Based on the CBI APP PYQs (which focused on Corruption, Cheating, Conspiracy, and Public Servants), here is the mapped list of Highly Relevant BNS Sections.
Category 1: The “Economic Offences” Cluster (Core CBI Work)
The CBI primarily investigates financial fraud. The old “420” and “120B” have new homes.
| BNS Section | Old IPC Section | Topic | Why Relevant (Based on PYQ Trends) |
| Section 61 | 120A / 120B | Criminal Conspiracy | The Backbone of CBI Cases. Every CBI charge sheet starts with Section 61 (Old 120B). You must know the definition verbatim. |
| Section 316 | 405 – 409 | Criminal Breach of Trust (CBT) | Merged Section. BNS has merged definitions and punishments. • Sec 316(2): CBT by Public Servant/Banker (Old IPC 409). This is the specific charge for bank fraud cases. |
| Section 318 | 415 – 420 | Cheating | The New “420”. • Sec 318(4): Cheating and dishonestly inducing delivery of property (Old IPC 420). • Note: “420” is no longer the section number; it is now 318(4). |
| Section 336 | 463 / 464 | Forgery | Document Fraud. Essential for proving fake invoices/passports. • Sec 336(2): Making a false document. |
| Section 338 | 468 | Forgery for Cheating | Common Charge. Forgery committed specifically for the purpose of cheating. |
| Section 340 | 471 | Using Forged Document | Genuine as False. Using a fake document as genuine (e.g., submitting a fake degree for a job). |
Category 2: The “New Offences” (Must Know)
BNS introduced specific sections for crimes that CBI deals with, which were previously scattered.
| BNS Section | Topic | Why Relevant |
| Section 111 | Organized Crime | GAME CHANGER. • Previously, “Organized Crime” (Syndicates/Mafia) was under MCOCA (State Act). Now it is in BNS. • Includes Economic Offences by syndicates. • CBI Relevance: Highly relevant for large-scale scams involving crime rings. |
| Section 113 | Terrorist Act | New Definition. • Brings “Terrorism” into general penal law (parallel to UAPA). • Defines acts threatening economic security (counterfeiting) as terrorism. |
| Section 304 | Snatching | New Offence. Previously treated as Theft/Robbery. Now a distinct offence. |
Category 3: Public Servants & False Evidence
CBI investigates Public Servants and perjury.
| BNS Section | Old IPC Section | Topic | Why Relevant |
| Section 2(28) | 21 | “Public Servant” | Definition. Who is a public servant? (Judges, Arbitrators, Govt employees). Essential for PC Act application. |
| Section 198 | 186 | Obstructing Public Servant | Offence of obstructing a CBI officer during a raid/search. |
| Section 229 | 193 | False Evidence | Giving false evidence in judicial proceedings. Punishment is up to 7 years. |
| Section 238 | 201 | Disappearance of Evidence | Destroying files/computers to hide crime. A very common charge in white-collar crimes. |
| Section 249 | 211 | False Charge | Maliciously filing a false case against someone. |
Category 4: Offences Affecting the Body (Custodial Crimes)
Relevant for CBI cases involving Custodial Death or Human Rights violations.
| BNS Section | Old IPC Section | Topic | Why Relevant |
| Section 103 | 302 | Murder | Sec 103(1): Punishment for Murder (Death/Life Imprisonment). Sec 103(2): Mob Lynching (New). Punishable with death. |
| Section 105 | 304 | Culpable Homicide | Culpable homicide not amounting to murder. |
| Section 106 | 304A | Negligence | Sec 106(1): Death by Negligence. Sec 106(2): Hit and Run (New strict provision). |
Summary of “Number Changes” for Revision
You must un-learn the old IPC numbers and memorize these key BNS numbers:
- Criminal Conspiracy: 120B – Sec 61
- Murder: 302 – Sec 103
- Cheating: 420 – Sec 318(4)
- Forgery: 468 – Sec 338
- Defamation: 499 – Sec 356
- Rape: 375 – Sec 63
