Introduction of BNS Section 2
BNS Section 2 provides definitions for key terms used throughout the legal framework of the Sanhita. These definitions are crucial for understanding and interpreting the various provisions of the law. By defining terms like “act,” “animal,” “child,” and others, this section ensures clarity and consistency in legal language, which is essential for the effective application and enforcement of laws.
The Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) Section 2 replaces the old Indian Penal Code (IPC) Section 2.

What is BNS Section 2 ?
definitions for essential terms used in the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). It includes explanations for terms such as “Act,” which refers to both individual actions and series of actions, and “Animal,” which denotes any living creature except humans. Other definitions include “Child” for individuals under eighteen, “Counterfeit” for acts of deception through imitation, and “Court” as a Judge or a group of Judges authorized to make judicial decisions. The section also covers terms like “Death,” “Dishonestly,” “Document,” “Fraudulently,” and “Gender,” ensuring clarity and consistency in the application of legal provisions. These definitions lay the foundation for understanding legal terms and their application within the BNS framework.
Section 2 BNS Overview
1) Act
- Refers to both a single act and a series of acts.
2) Animal
- Any living creature except a human being.
3) Child
- Any individual under the age of eighteen.
4) Counterfeit
- Creating something to resemble another with the intent to deceive or knowing it could deceive.
5) Court
- A Judge or a group of Judges authorized to act judicially.
6) Death
- Refers to the death of a human being unless stated otherwise in the context.
7) Dishonestly
- Doing something with the intention to cause wrongful gain to one person or wrongful loss to another.
8) Document
- Any matter expressed or described on any substance by letters, figures, or marks, including electronic and digital records, intended to be used as evidence.
9) Fraudulently
- Doing something with the intent to deceive.
10) Gender
- The pronoun “he” includes any person, regardless of gender, including transgender individuals.
11) Good Faith
- An action or belief done with due care and attention.
12) Government
- Refers to the Central or State Government.
13) Harbour
- Providing shelter, food, money, or other means to help someone evade capture.
14) Injury
- Any harm caused to a person’s body, mind, reputation, or property.
15) Illegal
- Anything that is an offense, prohibited by law, or grounds for a civil action. A person is legally bound to do something if it is illegal for them to omit it.
16) Judge
- An officially designated person empowered to give definitive judgments in legal proceedings.
17) Life
- Refers to the life of a human being unless stated otherwise in the context.
18) Local Law
- A law applicable to a specific part of India.
19)Man
- A male human being of any age.
20) Month and Year
- Refers to the Gregorian calendar month or year.
21)Movable Property
- Defines types of property, crucial for property rights and transactions.
22) Number
- Ensures flexibility and inclusivity in legal language, aiding clear interpretation and application.
23) Oath
- Includes any solemn affirmation or declaration authorized by law.
24) Offence
An “offence” generally refers to an act that is punishable under the BNS. This is the default meaning unless stated otherwise in specific chapters or sections.
Context-Specific Definitions
Sections and Sub-sections Covered: Sub-sections (2), (3), (4), and (5) of Section 8; Sections 9, 49, 50, 52, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 119, 120, 123; Sub-sections (7) and (8) of Section 127; Sections 222, 230, 231, 240, 248, 250, 251, 259, 260, 261, 262, 263; Sub-sections (6) and (7) of Section 308; and Sub-section (2) of Section 330.
Sub-Clause (b): For certain sections, specifically:
Sections Covered: Sub-section (1) of Section 189; Sections 211, 212, 238, 239, 249, 253; and Sub-section (1) of Section 329.
25) Omission
- Refers to both a single and a series of omissions.
26) Person
- Includes any company, association, or body of individuals, whether incorporated or not.
27) Public
- Refers to any class of the public or any community.
28) Public Servant
- Includes various officials and employees of the government or local authority, such as:
- (a) Commissioned officers in the Army, Navy, or Air Force.
- (b) Judges and persons performing adjudicatory functions.
- (c) Court officers, including liquidators, receivers, and commissioners.
- (d) Assessors or members of a panchayat assisting a Court or public servant.
- (e) Arbitrators or persons referred for decision or report by any Court or authority.
- (f) Persons empowered to confine others.
- (g) Government officers responsible for preventing offences, reporting offences, bringing offenders to justice, or protecting public health and safety.
- (h) Officers managing government property or revenue.
- (i) Officers handling property or taxes for local purposes.
- (j) Officers managing elections.
- (k) Persons in service or pay of the government or local authority, including corporations and government companies.
29) Reason to Believe
- Having sufficient cause to believe something.
30) Special Law
- A law applicable to a specific subject.
31)Valuable Security
- A document creating, extending, transferring, restricting, extinguishing, or acknowledging legal rights or liabilities.
- Example: An endorsement on a bill of exchange transferring rights to the holder.
32) Vessel
- Anything designed for water conveyance of people or property.
33) Voluntarily
- Causing an effect intentionally or with knowledge of its likely occurrence.
- Example: Setting fire to a house to facilitate robbery, knowing it could cause death, is acting voluntarily.
34) Will
- Any testamentary document.
35) Woman
- A female human being of any age.
36) Wrongful Gain
- Gaining property unlawfully.
37) Wrongful Loss
- Losing property unlawfully.
