IPC 293 to BNS 295: Sale, etc., of obscene objects to young person

Section 293 IPC (1860) replaced by Section 295 BNS (2023)

View IPC Section 293 →View BNS Section 295 →

IPC 293 to BNS 295 at a Glance

Section 293 IPC (Sale, etc., of obscene objects to young person) is now Section 295 BNS, in force from 1 July 2024. Under the BNS it is bailable and cognizable. What changed is set out below.

What Changed From IPC 293 to BNS 295?

Section 293 IPC corresponds to Section 295 BNS. The heading is updated from young person to child. In the text, the age threshold shifts from any person under the age of twenty years in Section 293 IPC to any child in Section 295 BNS, where child is defined under Section 2(3) BNS as a person below the age of eighteen years. The internal cross-reference updates from the last preceding section to section 294 BNS. The punishment scales remain unchanged at imprisonment up to three years and fine up to two thousand rupees on first conviction, and imprisonment up to seven years and fine up to five thousand rupees on subsequent conviction.

IPC 293 vs BNS 295: Comparison Table

Aspect	IPC 1860 (repealed)	BNS 2023 (in force)
Section	293	295
Offence	Sale, etc., of obscene objects to young person	Same
Punishment	On first conviction, imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to three years. On a second or subsequent conviction, imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to seven years.	Imprisonment of either description for a term up to three years on first conviction, and up to seven years on a second or subsequent conviction.
Fine	On first conviction, fine which may extend to two thousand rupees. On a second or subsequent conviction, fine which may extend to five thousand rupees. Fine is imposed together with imprisonment, not as an alternative.	Mandatory fine up to two thousand rupees on first conviction, and up to five thousand rupees on a second or subsequent conviction.
Bail	Bailable	Same
Cognizance	Cognizable	Same
Compoundable	Non-Compoundable	Same
Triable By	Any Magistrate	Same

IPC 293 and BNS 295: Bare Act Text Side by Side

IPC 1860 (repealed)

Section 293, IPC 1860

293. Sale, etc., of obscene objects to young person.—Whoever sells, lets to hire, distributes, exhibits or circulates to any person under the age of twenty years any such obscene object as is referred to in the last preceding section, or offers or attempts so to do, shall be punished on first conviction with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to three years, and with fine which may extend to two thousand rupees, and, in the event of a second or subsequent conviction, with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to seven years, and also with fine which may extend to five thousand rupees.

BNS 2023 (in force)

Section 295, BNS 2023

Whoever sells, lets to hire, distributes, exhibits or circulates to any child any such obscene object as is referred to in section 294, or offers or attempts so to do, shall be punished on first conviction with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to three years, and with fine which may extend to two thousand rupees, and, in the event of a second or subsequent conviction, with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to seven years, and also with fine which may extend to five thousand rupees.

Ingredients: IPC 293 vs BNS 295

Under IPC 293

An obscene object of the description referred to in Section 292 IPC
Selling, letting to hire, distributing, exhibiting or circulating that obscene object to any person under the age of twenty years, or offering or attempting to do so

Under BNS 295

Selling, letting to hire, distributing, exhibiting or circulating to a child an obscene object referred to in Section 294 BNS
Offering or attempting to sell, let to hire, distribute, exhibit or circulate such an object to a child

What IPC 293 to BNS 295 Means for Pending Cases

For Section 293 IPC (now Section 295 BNS): the new provision narrows the protected group from persons under twenty years to a child, defined under Section 2(3) BNS as a person below eighteen years, while keeping identical prison terms and mandatory fines.

FAQs: IPC 293 to BNS 295

What changed when Section 293 IPC became Section 295 BNS?▼

Section 295 BNS replaces the phrase person under the age of twenty years with child, defined under Section 2(3) BNS as a person below eighteen years. The cross-reference updates to Section 294 BNS. The prison sentences and fine amounts on first and subsequent convictions remain identical.

Where does Section 293 IPC sit in the BNS?▼

In Section 295 BNS, in Chapter XV, Of Offences Affecting the Public Health, Safety, Convenience, Decency and Morals.

Does Section 293 IPC or Section 295 BNS apply to an act done before 1 July 2024?▼

Section 293 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 293 IPC. Section 295 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 ·