Section 57 IPC: Fractions of terms of punishment

Indian Penal Code, 1860

Section 57 IPC at a Glance

Section 57 IPC deals with fractions of terms of punishment. From 1 July 2024 it is replaced by Section 6 BNS.

Punishment

None. Section 57 IPC creates no offence.

BNS Equivalent

Section 6 →

Section 57 IPC Bare Act Text

57. Fractions of terms of punishment

In calculating fractions of terms of punishment, imprisonment for life shall be reckoned as equivalent to imprisonment for twenty years.

Source: Section 57, Indian Penal Code, 1860

Section 57 IPC in Simple Words

Section 57 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) fixes a figure for working out fractions of a punishment. In calculating fractions of terms of punishment, imprisonment for life is reckoned as equivalent to imprisonment for twenty years. The section creates no offence and sets no punishment of its own.

Ingredients of Section 57 IPC

  • A fraction of a term of punishment is being calculated
  • The punishment in question is imprisonment for life
  • Imprisonment for life is reckoned as equivalent to imprisonment for twenty years

Punishment Under Section 57 IPC

Imprisonment

None. Section 57 IPC creates no offence.

Fine

None.

Section 57 IPC is a rule of calculation. It has no entry in the First Schedule to the CrPC.

Example of Section 57 IPC

In 2018 in Bhopal, Devika was convicted of attempting to commit an offence that carried imprisonment for life as its punishment. Under the sentencing rule for such an attempt, the court had to work out a fraction, namely one-half, of the term of imprisonment for life. To calculate that fraction of the term of punishment, the court needed a fixed number of years. In calculating the fraction, imprisonment for life was reckoned as equivalent to imprisonment for twenty years under Section 57 IPC.

When Section 57 IPC Does Not Apply

  • Section 57 IPC does not apply when the punishment being divided into a fraction is already a fixed number of years rather than imprisonment for life.
  • Section 57 IPC does not apply when no fraction of a term of punishment is being calculated.
  • Section 57 IPC does not apply to turn an actual sentence of imprisonment for life into a sentence of twenty years.

Section 57 IPC in the BNS

Section 57 IPC is now covered under Section 6 BNS.

Section 6 BNS keeps the rule and adds the words unless otherwise provided at the end. The figure of twenty years is therefore the default, and it gives way where another provision says otherwise.

View detailed comparison (IPC 57 vs BNS 6) →

FAQs on Section 57 IPC

What does Section 57 IPC say?▼

That in calculating fractions of terms of punishment, imprisonment for life is reckoned as equivalent to imprisonment for twenty years.

Under Section 57 IPC, how many years is imprisonment for life when a fraction is calculated?▼

Twenty years. The figure is used only in calculating a fraction of a term of punishment.

Does Section 57 IPC turn a life sentence into twenty years?▼

No. The section fixes only the figure used when a fraction is calculated. It does not say the sentence itself is anything other than imprisonment for life.

Does Section 57 IPC create an offence?▼

No. It is a rule of calculation and sets no punishment.

What changed when Section 57 IPC became Section 6 BNS?▼

Section 6 BNS adds the words unless otherwise provided at the end of the rule. The figure of twenty years is the same.

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Sources: Bare Act Text, Indian Penal Code, 1860 · Last updated: 16 Oct 2026 ·