KSLU Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (Criminal Law I) Past Questions & Exam Topics
KSLU Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (Criminal Law I) Past Questions & Exam Topics
To crack the KSLU exam for Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (Criminal Law I), analyzing past trends is crucial. Below is a unit-wise breakdown of theory and problem questions compiled from KSLU semester papers.
How to read the map:
- ⭐⭐⭐ : Asked 5+ times — Must Cover
- ⭐⭐ : Asked 3–4 times — High Priority
- ⭐ : Asked 1–2 times
[16M]/[10M]: Essay marks[6M]/[SN]: Short notes / brief topics[Prob]: Solved problem fact patterns
📅 Unit 1 — General Principles, Punishments & Exceptions
Topic-wise Questions
| # | Topic (BNS §) ← IPC origin | Questions & Frequency |
|---|---|---|
| 1.1 | Definition / concept of crime; crime v. tort/morality/other wrongs (general principles) | [16M] 2017(100), 2012(100); BNS 2025(100); [10M] 2021(80), 2023(80), 2022(80), 2024(80), 2020(100); [SN] concept of crime 2012(100), 2018(80), 2023(80); elements of crime 2023(80), 2024(80) ⭐⭐⭐ |
| 1.2 | Mens rea & actus reus; maxims actus non facit reum nisi mens sit rea / ignorantia facti excusat (principles of criminal liability) | [16M] 2014(100), 2018(100); maxim 2017(100), 2015 case-maxim(100); [10M] 2022(80), 2025(80); maxim 2024(80); [SN] mens rea 2012(100),2013(100),2015(100),2019(100),2022(100); BNS 2025(100); actus reus 2013(100),2019(100); role of mens rea 2019(80) ⭐⭐⭐ |
| 1.3 | Possible parties to the crime; how liability of parties varies (incl. common intention S.3(5) ← IPC S.34) | [16M] 2011(100),2012(100),2015(100); BNS 2026(100); common intention 2014(100 prob/essay),2016(100),2020(100); [SN] common intention & common object 2018(80),2023(80),2022(100); possible parties [SN] 2023(80) ⭐⭐⭐ |
| 1.4 | Variations in liability — Mistake of fact / mistake of law (Ss 14, 17 ← IPC Ss 76, 79) | [16M] mistake of fact & law 2018(100),2019(100); mistake of fact (Indian context) 2012(100); [SN] mistake of fact & mistake of law 2013(100) ⭐⭐ |
| 1.5 | Variations — Intoxication (Ss 23–24 ← IPC Ss 85–86) | [SN] intoxication 2012(100); crime in state of intoxication 2022(80) ⭐ |
| 1.6 | Variations — Legally abnormal persons / unsoundness of mind (insanity); M’Naghten (S.22 ← IPC S.84) | [16M] nature & extent of unsoundness of mind exempting liability 2011(100),2017(100); legally abnormal persons / M’Naghten 2013(100); criminal liability of children & unsound-mind persons 2015(100); unsoundness as defence 2020(100); [SN] medical v. legal insanity 2017(100); legally abnormal persons 2024(80); offence by person of unsound mind 2023(80) ⭐⭐⭐ |
| 1.7 | General Exceptions — Private defence (body), extent to causing death (Ss 34–44 ← IPC Ss 96–106) | [16M] 2012(100),2014(100),2017(100),2019? ,2022(100); BNS 2026(100); right of private defence (when pleaded/lost) 2021(100); [10M] 2019(80),2021(80),2022(80),2023(80) ⭐⭐⭐ |
| 1.8 | General Exceptions — Accident (S.18 ← IPC S.80) | [SN] accident 2013(100),2017(100); + Prob “hatchet head flies off” (see P-I-9) ⭐⭐ |
| 1.9 | General Exceptions — Necessity (S.19 ← IPC S.81) | [SN] necessity 2013(100); + Probs “tiger” & “boat/boy on high seas” (see P-I-3, P-I-7) ⭐ |
| 1.10 | General Exceptions — Consent / good faith (medical) (Ss 25–29, incl. S.88 benefit ← IPC Ss 87–92) | [16M] defence of consent under the Code 2025(80); + Probs “surgeon good faith”, “fencing for amusement” (P-I-4, P-I-5) ⭐ |
| 1.11 | Punishments — kinds; death sentence / “rarest of rare”; corrective theory; community service (Ss 4–13 ← IPC S.53) | [16M] various punishments 2011(100),2013(100),2012(100); death sentence emphasis 2016(100),2022(100),2022-Dec(100); BNS 2025(100); BNS 2025-Jan(100); corrective/rehabilitative theory 2021(100); [10M] 2018(80),2021(80),2023(80); BNS 2026(80); capital punishment “rarest of rare” 2025(80) ⭐⭐⭐ |
| 1.12 | Solitary confinement (S.11 ← IPC Ss 73–74) | [SN] 2011(100),2012(100),2014(100),2021(80),2022(80),2023(80),2024(80) ⭐⭐⭐ |
| 1.13 | Public servant (definition; offences by/relating to) (← IPC S.21) | [SN] 2011(100),2012(100),2013(100),2021(80),2019(80),2022(100); offences by public servant [16M] 2012(100) ⭐⭐⭐ |
