The Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 (BNSS) replaced the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 (CrPC) on 1 July 2024. Criminal procedure means the steps a case follows from complaint to judgment, and a prosecutor lives inside those steps. Older commentaries cite CrPC numbers while current exams and court orders cite BNSS numbers, so you need both. This CrPC to BNSS section conversion table maps the old CrPC sections and new BNSS sections that matter most for the Delhi APP exam, and flags what actually changed.
Which Code Applies: CrPC or BNSS?
The CrPC had 484 sections. The BNSS has 531 sections in 39 chapters. It only lays down procedure. Offences and punishments sit in the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 (BNS), and evidence rules sit in the Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam, 2023 (BSA).
Under Section 531(2)(a) BNSS, appeals, applications, trials, inquiries and investigations pending on 1 July 2024 continue under the CrPC. New matters follow the BNSS. Both numbering systems therefore remain live in courts.
CrPC to BNSS Section Conversion Table for Prosecutors
| Subject | CrPC | BNSS |
|---|---|---|
| Public Prosecutor | 24 | 18 |
| Assistant Public Prosecutor | 25 | 19 |
| Directorate of Prosecution | 25A | 20 |
| Withdrawal from prosecution | 321 | 360 |
| Compounding of offences | 320 | 359 |
| Plea bargaining (chapter) | 265A onwards | 289 to 300 |
Arrest, FIR and investigation
| Subject | CrPC | BNSS |
|---|---|---|
| Arrest without warrant, notice of appearance | 41, 41A | 35 (notice in 35(3) to 35(6)) |
| How arrest is made | 46 | 43 |
| Grounds of arrest | 50 | 47 |
| Production within 24 hours | 57 | 58 |
| FIR (cognizable) | 154 | 173 |
| Non-cognizable information | 155 | 174 |
| Power to investigate | 156 | 175 |
| Procedure for investigation | 157 | 176 |
| Witness statements to police | 161 | 180 |
| Confession or statement before Magistrate | 164 | 183 |
| Remand, default bail | 167 | 187 |
| Police report (chargesheet) | 173 | 193 |
Cognizance and trial
| Subject | CrPC | BNSS |
|---|---|---|
| Cognizance | 190 | 210 |
| Examination of complainant | 200 | 223 |
| Issue of process | 204 | 227 |
| Supply of documents to accused | 207 | 230 |
| Commitment to Sessions Court | 209 | 232 |
| Discharge (Sessions) | 227 | 250 |
| Framing of charge (Sessions) | 228 | 251 |
| Discharge (warrant case) | 239 | 262 |
| Framing of charge (warrant case) | 240 | 263 |
| Summary trial power | 260 | 283 |
| Adjournments | 309 | 346 |
| Examination of accused | 313 | 351 |
| Judgment | 353 | 392 |
| Victim compensation scheme | 357A | 396 |
Bail, appeals and inherent powers
| Subject | CrPC | BNSS |
|---|---|---|
| Bail, bailable offences | 436 | 478 |
| Maximum undertrial detention | 436A | 479 |
| Bail, non-bailable (Magistrate) | 437 | 480 |
| Anticipatory bail | 438 | 482 |
| Bail by High Court or Sessions Court | 439 | 483 |
| Appeal from conviction | 374 | 415 |
| Revision | 397 | 438 |
| Inherent powers of High Court | 482 | 528 |
| Maintenance | 125 | 144 |
| Urgent nuisance orders | 144 | 163 |
Number Traps in the Exam
Some numbers now mean something different, and examiners know it.
- 438: anticipatory bail under the CrPC, but revision under the BNSS.
- 482: inherent powers under the CrPC, but anticipatory bail under the BNSS.
- 144: urgent nuisance orders under the CrPC (now 163 BNSS), but maintenance under the BNSS (formerly 125 CrPC).
Always write the code name beside the number, for example “Section 528 BNSS”.
What Changed: Provisions With New Content
Learn these separately from the mapping, because they are new rules and not just new numbers.
- e-FIR and preliminary enquiry (Section 173): information may be given electronically and must be signed within three days. For cognizable offences punishable with three years or more but less than seven, police may hold a preliminary enquiry within 14 days, with permission of an officer of at least DSP rank.
- Notice before arrest (Section 35): where arrest is not required, police issue a notice to appear. A person above 60 or who is infirm, accused of an offence punishable with less than three years, cannot be arrested without prior DSP-rank permission.
- Custody (Section 187): police custody may total 15 days, taken in whole or in parts, within the first 40 days of a 60-day detention period or the first 60 days of a 90-day period. Overall limits stay at 60 and 90 days, after which default bail arises.
- Forensics and video recording (Sections 176 and 105): a forensic expert visits the scene for offences punishable with seven years or more, once the State notifies the facility. Search and seizure must be audio-video recorded.
- Victim information (Section 193): police must update the informant or victim on progress within 90 days.
- Hearing before cognizance (Section 223): in complaint cases, a Magistrate cannot take cognizance without first hearing the accused.
New Time Limits a Prosecutor Must Track
| BNSS section | Limit | Applies to |
|---|---|---|
| 230 | 14 days | Supply of police report and documents to the accused |
| 232 | 90 days (extendable up to 180) | Committal proceedings |
| 250 | 60 days | Discharge application, from commitment |
| 251 | 60 days | Framing of charge, from first hearing on charge |
| 258 | 30 days (up to 45) | Sessions judgment after arguments |
| 392 | 45 days | Outer limit for judgment after trial ends |
Bail Under Section 479 BNSS
Section 479 succeeds CrPC 436A. An undertrial who has served up to half of the maximum sentence is to be released on bail. A first-time offender, meaning someone never convicted before, becomes eligible after one-third. The section does not apply where the offence carries death or life imprisonment. The court may order longer detention after hearing the Public Prosecutor and recording reasons in writing. Time lost through the accused’s own delay is not counted. This is a routine point of argument for an APP.
What the BNSS Deleted
The BNSS drops the metropolitan area framework, including CrPC sections 8 and 16 to 19 and the provisions on Metropolitan Magistrates’ judgments. Do not spend revision time on them.
How to Study This Table
- Learn BNSS numbers first, with the CrPC number beside each.
- Group sections by stage (arrest, investigation, trial, bail) rather than numerically.
- Revise the new time limits and the number traps last, since they are the most testable.
FAQs
On 1 July 2024. Matters pending then continue under the CrPC.
Section 19 covers Assistant Public Prosecutors, Section 18 covers Public Prosecutors, and Section 20 covers the Directorate of Prosecution.
Up to 15 days in total, taken in parts within the first 40 or 60 days of detention.
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