BNS, BNSS & BSA: What Actually Changed in India's Criminal Law

India's three colonial-era criminal statutes — the IPC, CrPC and Evidence Act — were replaced in 2023-24 by the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) and Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam (BSA).

For most offences, the substance of the law is preserved but renumbered, which means citation practice, FIR drafting and charge-framing all need to be updated across ongoing files.

Notable additions include organised crime and terrorism provisions previously scattered across special statutes, tighter timelines for investigation and trial, and expanded use of electronic and forensic evidence under the BSA.

If you have matters that straddle the transition date, our criminal law team can help you assess which framework applies and what procedural safeguards remain available.