IPC Section 170 = BNS Section 204

Personating a Public Servant

लोक सेवक का प्रतिरूपण

False Evidence & Offences by Public Servants No Change in Punishment Cognizable Non-Bailable Updated: 2026-02-28

Overview

Section 170 of the IPC dealt with personating a public servant — pretending to hold a particular office and acting under colour of such office. Under BNS 2023, this is now Section 204.
Hindi IPC की धारा 170 लोक सेवक का प्रतिरूपण से संबंधित थी। BNS 2023 के तहत यह अब धारा 204 है।

Side-by-Side Comparison

Aspect IPC (Old) BNS (New)
Section Number Section 170 Section 204
Title Personating a Public Servant Personating a Public Servant
Punishment Imprisonment up to 2 years, or fine, or both Imprisonment up to 2 years, or fine, or both
Cognizable Yes — Police can arrest without warrant
Bailable No — Bail at the discretion of the court
Compoundable No — Cannot be compounded/settled
Triable By Magistrate of the First Class

Key Changes

  • Section number changed from IPC 170 to BNS 204
  • Punishment remains the same
  • No substantive changes

Ingredients of the Offence

To establish this offence, the prosecution must prove:

  1. 1 The accused pretended to hold the office of a public servant
  2. 2 They acted under colour of such office
  3. 3 They were not actually holding that office

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the BNS equivalent of IPC Section 170?

IPC Section 170 (Personating a Public Servant) is now BNS Section 204 under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita 2023, effective from July 1, 2024.

Has the punishment changed from IPC 170 to BNS 204?

No, the punishment remains substantially the same. Under BNS 204: Imprisonment up to 2 years, or fine, or both.

Is BNS Section 204 cognizable?

Yes, BNS Section 204 is a cognizable, non-bailable, and non-compoundable offence.

Legal Disclaimer

This IPC-to-BNS section comparison is provided for informational and educational purposes only. It does not constitute legal advice. The mapping may not cover all nuances introduced by the new law. Always consult a qualified advocate or legal professional before relying on this information. For more details, see our Disclaimer.

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