IPC 274 BNS Equivalent: New Section and What Changed

Aspect	IPC 1860 (repealed)	BNS 2023 (in force)
Section	274	276
Offence	Adulteration of drugs	Same
Punishment	Imprisonment 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 one year.
Fine	Fine which may extend to one thousand rupees, alone or with imprisonment.	Fine which may extend to five thousand rupees, or both imprisonment and fine.
Bail	Non-Bailable	Same
Cognizance	Non-Cognizable	Same
Compoundable	Non-Compoundable	Same
Triable By	Any Magistrate	Same

IPC 274 and BNS 276: Bare Act Text Side by Side

IPC 1860 (repealed)

Section 274, IPC 1860

274. Adulteration of drugs.—Whoever adulterates any drug or medical preparation in such a manner as to lessen the efficacy or change the operation of such drug or medical preparation, or to make it noxious, intending that it shall be sold or used for, or knowing it to be likely that it will be sold or used for, any medicinal purpose, as if it had not undergone such adulteration, 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 276, BNS 2023

Whoever adulterates any drug or medical preparation in such a manner as to lessen the efficacy or change the operation of such drug or medical preparation, or to make it noxious, intending that it shall be sold or used for, or knowing it to be likely that it will be sold or used for, any medicinal purpose, as if it had not undergone such adulteration, shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to one year, or with fine which may extend to five thousand rupees, or with both.

Ingredients: IPC 274 vs BNS 276

Under IPC 274

Adulterating any drug or medical preparation
The adulteration lessens the efficacy, changes the operation, or makes noxious the drug or medical preparation
Intending that it shall be sold or used for any medicinal purpose, or knowing that it is likely to be sold or used for any medicinal purpose, as if it had not undergone such adulteration

Under BNS 276

Adulterating a drug or medical preparation so as to lessen its efficacy, change its operation, or make it noxious
Intending or knowing it to be likely that the drug will be sold or used for a medicinal purpose as if unadulterated

What IPC 274 to BNS 276 Means for Pending Cases

For Section 274 IPC (now Section 276 BNS): both the maximum prison sentence and the fine cap increase under Section 276 BNS, moving from six months to one year of imprisonment and from one thousand rupees to five thousand rupees in fine.

FAQs: IPC 274 to BNS 276

What changed when Section 274 IPC became Section 276 BNS?▼

Section 276 BNS increases the maximum imprisonment from six months to one year and raises the maximum fine from one thousand rupees to five thousand rupees. The statutory definition of the offence remains unchanged from Section 274 IPC.

Where does Section 274 IPC sit in the BNS?▼

In Section 276 BNS, in Chapter XV, Of Offences Affecting the Public Health, Safety, Convenience, Decency and Morals.

Does Section 274 IPC or Section 276 BNS apply to an act done before 1 July 2024?▼

Section 274 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 274 IPC. Section 276 BNS governs acts done on or after 1 July 2024.

IPC 274 to BNS 276: Adulteration of drugs

IPC 274 to BNS 276 at a Glance

What Changed From IPC 274 to BNS 276?

IPC 274 vs BNS 276: Comparison Table

IPC 274 and BNS 276: Bare Act Text Side by Side

Ingredients: IPC 274 vs BNS 276

What IPC 274 to BNS 276 Means for Pending Cases

FAQs: IPC 274 to BNS 276