What is India’s current criminal procedure code called?
A Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita
B Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam
C Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita
D Indian Penal Code
Answer: C. Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita. The Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 is India’s current criminal procedure code.
Which Act number identifies the BNSS?
A Act 46 of 2023
B Act 47 of 2023
C Act 46 of 2024
D Act 45 of 2023
Answer: A. Act 46 of 2023. The BNSS is Act No. 46 of 2023.
What subject does the BNSS principally govern?
A Civil contracts
B Offence definitions
C Evidence rules
D Criminal procedure
Answer: D. Criminal procedure. The BNSS consolidates and amends the law relating to criminal procedure.
When did the BNSS generally come into force?
A 25 December 2023
B 1 July 2024
C 1 January 2024
D 26 January 2025
Answer: B. 1 July 2024. The BNSS enforcement date is 1 July 2024, subject to the noted schedule-entry exception.
Which earlier procedural code did the BNSS repeal?
A Indian Evidence Act, 1872
B Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973
C Civil Procedure Code, 1908
D Indian Penal Code, 1860
Answer: B. Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973. Section 531 repeals the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973, with savings.
Which new law mainly sets out criminal offences and punishments?
A Code of Civil Procedure
B Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita
C Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam
D Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita
Answer: D. Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. The BNS sets out offences and punishments; the BNSS governs criminal procedure.
Which schedule entry was excepted from the BNSS commencement notification?
A BNS Section 106(2)
B BNS Section 303(1)
C BNSS Section 173(1)
D BSA Section 2(1)
Answer: A. BNS Section 106(2). The notification excepted the First Schedule entry relating to BNS Section 106(2).
What does bail mean under the BNSS?
A Cancellation of every charge
B A police interview
C Conditional release from custody
D A finding of innocence
Answer: C. Conditional release from custody. The BNSS defines bail as release from legal custody on conditions imposed by an officer or court.
How does the BNSS define a bailable offence?
A An offence tried summarily
B Any offence with a fine
C Every offence without arrest
D Listed as bailable by law
Answer: D. Listed as bailable by law. A bailable offence is shown as bailable in the First Schedule or made bailable by another law.
What is a non-bailable offence under the BNSS definition?
A Every serious offence
B Any other offence
C Only an offence with imprisonment
D An offence involving property
Answer: B. Any other offence. The BNSS defines a non-bailable offence as one that is not classified as bailable.
When is an offence described as cognizable?
A Only a court may investigate
B It always requires a complaint
C Police may arrest without warrant
D Police must seek a trial
Answer: C. Police may arrest without warrant. The First Schedule or another law may authorise arrest without warrant for a cognizable offence.
How does the BNSS describe a non-cognizable offence?
A No arrest without warrant
B It cannot be reported
C Police arrest without warrant
D Only a fine is allowed
Answer: A. No arrest without warrant. A non-cognizable offence is one for which police have no authority to arrest without warrant.
What does a complaint under the BNSS exclude?
A A police report
B An oral allegation
C A written allegation
D A report to Magistrate
Answer: A. A police report. A complaint is an oral or written allegation to a Magistrate, but excludes a police report.
Which proceeding counts as an inquiry under the BNSS?
A Every court trial
B A private investigation
C Magistrate inquiry other than trial
D Any police interview
Answer: C. Magistrate inquiry other than trial. An inquiry is a proceeding under the BNSS conducted by a Magistrate or Court other than a trial.
What is the main purpose of a criminal investigation?
A Hearing an appeal
B Collecting evidence
C Deciding guilt
D Issuing a sentence
Answer: B. Collecting evidence. The BNSS defines investigation as proceedings for collecting evidence by police or an authorised person.
Which cases qualify as warrant-cases under the BNSS definition?
A Any case involving bail
B Only property cases
C Cases under one year
D Death, life, over two years
Answer: D. Death, life, over two years. A warrant-case concerns an offence punishable by death, life imprisonment, or imprisonment exceeding two years.
What is a summons-case under the BNSS?
A All property disputes
B Every serious offence
C Not a warrant-case
D Every police report
Answer: C. Not a warrant-case. The BNSS defines a summons-case as a case relating to an offence that is not a warrant-case.
Where can information about a cognizable offence be given under Section 173?
A Only before a Magistrate
B Only where it occurred
C Only at district headquarters
D Irrespective of offence area
Answer: D. Irrespective of offence area. Section 173 allows information irrespective of the area where the offence was committed.
What forms may information under Section 173 take?
A Oral or electronic
B Only a signed letter
C Only an online form
D Only a court affidavit
Answer: A. Oral or electronic. Section 173 allows oral information or electronic communication to the police station officer in charge.
Within what time must electronic information be signed for recording under Section 173?
A Within fourteen days
B Within three days
C Within one month
D Within seven days
Answer: B. Within three days. Electronic information is taken on record when signed by the giver within three days.
What must happen when Section 173 information is given orally?
A Written and read over
B Forwarded to a judge
C Sent directly to court
D Recorded only orally
Answer: A. Written and read over. The officer reduces oral information to writing and reads it over to the informant for signature.
If a station officer refuses to record cognizable-offence information, where may it be sent?
A To the District Judge
B To the local council
C To the police constable
D To the Superintendent of Police
Answer: D. To the Superintendent of Police. Section 173(4) allows the information to be sent in writing by post to the Superintendent of Police.
How is a Section 173(3) preliminary inquiry limited for certain offences?
