Practice Questions on Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita for CLAT PG 2026
1. Under BNS, which of the following best describes the mens rea requirement for “culpable homicide not amounting to murder” (Section 105)?
a. Only intention to kill is required.
b. Knowledge that one’s act is likely to cause death, but without intention.
c. Recklessness of causing death without knowledge or intention.
d. Strict liability – no mental element required.
b. Knowledge that one’s act is likely to cause death, but without intention.
c. Recklessness of causing death without knowledge or intention.
d. Strict liability – no mental element required.
Answer: b. Knowledge that one’s act is likely to cause death, but without intention.
Explanation: Culpable homicide not amounting to murder under BNS requires knowledge or awareness of the risk to life, not necessarily an intention to kill (which would elevate to murder).
Explanation: Culpable homicide not amounting to murder under BNS requires knowledge or awareness of the risk to life, not necessarily an intention to kill (which would elevate to murder).
2. Which section in BNS introduces community service as a mode of punishment?
a. Section 4(f)
b. Section 10(d)
c. Section 150(g)
d. Section 3(h)
b. Section 10(d)
c. Section 150(g)
d. Section 3(h)
Answer: a. Section 4(f)
Explanation: BNS authorises community service under Section 4(f) for certain minor offences as an alternate or supplementary punishment.
Explanation: BNS authorises community service under Section 4(f) for certain minor offences as an alternate or supplementary punishment.
3. Under BNS, the term “public servant” includes which of the following, even if not explicitly salaried by government?
a. Private contractors performing government functions remunerated by commission.
b. Volunteers in disaster relief efforts with no remuneration.
c. Social media influencers commenting on public affairs.
d. Employees of private companies never interacting with government.
b. Volunteers in disaster relief efforts with no remuneration.
c. Social media influencers commenting on public affairs.
d. Employees of private companies never interacting with government.
Answer: a. Private contractors performing government functions remunerated by commission.
Explanation: BNS defines “public servant” broadly to include persons who exercise public functions or are remunerated by fees/commission for public duties.
Explanation: BNS defines “public servant” broadly to include persons who exercise public functions or are remunerated by fees/commission for public duties.
4. Which of the following newly introduced offences under BNS deals specifically with “mob lynching”?
a. Offence under identity-based group assault with death caused.
b. Hate speech offence only.
c. Disturbance of public peace with no death.
d. Intimidation without bodily harm.
b. Hate speech offence only.
c. Disturbance of public peace with no death.
d. Intimidation without bodily harm.
Answer: a. Offence under identity-based group assault with death caused.
Explanation: BNS criminalises mob lynching when a group acting together, motivated by identity (caste / religion etc.), causes death.
Explanation: BNS criminalises mob lynching when a group acting together, motivated by identity (caste / religion etc.), causes death.
5. What is the correct date on which BNS (Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023) came into effect?
a. 1st January 2024
b. 1st July 2024
c. 25th December 2023
d. 1st April 2024
b. 1st July 2024
c. 25th December 2023
d. 1st April 2024
Answer: b. 1st July 2024
Explanation: The BNS along with the other new criminal laws came into force from 1 July 2024.
Explanation: The BNS along with the other new criminal laws came into force from 1 July 2024.
6. Under BNS, the offence of sexual intercourse obtained by deceitful means is covered under which section (or what framing)?
a. Deceit is not recognised, only consent / non-consent matters.
b. A separate section prescribing deceit when identity is misrepresented.
c. Only under general fraud provisions, not sexual offences.
d. As an aggravating circumstance in rape provisions.
b. A separate section prescribing deceit when identity is misrepresented.
c. Only under general fraud provisions, not sexual offences.
d. As an aggravating circumstance in rape provisions.
Answer: b. A separate section prescribing deceit when identity is misrepresented.
Explanation: BNS has specific definition / offence where consent is vitiated by deceit (e.g. impersonation, false promises).
Explanation: BNS has specific definition / offence where consent is vitiated by deceit (e.g. impersonation, false promises).
7. In BNS, which of the following is true about the punishment for murder?
a. Mandatory death penalty in all murder cases.
b. Life imprisonment (remainder of natural life) or death, with discretionary sentencing.
c. Only imprisonment for life; death has been abolished for murder.
d. Death penalty only if Parliament prescribes it in each case.
b. Life imprisonment (remainder of natural life) or death, with discretionary sentencing.
c. Only imprisonment for life; death has been abolished for murder.
d. Death penalty only if Parliament prescribes it in each case.
Answer: b. Life imprisonment (remainder of natural life) or death, with discretionary sentencing.
Explanation: BNS retains death penalty as an option, but life imprisonment (for natural life) is standard; death penalty only in aggravated cases.
Explanation: BNS retains death penalty as an option, but life imprisonment (for natural life) is standard; death penalty only in aggravated cases.
8. Which of the following statements about “attempt” under BNS is correct?
a. Attempt requires the last act immediately leading to commission.
b. Attempt includes any preparation, however remote.
c. Attempt requires overt act which is proximate to completion of the offence.
d. There is no attempt provision — all inchoate acts are covered under conspiracy.
b. Attempt includes any preparation, however remote.
c. Attempt requires overt act which is proximate to completion of the offence.
d. There is no attempt provision — all inchoate acts are covered under conspiracy.
Answer: c. Attempt requires overt act which is proximate to completion of the offence.
Explanation: BNS requires an overt act towards the commission of offence which is proximate; mere preparation is not sufficient.
Explanation: BNS requires an overt act towards the commission of offence which is proximate; mere preparation is not sufficient.
9. Which provision in BNS deals with vicarious liability (liability of employer for actions of employee)?
a. Section dealing with complicity
b. A specific section for vicarious liability in offences by employees
c. Vicarious liability is abolished in BNS
d. Only in offences against property is vicarious liability recognized.
b. A specific section for vicarious liability in offences by employees
c. Vicarious liability is abolished in BNS
d. Only in offences against property is vicarious liability recognized.
Answer: b. A specific section for vicarious liability in offences by employees.
Explanation: BNS expressly provides for employer/agency liability under certain sections to hold the principal responsible for criminal acts of agents/employees.
Explanation: BNS expressly provides for employer/agency liability under certain sections to hold the principal responsible for criminal acts of agents/employees.
10. Under BNS, culpability for criminal omission arises when:
a. A person is under a legal duty to act and fails to do so, and death / harm results.
b. Omissions are never criminal, only acts are punishable.
c. Only statutory duty omissions are relevant; moral duty is irrelevant.
d. Failure to prevent harm known but omission only results in fine.
b. Omissions are never criminal, only acts are punishable.
c. Only statutory duty omissions are relevant; moral duty is irrelevant.
d. Failure to prevent harm known but omission only results in fine.
Answer: a. A person is under a legal duty to act and fails to do so, and death / harm results.
Explanation: Omissions are punishable under BNS when there is a legal duty (statutory, contractual, or under law), and omission causes or contributes to a prohibited harm.
Explanation: Omissions are punishable under BNS when there is a legal duty (statutory, contractual, or under law), and omission causes or contributes to a prohibited harm.
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Ruchika Mohapatra
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