---
title: "BNS Section 356 in IPC | Vakilat"
description: "BNS Section 356 (Defamation) brings together IPC Sections 499, 500, 501 and 502. Official headings and which code applies."
url: https://www.vakilat.io/law/bns-to-ipc/356
---

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# BNS Section 356 in the IPC

Section 356 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, Defamation, brings together IPC Sections 499, 500, 501 and 502.

## BNS 356 and the IPC

BNS IPC IPC heading 356(1) [499](https://www.vakilat.io/law/ipc-to-bns/499) Defamation. Imputation of truth which public good requires to be made or published. Public conduct of public servants. Conduct of any person touching any public question. Publication of reports of proceedings of Courts. Merits of case decided in Court or conduct of witnesses and others concerned. Merits of public performance. Censure passed in good faith by person having lawful authority over another. Accusation preferred in good faith to authorised person. Imputation made in good faith by person for protection of his or other's interests. Caution intended for good of person to whom conveyed or for public good. 356(2) [500](https://www.vakilat.io/law/ipc-to-bns/500) Punishment for defamation. 356(3) [501](https://www.vakilat.io/law/ipc-to-bns/501) Printing or engraving matter known to be defamatory. 356(4) [502](https://www.vakilat.io/law/ipc-to-bns/502) Sale of printed or engraved substance containing defamatory matter.

## 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 An offence committed before that date is still punished under the Indian Penal Code, because the BNS keeps the repealed Code's penalties and proceedings alive.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shall not affect,— … (c) any penalty, or punishment incurred in respect of any offences committed against the Code so repealed;”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.

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