Section 30 BNS: Act done in good faith for benefit of a person without consent

Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023

Section 30 BNS at a Glance

Section 30 BNS deals with act done in good faith for benefit of a person without consent. It replaced Section 92 IPC on 1 July 2024.

Punishment

None prescribed by this sub-section.

IPC Equivalent

Section 92(1) →

Section 30 BNS Bare Act Text

Nothing is an offence by reason of any harm which it may cause to a person for whose benefit it is done in good faith, even without that person’s consent, if the circumstances are such that it is impossible for that person to signify consent, or if that person is incapable of giving consent, and has no guardian or other person in lawful charge of him from whom it is possible to obtain consent in time for the thing to be done with benefit:

Provided that this exception shall not extend to—

(a) the intentional causing of death, or the attempting to cause death;

(b) the doing of anything which the person doing it knows to be likely to cause death, for any purpose other than the preventing of death or grievous hurt, or the curing of any grievous disease or infirmity;

(c) the voluntary causing of hurt, or to the attempting to cause hurt, for any purpose other than the preventing of death or hurt;

(d) the abetment of any offence, to the committing of which offence it would not extend.

Illustrations.

(1) Z is thrown from his horse, and is insensible. A, a surgeon, finds that Z requires to be trepanned. A, not intending Z’s death, but in good faith, for Z’s benefit, performs the trepan before Z recovers his power of judging for himself. A has committed no offence.

(2) Z is carried off by a tiger. A fires at the tiger knowing it to be likely that the shot may kill Z, but not intending to kill Z, and in good faith intending Z’s benefit. A’s bullet gives Z a mortal wound. A has committed no offence.

(3) A, a surgeon, sees a child suffer an accident which is likely to prove fatal unless an operation be immediately performed. There is no time to apply to the child’s guardian. A performs the operation in spite of the entreaties of the child, intending, in good faith, the child’s benefit. A has committed no offence.

(4) A is in a house which is on fire, with Z, a child. People below hold out a blanket. A drops the child from the house top, knowing it to be likely that the fall may kill the child, but not intending to kill the child, and intending, in good faith, the child’s benefit. Here, even if the child is killed by the fall, A has committed no offence.

Explanation.

Mere pecuniary benefit is not benefit within the meaning of sections 26, 27 and this section.

Source: Section 30, Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023

Section 30 BNS in the IPC (Previous Law)

Section 30 BNS replaced Section 92 IPC from 1 July 2024.

Each sub-section below names its own source.

FAQs on Section 30 BNS

What does Section 30(1) BNS mean in simple words?▼

Section 30(1) BNS says an act done in good faith for a person’s benefit is not an offence even without that person’s consent, but only in limited situations. This applies when the person cannot give or signify consent, and there is no guardian or lawful person available from whom consent can be obtained in time. The protection does not cover every harmful act.

When can someone act without consent for another person’s benefit under Section 30(1) BNS?▼

This section applies only if the act is done in good faith for the person’s benefit, the person is unable to consent or communicate consent, and there is no guardian or lawful person available in time. The act must be done because delay would defeat the benefit. The illustrations include emergency medical treatment and rescue during immediate danger.

Does Section 30(1) BNS protect acts that cause death or hurt?▼

Not always. The section does not protect intentional causing of death or attempting to cause death. It also does not protect causing hurt for a purpose other than preventing death or hurt, and it does not protect acts known to be likely to cause death unless they are done to prevent death or grievous hurt, or to cure a grievous disease or infirmity.

What punishment is given under Section 30(1) BNS?▼

Section 30(1) BNS itself does not prescribe a punishment because it is a general exception, not an offence-creating provision. If its conditions are met, the act is treated as not being an offence. If they are not met, punishment will depend on the specific offence provision alleged.

What does Section 30(2) of the BNS mean in simple words?▼

Section 30(2) BNS says an act done in good faith for a person’s benefit may not be an offence even without that person’s consent. This applies only when the person cannot give consent or cannot communicate it, and there is no guardian or lawful person available in time to give consent. The protection does not cover every act, and the proviso sets clear limits.

When can someone claim protection under Section 30(2) BNS?▼

The person must show the act was done in good faith for the other person’s benefit. It must also be impossible for that person to signify consent, or the person must be incapable of giving consent, and there must be no guardian or lawful person available from whom consent could be obtained in time. Mere money benefit is not treated as "benefit" under the explanation.

Does Section 30(2) BNS protect acts that cause death or hurt?▼

Not always. It does not protect intentional causing of death or an attempt to cause death, and it also does not protect acts known to be likely to cause death unless they are done to prevent death or grievous hurt, or to cure a grievous disease or infirmity. It also does not extend to voluntarily causing hurt except for preventing death or hurt, and it does not protect abetment of an offence where this exception would not apply.

