IPC 272→BNS 274

IPC 272 to BNS 274: Adulteration of food or drink intended for sale

Section 272 IPC (1860) replaced by Section 274 BNS (2023)

View IPC Section 272 →View BNS Section 274 →

IPC 272 to BNS 274 at a Glance

Section 272 IPC (Adulteration of food or drink intended for sale) is now Section 274 BNS, in force from 1 July 2024. Under the BNS it is bailable and non-cognizable. What changed is set out below.

What Changed From IPC 272 to BNS 274?

Section 272 IPC is now Section 274 BNS. The statutory definition of the offence is unchanged, but the maximum fine has been increased from one thousand rupees under Section 272 IPC to five thousand rupees under Section 274 BNS. The maximum prison term of six months remains the same.

IPC 272 vs BNS 274: Comparison Table

AspectIPC 1860 (repealed)BNS 2023 (in force)
Section272274
OffenceAdulteration of food or drink intended for saleSame
PunishmentImprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to six months, or fine, or both.Imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to six months.
FineFine which may extend to one thousand rupees, alone or with imprisonment.Fine which may extend to five thousand rupees, either alone or in addition to imprisonment.
BailBailableSame
CognizanceNon-CognizableSame
CompoundableNon-CompoundableSame
Triable ByAny MagistrateSame

IPC 272 and BNS 274: Bare Act Text Side by Side

IPC 1860 (repealed)

Section 272, IPC 1860

272. Adulteration of food or drink intended for sale.—Whoever adulterates any article of food or drink, so as to make such article noxious as food or drink, intending to sell such article as food or drink, or knowing it to be likely that the same will be sold as food or drink, shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to six months, or with fine which may extend to one thousand rupees, or with both.
BNS 2023 (in force)

Section 274, BNS 2023

Whoever adulterates any article of food or drink, so as to make such article noxious as food or drink, intending to sell such article as food or drink, or knowing it to be likely that the same will be sold as food or drink, shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to six months, or with fine which may extend to five thousand rupees, or with both.

Ingredients: IPC 272 vs BNS 274

Under IPC 272
  1. Adulterating any article of food or drink
  2. The adulteration makes the article noxious as food or drink
  3. Intending to sell the article as food or drink, or knowing it to be likely that it will be sold as food or drink
Under BNS 274
  1. Adulterating any article of food or drink so as to make it noxious as food or drink
  2. Intending to sell the article as food or drink, or knowing that it is likely to be sold as food or drink

What IPC 272 to BNS 274 Means for Pending Cases

For Section 272 IPC (now Section 274 BNS): the maximum fine increases from one thousand rupees to five thousand rupees under Section 274 BNS, while the legal ingredients that must be established at trial remain identical.

FAQs: IPC 272 to BNS 274

What changed when Section 272 IPC became Section 274 BNS?▼

Section 274 BNS raises the maximum fine from one thousand rupees to five thousand rupees. The definition of the offence and the maximum imprisonment of six months remain the same as under Section 272 IPC.

Where does Section 272 IPC sit in the BNS?▼

In Section 274 BNS, in Chapter XV, Of Offences Affecting the Public Health, Safety, Convenience, Decency and Morals.

Does Section 272 IPC or Section 274 BNS apply to an act done before 1 July 2024?▼

Section 272 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 272 IPC. Section 274 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 ·