IPC 17 BNS Equivalent: New Section and What Changed

What Changed From IPC 17 to BNS 2(12)?

Section 17 IPC corresponds to Section 2(12) BNS. Section 2(12) BNS provides that Government means the Central Government or a State Government. The operative word denotes is replaced by means, and the Government of a State is phrased as a State Government. The provision sits as clause twelve within the alphabetical definitions of Section 2 BNS without altering legal substance.

IPC 17 vs BNS 2(12): Comparison Table

Aspect	IPC 1860 (repealed)	BNS 2023 (in force)
Section	17	2(12)
Offence	“Government”	Same
Punishment	None. Section 17 IPC creates no offence.	None. Section 2(12) BNS creates no offence.
Fine	None. Section 17 IPC creates no offence.	None. Section 2(12) BNS creates no offence.
Bail	Non-Bailable	Same
Cognizance	Non-Cognizable	Same
Compoundable	Non-Compoundable	Same

IPC 17 and BNS 2(12): Bare Act Text Side by Side

IPC 1860 (repealed)

Section 17, IPC 1860

17. “Government”.—The word “Government” denotes the Central Government or the Government of a State.

BNS 2023 (in force)

Section 2(12), BNS 2023

“Government” means the Central Government or a State Government;

Ingredients: IPC 17 vs BNS 2(12)

Under IPC 17

The word Government denotes the Central Government
The word Government denotes the Government of a State

Under BNS 2(12)

Under Section 2(12) BNS the term Government means the Central Government
Under Section 2(12) BNS the term Government means a State Government

What IPC 17 to BNS 2(12) Means for Pending Cases

For Section 17 IPC (now Section 2(12) BNS): under Section 2(12) BNS, Government means the Central Government or a State Government, as Section 17 IPC provided in different words. Where a provision of the Sanhita speaks of the Government, it reaches either.

FAQs: IPC 17 to BNS 2(12)

What changed from Section 17 IPC in the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita?▼

Under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, Section 2(12) BNS defines Government in place of Section 17 IPC. The operative word denotes becomes means, and the phrase the Government of a State is updated to a State Government without change in substantive meaning.

Where does Section 17 IPC sit in the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita?▼

It sits in Section 2(12) BNS, in Chapter I, Preliminary, under the heading Definitions.

Does Section 17 IPC or Section 2(12) BNS apply to an act done before 1 July 2024?▼

Section 17 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 Section 358 BNS repealed the IPC from 1 July 2024 but saves any liability already incurred under it, so an act done before that date is still dealt with under Section 17 IPC. Section 2(12) BNS governs acts done on or after 1 July 2024.

IPC 17 to BNS 2(12): “Government”

IPC 17 to BNS 2(12) at a Glance