Section 95 IPC: Act causing slight harm

Indian Penal Code, 1860

Section 95 IPC at a Glance

Section 95 IPC deals with act causing slight harm. From 1 July 2024 it is replaced by Section 33 BNS.

Punishment

None. Section 95 IPC creates no offence.

BNS Equivalent

Section 33 →

Section 95 IPC Bare Act Text

95. Act causing slight harm

Nothing is an offence by reason that it causes, or that it is intended to cause, or that it is known to be likely to cause, any harm, if that harm is so slight that no person of ordinary sense and temper would complain of such harm.

Source: Section 95, Indian Penal Code, 1860

Section 95 IPC in Simple Words

Section 95 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) says that nothing is an offence merely because it causes, is meant to cause, or is known to be likely to cause harm, if the harm is so slight that no person of ordinary sense and temper would complain of it.

Ingredients of Section 95 IPC

  • An act causes, is intended to cause, or is known to be likely to cause some harm
  • The harm is so slight that no person of ordinary sense and temper would complain of it

Punishment Under Section 95 IPC

Imprisonment

None. Section 95 IPC creates no offence.

Fine

None.

Section 95 IPC is a General Exception. It has no entry in the First Schedule to the CrPC.

Example of Section 95 IPC

In 2017 in Mysuru, while boarding a crowded city bus, Deepak hurried past a fellow passenger, Tarun, knowing that he was likely to brush against Tarun's sleeve, and accidentally stepped on the edge of Tarun's shoe, leaving a faint smudge of dust. Although Deepak's act caused slight harm and was known to be likely to cause such contact, the harm was so trivial that no person of ordinary sense and temper would complain of it. Deepak's act is not an offence because of Section 95 IPC.

When Section 95 IPC Does Not Apply

  • The act causes appreciable injury or loss that a person of ordinary sense and temper would complain about.
  • The doer intends to cause, or knows the act is likely to cause, harm that is more than trivial.
  • The harm is substantial enough that an ordinary reasonable person, and not merely an overly sensitive individual, would object to it.

Section 95 IPC in the BNS

Section 95 IPC is now covered under Section 33 BNS.

Section 33 BNS keeps the exception word for word.

View detailed comparison (IPC 95 vs BNS 33) →

FAQs on Section 95 IPC

What does Section 95 IPC say?▼

That nothing is an offence by reason of any harm it causes, is intended to cause or is known to be likely to cause, if the harm is so slight that no person of ordinary sense and temper would complain of it.

Who decides whether the harm is slight under Section 95 IPC?▼

The test is that of a person of ordinary sense and temper, not the complainant's own view.

Does Section 95 IPC apply to serious harm?▼

No. It applies only where the harm is so slight that an ordinary person would not complain.

Is Section 95 IPC an offence?▼

No. It creates no offence. It is a General Exception.

What is the BNS equivalent of Section 95 IPC?▼

Section 33 BNS, which keeps the exception word for word.

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Disclaimer: This is for informational purposes only. Always consult a qualified advocate for legal advice.

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