mandatory | Electronic records, e-filing mandated; digital signatures valid Enhanced |
| Director Duties | Duties not codified in Act | S.166 — Duties of directors codified; fiduciary duty, act in good faith, avoid conflicts New |
| Topic | Old Laws (1885–1950) | Telecom Act, 2023 |
|---|---|---|
| Licensing Framework | Multiple licences (UAS, ISP, VSAT etc.) under Telegraph Act 1885 — complex, overlapping | Single "Authorisation" replaces all licence types — simpler, principle-based Simplified |
| Spectrum Assignment | Administrative allocation — no statutory basis for auctions | S.4 — Spectrum assignment through auction or administrative process — both statutorily recognized Clarified |
| Interception / Surveillance | S.5 Telegraph Act 1885 — broad government power; abused historically | S.20 — Narrower grounds; public emergency / public safety; procedural safeguards codified Refined |
| OTT Services | Not covered — WhatsApp, Zoom etc. unregulated under telegraph law | Definition of "telecommunication services" may cover OTT — government has regulation power pending rules Expanded scope |
| Right of Way | Complex process for laying cables/towers; no unified framework | S.10-16 — Streamlined RoW framework; deemed permission if no response in 60 days Simplified |
| Digital Bharat Nidhi | Universal Service Obligation Fund (USOF) — administrative fund | Renamed "Digital Bharat Nidhi" with statutory backing; expanded mandate for digital inclusion Enhanced |
| SIM Card Fraud | No specific provision | S.3 — Identity verification mandatory; SIM card misuse criminalized — up to 3 yrs / ₹2L Fine New |
| Existing Licences | — | Old licences continue for their validity period or 5 years (whichever earlier) — smooth transition guaranteed Transition |
| Offence | MVA 1988 — Old Penalty | MVA 2019 Amendment — New Penalty |
|---|---|---|
| Drunk Driving | ₹2,000 fine / 6 months jail | ₹10,000 fine / 6 months jail (1st offence); ₹15,000 / 2 yrs (repeat) 5x Enhanced |
| Driving without Licence | ₹500 fine | ₹5,000 fine 10x Enhanced |
| Overspeeding | ₹400 fine (LMV) | ₹1,000-₹5,000 (based on vehicle type) Enhanced |
| No Helmet | ₹100 fine | ₹1,000 fine + 3-month licence disqualification 10x Enhanced |
| No Seat Belt | ₹100 fine | ₹1,000 fine 10x Enhanced |
| Juvenile Driving | Fine on guardian / owner | Guardian/owner 3 yrs jail + ₹25,000 fine; vehicle registration cancelled; juvenile tried as adult Severe |
| Good Samaritan | No protection — helpers often harassed by police | S.134A — Good Samaritans helping accident victims legally protected from civil/criminal liability New |
| Third Party Insurance | Compensation formula limited | Hit & run compensation: ₹2L (death), ₹50K (grievous hurt) — direct government payment Enhanced |
| Vehicle Recall | No recall powers | S.110A — Government can order vehicle recall if defective/unsafe New |
| Law Affected | Old Position | Jan Vishwas 2023 Change |
|---|---|---|
| IPC — Minor Offences | Criminal prosecution for petty defaults | Several IPC sections converted to penalty-only provisions; no imprisonment for first offence Decriminalised |
| IT Act, 2000 | S.66A (struck down by SC 2015) and other provisions | Multiple IT Act sections converted from criminal to civil — penalties only; adjudication officer empowered Simplified |
| FSSAI / Food Safety | Minor food labelling violations — criminal prosecution | Minor violations — compounding/penalty only; prosecution only for serious/repeated violations Decriminalised |
| Legal Metrology Act | Minor weight/measure defaults — criminal offence | Penalty-only for first offence; criminal prosecution only for repeat offenders Decriminalised |
| Copyright Act | Civil + criminal for many violations | Minor copyright violations — civil remedy preferred; criminal action limited to commercial-scale piracy Proportionate |
| Environment Acts | Criminal prosecution for technical/procedural defaults | Environmental Compensation (EC) mechanism — pay and correct; criminal only for serious violations Simplified |
| Topic | IT Act 2000 / SPDI Rules 2011 | DPDPA 2023 |
|---|---|---|
| Scope | Only "Sensitive Personal Data or Information" (SPDI) | All "personal data" — digital form; broad scope including health, financial, location data Expanded |
| Data Principal Rights | No statutory rights to access/correct/erase data | S.11-13 — Right to access, correction, erasure, grievance redressal, nominate representative New |
| Consent | Often buried in lengthy ToS — no specific format | Specific, informed, free and unambiguous consent required; consent request must be in plain language Strengthened |
| Children's Data | No specific protection | S.9 — Parental consent required for processing children's data; no behavioural tracking of minors New |
| Data Breach | Voluntary notification; weak penalty (max ₹5Cr) | Mandatory breach notification to Data Protection Board AND data principal; penalty up to ₹250 Cr Enhanced |
| Regulator | No dedicated data protection authority | Data Protection Board of India (DPBI) — adjudication, penalty, enforcement New |
| Cross-border Transfer | No restriction on data transfer outside India | S.16 — Government can restrict transfer to certain countries by notification (whitelist/blacklist) New control |
| Penalty | Max ₹5 Crore under SPDI rules | Up to ₹250 Crore for significant breaches; ₹200 Cr for breach notification failure 50x Enhanced |
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