Is there any punishment written in Section 30(2) BNS?▼

No. Section 30(2) BNS is an exception provision saying when an act is not an offence, so it does not itself prescribe a punishment. If the protection does not apply, punishment depends on the offence alleged under the relevant provision.

What does Section 30(3) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita protect?▼

Section 30(3) BNS protects an act done in good faith for a person’s benefit without that person’s consent, but only in limited situations. It applies when the person cannot signify consent, or is incapable of giving consent, and there is no guardian or lawful person available from whom consent can be obtained in time. The act must be for the person’s benefit, not for mere money gain.

When can someone act without consent under Section 30(3) BNS?▼

A person can rely on Section 30(3) BNS only if the act is done in good faith for the other person’s benefit and consent cannot practically be obtained in time. The person affected must either be unable to communicate consent or incapable of giving consent, and there must be no guardian or lawful person available to consent. The illustrations include urgent medical treatment and rescue in danger.

Does Section 30(3) BNS allow causing death or hurt in the name of helping someone?▼

No, not generally. This exception does not cover intentionally causing death or attempting to cause death. It also does not cover doing something known to be likely to cause death for a purpose other than preventing death or grievous hurt, or curing a grievous disease or infirmity, and it does not cover voluntarily causing hurt except to prevent death or hurt.

What punishment is given under Section 30(3) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita?▼

Section 30(3) BNS does not itself prescribe a punishment. It is an exception saying that, if its conditions are satisfied, the act is not an offence. If the conditions are not satisfied, punishment would depend on the specific offence alleged under some other provision.

What does Section 30(4) of the BNS protect?▼

Section 30(4) BNS protects an act done in good faith for a person’s benefit even without that person’s consent, but only in limited situations. It applies when the person cannot signify consent, or is incapable of giving consent, and there is no guardian or lawful person in charge from whom consent can be obtained in time. The protection does not apply to the exceptions listed in the section.

When can someone act without consent for another person’s benefit under Section 30(4) BNS?▼

The person relying on Section 30(4) BNS must show that the act was done in good faith and for the other person’s benefit. They must also show that consent could not be obtained because the person could not signify consent or was incapable of giving it, and there was no guardian or lawful person available in time. The section also makes clear that mere pecuniary benefit is not treated as benefit for this purpose.

Does Section 30(4) BNS allow causing death or hurt in the name of helping someone?▼

No, not in every case. The section does not protect intentional causing of death or attempting to cause death, and it also does not protect acts known to be likely to cause death unless they are for preventing death or grievous hurt, or curing a grievous disease or infirmity. It also does not protect voluntarily causing hurt or attempting to cause hurt for a purpose other than preventing death or hurt.

Is there any punishment in Section 30(4) of the BNS itself?▼

No. Section 30(4) BNS is an exception that says when an act is not an offence in the situations it covers. It does not itself prescribe a punishment, so punishment would depend on the provision under which the act is otherwise alleged.

Section 30 BNS: Sub-sections Explained

Section 30(1) BNS: Act done in good faith for benefit of a person without consent

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Bare Act Text

(1) Z is thrown from his horse, and is insensible. A, a surgeon, finds that Z requires to be trepanned. A, not intending Z’s death, but in good faith, for Z’s benefit, performs the trepan before Z recovers his power of judging for himself. A has committed no offence.

Explained in Simple Words

Section 30(1) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) sets out the general exception for an act done in good faith for the benefit of a person without that person's consent. It applies to anyone, such as a surgeon or rescuer, who causes harm while acting in good faith for another person's benefit when circumstances make it impossible for that person to signify consent, or when the person is incapable of giving consent and has no guardian or other person in lawful charge from whom consent can be obtained in time.

Because this provision is a general exception and not an offence section, it prescribes no imprisonment or fine. As shown in the first illustration, where a rider is thrown from his horse and is insensible, a surgeon who performs an urgent trepan in good faith for the rider's benefit before he recovers his power of judging for himself commits no offence.

The proviso excludes intentional causing or attempting to cause death, acts known to be likely to cause death unless done to prevent death or grievous hurt or cure a grievous disease or infirmity, voluntary hurt except to prevent death or hurt, and abetment outside the exception. Under the Explanation, mere pecuniary benefit is not benefit.

Key Ingredients

  • Harm is caused to a person by an act done for that person’s benefit
  • The act is done in good faith
  • The person cannot signify consent, or is incapable of giving consent
  • There is no guardian or other person in lawful charge from whom consent can be obtained in time
  • The case does not fall within the stated exceptions such as intentional causing of death or voluntary hurt for another purpose

Punishment

🔒 None prescribed by this sub-section.

💰 None prescribed by this sub-section.

An act done in good faith for a person's benefit without consent when consent cannot be obtained in time is not an offence under Section 30(1) BNS, so no punishment is prescribed by this sub-section.

