Criminal law is one of the heaviest blocks in the bar exam, and these BNS BNSS BSA revision notes help you revise it fast. The Bar Council of India will conduct AIBE 22 on 29 November 2026. The notes are written for graduates who already know the IPC, CrPC and Evidence Act and need a clear map to the new codes. Legal terms are explained in plain words as they appear.
Main article: AIBE 22 Exam 2026: Complete Guide to Dates, Registration, Syllabus, and Eligibility
The Three Codes at a Glance
The new criminal laws came into force on 1 July 2024.
| Old law | New law | Role | Sections |
|---|---|---|---|
| Indian Penal Code, 1860 | Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 (BNS) | Defines offences and punishments | 358 |
| Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 | Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 (BNSS) | Procedure from FIR to trial | 531 |
| Indian Evidence Act, 1872 | Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam, 2023 (BSA) | Rules of proof in court | 17 |
BNS Revision Notes: Key Sections
Memorise the conversions first (new section, then old IPC):
- Common intention: Section 3(5) (IPC 34)
- General exceptions: Sections 14 to 44, including private defence in Sections 34 to 44
- Murder: Section 103 (IPC 302)
- Rape: Sections 63 and 64 (IPC 375, 376)
- Dowry death: Section 80 (IPC 304B)
- Cruelty by husband or relatives: Section 85 (IPC 498A)
- Death by negligence: Section 106 (IPC 304A)
- Theft, robbery, dacoity: Sections 303, 309, 310
- Cheating: Section 318 (IPC 420)
- Criminal intimidation: Section 351 (IPC 506)
- Defamation: Section 356 (IPC 499)
New offences to learn separately: mob lynching (Section 103(2)), organised crime (Section 111), terrorist act (Section 113), snatching (Section 304) and sex by deceitful means (Section 69). Sedition is gone, replaced by Section 152, which targets acts endangering India’s sovereignty. Community service is also introduced as a sentencing option for specified offences.
BNSS Revision Notes: Procedure Changes
BNSS is the procedural code, meaning it governs how a case moves through the system.
- Zero FIR and e-FIR (Section 173): An FIR can be registered at any police station, whatever the jurisdiction, and can be filed electronically.
- Preliminary enquiry: Police may conduct one within 14 days for offences punishable with 3 to 7 years.
- Forensics (Section 176): Forensic investigation is mandatory for offences punishable with 7 years or more.
- Police custody (Section 187): Up to 15 days, which may be taken in parts within the first 40 or 60 days.
- Default bail (Section 187): Available if the investigation is not completed within 60 or 90 days.
- Undertrial bail (Section 479): Possible after serving one third of the maximum sentence for first-time offenders, and half for others.
- Trial in absentia (Section 356): Proclaimed offenders can be tried without being present.
- Plea bargaining: It now sits in Sections 289 to 300 of the BNSS.
- Judgment (Section 258): To be delivered within 45 days after arguments conclude.
BSA Revision Notes: Evidence Changes
- Electronic records (Section 57): They are treated as primary evidence, and “document” now clearly includes them.
- Certificate (Section 63): Electronic records need a certificate, the successor to the old Section 65B, with a part by the party and a part by an expert.
- Confessions (Section 23): A confession made to a police officer cannot be used against the accused, with limited exceptions.
- Dying declaration (Section 26): The statement of a dying person about the cause of death is admissible.
AIBE XXI concentrated its harder evidence questions on the BSA, and the pattern may repeat.
Study Tips for AIBE 22 Criminal Law
- Expect both sets of criminal law to be tested at once. Revise the old and new numbers side by side.
- One prep guide estimates about 10 questions each for CrPC/BNSS and 8 for Evidence/BSA, but confirm the pattern in the official notification. The same guide places IPC/BNS among the highest-weightage subjects.
- For deeper commentary on BNS offences, see B.M. Gandhi, Penal Law (6th Edn.).
FAQs
Prep sources say both appear, so revise both.
Yes, for the paired questions and for offences before 1 July 2024.
An FIR registered at any police station, then transferred to the one with jurisdiction.
Zero FIR, community service, trial in absentia, mob lynching and organised crime.
AIBE is open book. Check the BCI rules, since commentary and notes are typically excluded.
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