| 1.14 | Extent & operation of the Code — territorial & extra-territorial jurisdiction (Ss 1, 3 ← IPC Ss 2–4) | [16M] territorial jurisdiction 2022(100); extra-territorial application 2013(100),2019(100); “act done by several persons construed as done alone” 2019(100); [10M] territorial jurisdiction (with exceptions) 2019(80),2021(80); + Prob “citizen/soldier commits murder abroad” (see P-I-12) ⭐⭐ |
| 1.15 | Historical background, extent & operation of BNS; rationale for replacing IPC; key reforms; gender neutrality; definitions (Ss 2–3) (BNS-era topic — new) | [10M] rationale behind BNS replacing IPC & key reforms 2026(80); historical background, extent & key features of BNS 2026(80) ⭐ |
| 1.16 | Wrongful gain & wrongful loss (defined terms) (← IPC S.23) | [SN] 2014(100) ⭐ |
| 1.16a | Leading-case short notes — Mobarik Ali Ahmed v. State of Bombay (extra-territorial reach / acting through an agent in India) ← cross-links 1.14 | [SN] 2025(80) ⭐ |
| 1.17 | Principles of legality; protection available to the accused | [16M] 2021(100) ⭐ |
| 1.18 | Distinction between crime, morality and other wrongs (syllabus topic) | (never asked directly — folded into 1.1) |
| 1.19 | Compulsion / duress as a variation in liability (S.20 ← IPC S.94) | (never asked) |
| 1.20 | State’s obligation to detect and punish crime (syllabus topic) | (never asked) |
| 1.21 | Commutation; amount of fine; liability in default of payment of fine (Ss 4–9) | (never asked separately — cover under 1.11) |
Application Problems (all papers)
Problems whose core legal issue sits in Unit 1 (general exceptions / general principles). Each lists all years + paper weight and the planted decoy. Look-alikes (names/amounts swapped, same issue+rule+decoy) merged into one row with neutral labels.
| Year(s) (paper) | Problem summary (neutral labels; decoy in italics) | Key issue (BNS §) |
|---|---|---|
| P-I-1 · 2011(100), 2016(100), 2018(80), 2019(100), 2022(100) | A, an officer of court ordered to arrest Y, after due inquiry believes Z to be Y and arrests Z. Decoy: he arrested the wrong person. | Mistake of fact in good faith / act of person bound by law — no offence (S.14/17 ← IPC S.79) |
| P-I-2 · 2014(100), 2018(80); BNS 2025(100) | A doctor, in good faith, tells a patient he cannot survive; the patient dies of shock. Decoy: the communication “caused” death. | Good-faith communication for benefit — no offence (S.26 ← IPC S.93) |
| P-I-3 · 2012(100), 2013(100), 2021(80); BNS 2025(100) | A is carried off by a tiger; B fires at the tiger knowing the shot may kill A; A is killed. Decoy: B knew the shot could kill A. | Necessity / act to prevent greater harm without criminal intent — no offence (S.19 ← IPC S.81) |
| P-I-4 · BNS 2026(80) | A surgeon, knowing an operation is likely to cause the death of Z (who has a painful complaint) but not intending death and acting in good faith for Z’s benefit, operates with Z’s consent. | Consent + good faith for benefit (S.88 line) — no offence (Ss 26–28 ← IPC S.88) |
| P-I-5 · 2020(100), 2021(100) | X and Y agree to fence for amusement; in the course of it X pierces Y’s stomach causing grievous injury. Decoy: grievous injury despite consent. | Consent to harm in sport / accident in lawful act (Ss 25, 18 ← IPC Ss 87, 80) |
| P-I-6 · 2015(100) | Drunk before bed, A mistakenly gives his ailing wife a bottle of poisonous photographic solution (kept beside medicine) instead of medicine; she dies. | Intoxication + mistake / death by negligence (Ss 23–24, S.106 ← IPC Ss 85, 304A) |
| P-I-7 · 2015(100) | Three adults and a boy are cast away in a storm at sea with no food; the adults kill the boy out of necessity to survive. Decoy: genuine survival necessity. | Necessity is no defence to murder — R v Dudley & Stephens (S.19 ← IPC S.81) |
| P-I-8 · 2019(100) | A, father of an 8-year-old, butchers the child to “propitiate a deity”; pleads insanity. Decoy: religious/delusional motive. | Whether legal insanity (M’Naghten) is made out (S.22 ← IPC S.84) |
| P-I-9 · 2012(100), 2021(80); BNS 2026(100) | A is at work with a hatchet/latchet; the head flies off and kills a bystander. Decoy: a death resulted. | Accident in a lawful act without criminal intent — no offence (S.18 ← IPC S.80) |
