Section 

Description 

Punishment 

4 

Punishments: Lists the types of punishments under the Sanhita. 

• • Death  
  • Imprisonment for life  
  • Imprisonment of two types:  
    • Rigorous (with hard labour)  
    • Simple  
  • Forfeiture of property  
  • Fine  
  • Community service. 

5 

Commutation of Sentence: Appropriate Government may commute a punishment to a lesser one as per section 474 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023. 

• • Sentence may be reduced to a lesser punishment.  
  • Central Government decides for offences under Union jurisdiction 
  • State Government decides for offences under State jurisdiction. 

6 

Fractions of Terms of Punishment: Clarifies imprisonment duration calculations. 

• • Imprisonment for life is calculated as 20 years unless stated otherwise. 

7 

Rigorous or Simple Imprisonment: Courts can decide the type of imprisonment. 

• • Imprisonment can be wholly rigorous, wholly simple, or partly rigorous and partly simple. 

8 

Fine and Liability in Default: Defines fines and related imprisonment. 

• • Fine amount is unlimited but must not be excessive.  
  • Imprisonment in default of payment: not exceeding ¼ of the maximum term of imprisonment for the offence.  
  • For community service or fine: Simple imprisonment not exceeding:  
    • 2 months (fine ≤ ₹5,000)   
    • 4 months (fine ≤ ₹10,000)  
    • 1 year (any other case). 

9 

Limit of Punishment for Compound Offences: Prevents double punishment for overlapping offences. 

• • The offender is punished only for one offence unless otherwise expressly provided. 

10 

Doubtful Judgments: For cases where guilt for multiple offences is unclear. 

• • Offender is punished for the offence carrying the lowest punishment. 

11 

Solitary Confinement: Permissible as part of rigorous imprisonment. 

• • Not exceeding 3 months in total.  
  • Based on total imprisonment duration:  
    •  ≤ 6 months: Solitary confinement ≤ 1 month  
    • 6 months to 1 year: ≤ 2 months 
    • > 1 year: ≤ 3 months. 

12 

Limit of Solitary Confinement: Restrictions on solitary confinement execution. 

• • Maximum 14 consecutive days at a time with equal breaks in between. 
  • For imprisonment: 
    • > 3 months: ≤ 7 days solitary confinement per month, with equal intervals. 

13 

Enhanced Punishment for Repeat Offenders: Additional punishment for certain repeated offences. 

• • Repeat offenders under Chapter X or XVII with prior convictions:  
    • Life imprisonment  
    • Imprisonment of either description up to 10 years.