IPC 376→BNS 64

IPC 376 to BNS 64: Punishment for rape

Section 376 IPC (1860) replaced by Section 64 BNS (2023)

View IPC Section 376 →View BNS Section 64 →

IPC 376 to BNS 64 at a Glance

Section 376 IPC (Punishment for rape) is now Section 64 BNS, in force from 1 July 2024. Under the BNS it is non-bailable and cognizable. What changed is set out below.

What Changed From IPC 376 to BNS 64?

Section 376 IPC corresponds primarily to Section 64 BNS. Sub-sections 1 and 2 of Section 376 IPC are reenacted as sub-sections 1 and 2 of Section 64 BNS with identical punishments and elements. The clauses in sub-section 2 are re-lettered from clauses a to m because former clause i of the IPC had been omitted in 2018. Former sub-section 3 of Section 376 IPC, punishing rape on a woman under sixteen years of age, is now codified separately as Section 65(1) BNS with the same punishment of rigorous imprisonment of not less than twenty years extending to natural life and liability to fine.

IPC 376 vs BNS 64: Comparison Table

AspectIPC 1860 (repealed)BNS 2023 (in force)
Section37664
OffencePunishment for rapeSame
PunishmentRigorous imprisonment of not less than ten years extending to imprisonment for life under sub-section 1; rigorous imprisonment of not less than ten years extending to imprisonment for the remainder of natural life under sub-section 2; and rigorous imprisonment of not less than twenty years extending to natural life under sub-section 3Rigorous imprisonment for a term of not less than ten years extending to imprisonment for life under sub-section (1); and rigorous imprisonment for a term of not less than ten years extending to imprisonment for life, which means imprisonment for the remainder of that person's natural life, under sub-section (2).
FineLiable to fine under all three sub-sections; under sub-section 3 the fine must be just and reasonable to meet the medical expenses and rehabilitation of the victim, and is paid to the victimLiable to fine in addition to imprisonment under both sub-section (1) and sub-section (2).
BailNon-BailableSame
CognizanceCognizableSame
CompoundableNon-CompoundableSame
Triable ByCourt of SessionSame

IPC 376 and BNS 64: Bare Act Text Side by Side

IPC 1860 (repealed)

Section 376, IPC 1860

376. Punishment for rape (1) Whoever, except in the cases provided for in sub-section (2), commits rape, shall be punished with rigorous imprisonment of either description for a term which [shall not be less than ten years, but which may extend to imprisonment for life, and shall also be liable to fine] (2) Whoever,— (a) being a police officer, commits rape— (i) within the limits of the police station to which such police officer is appointed; or (ii) in the premises of any station house; or (iii) on a woman in such police officer's custody or in the custody of a police officer subordinate to such police officer; or (b) being a public servant, commits rape on a woman in such public servant's custody or in the custody of a public servant subordinate to such public servant; or (c) being a member of the armed forces deployed in an area by the Central or a State Government commits rape in such area; or (d) being on the management or on the staff of a jail, remand home or other place of custody established by or under any law for the time being in force or of a women's or children's institution, commits rape on any inmate of such jail, remand home, place or institution; or (e) being on the management or on the staff of a hospital, commits rape on a woman in that hospital; or (f) being a relative, guardian or teacher of, or a person in a position of trust or authority towards the woman, commits rape on such woman; or (g) commits rape during communal or sectarian violence; or (h) commits rape on a woman knowing her to be pregnant; or (j) commits rape, on a woman incapable of giving consent; or (k) being in a position of control or dominance over a woman, commits rape on such woman; or (l) commits rape on a woman suffering from mental or physical disability; or (m) while committing rape causes grievous bodily harm or maims or disfigures or endangers the life of a woman; or (n) commits rape repeatedly on the same woman, shall be punished with rigorous imprisonment for a term which shall not be less than ten years, but which may extend to imprisonment for life, which shall mean imprisonment for the remainder of that person's natural life, and shall also be liable to fine. Explanation.—For the purposes of this sub-section,— (a) “armed forces” means the naval, military and air forces and includes any member of the Armed Forces constituted under any law for the time being in force, including the paramilitary forces and any auxiliary forces that are under the control of the Central Government or the State Government; (b) “hospital” means the precincts of the hospital and includes the precincts of any institution for the reception and treatment of persons during convalescence or of persons requiring medical attention or rehabilitation; (c) “police officer” shall have the same meaning as assigned to the expression “police” under the Police Act, 1861 (5 of 1861); (d) “women's or children's institution” means an institution, whether called an orphanage or a home for neglected women or children or a widow's home or an institution called by any other name, which is established and maintained for the reception and care of women or children. (3) Whoever, commits rape on a woman under sixteen years of age shall be punished with rigorous imprisonment for a term which shall not be less than twenty years, but which may extend to imprisonment for life, which shall mean imprisonment for the remainder of that person's natural life, and shall also be liable to fine: Provided that such fine shall be just and reasonable to meet the medical expenses and rehabilitation of the victim: Provided further that any fine imposed under this sub-section shall be paid to the victim.
BNS 2023 (in force)