| P-I-10 · 2022(100) | A police constable fires at a mob on the order of a superior officer; a citizen is killed. Decoy: he was “only obeying orders”. | Superior orders / act of person bound or justified by law — limits of the defence (Ss 14–16 ← IPC Ss 76–79) |
| P-I-11 · 2011(100) (KSLU compilation) | A entrusts the Hindustan Transport Company with goods to carry by land; the carrier dishonestly misuses them. (Listed for completeness — core issue is criminal breach of trust; full treatment in Unit 5, P-V-3.) | Cross-ref Unit 5 (CBT, S.316) |
| P-I-12 · 2014(100), 2015(100), 2022(100) | An Indian citizen commits murder abroad (England / Bangladesh); variant: an Indian-Army soldier commits murder while serving in Nepal. Can he be tried in India? Decoy: the act happened outside India. | Extra-territorial jurisdiction over citizens / govt servants (S.1(4)–(5) ← IPC S.4) — the soldier variant adds the govt-servant limb |
📅 Unit 2 — Inchoate Crimes & Offences Against Women and Children
Topic-wise Questions
| # | Topic (BNS §) ← IPC origin | Questions & Frequency |
|---|---|---|
| 2.1 | Abetment; who is an abettor; law of abetment (Ss 45–60 ← IPC Ss 107–120) | [16M] law relating to abetment (with illustrations) 2013(100),2016(100); BNS 2025-Jan(100); abetment & when abetment outside India is an offence 2019(100); who is an abettor / abetment of a thing 2014(100); [10M] *2019(80),2025(80),2023(80 abettor),2018? *; [SN] abetment 2018(100); BNS 2026(100); abetment & criminal conspiracy 2017(100) ⭐⭐⭐ |
| 2.2 | Criminal conspiracy; distinction from abetment (S.61 ← IPC Ss 120A–120B) | [16M] criminal conspiracy v. abetment 2013(100); BNS 2026(100); [SN] criminal conspiracy 2011(100),2014(100),2015(100),2016(100),2023(80); BNS 2026-80; provisions re criminal conspiracy 2026(80) ⭐⭐⭐ |
| 2.3 | Attempt to commit offences (S.62 ← IPC S.511) | [SN] attempt to commit offences 2012(100),2015(100),2021(80),2025(80); preparation v. attempt (law) 2016(100); + Probs pickpocket & empty box (P-II-4, P-II-5) ⭐⭐ |
| 2.4 | Rape — definition, ingredients, exceptions, punishment; recent changes (Ss 63–64 ← IPC Ss 375–376) | [16M] define rape / ingredients with recent developments 2013(100),2018(100),2022(100); essentials with exceptions & punishment 2017(100); rape against own wife (marital rape) 2012(100); [10M] 2023(80); rape & other sexual offences against women 2026(80); [SN] rape 2019(80),2022(80) ⭐⭐⭐ |
| 2.5 | Criminal force & assault against women (Ss 74–79 ← IPC Ss 354) | [10M] key elements of “criminal force and assault against women” under BNS 2026(80); [SN] BNS 2025-June(100) ⭐ |
| 2.6 | Offences relating to marriage — generally (Ss 80–87 ← IPC Ch XX) | [16M] offences relating to marriage 2012(100),2015(100),2017(100),2019(100),2022(100),2022Nov(100); BNS 2025-June(100), BNS 2026-Jan(100); [10M] 2019(80),2022(80),2023? ,2024(80),2025(80); BNS 2026(80) ⭐⭐⭐ |
| 2.7 | Bigamy (S.82 ← IPC S.494) | [SN] bigamy 2011(100),2013(100),2014(100),2018(80),2023(80); + Probs bigamy variants (P-II-6) ⭐⭐ |
| 2.8 | Cruelty by husband/relatives (Ss 85–86 ← IPC S.498A) | [SN] cruelty by husband and relatives 2012(100) ⭐ |
| 2.9 | Dowry death (S.80 ← IPC S.304B) | [16M]/[SN] dowry death 2012(100),2013(100),2016(100); BNS 2025-Jan(100 short note) ⭐⭐ |
| 2.10 | Kidnapping of/inducing a woman to compel marriage (S.87 ← IPC S.366) | [SN] kidnapping BNS 2026(80); (general kidnapping & abduction PYQs are mapped to Unit 3 — see note) ⭐ |
| 2.11 | Sexual intercourse by employing deceitful means (Ss 69–72) (BNS-era topic — new) | (never asked — new BNS offence; cover briefly) |
| 2.12 | Offences against a child (BNS child-offence chapter Ss 93–99; syllabus cites Ss 91–97) | + Prob “exposure of child of tender years” (P-II-7) — (otherwise never asked as essay; cover briefly) ⭐ |
| 2.13 | Exclusion of offence by a person outside India (Ss 48, 60) | (never asked separately — fold into abetment 2.1) |
| 2.14 | Leading-case short note — R v. Prince (mens rea / mistake of age in taking a minor out of guardianship) ← links rape-of-minor & kidnapping | [SN] 2025(80) ⭐ |
Application Problems (all papers)
Problems whose core issue sits in Unit 2 (abetment / conspiracy / attempt / rape / marriage offences / offences against children).
