Indian Penal Code, 1860
IPC Section 309 in BNS
Attempt to commit suicide. Section 309 of the Indian Penal Code, 1860 (Attempt to commit suicide) corresponds to Section 226 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023.
Verify before you rely on this. Renumbering under the 2023 codes is not a clean one-to-one exercise — provisions were merged, split and reworded. Always check the printed bare act.
Where this sits in the exam
This provision is examined under CrPC & Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, IPC & Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, worth 18 of the 100 marks in AIBE XXII. The paper permits bare acts but bans notes, so what matters is finding it quickly, not reciting the number.
Questions that turn on this section
A complaint case may be dismissed at the pre-summoning stage under:
Answer & explanation
Section 226 BNSS, where no sufficient ground for proceeding is found
After examining the complainant and any inquiry, the Magistrate may dismiss the complaint and must record reasons.
Attempt to commit suicide, so far as it relates to a person under mental stress:
Answer & explanation
Is not to be punished; § 226 BNS covers attempt with intent to compel a public servant
§ 115 of the Mental Healthcare Act 2017 presumes severe stress and bars punishment; § 226 BNS targets attempts made to compel a public servant.
Statement I: The BNS retains the offence of attempt to commit suicide in the same form as the IPC. Statement II: Section 226 BNS punishes an attempt made with intent to compel or restrain a public servant from discharging his duty. Which is correct?
Answer & explanation
Only Statement II is true
The BNS did not retain § 309 IPC as a general offence. § 226 is narrower, and the Mental Healthcare Act's presumption of severe stress operates alongside it.
Sections either side of it
How the neighbouring provisions of the Indian Penal Code, 1860 were renumbered:
| IPC | Provision | BNS |
|---|---|---|
| 306 | Abetment of suicide | 108 |
| 307 | Attempt to murder | 109 |
| 308 | Attempt to commit culpable homicide | 110 |
| 312 | Causing miscarriage | 88 |
| 313 | Causing miscarriage without woman's consent | 89 |
| 314 | Death caused by act done with intent to cause miscarriage | 90 |
Practise it
Cutoff has AIBE XXII questions on this area, each cited to both codes with a line telling you where to find it in the bare act. Ten questions per subject are free, no account needed.
Practise free Full IPC→BNS table