IPC to BNS
IPC Section 295A in BNS: Section 299
Section 295A of the Indian Penal Code, 1860 (Deliberate and malicious acts intended to outrage religious feelings) corresponds to Section 299 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023.
Last updated 9 October 2026
IPC 295A and BNS 299 at a glance
| IPC (old) | BNS (new) | |
|---|---|---|
| Section | 295A | 299 |
| Heading | Deliberate and malicious acts intended to outrage religious feelings | Deliberate and malicious acts, intended to outrage religious feelings of any class by insulting its religion or religious beliefs |
| Punishment | Imprisonment up to 3 years, or fine, or both. | Imprisonment up to 3 years, or fine, or both. |
| Mapping | Direct equivalent | |
What IPC Section 295A covered
Punishes a deliberate and malicious act intended to outrage the religious feelings of any class of citizens of India, by insulting or attempting to insult its religion or religious beliefs.
What changed in BNS Section 299
BNS Section 299 adds insults made "through electronic means" to words, signs and visible representations. Punishment is unchanged.
Punishment: IPC 295A compared with BNS 299
The punishment is the same under both codes. Imprisonment up to 3 years, 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IPC, because the repeal and savings clause in Section 358 of the BNS preserves liabilities and proceedings under the repealed Code.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 295A: common questions
What is the new section for IPC 295A?
IPC Section 295A (Deliberate and malicious acts intended to outrage religious feelings) corresponds to Section 299 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 (BNS).
What is the punishment under BNS Section 299?
Imprisonment up to 3 years, or fine, or both.
Does IPC Section 295A 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IPC, because the repeal and savings clause in Section 358 of the BNS preserves liabilities and proceedings under the repealed Code.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 153A to BNS 196 · Promoting enmity
- IPC 201 to BNS 238 · Destroying evidence
- IPC 149 to BNS 190 · Common object
- IPC 279 to BNS 281 · Rash driving
- IPC 148 to BNS 191(3) · Armed rioting
- IPC 147 to BNS 191(2) · Rioting
- 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.