| Year(s) (paper) | Problem summary (neutral labels; decoy in italics) | Key issue (BNS §) |
|---|---|---|
| P-II-1 · 2011(100), 2019(80), 2021(80) | A instigates B to murder C/D; B stabs the victim; the victim recovers from the wound. Liability of A? Decoy: the victim survived. | Abetment — abettor liable though act incomplete (Ss 45, 49, 59 ← IPC S.115) |
| P-II-2 · 2020(100), 2021(100) | A affixes a notice in a public place instigating a group of 10+ to assemble and attack B during a procession. Liability of A? Decoy: A himself did nothing at the spot. | Abetment by public instigation (+ unlawful assembly cross-ref Unit 4) (S.45 ← IPC S.107) |
| P-II-3 · 2020(100), 2021(100) | A instigates B to instigate C to murder D; C murders D. Liability of A and B? Decoy: A is two steps removed. | Abetment of abetment (Ss 45, 49 ← IPC Ss 108–109) |
| P-II-4 · 2022(100) | N abets H to kill M, but H kills R instead. Decide N’s liability. Decoy: a different victim was killed. | Abettor’s liability for a different act/probable consequence (S.58 ← IPC S.111/113) |
| P-II-5 · 2022(80) | N abets H to cause grievous hurt to M, but H causes M’s death. Decide N’s liability. Decoy: result graver than abetted (death, not grievous hurt). | Abettor liable for the likely consequence (S.58 ← IPC S.113) — kept separate from P-II-4: result/offence engaged differs |
| P-II-6 · 2015(100) | A instigates B to burn Z’s house; B sets fire and simultaneously commits theft there. Offence committed by A? Decoy: theft was not abetted. | A liable for arson, not the un-abetted theft (Ss 45, 58 ← IPC S.111) |
| P-II-7 · 2017(100) | A tries to pick Z’s pocket by thrusting his hand in, but the pocket is empty. Decide. Decoy: nothing was there to steal. | Attempt to commit theft — impossibility no bar (S.62 ← IPC S.511; Pyare Lal) |
| P-II-8 · 2018(80) | A breaks open a box to steal jewels; on opening it he finds no jewels. A’s liability? Decoy: empty box. | Attempt to commit theft (S.62 ← IPC S.511) |
| P-II-9 · 2017(100) | Widow B, after inquiries, believes her deserting husband died in an accident and marries Y within 7 years; husband A reappears and files bigamy. Decide. Decoy: good-faith belief of death. | Bigamy & its 7-year exception (S.82 ← IPC S.494) |
| P-II-10 · 2019(100) | X marries Y in a temple; later “obtains a release” from Y informally and marries Z. Has X committed an offence? Decoy: an informal “release”, not a legal divorce. | Bigamy — second marriage during subsistence (S.82 ← IPC S.494) |
| P-II-11 · 2023(80) | A marries again after 10 years of the first husband’s disappearance. Offence? Decoy: long absence — exception likely available. | Bigamy exception (7-year/death presumption) (S.82 ← IPC S.494) |
| P-II-12 · 2019(80), 2023(80); BNS 2025-June(100) | A/Z has sexual intercourse with a girl below 16 with her consent. Offence? Decoy: she “consented”. | Rape — consent of a minor is immaterial (S.63 ← IPC S.375) |
| P-II-13 · 2018(80) | A, intending the death of a child of tender years, exposes/abandons it in a desert place, but the child does not die. Offence? Decoy: no death resulted. | Exposure & abandonment of child / attempt (S.93 + S.62 ← IPC S.317/307) |
📅 Unit 3 — Offences Affecting the Human Body
Topic-wise Questions
| # | Topic (BNS §) ← IPC origin | Questions & Frequency |
|---|---|---|
| 3.1 | Culpable homicide; ingredients; v. murder; when CH does not amount to murder; define murder & ingredients (Ss 100–101 ← IPC Ss 299–300) | [16M] CH v. murder / when CH not murder 2012(100),2014(100),2015(100),2017(100),2015Dec(100),2023(80); BNS 2025-Jan(100), BNS 2025-June(100); ingredients of culpable homicide 2012(100); ingredients of murder 2016(100),2022(100); define murder & exceptions 2022(100); [10M] 2019(80),2021(80),2023(80),2024(80); CH not amounting to murder 2023(80) ⭐⭐⭐ |
| 3.2 | Hurt & grievous hurt; when hurt becomes grievous (Ss 114–116 ← IPC Ss 319–320) | [16M] 2011(100),2012(100),2013(100),2014(100),2015(100),2019(100),2020(100),2021(100),2022(100); BNS 2025-June(100); circumstances hurt → grievous hurt 2017? ,2023(80); BNS 2026-Jan(100); [10M] 2022(80),2023(80),2024(80),2025(80); [SN] hurt v. grievous hurt 2014(100),2017(100) ⭐⭐⭐ |
| 3.3 | Wrongful restraint & wrongful confinement; distinction (Ss 126–127 ← IPC Ss 339–340) | [16M] 2012(100),2013(100),2014(100),2016(100),2019(100); BNS 2026-Jan(100); [10M] 2022(80),2024(80),2025(80); BNS 2026(80); [SN] 2019(100),2021(80) ⭐⭐⭐ |
| 3.4 | Criminal force & assault; when force becomes criminal force; assault = attempt/apprehension (Ss 128–133 ← IPC Ss 349–351) | [16M] what is force / when criminal force 2011(100),2013(100),2020(100),2022(100); “assault is only an attempt…” 2013(100),2021(80); criminal force & distinction from assault 2019(80); [10M] 2018(80? ),2023(80 criminal force SN); [SN] criminal force & assault 2014(100),2018(80),2022(100); BNS 2025-June(100) criminal force & assault against women ⭐⭐⭐ |
