IPC 10 Is Now BNS 2(19) and 2(35): Man and Woman Definitions

What Changed From IPC 10 to BNS 2(19) and 2(35)?

Section 10 IPC corresponds to Section 2(19) BNS and Section 2(35) BNS. The single IPC section is divided into two separate alphabetical clauses within Section 2 BNS, where man is defined in clause nineteen and woman in clause thirty-five. In both provisions the operative word denotes is replaced by means, while preserving the foundational rule that each term encompasses a human being of any age.

IPC 10 vs BNS 2(19) and 2(35): Comparison Table

Aspect	IPC 1860 (repealed)	BNS 2023 (in force)
Section	10	2(19) and 2(35)
Offence	“Man”. “Woman”	Same
Punishment	None. Section 10 IPC creates no offence.	None. Section 2(19) and Section 2(35) BNS create no offence.
Fine	None. Section 10 IPC creates no offence.	None. Section 2(19) and Section 2(35) BNS create no offence.
Bail	Non-Bailable	Same
Cognizance	Non-Cognizable	Same
Compoundable	Non-Compoundable	Same

IPC 10 and BNS 2(19) and 2(35): Bare Act Text Side by Side

IPC 1860 (repealed)

Section 10, IPC 1860

10. “Man”. “Woman”.—The word “man” denotes a male human being of any age; the word “woman” denotes a female human being of any age.

BNS 2023 (in force)

Section 2(19) and 2(35), BNS 2023

(19) “man” means male human being of any age; (35) “woman” means a female human being of any age;

Ingredients: IPC 10 vs BNS 2(19) and 2(35)

Under IPC 10

The word man denotes a male human being of any age
The word woman denotes a female human being of any age

Under BNS 2(19) and 2(35)

Under Section 2(19) BNS the term man means male human being of any age
Under Section 2(35) BNS the term woman means a female human being of any age

What IPC 10 to BNS 2(19) and 2(35) Means for Pending Cases

For Section 10 IPC (now Section 2(19) and 2(35) BNS): under Section 2(19) BNS and Section 2(35) BNS, the definitions of man and woman continue to apply to male and female persons of any age, replacing denotes with means. A charge framed under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 applies these definitions across all gender-specific penal offences.

FAQs: IPC 10 to BNS 2(19) and 2(35)

What changed from Section 10 IPC in the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita?▼

Section 10 IPC is split into two alphabetical clauses: Section 2(19) BNS defines man and Section 2(35) BNS defines woman. The word denotes is replaced by means, and both definitions continue to apply to a human being of any age.

Where does Section 10 IPC sit in the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita?▼

It sits in Section 2(19) BNS and Section 2(35) BNS, in Chapter I, Preliminary, under the heading Definitions.

Does Section 10 IPC or Sections 2(19) and 2(35) BNS apply to an act done before 1 July 2024?▼

Section 10 IPC. Section 358 BNS repealed the IPC from 1 July 2024 but saves any liability already incurred under it, so an act done before that date is still dealt with under Section 10 IPC. Sections 2(19) and 2(35) BNS governs acts done on or after 1 July 2024.

IPC 10 to BNS 2(19) and 2(35): “Man”. “Woman”

IPC 10 to BNS 2(19) and 2(35) at a Glance