Section 286 IPC: Negligent conduct with respect to explosive substance
Indian Penal Code, 1860
Section 286 IPC at a Glance
Section 286 IPC deals with negligent conduct with respect to explosive substance. It is bailable and cognizable, triable by any Magistrate; from 1 July 2024 it is replaced by Section 288 BNS.
Imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to six months, or fine, or both.
Section 286 IPC Bare Act Text
286. Negligent conduct with respect to explosive substance
Whoever does, with any explosive substance, any act so rashly or negligently as to endanger human life, or to be likely to cause hurt or injury to any other person, or knowingly or negligently omits to take such order with any explosive substance in his possession as is sufficient to guard against any probable danger to human life from that substance, shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to six months, or with fine which may extend to one thousand rupees, or with both.
Source: Section 286, Indian Penal Code, 1860
Section 286 IPC in Simple Words
Section 286 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) punishes doing any act with any explosive substance so rashly or negligently as to endanger human life, or to be likely to cause hurt or injury to any other person, or knowingly or negligently omitting to take such order with any explosive substance in possession as is sufficient to guard against any probable danger to human life from that substance.
The punishment under the IPC is imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to six months, or with fine which may extend to one thousand rupees, or with both.
Under the First Schedule to the Code of Criminal Procedure, the offence is cognizable, bailable, and triable by any Magistrate.
Ingredients of Section 286 IPC
- Dealing with an explosive substance
- Doing any act with that explosive substance so rashly or negligently as to endanger human life, or to be likely to cause hurt or injury to any other person, or knowingly or negligently omitting to take such order with any explosive substance in possession as is sufficient to guard against any probable danger to human life from that substance
Punishment Under Section 286 IPC
Imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to six months, or fine, or both.
Fine which may extend to one thousand rupees, alone or with imprisonment.
Negligent conduct with respect to an explosive substance is punishable with imprisonment of either description for up to six months, or with fine of up to one thousand rupees, or with both.
Example of Section 286 IPC
When Section 286 IPC Does Not Apply
- Section 286 IPC does not apply when the material involved was not an explosive substance.
- Section 286 IPC does not apply when the explosive substance was handled and stored with all required safety precautions so that human life was not endangered.
- Section 286 IPC does not apply when the accused neither had the explosive substance in his possession nor performed any act with it.
Section 286 IPC in the BNS
Section 286 IPC is now covered under Section 288 BNS.
Section 286 IPC corresponds to Section 288 BNS. The substantive definition of the offence and the maximum imprisonment of six months remain unchanged. The maximum fine has increased from one thousand rupees under Section 286 IPC to five thousand rupees under Section 288 BNS.
View detailed comparison (IPC 286 vs BNS 288) →FAQs on Section 286 IPC
What does Section 286 IPC punish?▼
Section 286 IPC punishes whoever does with any explosive substance any act so rashly or negligently as to endanger human life, or to be likely to cause hurt or injury to any other person, or knowingly or negligently omits to take such order with any explosive substance in his possession as is sufficient to guard against any probable danger to human life from that substance.
What is the punishment under Section 286 IPC?▼
The punishment under Section 286 IPC is imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to six months, or with fine which may extend to one thousand rupees, or with both.
What is the punishment under Section 288 BNS?▼
The punishment under Section 288 BNS is imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to six months, or with fine which may extend to five thousand rupees, or with both.
Does Section 286 IPC require that an explosion or injury actually occurred?▼
No. The offence is complete when the rash or negligent handling endangers human life or creates a likelihood of injury, or when the omission creates probable danger to human life, regardless of whether an explosion actually took place.
What are the two alternative limbs under Section 286 IPC?▼
The first limb punishes an active rash or negligent act with an explosive substance that endangers human life or is likely to cause hurt. The second limb punishes knowingly or negligently omitting to take sufficient precautions with an explosive substance in possession to guard against probable danger to human life.
Is Section 286 IPC bailable and cognizable?▼
Yes. Under the First Schedule to the Code of Criminal Procedure, an offence under Section 286 IPC is cognizable, bailable, and triable by any Magistrate.
Can an offence under Section 286 IPC be compounded?▼
No. Section 286 IPC is not compoundable under Section 320 of the Code of Criminal Procedure.
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Sources: Bare Act Text, Indian Penal Code, 1860 · Last updated: 16 Oct 2026 ·