| 3.5 | Kidnapping from lawful guardianship; v. abduction (Ss 137–138 ← IPC Ss 359–362) | [16M] 2011(100),2012(100),2014(100),2015(100),2017(100),2019(100); [10M] kidnapping & distinction from abduction 2022(80),2023(80); BNS 2026(80 short note); + Probs minor-elopement / taking-away-minor (P-III-9, P-III-10) ⭐⭐⭐ |
| 3.6 | Causing miscarriage (Ss 88–92 ← IPC Ss 312–313) | [SN] causing miscarriage 2011(100),2014(100),2023(80) ⭐⭐ |
| 3.7 | Causing death by negligence / rash act; hit-and-run (S.106 ← IPC S.304A) | [SN] causing death by negligence 2024(80) ⭐ |
| 3.8 | Abetment of suicide / attempt to commit suicide (Ss 107–108 ← IPC Ss 305–306, 309) | [SN] suicide (provisions) 2011(100); attempt to commit suicide 2019(80); abetment of suicide 2025(80) ⭐ |
| 3.9 | Dacoity / 5-or-more — cross-link (robbery & dacoity treated in Unit 5) | (see Unit 5; Prob “four armed persons” raises the 5-person threshold) |
| 3.10 | Mob lynching (S.103(2)) (BNS-era — new) | [SN] mob lynching BNS 2026(80) ⭐ |
| 3.11 | Terrorist act (S.113) (BNS-era — new) | [SN] terrorist act BNS 2026(80) ⭐ |
| 3.12 | Organized crime (Ss 111–112) (BNS-era — new) | (never asked — new BNS offence; cover briefly) |
| 3.13 | Hit-and-run cases (S.106(2)) (BNS-era — new) | (never asked — new; cover briefly) |
| 3.14 | Grievous hurt causing permanent disability / vegetative state; acid attack (Ss 116, 124) | + Prob acid attack (P-III-11) — (otherwise fold into 3.2) ⭐ |
Application Problems (all papers)
Problems whose core issue sits in Unit 3 (homicide / hurt / restraint / assault / kidnapping). Note the deliberately separated disfigure-pair below.
| Year(s) (paper) | Problem summary (neutral labels; decoy in italics) | Key issue (BNS §) |
|---|---|---|
| P-III-1 · 2011(100), 2013(100), 2017(100), 2019(80) | A, intending to permanently disfigure B’s face, strikes a blow that does not disfigure but causes severe bodily pain for 20 days. Liability? Decoy: intended grievous result not achieved. | Grievous hurt — 20-day severe pain itself qualifies (S.116 ← IPC S.320) |
| P-III-2 · BNS 2026(100) | Same facts but the severe bodily pain lasts 16 days. Liability? Decoy: 16 days is below the 20-day grievous-hurt threshold. | Simple hurt only (S.114), not grievous — kept separate from P-III-1: the decoy/threshold differs |
| P-III-3 · 2011(100), 2013(100) (KSLU); BNS 2026? | (Older wording of P-III-1 with 20 days; merged into P-III-1.) | — |
| P-III-4 · 2012(100), 2021(80) | A, provoked by B, intentionally kills C, who is B’s child (not the provoker). Offence? Decoy: there was grave provocation — but the victim is innocent. | Murder; provocation exception lost when an innocent is killed (S.101 Exc.1 ← IPC S.300 Exc.1) |
| P-III-5 · 2015(100), 2021(80) | A gives his wife a poisoned apple to kill her; she, ignorant, gives it to their child, who eats it and dies (the wife does not die). Decide. Decoy: the intended victim survived; an unintended victim died. | Murder via transferred malice (S.102 ← IPC S.301) |
| P-III-6 · 2019(100) | A and friends, intending to kill B, lure him on a pretext of “resolving a dispute” and kill B (and his friends). Offence? | Murder + common intention (Ss 101, 103, 3(5) ← IPC Ss 302/34) |
| P-III-7 · 2019(100) | A “Hakim” operates on a patient’s eye with ordinary scissors and dresses the wound with a needle, causing permanent eye damage. Offence? Decoy: a “medical” setting. | Grievous hurt by rash/negligent act; no good-faith/consent shield for the unskilled (Ss 117, 125 ← IPC Ss 320/338) |
| P-III-8 · 2025(80) | A throws acid on B causing severe burns to chest/abdomen; B hospitalised for months; A argues there is no disfiguration of the head or face, so it is not grievous. Decide. Decoy: disfiguration of face treated as the only test. | Grievous hurt / acid attack — face-disfiguration is not the sole criterion (Ss 116, 124 ← IPC Ss 320/326A) |
| P-III-9 · 2012(100) (eDec2012), 2012(100) (room-lock) | A induces B into a room and locks B in to prevent him going beyond it. Offence? | Wrongful confinement (S.127 ← IPC S.340) |
| P-III-9b · 2023(80) | C induces D into a room and locks D in to stop him going any direction beyond it. Offence? (same issue as P-III-9 — merged.) | Wrongful confinement (S.127 ← IPC S.340) |
| P-III-10 · 2011(100), 2018(80), 2022(100), 2023(80); BNS 2025(100) | A builds a wall / obstructs a path along which B has a right to pass, preventing B from passing. Offence? Decoy: only an obstruction, no contact. | Wrongful restraint (S.126 ← IPC S.339) |
| P-III-11 · 2012(100), 2018(100) | A shakes his fist at B, intending/knowing B will believe A is about to strike him. Offence? Decoy: no blow landed. | Assault — gesture creating apprehension (S.131 ← IPC S.351) |
