Indian Penal Code, 1860
IPC Section 82 in BNS
Act of a child under seven years of age. Section 82 of the Indian Penal Code, 1860 (Act of a child under seven years of age) corresponds to Section 20 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 IPC & Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, worth 8 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
Nothing is an offence which is done by a child under what age?
Answer & explanation
Seven years
BNS Section 20 corresponds to IPC Section 82 and provides absolute immunity below seven. Section 21, corresponding to IPC Section 83, gives qualified immunity between seven and twelve where the child has not attained sufficient maturity of understanding.
Statement I: Under the BNS, a child under seven years of age cannot commit an offence. Statement II: A child between seven and twelve is presumed incapable unless sufficient maturity of understanding is shown. Which is correct?
Answer & explanation
Both Statements I and II are true
§§ 20 and 21 BNS: doli incapax below seven, and a rebuttable presumption between seven and twelve.
Sections either side of it
How the neighbouring provisions of the Indian Penal Code, 1860 were renumbered:
| IPC | Provision | BNS |
|---|---|---|
| 79 | Act done by a person justified by law | 17 |
| 80 | Accident in doing a lawful act | 18 |
| 81 | Act likely to cause harm done without criminal intent to prevent other harm | 19 |
| 83 | Act of a child above seven and under twelve of immature understanding | 21 |
| 84 | Act of a person of unsound mind | 22 |
| 85 | Act of a person incapable of judgment by intoxication caused against his will | 23 |
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