IPC to BNS
IPC Section 153A in BNS: Section 196
Section 153A of the Indian Penal Code, 1860 (Promoting enmity between different groups and doing acts prejudicial to maintenance of harmony) corresponds to Section 196 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023.
Last updated 9 October 2026
IPC 153A and BNS 196 at a glance
| IPC (old) | BNS (new) | |
|---|---|---|
| Section | 153A | 196 |
| Heading | Promoting enmity between different groups and doing acts prejudicial to maintenance of harmony | Promoting enmity between different groups on grounds of religion, race, place of birth, residence, language, etc., and doing acts prejudicial to maintenance of harmony |
| Punishment | Imprisonment up to 3 years, or fine, or both. If committed in a place of worship or religious assembly: up to 5 years and fine. | Imprisonment up to 3 years, or fine, or both. If committed in a place of worship or religious assembly: up to 5 years and fine. |
| Mapping | Direct equivalent | |
What IPC Section 153A covered
Punishes promoting disharmony or feelings of enmity, hatred or ill-will between religious, racial, language or regional groups, castes or communities, and acts prejudicial to harmony between them.
What changed in BNS Section 196
BNS Section 196 expressly adds promotion of enmity "through electronic communication". Punishment is unchanged.
Punishment: IPC 153A compared with BNS 196
The punishment is the same under both codes. Imprisonment up to 3 years, or fine, or both. If committed in a place of worship or religious assembly: up to 5 years and fine.
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IPC, because the repeal and savings clause in Section 358 of the BNS preserves liabilities and proceedings under the repealed Code.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 153A: common questions
What is the new section for IPC 153A?
IPC Section 153A (Promoting enmity between different groups and doing acts prejudicial to maintenance of harmony) corresponds to Section 196 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 (BNS).
What is the punishment under BNS Section 196?
Imprisonment up to 3 years, or fine, or both. If committed in a place of worship or religious assembly: up to 5 years and fine.
Does IPC Section 153A 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 149 to BNS 190 · Common object
- IPC 295A to BNS 299 · Outraging religious feelings
- IPC 148 to BNS 191(3) · Armed rioting
- IPC 201 to BNS 238 · Destroying evidence
- IPC 147 to BNS 191(2) · Rioting
- IPC 279 to BNS 281 · Rash driving
- IPC 143 to BNS 189(2) · Unlawful assembly member
- IPC 141 to BNS 189(1) · Unlawful assembly
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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.