---
title: "BNS Section 3 in IPC | Vakilat"
description: "BNS Section 3 (General explanations) brings together IPC Sections 6, 7, 27, 32, 34, 35, 36, 37 and 38. Official headings and which code applies."
url: https://www.vakilat.io/law/bns-to-ipc/3
---

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# BNS Section 3 in the IPC

Section 3 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, General explanations, brings together IPC Sections 6, 7, 27, 32, 34, 35, 36, 37 and 38.

## BNS 3 and the IPC

BNS IPC IPC heading 3(1) [6](https://www.vakilat.io/law/ipc-to-bns/6) Definitions in the Code to be understood subject to exceptions. 3(2) [7](https://www.vakilat.io/law/ipc-to-bns/7) Sense of expression once explained. 3(3) [27](https://www.vakilat.io/law/ipc-to-bns/27) Property in possession of wife, clerk or servant. 3(4) [32](https://www.vakilat.io/law/ipc-to-bns/32) Words referring to acts include illegal omissions. 3(5) [34](https://www.vakilat.io/law/ipc-to-bns/34) Acts done by several persons in furtherance of common intention. 3(6) [35](https://www.vakilat.io/law/ipc-to-bns/35) When such an act is criminal by reason of its being done with a criminal knowledge or intention. 3(7) [36](https://www.vakilat.io/law/ipc-to-bns/36) Effect caused partly by act and partly by omission. 3(8) [37](https://www.vakilat.io/law/ipc-to-bns/37) Co-operation by doing one of several acts constituting an offence. 3(9) [38](https://www.vakilat.io/law/ipc-to-bns/38) Persons concerned in criminal act may be guilty of different offences.

## Which code applies

The Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita came into force on 1 July 2024. An offence committed before that date is still punished under the Indian Penal Code, because the BNS keeps the repealed Code's penalties and proceedings alive.

> “Notwithstanding the repeal of the Code referred to in sub-section (1), it shall not affect,— … (c) any penalty, or punishment incurred in respect of any offences committed against the Code so repealed;”

> BNS section 358(2)

Which code governs your matter can turn on the date of the offence and the stage the case had reached on 1 July 2024. Read the official text before you rely on any table.

## Sources

Section numbers follow the [correspondence table](https://www.keralaprisons.gov.in/userfiles/act-and-rules/comparison_summary_BNS_to_IPC.pdf) prepared by the Central Academy for Police Training, Bhopal, of the Bureau of Police Research and Development. Headings are taken from the [Indian Penal Code, 1860](https://www.indiacode.nic.in/bitstream/123456789/15289/1/ipc_act.pdf) and the [Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023](https://www.mha.gov.in/sites/default/files/2024-04/250883_english_01042024.pdf) as published, and from the table. The official text governs: read the section itself before you rely on it.

## Research BNS 3 in Supreme Court judgments

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