The Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023
Administered Ministry: Ministry of Home Affairs / Department of Internal Security
Act details
| Short title | The Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 |
|---|---|
| Long title | An Act to consolidate and amend the law relating to Criminal Procedure. |
| Act number | 46 of 2023 |
| Act year | 2023 |
| Enactment date | 25 Dec 2023 |
| Ministry | Ministry of Home Affairs / Department of Internal Security |
| Department | Department of Internal Security |
| Jurisdiction | Central (Parliament of India) |
| Sections | 531 |
| Schedules | 2 |
| Status | Not repealed |
| Last checked on India Code | 28 Oct 2026 |
| Source | India Code, Government of India |
Summary
Summary of Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023
1. Preliminary
Title, Commencement, and Application: Applies to all persons in India and beyond under specific conditions.
2. Summary Trials
Eligible Offences: Not punishable by death, life imprisonment, or imprisonment over 3 years.
Procedure:
Magistrate's Powers: Try summarily with the accused's opportunity to be heard.
Record and Judgment: In the language of the Court, with substance of evidence and brief reasons.
3. Punishments for Offences
• Cognizable, Non-Bailable, Non-Compoundable:
• Unfair Means in Exams: 3-5 years’ imprisonment, up to ₹10 lakh fine.
• Service Providers: Up to ₹1 crore fine, 4-year ban from exam responsibilities.
• Senior Management Involvement: 3-10 years’ imprisonment, ₹1 crore fine.
4. Other Procedural Aspects
Arrest and Summons Procedures
Powers of Police and Magistrates
Public Responsibilities
Legislative history
Legislative History:
The Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023
Source: Official Record of Parliament, India Code, and Ministry of Home Affairs
Act Title - The Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023
Act Number - Act No. 46 of 2023
Act ID (India Code) - 202346
Presidential Assent date December 25, 2023
Enforcement Date July 01, 2024
Nodal Ministry Ministry of Home Affairs
Precedent & Historical Rationale
● Repeal of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973: Repeals the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 (2 of 1974) to establish a modern, technology-driven procedural framework focused on speedy trial timelines and citizen-centric rights.
● Mandatory Timelines & Tech Integration: Mandates electronic submission of evidence and summonses, introduces Zero FIR and mandatory forensic visits for serious offences (punishable by 7+ years), and imposes strict statutory deadlines for investigation, charge sheet filing, and judgment delivery.
Parliamentary Trajectory & Enactment
● Formulation: Introduced by the Union Minister of Home Affairs, Shri Amit Shah, as part of the core legislative package to replace colonial-era criminal procedural laws.
● Parliamentary Passage: Introduced in the Lok Sabha on August 11, 2023; referred to the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Home Affairs; re-introduced as Bill No. 174 of 2023 on December 12, 2023; passed by the Lok Sabha on December 20, 2023; and passed by the Rajya Sabha on December 21, 2023.
● Presidential Assent: Received the assent of the President of India on December 25, 2023.
● Enforcement: Enforced on July 01, 2024.