| P-III-12 · 2014(100), 2017(100), 2021(80) | A incites a dog to spring upon Z without consent, intending to cause fear. Offence? Decoy: an animal, not A, made the move. | Assault / criminal force via animal (S.131 ← IPC S.351 expl.) |
| P-III-13 · 2022(80) | While S walks on a road, K makes threatening gestures with a rifle towards S. Liability of K? Decoy: no shot fired. | Assault / criminal intimidation by gesture (S.131 ← IPC S.351) |
| P-III-14 · 2017(100) | A (major) and B (minor girl) elope: B phones A to meet, they marry at the Registrar’s office and leave; B’s father files kidnapping. Decide. Decoy: the minor went voluntarily. | Kidnapping from lawful guardianship — minor’s consent immaterial (S.137 ← IPC S.361) |
| P-III-15 · 2018(80), 2022(100); BNS 2025-June(100) | A takes away an unmarried girl under 16 from her father’s custody, against his will. What offence? Decoy: she “went along”. | Kidnapping from lawful guardianship (S.137 ← IPC S.361) |
| P-III-16 · 2020(100), 2021(100) | A and B agree to fence for amusement; A pierces B’s stomach causing grievous injury. Is A liable? (consent angle — primary treatment in Unit 1, P-I-5; grievous-hurt analysis cross-ref here.) | Cross-ref Unit 1 (consent, Ss 25/18) + grievous hurt (S.117) |
📅 Unit 4 — Offences Against the State, Public Tranquillity, Public Justice & Property
Topic-wise Questions
| # | Topic (BNS §) ← IPC origin | Questions & Frequency |
|---|---|---|
| 4.1 | Giving false evidence; fabricating false evidence; distinction (Ss 227–229 ← IPC Ss 191–193) | [16M] what is giving false evidence / distinguish from fabricating 2011(100),2012(100),2013(100); define & distinguish 2018(100),2012(100); [10M] 2021(80),2022(80),2023(80),2024(80); examine essentials & distinction 2022(80) ⭐⭐⭐ |
| 4.2 | Unlawful assembly; member’s liability; when it becomes rioting (Ss 189–191 ← IPC Ss 141–149) | [16M] what is unlawful assembly 2011(100),2013(100),2016(100); define & scope of member’s liability 2016(100); unlawful assembly & when rioting 2018(100); meaning & ingredients 2020(100),2021(100); [10M]/[SN] 2019(80),2024(80); law re unlawful assembly 2022(80) ⭐⭐⭐ |
| 4.3 | Rioting & affray; distinction (Ss 191–194 ← IPC Ss 146–160) | [SN] distinguish rioting from affray 2014(100); offences of rioting & affray 2012(100),2021(80); rioting & affray 2025(80) ⭐⭐ |
| 4.4 | Mischief — essentials/ingredients (Ss 324–328 ← IPC Ss 425–440) | [16M]/[10M] essentials of mischief with illustrations 2012(100),2013(100),2018(100); 2024(80),2023(80); ingredients 2012(100),2013(100); [SN] mischief 2014(100),2019(80),2022(80),2022Nov(100); BNS 2026(80) ⭐⭐⭐ |
| 4.5 | Criminal trespass; house trespass; house breaking (Ss 329–334 ← IPC Ss 441–462) | [16M] essentials of criminal trespass/house trespass/house breaking 2014(100),2015(100); BNS 2025-Jan(100); different kinds of criminal trespass 2022Nov(100),2023(80); house breaking 2012(100),2013(100); [SN] criminal trespass 2012(100),2018(80? ),2019(80),2023(80); house trespass 2019(80),2022(80); BNS 2025-June(100) ⭐⭐⭐ |
| 4.6 | Forgery; making a false document; when a person makes a false document (Ss 335–340 ← IPC Ss 463–465) | [16M] explain forgery / when false document made *2011(100),2012(100),2014(100),2019(100); BNS? *; define forgery & making false document under the Code 2015(100),2018(100); [10M] essentials of forgery (with illustrations) 2019(80),2022(80),2023(80),2024(80); [SN] forgery 2013(100) ⭐⭐⭐ |
| 4.7 | Offences against the State — waging war; acts endangering sovereignty/unity/integrity; sedition (now S.152) (Ss 147–158 ← IPC Ss 121–130, 124A) | [16M] offences against the State 2020(100); [10M] offences against State 2024(80); BNS 2026(80); [SN] sedition & its ingredients 2012(100),2022(100),2023(80),2025(80) ⭐⭐ |
| 4.8 | Offences relating to religion; promoting enmity between groups; imputations prejudicial to national integration (Ss 196–197, 299–302 ← IPC Ss 153A, 295–298) | [16M] offences relating to religion 2022(100); [SN] offences relating to religion 2024(80) ⭐ |
| 4.9 | Public nuisance; negligent acts endangering public safety/health (Ss 270–273 ← IPC Ss 268, 278–280) | [16M] what is public nuisance & negligent acts injuring public safety/health BNS 2025-June(100); [SN] public nuisance BNS 2026(80) ⭐ |
| 4.10 | Offences relating to elections, coin & currency notes (Ss 168–188 ← IPC Ss 171B–171I, 230–263A) | [SN] election offences 2014(100); [10M] offences relating to election, coin & currency under BNS BNS 2026(80) ⭐ |
| 4.11 | Offences relating to property/property marks (Ss 341–346 ← IPC Ss 478–489) | (never asked — cover briefly under forgery 4.6) |
| 4.12 | Destruction of evidence; harbouring an offender; offences against public justice (other) (Ss 233–238 ← IPC Ss 201–216) | (never asked separately — fold into 4.1) |
Application Problems (all papers)
Problems whose core issue sits in Unit 4 (mischief / criminal trespass / false evidence / public tranquillity / forgery).