38) Gaining Wrongfully and Losing Wrongfully
- Gaining or retaining property wrongfully, and being kept out of or deprived of property wrongfully.
- Other Definitions
- Defined in the Information Technology Act, 2000, and the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, will have the same meanings..
BNS Section 2 Explain in short
Act: Refers to both a single action and a series of actions performed by an individual. It encompasses any activity, whether isolated or repeated, that has legal significance.
Animal: Any living creature other than a human being. This term includes all non-human life forms.
Child: An individual who is below eighteen years of age. This term is used to specify legal protections and responsibilities related to younger individuals.
Counterfeit: The act of creating something to resemble another item with the intention to deceive or with knowledge that it might deceive others. This includes falsifying documents or goods.
Court: Refers to a Judge or a panel of Judges who are legally authorized to make judicial decisions. This term encompasses both individual Judges and collective judicial bodies.
Death: Refers specifically to the death of a human being, unless stated otherwise. This term is used to address legal issues related to the end of a person’s life.
Dishonestly: Acting with the intent to cause wrongful gain to one person or wrongful loss to another. This term addresses actions done with malicious or deceptive intent.
Document: Any written or recorded matter expressed through letters, figures, or marks, including electronic and digital records, that is intended to be used as evidence. This term covers all forms of recorded communication.
Fraudulently: Performing an action with the intent to deceive. This includes any act done with the purpose of misleading others.
Gender: The pronoun “he” and its derivatives are inclusive of all genders, including male, female, and transgender individuals. This term is used to ensure non-discrimination in legal language.
Good Faith: Actions or beliefs that are carried out with due care and attention, without intent to deceive or harm. This term ensures honesty and integrity in legal contexts.
Government: Refers to either the Central Government or a State Government. This term encompasses all levels of governmental authority.
Harbour: Providing shelter, food, money, or other assistance to help someone evade capture. This term covers any act of aiding a person to avoid arrest.
Injury: Harm caused to a person’s body, mind, reputation, or property. This term is used to address damages or suffering inflicted upon an individual.
Illegal: Anything that constitutes an offense, is prohibited by law, or is grounds for a civil action. It also includes duties that are legally required but omitted.
Judge: An officially designated person with the authority to issue definitive judgments in legal proceedings. This includes both individual Judges and bodies of Judges.
Life: Refers to the existence of a human being, unless stated otherwise. This term is used in legal contexts related to the duration of an individual’s life.
Local Law: Laws that apply specifically to a particular area within India. This term refers to jurisdictional legal provisions.
Man: A male human being of any age. This term is used in legal contexts to specify gender and age.
Month and Year: Refers to the Gregorian calendar for the calculation of time periods. This ensures consistency in legal timeframes.
Movable Property: Property that can be moved from one location to another, excluding land and items permanently attached to the earth. This term is important for property rights and transactions.
Number: Words indicating numbers in legal texts include both singular and plural forms, allowing flexibility in interpretation and application.
Oath: Includes any solemn affirmation or declaration authorized by law. This term covers legal promises and declarations.
Offence: An act punishable under the BNS or specific laws. It generally refers to violations of legal provisions, with variations based on the context.
Omission: Refers to both a single omission and a series of omissions. This term addresses failures to act in legal contexts.
Person: Includes any company, association, or group of individuals, regardless of incorporation. This term broadens the scope of who can be considered a legal entity.
Public: Refers to any group or community of people. This term is used to define who is affected or involved in legal matters.
Public Servant: Includes various officials and employees, such as military officers, judges, court officers, and those managing elections. This term covers individuals performing public duties.
Reason to Believe: Having sufficient cause to believe something based on available evidence. This term ensures that beliefs or actions are grounded in reality.
Special Law: A law applicable to a specific subject or issue. This term covers laws that address particular areas of concern.
Valuable Security: A document that creates, transfers, or acknowledges legal rights or liabilities. This term includes financial and legal instruments.
Vessel: Any vehicle designed for water transport of people or goods. This term is used in contexts related to maritime and shipping laws.
Voluntarily: Acting with the intention to cause a specific effect or with knowledge of the likely outcome. This term addresses intentional actions and their consequences.
Will: Any document outlining a person’s wishes for their estate after death. This term is used in estate planning and inheritance contexts.
Woman: A female human being of any age. This term is used to specify gender and age in legal contexts.
Wrongful Gain: Gaining property or benefits through unlawful means. This term addresses illegal acquisition of assets.
Wrongful Loss: Losing property or benefits through unlawful means. This term covers illegal deprivation of assets.
Gaining Wrongfully and Losing Wrongfully: Refers to both unlawful acquisition and deprivation of property. These terms cover various aspects of wrongful gain and loss.
BNS Section 2
What does BNS Section 2 cover?
BNS Section 2 provides definitions for essential legal terms used in the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). It ensures clarity and consistency in the application of legal provisions.
How is “Act” defined in BNS Section 2?
In BNS Section 2, “Act” refers to both a single action and a series of actions performed by an individual. It includes any activity with legal significance, whether isolated or repeated.
What is the definition of “Animal” according to BNS Section 2?
“Animal” is defined as any living creature other than a human being. This encompasses all non-human life forms.
4. How does BNS Section 2 define a “Child”?
A “Child” is defined as any individual below the age of eighteen. This term is used to specify legal protections and responsibilities related to younger individuals.
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