Real-World Example

Near Raipur railway station, Nisha sees Gopal collapse after a road accident and become unconscious. Sunita, a doctor passing by, notices that Gopal is choking and needs an immediate emergency procedure to clear his airway. No family member or guardian is present, and there is no time to find one before his condition worsens. Sunita performs the procedure in good faith only to save Gopal’s life. The procedure causes some injury, but it was done for his benefit when he could not consent, so it falls within this section.

When This Does Not Apply

  • The act is done intentionally to cause death, or as an attempt to cause death
  • The person knows the act is likely to cause death for a purpose other than preventing death or grievous hurt, or curing a grievous disease or infirmity
  • Hurt is voluntarily caused for a purpose other than preventing death or hurt
  • Consent could have been obtained in time from the person, or from a guardian or person lawfully in charge
  • The act is done only for mere pecuniary benefit, because mere pecuniary benefit is not benefit within the explanation

Section 30(2) BNS: Act done in good faith for benefit of a person without consent

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Bare Act Text

(2) Z is carried off by a tiger. A fires at the tiger knowing it to be likely that the shot may kill Z, but not intending to kill Z, and in good faith intending Z’s benefit. A’s bullet gives Z a mortal wound. A has committed no offence.

Explained in Simple Words

Section 30(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) protects an act done in good faith for a person's benefit without consent. It applies to any person who causes harm while acting in good faith for another's benefit when it is impossible for that person to signify consent, or when the person is incapable of giving consent and has no guardian or lawful custodian from whom consent can be obtained in time.

This sub-section is a general exception and prescribes no punishment, imprisonment, or fine. In the second illustration to the section, where a person is carried off by a tiger and a rescuer fires at the tiger in good faith for the victim's benefit without intending to kill the victim, the rescuer commits no offence even if the bullet inflicts a mortal wound.

Under the proviso, this protection does not cover intentionally causing or attempting to cause death, acts known to be likely to cause death for any purpose other than preventing death or grievous hurt or curing a grievous disease or infirmity, voluntarily causing hurt except to prevent death or hurt, or abetting an unprotected offence. The Explanation also clarifies that mere pecuniary benefit does not count as benefit.

Key Ingredients

  • Act causes harm but is done in good faith for that person’s benefit
  • Person cannot signify consent, or is incapable of giving consent
  • No guardian or lawful person in charge can be reached in time for the thing to be done with benefit
  • Exception does not cover intentional causing of death or attempt to cause death
  • Exception does not cover hurt or abetment outside the purposes permitted by the proviso

Punishment

🔒 None prescribed by this sub-section.

💰 None prescribed by this sub-section.

An act done in good faith for a person's benefit without consent when consent cannot be obtained in time is not an offence under Section 30(2) BNS, so no punishment is prescribed by this sub-section.

Real-World Example

Near Surat railway station, Manoj finds Bhavna unconscious after a road accident. Sanjay, a doctor passing by, sees that Bhavna is choking and needs an immediate emergency procedure to clear her airway. Bhavna cannot signify consent, and no family member or other lawful person in charge can be contacted in time. Sanjay acts in good faith only to save her life, even though the procedure may cause harm. Because it is done for her benefit, without intention to cause death, and in circumstances where consent cannot be obtained in time, this section applies.

When This Does Not Apply

  • The act intentionally causes death, or is an attempt to cause death
  • The person knows the act is likely to cause death for a purpose other than preventing death or grievous hurt, or curing a grievous disease or infirmity
  • Hurt is voluntarily caused for a purpose other than preventing death or hurt
  • A guardian or other lawful person in charge is available and consent can be obtained in time
  • The claimed benefit is only pecuniary benefit

Section 30(3) BNS: Act done in good faith for benefit of a person without consent

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Bare Act Text

(3) A, a surgeon, sees a child suffer an accident which is likely to prove fatal unless an operation be immediately performed. There is no time to apply to the child’s guardian. A performs the operation in spite of the entreaties of the child, intending, in good faith, the child’s benefit. A has committed no offence.

Explained in Simple Words

Section 30(3) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) provides a general exception for acts done in good faith for the benefit of a person without consent. It applies to medical practitioners, rescuers, and others who act in good faith for a person's benefit when that person cannot signify consent or is incapable of giving consent, and there is no guardian or other person in lawful charge from whom consent can be obtained in time.

Because this provision defines an exception to criminal liability, it prescribes no punishment, imprisonment, or fine. As illustrated in the third illustration to the section, where a child suffers an accident likely to prove fatal unless an immediate operation is performed and there is no time to apply to the child's guardian, a surgeon who performs the operation in good faith for the child's benefit commits no offence despite the child's entreaties.

The proviso restricts this protection so that it never extends to intentionally causing or attempting to cause death, doing anything known to be likely to cause death except to prevent death or grievous hurt or cure a grievous disease or infirmity, voluntarily causing hurt except to prevent death or hurt, or abetting an unprotected offence. Mere pecuniary benefit is excluded by the Explanation.

