Section 10 IPC: “Man”. “Woman”
Indian Penal Code, 1860
Section 10 IPC at a Glance
Section 10 IPC defines the term “Man”. “Woman”. From 1 July 2024 it is replaced by Section 2(19) and 2(35) BNS.
None. Section 10 IPC creates no offence.
Section 10 IPC Bare Act Text
10. “Man”. “Woman”
The word “man” denotes a male human being of any age; the word “woman” denotes a female human being of any age.
Source: Section 10, Indian Penal Code, 1860
Section 10 IPC in Simple Words
Section 10 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) defines the words man and woman for the purposes of the Code. It provides that the word man denotes a male human being of any age, and the word woman denotes a female human being of any age.
Under these statutory definitions, age is immaterial to the application of terms denoting gender, so that male and female children are included within provisions referring to a man or a woman. Section 10 IPC is an interpretative definition that creates no offence and prescribes no punishment.
It has no entry in the First Schedule to the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973, and compounding under Section 320 CrPC does not apply.
Ingredients of Section 10 IPC
- The word man denotes a male human being of any age
- The word woman denotes a female human being of any age
Punishment Under Section 10 IPC
None. Section 10 IPC creates no offence.
None. Section 10 IPC creates no offence.
Section 10 IPC defines man and woman and creates no offence. It has no entry in the First Schedule to the CrPC.
Example of Section 10 IPC
When Section 10 IPC Does Not Apply
- Section 10 IPC does not override a specific age requirement where a provision of the Code expressly fixes a minimum or maximum age rather than using the general words man or woman.
- Section 10 IPC does not govern the meaning of gender or age terms in a separate legislation that defines those words for itself.
- Section 10 IPC does not apply as a standalone penal offence because it only defines terms and prescribes no punishment.
Section 10 IPC in the BNS
Section 10 IPC is now covered under Section 2(19) and 2(35) BNS.
Section 10 IPC corresponds to Section 2(19) BNS and Section 2(35) BNS. The single IPC section is divided into two separate alphabetical clauses within Section 2(19) and 2(35) BNS, where man is defined in clause nineteen and woman in clause thirty-five. In both provisions the operative word denotes is replaced by means, while preserving the foundational rule that each term encompasses a human being of any age.
View detailed comparison (IPC 10 vs BNS 2(19) and 2(35)) →FAQs on Section 10 IPC
What does Section 10 IPC say?▼
Section 10 IPC provides that the word man denotes a male human being of any age, and the word woman denotes a female human being of any age.
Does the word woman under Section 10 IPC include female children?▼
The phrase of any age ensures that any female human being, including an infant or a young girl, is legally a woman under the Code.
Section 10 IPC: how are the definitions of man and woman arranged in the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita?▼
In the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, the definitions are split into two separate alphabetical clauses: Section 2(19) BNS defines man and Section 2(35) BNS defines woman.
Does Section 10 IPC define an offence or prescribe punishment?▼
Section 10 IPC defines no offence and prescribes no punishment. It is a statutory definition applicable to other sections of the Code.
Is Section 10 IPC bailable or cognizable?▼
Section 10 IPC has no entry in the First Schedule to the CrPC because it creates no offence.
Can proceedings be compounded under Section 10 IPC?▼
Compounding under Section 320 CrPC does not apply to Section 10 IPC because it creates no offence.
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Sources: Bare Act Text, Indian Penal Code, 1860 · Last updated: 16 Oct 2026 ·