Performance of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023-An Assessment

Publication Details

Publication Date

10/08/2026

Volume / Issue

Vol 1, Issue 3 (2026)

Article No.

002

Journal

British Journal of Contemporary Research

DOI

https://doi.org/10.67693/BJCR-8RVCEV3S

Received

01 Jul 2026

Views

37

Downloads

17

Abstract

The Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 (BNS) is considered to be the India’s most crucial substantive criminal-law reform after the Indian Penal Code, 1860. It came into force on 1 July 2024, replacing the IPC aimed at modernising the criminal law, equipped to deal with the most sophiscated techno-based crimes, strengthened to protection for women and children, incorporated new organised crime and terrorism, and introduceed community service as a form punishment. The BNS is not just a renaming exercise but as a substantive reorganisation of criminal offences and punishments. Yet, its performance must be assessed cautiously. Since it has been operational for a relatively short period, its success cannot be judged solely by the number of provisions introduced. Its real performance depends on police training, prosecutorial capacity, judicial interpretation, forensic infrastructure, legal awareness, constitutional safeguards, and the coordinated functioning of the BNS with the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 and Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam, 2023. This paper critically assesses the BNS by examining its performance achievements, practical difficulties in implementation , constitutional issues and future prospects.

License

This article is published under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License . Free to read, share, and adapt with attribution.