Section 64, BNS 2023

(1) Whoever, except in the cases provided for in sub-section (2), commits rape, shall be punished with rigorous imprisonment of either description for a term which shall not be less than ten years, but which may extend to imprisonment for life, and shall also be liable to fine. (2) Whoever,— (a) being a police officer, commits rape,— (i) within the limits of the police station to which such police officer is appointed; or (ii) in the premises of any station house; or (iii) on a woman in such police officer’s custody or in the custody of a police officer subordinate to such police officer; or (b) being a public servant, commits rape on a woman in such public servant’s custody or in the custody of a public servant subordinate to such public servant; or (c) being a member of the armed forces deployed in an area by the Central Government or a State Government commits rape in such area; or (d) being on the management or on the staff of a jail, remand home or other place of custody established by or under any law for the time being in force or of a women’s or children’s institution, commits rape on any inmate of such jail, remand home, place or institution; or (e) being on the management or on the staff of a hospital, commits rape on a woman in that hospital; or (f) being a relative, guardian or teacher of, or a person in a position of trust or authority towards the woman, commits rape on such woman; or (g) commits rape during communal or sectarian violence; or (h) commits rape on a woman knowing her to be pregnant; or (i) commits rape, on a woman incapable of giving consent; or (j) being in a position of control or dominance over a woman, commits rape on such woman; or (k) commits rape on a woman suffering from mental or physical disability; or (l) while committing rape causes grievous bodily harm or maims or disfigures or endangers the life of a woman; or (m) commits rape repeatedly on the same woman, shall be punished with rigorous imprisonment for a term which shall not be less than ten years, but which may extend to imprisonment for life, which shall mean imprisonment for the remainder of that person’s natural life, and shall also be liable to fine. Explanation.—For the purposes of this sub-section,— (a) “armed forces” means the naval, army and air forces and includes any member of the Armed Forces constituted under any law for the time being in force, including the paramilitary forces and any auxiliary forces that are under the control of the Central Government or the State Government; (b) “hospital” means the precincts of the hospital and includes the precincts of any institution for the reception and treatment of persons during convalescence or of persons requiring medical attention or rehabilitation; (c) “police officer” shall have the same meaning as assigned to the expression “police” under the Police Act, 1861 (5 of 1861); (d) “women’s or children’s institution” means an institution, whether called an orphanage or a home for neglected women or children or a widow’s home or an institution called by any other name, which is established and maintained for the reception and care of women or children.

Ingredients: IPC 376 vs BNS 64

Under IPC 376
  1. Commission of the offence of rape as defined under Section 375 IPC
  2. Under sub-section 1, commission of rape outside the aggravated categories specified in sub-section 2
  3. Or under sub-section 2, commission of rape accompanied by statutory aggravating circumstances including custodial authority, position of trust, pregnancy, disability, or infliction of grievous bodily harm
  4. Or under sub-section 3, commission of rape where the victim is a woman under sixteen years of age
Under BNS 64
  1. Commission of rape as defined under Section 63 BNS
  2. Under Section 64(1) BNS, rigorous imprisonment for not less than ten years extending to imprisonment for life and liability to fine for cases not falling under sub-section (2)
  3. Under Section 64(2) BNS, commission of rape in any of the aggravated circumstances listed in clauses (a) to (m)
  4. Under Section 64(2) BNS, rigorous imprisonment for not less than ten years extending to imprisonment for life, meaning the remainder of that person's natural life, and liability to fine

What IPC 376 to BNS 64 Means for Pending Cases

For Section 376 IPC (now Section 64 BNS): under Section 64 BNS, charges for general and aggravated rape are framed on sub-sections 1 and 2, while offences involving victims under sixteen years of age are charged under Section 65(1) BNS. Cases arising from acts committed prior to the transition continue under Section 376 IPC.

FAQs: IPC 376 to BNS 64

What changed between Section 376 IPC and Section 64 BNS?▼

Section 64 BNS reenacts sub-sections 1 and 2 of Section 376 IPC. Aggravated categories are re-lettered from clauses a to m to reflect the 2018 omission of former clause i. Sub-section 3 of Section 376 IPC, which punishes rape of a woman under sixteen years of age, is relocated to Section 65(1) BNS.

Where is Section 376 IPC located in the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita?▼

General and aggravated rape under Section 376 IPC are codified in Section 64 BNS, and rape on a woman under sixteen years under former sub-section 3 is codified in Section 65(1) BNS, both in Chapter V under Of sexual offences.

Does Section 376 IPC or Section 64 BNS apply to an act done before 1 July 2024?▼

Section 376 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 376 IPC. Section 64 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 ·