India’s criminal law has been rewritten. On 1 July 2024, three new codes replaced the colonial-era statutes that governed criminal justice for over 160 years. If you are a law student, judiciary aspirant, or practitioner, here is what changed and which books to study.
The three new codes
The Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 (BNS) replaces the Indian Penal Code, 1860. The Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 (BNSS) replaces the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973. The Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam, 2023 (BSA) replaces the Indian Evidence Act, 1872.
What actually changed
Much of the substance carries over, but the section numbers are entirely new, and there are genuine additions — organised crime, terrorism, and mob lynching are now codified in the BNS for the first time, while the BNSS introduces new timelines and electronic procedures. This is why comparative old-to-new tables matter so much during the transition.
Recommended books
For the penal law, Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 by Dr. M.P. Tandon continues the trusted Tandon commentary tradition, with IPC-to-BNS mapping tables. A Hindi edition, Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (Hindi), is also available.
For criminal procedure, see Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 by Dr. Nandini Aggarwal, which cross-references every provision to the old CrPC section.
For evidence law, The Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam, 2023 by Dr. M.P. Tandon covers the shift, including the elevation of electronic records to primary evidence.
Should you still study the old codes?
Yes. Every offence committed before 1 July 2024 is still tried under the IPC, CrPC and Evidence Act, and comparative questions appear across university and judiciary papers. Reading a text like The Indian Penal Code by Dr. M.P. Tandon alongside a BNS commentary is the clearest way to see exactly what changed.
Buy genuine, current editions
With the law this new, an outdated or pirated copy is worse than useless. Every genuine Allahabad Law Agency edition carries a holographic authenticity seal and reflects the current statutory position. Browse the bookstore or download the latest catalogue.
