IPC 49→BNS 2(20)

IPC 49 to BNS 2(20): “Year”. “Month”

Section 49 IPC (1860) replaced by Section 2(20) BNS (2023)

View IPC Section 49 →View BNS Section 2(20) →

IPC 49 to BNS 2(20) at a Glance

Section 49 IPC (“Year”. “Month”) is now Section 2(20) BNS, in force from 1 July 2024. What changed is set out below.

What Changed From IPC 49 to BNS 2(20)?

Section 2(20) BNS keeps the rule and changes the name of the calendar. The month or the year is reckoned according to the Gregorian calendar, where the IPC said the British calendar. The BNS also lists month before year. It is now clause 20 of the definitions section, in place of a section of its own.

IPC 49 vs BNS 2(20): Comparison Table

AspectIPC 1860 (repealed)BNS 2023 (in force)
Section492(20)
Offence“Year”. “Month”Same
PunishmentNone. Section 49 IPC creates no offence.None. Section 2(20) BNS creates no offence.
FineNone.Same
BailNon-BailableSame
CognizanceNon-CognizableSame
CompoundableNon-CompoundableSame

IPC 49 and BNS 2(20): Bare Act Text Side by Side

IPC 1860 (repealed)

Section 49, IPC 1860

49. “Year”. “Month”.—Wherever the word “year” or the word “month” is used, it is to be understood that the year or the month is to be reckoned according to the British calendar.
BNS 2023 (in force)

Section 2(20), BNS 2023

(20) “month” and “year”.––Wherever the word “month” or the word “year” is used, it is to be understood that the month or the year is to be reckoned according to the Gregorian calendar;

Ingredients: IPC 49 vs BNS 2(20)

Under IPC 49
  1. The word year or the word month is used
  2. The year or the month is to be understood
  3. As reckoned according to the British calendar
Under BNS 2(20)
  1. The word month or the word year is used in the Sanhita
  2. The month or the year is to be understood
  3. As reckoned according to the Gregorian calendar

What IPC 49 to BNS 2(20) Means for Pending Cases

For Section 49 IPC (now Section 2(20) BNS): only the name of the calendar changed, from British to Gregorian. The BNS text still reckons the month or the year by one named calendar, and it lists month before year.

FAQs: IPC 49 to BNS 2(20)

What changed in the BNS version of Section 49 IPC?▼

Section 2(20) BNS says the month or the year is reckoned according to the Gregorian calendar, where the IPC said the British calendar. It also lists month before year.

Where does Section 49 IPC sit in the BNS?▼

In Section 2 BNS, the definitions section, as clause 20, headed month and year.

Does Section 49 IPC or Section 2(20) BNS apply to an act done before 1 July 2024?▼

Section 49 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 49 IPC. Section 2(20) 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 ·