IPC to BNS
IPC Section 120B in BNS: Section 61(2)
Section 120B of the Indian Penal Code, 1860 (Punishment of criminal conspiracy) corresponds to Section 61(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023.
Last updated 9 October 2026
IPC 120B and BNS 61(2) at a glance
| IPC (old) | BNS (new) | |
|---|---|---|
| Section | 120B | 61(2) |
| Heading | Punishment of criminal conspiracy | Punishment of criminal conspiracy |
| Punishment | Conspiracy to commit a serious offence: same as abetment of that offence. Any other conspiracy: imprisonment up to 6 months, or fine, or both. | Conspiracy to commit a serious offence: same as abetment of that offence. Any other conspiracy: imprisonment up to 6 months, or fine, or both. |
| Mapping | Direct equivalent | |
What IPC Section 120B covered
Punishes criminal conspiracy. A party to a conspiracy to commit an offence punishable with death, life imprisonment or rigorous imprisonment of two years or more is punished as if he had abetted that offence; other conspiracies carry a short term.
What changed in BNS Section 61(2)
Punishment is unchanged. The provision is now sub-section (2) of BNS Section 61, which also contains the definition.
Punishment: IPC 120B compared with BNS 61(2)
The punishment is the same under both codes. Conspiracy to commit a serious offence: same as abetment of that offence. Any other conspiracy: imprisonment up to 6 months, or fine, or both.
Which law applies: IPC or BNS?
The BNS applies to offences committed on or after 1 July 2024. An offence committed before that date continues to be investigated, tried and punished under the IPC, because the repeal and savings clause in Section 358 of the BNS preserves liabilities and proceedings under the repealed Code.
Read the full text of both provisions before you cite them. The official bare acts are published on India Code.
IPC 120B: common questions
What is the new section for IPC 120B?
IPC Section 120B (Punishment of criminal conspiracy) corresponds to Section 61(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 (BNS).
What is the punishment under BNS Section 61(2)?
Conspiracy to commit a serious offence: same as abetment of that offence. Any other conspiracy: imprisonment up to 6 months, or fine, or both.
Does IPC Section 120B still apply to older cases?
The BNS applies to offences committed on or after 1 July 2024. An offence committed before that date continues to be investigated, tried and punished under the IPC, because the repeal and savings clause in Section 358 of the BNS preserves liabilities and proceedings under the repealed Code.
Related IPC sections
- IPC 120A to BNS 61(1) · Criminal conspiracy
- IPC 511 to BNS 62 · Attempt
- IPC 109 to BNS 49 · Punishment of abetment
- IPC 107 to BNS 45 · Abetment
- IPC 34 to BNS 3(5) · Common intention
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Not legal advice. This comparison is a research starting point. A mapped section is not proof that two provisions are identical. Read both bare acts, check commencement and any later amendment, and have a qualified advocate review anything you intend to rely on. Settl is not a law firm.