Section 293 IPC: Sale, etc., of obscene objects to young person
Indian Penal Code, 1860
Section 293 IPC at a Glance
Section 293 IPC deals with sale, etc., of obscene objects to young person. It is bailable and cognizable, triable by any Magistrate; from 1 July 2024 it is replaced by Section 295 BNS.
On first conviction, imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to three years. On a second or subsequent conviction, imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to seven years.
Section 293 IPC Bare Act Text
293. Sale, etc., of obscene objects to young person
Whoever sells, lets to hire, distributes, exhibits or circulates to any person under the age of twenty years any such obscene object as is referred to in the last preceding section, or offers or attempts so to do, shall be punished on first conviction with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to three years, and with fine which may extend to two thousand rupees, and, in the event of a second or subsequent conviction, with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to seven years, and also with fine which may extend to five thousand rupees.
Source: Section 293, Indian Penal Code, 1860
State amendments — these apply only in the States named below, not to the rest of India
Orissa: Same as in Tamil Nadu. [Vide Orissa Act 13 of 1962, s. 3] Tamil Nadu: In section 293 of the said Code— (i) for the words "any such obscene object as is referred to in the last preceding section", the words, figures and letter "any such obscene object as is referred to in section 292 or any such newspaper, periodical, circular, picture or other printed or written document as is referred to in section 292-A" shall be substituted; (ii) for the words "which may extend to six months", the words "which may extend to three years" shall be substituted; (iii) in the marginal note, after the words "obscene objects" the words "and grossly indecent or scurrilous matter or matter intended for blackmail", shall be inserted. [Vide Tamil Nadu Act 25 of 1960]Section 293 IPC in Simple Words
Section 293 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) punishes any person who sells, lets to hire, distributes, exhibits, or circulates to any person under the age of twenty years any obscene object of the description referred to in Section 292 IPC, or who offers or attempts to do so. The provision creates an aggravated form of obscenity offence focused specifically on protecting young persons from exposure to obscene material.
On first conviction, the prescribed punishment is imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to three years, and with fine which may extend to two thousand rupees. In the event of a second or subsequent conviction, the punishment increases to imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to seven years, and also with fine which may extend to five thousand rupees.
Under the First Schedule to the Code of Criminal Procedure, the offence is cognizable, bailable, and triable by any Magistrate.
Ingredients of Section 293 IPC
- An obscene object of the description referred to in Section 292 IPC
- Selling, letting to hire, distributing, exhibiting or circulating that obscene object to any person under the age of twenty years, or offering or attempting to do so
Punishment Under Section 293 IPC
On first conviction, imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to three years. On a second or subsequent conviction, imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to seven years.
On first conviction, fine which may extend to two thousand rupees. On a second or subsequent conviction, fine which may extend to five thousand rupees. Fine is imposed together with imprisonment, not as an alternative.
Selling or circulating obscene objects to a person under twenty years of age is punishable on first conviction with imprisonment of either description for up to three years and with fine of up to two thousand rupees, and on a second or subsequent conviction with imprisonment for up to seven years and with fine of up to five thousand rupees.
Example of Section 293 IPC
When Section 293 IPC Does Not Apply
- Section 293 IPC does not apply when the person to whom the obscene object is sold, hired, distributed, exhibited, or circulated is twenty years of age or older.
- Section 293 IPC does not apply if the object in question is not obscene under the criteria set out in Section 292 IPC or falls within an exception to Section 292 IPC.
- Section 293 IPC does not apply when the accused neither sold, let to hire, distributed, exhibited, or circulated the obscene object to a person under twenty years of age, nor offered or attempted to do so.
Section 293 IPC in the BNS
Section 293 IPC is now covered under Section 295 BNS.
Section 293 IPC corresponds to Section 295 BNS. The heading is updated from young person to child. In the text, the age threshold shifts from any person under the age of twenty years in Section 293 IPC to any child in Section 295 BNS, where child is defined under Section 2(3) BNS as a person below the age of eighteen years. The internal cross-reference updates from the last preceding section to section 294 BNS. The punishment scales remain unchanged at imprisonment up to three years and fine up to two thousand rupees on first conviction, and imprisonment up to seven years and fine up to five thousand rupees on subsequent conviction.
View detailed comparison (IPC 293 vs BNS 295) →FAQs on Section 293 IPC
What does Section 293 IPC punish?▼
Section 293 IPC punishes whoever sells, lets to hire, distributes, exhibits or circulates to any person under the age of twenty years any obscene object referred to in Section 292 IPC, or offers or attempts to do so.
What is the punishment on first conviction under Section 293 IPC?▼
The sentence on first conviction is imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to three years, and with fine which may extend to two thousand rupees.
What is the punishment for a second or subsequent conviction under Section 293 IPC?▼
Upon a second or subsequent conviction, the sentence extends to imprisonment of either description for a term up to seven years, and also with fine up to five thousand rupees.
Is fine mandatory under Section 293 IPC?▼
Yes. The section uses the words and with fine on first conviction, and and also with fine on subsequent conviction, requiring the court to impose both imprisonment and fine.
What is the recipient age difference between Section 293 IPC and Section 295 BNS?▼
Section 293 IPC applied to any person under the age of twenty years. Section 295 BNS applies to any child, defined under Section 2(3) BNS as a person below the age of eighteen years.
Is Section 293 IPC bailable and cognizable?▼
Yes. Under the First Schedule to the Code of Criminal Procedure, Section 293 IPC is cognizable, bailable, and triable by any Magistrate.
Can an offence under Section 293 IPC be compounded?▼
No. Section 293 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 ·