| Year(s) (paper) | Problem summary (neutral labels; decoy in italics) | Key issue (BNS §) |
|---|---|---|
| P-IV-1 · 2018(80) | A dishonestly cuts down a tree on B’s land without B’s consent. Decide A’s offence. Decoy: looks like theft of timber. | Mischief (causing wrongful loss/damage) (S.324 ← IPC S.425); cf. theft |
| P-IV-2 · 2019(80) | R pulls down H’s house-wall to stop a fire spreading; H wants to file mischief against R. Advise. Decoy: property was damaged. | Mischief negated by necessity/good faith (S.324 + S.19 ← IPC S.425/81) |
| P-IV-3 · 2022(80) | Anand throws a stone into muddy water, splashing stains onto Kavya’s dress. Liability of Anand? Decoy: damage is trivial. | Mischief / de minimis — whether wrongful loss caused (S.324 ← IPC S.425) |
| P-IV-4 · 2020(100), 2021(100) | A posts a public notice instigating a 10+ group to assemble and attack B at a procession. (Primary issue is abetment — see Unit 2, P-II-2; unlawful-assembly angle cross-ref here.) | Cross-ref Unit 2 (abetment) + unlawful assembly (S.189 ← IPC S.141) |
📅 Unit 5 — Offences Against Property; Defamation & Criminal Intimidation
Topic-wise Questions
| # | Topic (BNS §) ← IPC origin | Questions & Frequency |
|---|---|---|
| 5.1 | Theft — definition/essentials; how it differs from extortion; when theft becomes robbery (S.303 ← IPC S.378) | [16M] define theft / when theft becomes robbery 2011(100),2013(100); theft v. extortion 2017(100),2023(80); BNS 2025-June(100); define theft & distinguish from robbery 2022(100); essentials with decided cases 2025(80); [10M] theft v. robbery 2022(80); [SN] theft 2012(100),2019(100),2023(80) ⭐⭐⭐ |
| 5.2 | Robbery — when theft/extortion becomes robbery; “in all robbery there is either theft or extortion”; robbery v. dacoity (Ss 309, 312 ← IPC Ss 390, 392) | [16M] “in all robbery there is either theft or extortion” 2012(100),2015(100),2018(100),2024(80); robbery & when dacoity 2013(100),2015(100); robbery v. dacoity 2020(100),2021(100); what is robbery / when dacoity 2019(80) ⭐⭐⭐ |
| 5.3 | Extortion — essentials; v. theft (S.308 ← IPC S.383) | [16M] ingredients of extortion 2012(100); when extortion becomes robbery 2016(100); [10M] extortion 2021(80); [SN] extortion 2025(80); + Prob “threat to publish defamatory libel for money” (P-V-9) ⭐⭐ |
| 5.4 | Criminal misappropriation v. criminal breach of trust (Ss 314–316 ← IPC Ss 403, 405) | [16M] define & distinguish 2011(100),2014(100),2015(100),2017(100),2022(100); BNS 2026-Jan(100); [10M] provisions of misappropriation & CBT 2019(80),2021(80),2023(80); [SN] criminal breach of trust 2012(100),2019(100),2025(80); criminal misappropriation 2024(80) ⭐⭐⭐ |
| 5.5 | Cheating; cheating by personation (Ss 318–319 ← IPC Ss 415, 416, 420) | [16M] explain cheating / cheating by personation 2011(100),2012(100),2014(100),2017(100); ingredients with illustrations 2017(100),2024(80); BNS 2025-Jan(100); [10M] cheating & personation 2018(80? ),2021(80),2023(80); [SN] cheating 2014(100),2019(80),2020(100),2021(100) ⭐⭐⭐ |
| 5.6 | Receiving / stolen property (S.317 ← IPC Ss 410–411) | [SN] stolen property 2012(100),2013(100); receiving stolen property 2022(80),2024(80),2023(80) ⭐⭐ |
| 5.7 | Defamation — definition, ingredients, exceptions/defences (S.356 ← IPC Ss 499–500) | [16M]/[10M] what is defamation / ingredients / exceptions 2013(100),2014(100); BNS 2026-Jan(100); define defamation & defences 2025(80); essentials & exceptions 2026(80); exceptions to defamation 2023(80); [SN] defamation 2011(100),2012(100),2013(100),2018(80),2024(80); BNS 2025-Jan(100); provisions re defamation 2013(100) ⭐⭐⭐ |
| 5.8 | Criminal intimidation; insult; annoyance (Ss 351–354 ← IPC Ss 503, 506, 504, 509) | [16M]/[10M] criminal intimidation & ingredients 2021(80); [SN] criminal intimidation 2012(100),2020(100),2023(80),2025(80) ⭐⭐ |
| 5.9 | Dacoity — definition (Ss 310–312 ← IPC S.391) | [SN] dacoity (briefly) 2019(80); + Prob “four armed persons” (P-V-7) ⭐ |
