IPC 171B to BNS 170: Bribery
Section 171B IPC (1860) replaced by Section 170 BNS (2023)
IPC 171B to BNS 170 at a Glance
Section 171B IPC (Bribery) is now Section 170 BNS, in force from 1 July 2024. What changed is set out below.
What Changed From IPC 171B to BNS 170?
Section 171B IPC is now Section 170 BNS, with the same heading and the same words, including the proviso and the two deeming rules.
IPC 171B vs BNS 170: Comparison Table
| Aspect | IPC 1860 (repealed) | BNS 2023 (in force) |
|---|---|---|
| Section | 171B | 170 |
| Offence | Bribery | Same |
| Punishment | None of its own. Section 171B IPC only defines bribery. The punishment is set by Section 171E IPC. | None of its own. Section 170 BNS only defines bribery. The punishment is set by Section 173 BNS. |
| Fine | None of its own. Any fine is set by Section 171E IPC. | None of its own. Any fine is set by Section 173 BNS. |
| Bail | Non-Bailable | Same |
| Cognizance | Non-Cognizable | Same |
| Compoundable | Non-Compoundable | Same |
IPC 171B and BNS 170: Bare Act Text Side by Side
IPC 1860 (repealed)
Section 171B, IPC 1860
171B. Bribery.—(1) Whoever—
(i) gives a gratification to any person with the object of inducing him or any other person to exercise any electoral right or of rewarding any person for having exercised any such right; or
(ii) accepts either for himself or for any other person any gratification as a reward for exercising any such right or for inducing or attempting to induce any other person to exercise any such right, commits the offence of bribery:
Provided that a declaration of public policy or a promise of public action shall not be an offence under this section.
(2) A person who offers, or agrees to give, or offers or attempts to procure, a gratification shall be deemed to give a gratification.
(3) A person who obtains or agrees to accept or attempts to obtain a gratification shall be deemed to accept a gratification, and a person who accepts a gratification as a motive for doing what he does not intend to do, or as a reward for doing what he has not done, shall be deemed to have accepted the gratification as a reward.
BNS 2023 (in force)
Section 170, BNS 2023
(1) Whoever—
(i) gives a gratification to any person with the object of inducing him or any other person to exercise any electoral right or of rewarding any person for having exercised any such right; or
(ii) accepts either for himself or for any other person any gratification as a reward for exercising any such right or for inducing or attempting to induce any other person to exercise any such right, commits the offence of bribery:
Provided that a declaration of public policy or a promise of public action shall not be an offence under this section.
(2) A person who offers, or agrees to give, or offers or attempts to procure, a gratification shall be deemed to give a gratification.
(3) A person who obtains or agrees to accept or attempts to obtain a gratification shall be deemed to accept a gratification, and a person who accepts a gratification as a motive for doing what he does not intend to do, or as a reward for doing what he has not done, shall be deemed to have accepted the gratification as a reward.
Ingredients: IPC 171B vs BNS 170
Under IPC 171B
- The accused gave a gratification to a person with the object of inducing that person or any other person to exercise an electoral right, or of rewarding a person for having exercised it
- Or the accused accepted a gratification, for himself or for any other person, as a reward for exercising an electoral right or for inducing or attempting to induce another person to exercise it
- An offer, an agreement to give, or an offer or attempt to procure a gratification is deemed to be giving it
- Obtaining, agreeing to accept or attempting to obtain a gratification is deemed to be accepting it
- A declaration of public policy or a promise of public action is not an offence under the section
Under BNS 170
- Giving or accepting a gratification in relation to the exercise of an electoral right
- The proviso that a declaration of public policy or a promise of public action is not an offence
- The deeming rules for offering and for obtaining a gratification
What IPC 171B to BNS 170 Means for Pending Cases
For Section 171B IPC (now Section 170 BNS): the definition is unchanged, so conduct after the BNS came into force is tested against the same words in Section 170 BNS. A declaration of public policy or a promise of public action stays outside the offence.
FAQs: IPC 171B to BNS 170
What changed when Section 171B IPC became Section 170 BNS?▼
Only the number. Section 170 BNS repeats the heading and the words of Section 171B IPC, including the proviso and both deeming rules.
Where does Section 171B IPC sit in the BNS?▼
In Section 170 BNS, in Chapter IX, Of Offences Relating to Elections.
Does Section 171B IPC or Section 170 BNS apply to an act done before 1 July 2024?▼
Section 171B 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 171B IPC. Section 170 BNS governs acts done on or after 1 July 2024.
Disclaimer: This comparison is for informational purposes only. The new criminal laws came into effect on 1 July 2024. Consult a qualified advocate for legal advice.
Sources: Indian Penal Code, 1860 · Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 · Last updated: 16 Oct 2026 ·