Section 55 IPC: Commutation of sentence of imprisonment for life
Indian Penal Code, 1860
Section 55 IPC at a Glance
Section 55 IPC deals with commutation of sentence of imprisonment for life. From 1 July 2024 it is replaced by Section 5 BNS.
None. Section 55 IPC creates no offence.
Section 55 IPC Bare Act Text
55. Commutation of sentence of imprisonment for life
In every case in which sentence of imprisonment for life shall have been passed, the appropriate Government may, without the consent of the offender, commute the punishment for imprisonment of either description for a term not exceeding fourteen years.
Source: Section 55, Indian Penal Code, 1860
Section 55 IPC in Simple Words
Section 55 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) lets the appropriate Government commute a sentence of imprisonment for life. In every case in which that sentence has been passed, it may commute the punishment for imprisonment of either description for a term not exceeding fourteen years, even where the offender does not agree. The section creates no offence and sets no punishment of its own.
Ingredients of Section 55 IPC
- A sentence of imprisonment for life has been passed
- The appropriate Government acts
- It commutes the punishment
- The substitute is imprisonment of either description
- The term does not exceed fourteen years
- The offender need not agree
Punishment Under Section 55 IPC
None. Section 55 IPC creates no offence.
None.
Section 55 IPC is a power of the appropriate Government. It has no entry in the First Schedule to the CrPC.
Example of Section 55 IPC
When Section 55 IPC Does Not Apply
- Section 55 IPC does not apply where the offender has been sentenced to death or to a fixed term of imprisonment instead of imprisonment for life.
- Section 55 IPC does not authorise the appropriate Government to commute a sentence of imprisonment for life into a term of imprisonment exceeding fourteen years.
- Section 55 IPC does not empower the appropriate Government to replace imprisonment for life with fine alone, because the commuted punishment must be imprisonment of either description.
Section 55 IPC in the BNS
Section 55 IPC is now covered under Section 5 BNS.
Section 5 BNS takes in Section 55 IPC, Section 54 IPC and the definition of appropriate Government in Section 55A IPC as one section. It speaks of commuting any punishment under the Sanhita to any other punishment, in accordance with section 474 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023.
View detailed comparison (IPC 55 vs BNS 5) →FAQs on Section 55 IPC
What does Section 55 IPC say?▼
That in every case in which a sentence of imprisonment for life has been passed, the appropriate Government may commute the punishment for imprisonment of either description for a term not exceeding fourteen years.
Under Section 55 IPC, what is the longest term a life sentence can be commuted to?▼
Fourteen years, of either description of imprisonment, rigorous or simple.
Who is the appropriate Government under Section 55 IPC?▼
Section 55A IPC says it is the Central Government where the offence is against a law on a matter to which the executive power of the Union extends, and the Government of the State within which the offender is sentenced where it is a matter to which the executive power of the State extends.
Under Section 55 IPC, must the offender agree to the commutation?▼
No. The section lets the appropriate Government commute the punishment without the offender agreeing.
Does Section 55 IPC create an offence?▼
No. It gives a power over a sentence already passed and sets no punishment of its own.
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Sources: Bare Act Text, Indian Penal Code, 1860 · Last updated: 16 Oct 2026 ·