| 5.10 | Snatching (S.304) (BNS-era — new offence) | (never asked — new BNS offence; cover briefly with theft 5.1) |
| 5.11 | Adultery (IPC S.497 — struck down 2018; not a BNS offence) | [16M] define adultery / when 2nd marriage an offence 2011(100); ingredients of adultery 2014(100); [SN] adultery 2012(100),2013(100? ); adultery with recent developments 2019(100),2019(80),2020(100) — answer as: decriminalised, no longer an offence ⭐⭐ |
| 5.12 | Unnatural offence (IPC S.377 — no BNS equivalent for consenting adults) | [SN] unnatural offence 2011(100) — answer as: consensual conduct decriminalised (Navtej Johar, 2018); no S.377 in BNS ⭐ |
| 5.13 | Insult / annoyance (other) (Ss 352–354, 356(2)) | (never asked separately — fold into 5.8) |
Application Problems (all papers)
Problems whose core issue sits in Unit 5 (property offences / defamation / criminal intimidation).
| Year(s) (paper) | Problem summary (neutral labels; decoy in italics) | Key issue (BNS §) |
|---|---|---|
| P-V-1 · 2012(100), 2013(100), 2021(80) | A pledges articles which are not diamonds as diamonds, dishonestly inducing B to lend money. Liability of A? Decoy: it’s “only” a pledge. | Cheating (S.318 ← IPC S.415/420) |
| P-V-2 · 2012(100), 2021(80) | A finds a valuable ring not knowing the owner, and sells it at once without trying to find the owner. Offence? Decoy: he merely “found” it. | Criminal misappropriation (S.314 ← IPC S.403) |
| P-V-3 · 2012(100), 2018(100), 2021(80); + 2011(100) (Hindustan Transport variant) | A carrier (or transport company) is entrusted with goods/a TV to carry by road and dishonestly misappropriates them. Offence? Decoy: lawful initial possession. | Criminal breach of trust (S.316 ← IPC S.405) |
| P-V-4 · 2015(100); BNS 2025(100) | A throws into a river a ring / costly mobile belonging to Z, intending to cause Z wrongful loss. Offence? Decoy: it looks like mischief/destruction. | Theft — dishonest moving to cause wrongful loss (S.303 ← IPC S.378 illus.) |
| P-V-5 · 2012(100) | Four persons go armed to A’s house to rob it: one robs, one injures A, two wait outside to help. Are all four liable? Decoy: only four — short of the five needed for dacoity. | Robbery + common intention; not dacoity (needs 5+) (Ss 309, 310 ← IPC Ss 390/391) |
| P-V-6 · 2016(100), 2018(100), 2021(80) | A says “I do not believe what Z asserted at the trial, because I know him to be a man without veracity.” Offence? Decoy: an honest opinion on a witness’s credibility. | Defamation — whether imputation/good-faith exception applies (S.356 ← IPC S.499) |
| P-V-7 · 2019(80) | A points at Z and asks “who stole B’s watch?”, intending it to be believed that Z stole B’s watch. Offence? Decoy: phrased as a question, not a statement. | Defamation by innuendo (S.356 ← IPC S.499) |
| P-V-8 · 2026(80) (BNS) | A, a newspaper editor away from the district, appoints competent manager X to act as editor; in A’s absence X publishes an article defamatory of P. Is A liable for defamation? Decoy: A was absent and did not write it. | Defamation — editor’s/publisher’s liability & exceptions (S.356 ← IPC S.499) |
| P-V-9 · 2011(100), 2017(100); BNS 2026-Jan(100) | A threatens to publish a defamatory libel about Z unless Z pays money, thereby inducing Z to pay. Offence? Decoy: looks like defamation — it is actually extortion. | Extortion by threat of accusation/defamation (S.308 ← IPC S.383/385) |
| P-V-10 · 2016(100), 2023(80) | A appears for a university examination falsely representing himself as B. Offence? Decoy: “just” sitting an exam. | Cheating by personation (S.319 ← IPC S.416/419) |
| P-V-11 · 2019(100) | A, with two women the only passengers, unfastens a moored boat intending to horrify them, causing it to drift. Can the women prosecute A, and for what? Decoy: no physical contact/injury. | Causing alarm/criminal intimidation (S.351 ← IPC S.503) — or act endangering safety |
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