IPC 511→BNS 62

IPC 511 to BNS 62: Punishment for attempting to commit offences punishable with imprisonment for life or other imprisonment

Section 511 IPC (1860) replaced by Section 62 BNS (2023)

View IPC Section 511 →View BNS Section 62 →

IPC 511 to BNS 62 at a Glance

Section 511 IPC (Punishment for attempting to commit offences punishable with imprisonment for life or other imprisonment) is now Section 62 BNS, in force from 1 July 2024. What changed is set out below.

What Changed From IPC 511 to BNS 62?

Section 511 IPC corresponds to Section 62 BNS. The phrase this Code is replaced by this Sanhita throughout the provision, while preserving identical principles, punishments and illustrations.

IPC 511 vs BNS 62: Comparison Table

AspectIPC 1860 (repealed)BNS 2023 (in force)
Section51162
OffencePunishment for attempting to commit offences punishable with imprisonment for life or other imprisonmentSame
PunishmentImprisonment of any description provided for the offence attempted, for up to one-half of the imprisonment for life or one-half of the longest term provided for that offence.Same
FineThe fine provided for the offence attempted, in place of imprisonment, or with it.Same
CompoundableCompoundableSame
Triable ByThe court by which the offence attempted is triableSame

IPC 511 and BNS 62: Bare Act Text Side by Side

IPC 1860 (repealed)

Section 511, IPC 1860

511. Punishment for attempting to commit offences punishable with imprisonment for life or other imprisonment.—Whoever attempts to commit an offence punishable by this Code with imprisonment for life or imprisonment, or to cause such an offence to be committed, and in such attempt does any act towards the commission of the offence, shall, where no express provision is made by this Code for the punishment of such attempt, be punished with imprisonment of any description provided for the offence, for a term which may extend to one-half of the imprisonment for life or, as the case may be, one-half of the longest term of imprisonment provided for that offence, or with such fine as is provided for the offence, or with both. Illustrations (a) A makes an attempt to steal some jewels by breaking open a box, and finds after so opening the box, that there is no jewel in it. He has done an act towards the commission of theft, and therefore is guilty under this section. (b) A makes an attempt to pick the pocket of Z by thrusting his hand into Z's pocket. A fails in the attempt in consequence of Z's having nothing in his pocket. A is guilty under this section.
BNS 2023 (in force)

Section 62, BNS 2023

Whoever attempts to commit an offence punishable by this Sanhita with imprisonment for life or imprisonment, or to cause such an offence to be committed, and in such attempt does any act towards the commission of the offence, shall, where no express provision is made by this Sanhita for the punishment of such attempt, be punished with imprisonment of any description provided for the offence, for a term which may extend to one-half of the imprisonment for life or, as the case may be, one-half of the longest term of imprisonment provided for that offence, or with such fine as is provided for the offence, or with both. Illustrations. (a) A makes an attempt to steal some jewels by breaking open a box, and finds after so opening the box, that there is no jewel in it. He has done an act towards the commission of theft, and therefore is guilty under this section. (b) A makes an attempt to pick the pocket of Z by thrusting his hand into Z’s pocket. A fails in the attempt in consequence of Z’s having nothing in his pocket. A is guilty under this section.

Ingredients: IPC 511 vs BNS 62

Under IPC 511
  1. The accused attempts to commit an offence punishable by the Code with imprisonment for life or imprisonment, or to cause such an offence to be committed
  2. In that attempt he does an act towards the commission of the offence
  3. The Code makes no express provision elsewhere for the punishment of such attempt
Under BNS 62
  1. Attempting to commit an offence punishable by the Sanhita with imprisonment for life or imprisonment, or to cause such an offence to be committed
  2. Doing any act towards the commission of the offence in the course of such attempt
  3. Absence of an express provision elsewhere in the Sanhita punishing that specific attempt

What IPC 511 to BNS 62 Means for Pending Cases

For Section 511 IPC (now Section 62 BNS): under Section 62 BNS, the general residuary provision for punishing attempts continues to apply across all offences punishable with imprisonment where no specific attempt section is provided.

FAQs: IPC 511 to BNS 62

What changed when Section 511 IPC became Section 62 BNS?▼

Section 511 IPC is renumbered as Section 62 BNS. The words this Code become this Sanhita, while keeping the identical legal standard and punishment formula.

Where does Section 511 IPC sit in the BNS?▼

In Section 62 BNS, in Chapter IV, Of General Exceptions, Abetment and Attempt.

Does Section 511 IPC or Section 62 BNS apply to an act done before 1 July 2024?▼

Section 511 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 511 IPC. Section 62 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 ·