Key Ingredients

  • The act causes harm but is done for the person’s benefit
  • The act is done in good faith
  • The person cannot signify consent or is incapable of giving consent
  • There is no guardian or lawful person in charge from whom consent can be obtained in time
  • The act does not intentionally cause death and is not done for a purpose outside preventing death or hurt, or curing grievous disease or infirmity

Punishment

🔒 None prescribed by this sub-section.

💰 None prescribed by this sub-section.

An act done in good faith for a person's benefit without consent when consent cannot be obtained in time is not an offence under Section 30(3) BNS, so no punishment is prescribed by this sub-section.

Real-World Example

Near Jodhpur, Anjali sees Rakesh collapse after a road accident and become unconscious. Shalini, a doctor passing by, notices severe bleeding and signs that his airway is blocked. No family member or guardian is present, and there is no time to locate one before giving urgent treatment. Shalini makes an emergency incision to help him breathe, causing some harm but acting honestly for his benefit. Rakesh could not consent, consent from anyone in lawful charge could not be obtained in time, and the act was done in good faith to prevent death.

When This Does Not Apply

  • A person intentionally causes death, even while claiming it was for the other person’s benefit
  • A person does something known to be likely to cause death for a purpose other than preventing death or grievous hurt, or curing a grievous disease or infirmity
  • A person voluntarily causes hurt for a purpose other than preventing death or hurt
  • Consent could reasonably be obtained in time from the person’s guardian or other lawful person in charge, but the act is still done without consent
  • The act is done only for mere pecuniary benefit, because mere pecuniary benefit is not benefit within the meaning of Sections 26, 27 and 30 BNS

Section 30(4) BNS: Act done in good faith for benefit of a person without consent

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Bare Act Text

(4) A is in a house which is on fire, with Z, a child. People below hold out a blanket. A drops the child from the house top, knowing it to be likely that the fall may kill the child, but not intending to kill the child, and intending, in good faith, the child’s benefit. Here, even if the child is killed by the fall, A has committed no offence.

Explanation.

Mere pecuniary benefit is not benefit within the meaning of sections 26, 27 and this section.

Explained in Simple Words

Section 30(4) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) excuses harm caused by an act done in good faith for a person's benefit without consent in urgent situations. It applies to any person who acts in good faith for another's benefit when it is impossible for that person to signify consent, or when the person is incapable of giving consent and no guardian or other person in lawful charge is available to give consent in time.

This sub-section is a general exception and therefore prescribes no punishment, imprisonment, or fine. In the fourth illustration to the section, where a person is in a burning house with a child and drops the child onto a blanket held below in good faith for the child's benefit without intending the child's death, no offence is committed even if the fall kills the child.

Under the proviso, the exception does not extend to intentionally causing or attempting to cause death, doing anything known to be likely to cause death for a purpose other than preventing death or grievous hurt or curing a grievous disease or infirmity, voluntarily causing or attempting to cause hurt except to prevent death or hurt, or abetting an unprotected offence. Under the Explanation, mere pecuniary benefit is not benefit.

Key Ingredients

  • Act causes harm but is done in good faith for that person’s benefit
  • The person cannot signify consent, or is incapable of giving consent
  • There is no guardian or person in lawful charge from whom consent can be obtained in time for the thing to be done with benefit
  • The exception does not cover intentional causing of death or attempt to cause death
  • The exception does not cover hurt caused for a purpose other than preventing death or hurt

Punishment

🔒 None prescribed by this sub-section.

💰 None prescribed by this sub-section.

An act done in good faith for a person's benefit without consent when consent cannot be obtained in time is not an offence under Section 30(4) BNS, so no punishment is prescribed by this sub-section.

Real-World Example

Near Kanpur Central, Prakash sees Arjun collapse after a road accident and become unconscious. Divya, a doctor passing by, notices severe bleeding and signs that Arjun may die unless an urgent procedure is done at once. Arjun cannot signify consent, and no family member or guardian is present or reachable in time. Divya performs the procedure in good faith only to save Arjun’s life. The procedure causes pain and some harm, but it is done for his benefit in circumstances where consent could not be obtained in time.

When This Does Not Apply

  • The act is done intentionally to cause the person’s death, or is an attempt to cause death
  • The person doing the act knows it is likely to cause death for a purpose other than preventing death or grievous hurt, or curing a grievous disease or infirmity
  • Hurt is caused voluntarily for a purpose other than preventing death or hurt
  • A guardian or person in lawful charge is available and it is possible to obtain consent in time, but no consent is taken
  • The claimed benefit is only pecuniary benefit

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Sources: Bare Act Text, Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 · Last updated: 15 Oct 2026 ·