Section 6 IPC: Definitions in the Code to be understood subject to exceptions
Indian Penal Code, 1860
Section 6 IPC at a Glance
Section 6 IPC deals with definitions in the Code to be understood subject to exceptions. From 1 July 2024 it is replaced by Section 3(1) BNS.
None. Section 6 IPC creates no offence.
Section 6 IPC Bare Act Text
6. Definitions in the Code to be understood subject to exceptions
Throughout this Code every definition of an offence, every penal provision, and every illustration of every such definition or penal provision, shall be understood subject to the exceptions contained in the Chapter entitled “General Exceptions”, though those exceptions are not repeated in such definition, penal provision, or illustration.
Illustrations(a) The sections, in this Code, which contain definitions of offences, do not express that a child under seven years of age cannot commit such offences; but the definitions are to be understood subject to the general exception which provides that nothing shall be an offence which is done by a child under seven years of age.
(b) A, a police-officer, without warrant, apprehends Z, who has committed murder. Here A is not guilty of the offence of wrongful confinement; for he was bound by law to apprehend Z, and therefore the case falls within the general exception which provides that “nothing is an offence which is done by a person who is bound by law to do it”.
Source: Section 6, Indian Penal Code, 1860
Section 6 IPC in Simple Words
Section 6 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) establishes a universal rule of statutory interpretation for the Code. It provides that every definition of an offence, every penal provision, and every illustration thereof shall be understood subject to the exceptions contained in the Chapter entitled General Exceptions, even though those exceptions are not explicitly repeated in such definition, provision, or illustration.
Section 6 IPC is an interpretative provision that defines 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 6 IPC
- Applies across the Code to every definition of an offence, penal provision, and illustration
- Every such provision is understood subject to the exceptions in the Chapter entitled General Exceptions
- The exceptions qualify every penal provision even though not expressly repeated within it
Punishment Under Section 6 IPC
None. Section 6 IPC creates no offence.
None. Section 6 IPC creates no offence.
Section 6 IPC provides that definitions and penal provisions are read subject to general exceptions. It defines no offence and has no entry in the First Schedule to the CrPC.
Example of Section 6 IPC
When Section 6 IPC Does Not Apply
- Section 6 IPC does not relieve an accused person of liability when the facts do not fall within any defence in the Chapter on General Exceptions.
- Section 6 IPC does not itself define any substantive defence or general exception.
- Section 6 IPC does not create a criminal offence or prescribe any punishment.
Section 6 IPC in the BNS
Section 6 IPC is now covered under Section 3(1) BNS.
Section 6 IPC corresponds to Section 3(1) BNS. Section 3(1) BNS preserves the interpretive rule and both statutory illustrations, replacing this Code with this Sanhita. The General Exceptions to which the rule refers now sit in Chapter III of the Sanhita, comprising Section 14 to Section 44 BNS.
View detailed comparison (IPC 6 vs BNS 3(1)) →FAQs on Section 6 IPC
What does Section 6 IPC say?▼
Section 6 IPC provides that throughout the Code every definition of an offence, every penal provision, and every illustration shall be understood subject to the exceptions contained in the Chapter entitled General Exceptions, though those exceptions are not repeated in such definition, penal provision, or illustration.
Which sections comprise the General Exceptions referred to in Section 6 IPC?▼
The General Exceptions are enacted in Chapter IV of the Indian Penal Code, spanning Section 76 to Section 106 IPC, and include defences such as infancy, unsoundness of mind, accident, and private defence.
Does Section 6 IPC define an offence or prescribe punishment?▼
Section 6 IPC defines no offence and prescribes no punishment. It is an overarching principle of interpretation governing the application of penal provisions.
Is Section 6 IPC bailable or cognizable?▼
Section 6 IPC has no entry in the First Schedule to the CrPC because it creates no substantive offence.
Can proceedings be compounded under Section 6 IPC?▼
Compounding under Section 320 CrPC does not apply to Section 6 IPC because it does not create an offence.
Which provision of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita corresponds to Section 6 IPC?▼
Section 3(1) BNS corresponds to Section 6 IPC, maintaining the same rule of reading offences subject to General Exceptions.
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Sources: Bare Act Text, Indian Penal Code, 1860 · Last updated: 16 Oct 2026 ·