A No permission, within seven days
B SP permission, within ninety days
C DSP permission, within fourteen days
D Court permission, within thirty days
Answer: C. DSP permission, within fourteen days. For offences punishable from three to under seven years, prior permission from an officer at least DSP rank is needed, and the inquiry is within fourteen days.
Can police investigate a cognizable case without a Magistrate’s order?
A Only with a warrant
B Yes, under Section 175
C No, always need approval
D Only after a trial
Answer: B. Yes, under Section 175. Section 175 permits the station officer to investigate a cognizable case without a Magistrate’s order.
What should police do with information about a non-cognizable offence?
A Send it to High Court
B Ask a witness first
C Issue bail immediately
D Refer informant to Magistrate
Answer: D. Refer informant to Magistrate. Section 174 directs police to enter the information and refer the informant to a Magistrate.
What is required before police investigate a non-cognizable case?
A A trial date
B A bail bond
C An order from Magistrate
D Approval from a witness
Answer: C. An order from Magistrate. Section 174 bars investigation of a non-cognizable case without an order from a competent Magistrate.
A case lists several offences, one cognizable. How is the case treated?
A As a non-cognizable case
B As a cognizable case
C As a civil dispute
D As a summons-case
Answer: B. As a cognizable case. Under Section 174(4), a case with at least one cognizable offence is deemed cognizable.
What happens to the recorded information copy under Section 173(2)?
A Free copy to informant/victim
B Paid copy after trial
C Copy only to the accused
D Copy after court approval
Answer: A. Free copy to informant/victim. Section 173(2) requires the recorded information to be given forthwith, free of cost, to the informant or victim.
What must be communicated promptly after a warrantless arrest?
A The witness list
B Full grounds for arrest
C The police diary
D The trial judgment
Answer: B. Full grounds for arrest. Section 47 requires full particulars of the offence or grounds for a warrantless arrest to be communicated forthwith.
Who must be told about an arrested person’s location?
A Nominated relative or friend
B The media office
C Every local resident
D The employer only
Answer: A. Nominated relative or friend. Section 48 requires arrest and location information to be given to a relative, friend, or other person nominated by the arrested person.
What access to counsel is stated during police interrogation?
A Have counsel throughout interrogation
B Choose the investigating officer
C Replace the public prosecutor
D Meet an advocate during interrogation
Answer: D. Meet an advocate during interrogation. Section 38 allows an arrested person to meet an advocate of choice during interrogation, though not throughout it.
How long may warrantless custody continue without a Magistrate’s special order?
A Up to seven days
B Up to fourteen days
C Up to twenty-four hours
D Up to three days
Answer: C. Up to twenty-four hours. Section 58 limits warrantless detention to twenty-four hours, excluding necessary journey time, absent a special Magistrate’s order.
How much restraint may be used on an arrested person?
A Restraint ordered by a witness
B Whatever police prefer
C Only what prevents escape
D No restraint in any case
Answer: C. Only what prevents escape. Section 46 says an arrested person must not face more restraint than necessary to prevent escape.
What duty applies to the person holding an accused in custody?
A Conduct the trial
B Protect health and safety
C Decide the sentence
D Grant final bail
Answer: B. Protect health and safety. Section 56 requires reasonable care for the health and safety of an accused in custody.
After warrantless arrest, what does Section 57 require without unnecessary delay?
A Send the person to prison
B Record a final conviction
C Begin the trial at station
D Take the person before Magistrate
Answer: D. Take the person before Magistrate. Section 57 provides for taking or sending the arrested person before a Magistrate, subject to bail provisions.
Who forwards the police report when investigation is completed?
A Officer in charge of station
B The arresting witness
C The complainant
D The defence advocate
Answer: A. Officer in charge of station. Section 193 directs the station officer to forward the report to a Magistrate empowered to take cognizance.
How soon must investigation progress be shared with informant or victim?
A Within seven days
B Within fourteen days
C Within one year
D Within ninety days
Answer: D. Within ninety days. Section 193 requires the police officer to inform the informant or victim of progress within ninety days.
What is a police report under the BNSS definition?
A Report under Section 193(3)
B A witness statement
C A court summons
D Any oral complaint
Answer: A. Report under Section 193(3). The definition links a police report to a report forwarded under Section 193(3).
Which proceedings may be conducted electronically under Section 530?
A Police recruitment only
B Trials and other proceedings
C Arrests only
D Sentencing only
Answer: B. Trials and other proceedings. Section 530 allows trials and other proceedings to be held by electronic communication or audio-video means.
Under Section 36, what is required on an arrest memorandum?
A Imprisonment exceeding six months
B Any fine above a limit
C Witness attestation plus arrestee signature
D A police investigation
Answer: C. Witness attestation plus arrestee signature. Section 36 requires an arrest memorandum attested by at least one specified witness and countersigned by the arrested person.
Which statement best distinguishes a summons-case?
A It is not a warrant-case
B It requires a jury
C It cannot be appealed
D It always involves a summons
Answer: A. It is not a warrant-case. The statutory definition simply makes a summons-case one that is not a warrant-case.
When may police arrest without warrant in a cognizable case?
A Whenever a witness asks
B Whenever a complaint exists
C Under Section 35 conditions
D Only after conviction
Answer: C. Under Section 35 conditions. Section 35 sets circumstances and necessity conditions for warrantless arrest; arrest is not automatic in every case.
If police issue a notice to appear and the person keeps complying, what is the general rule?
A Automatic arrest after one day
B Trial begins immediately
C Bail is cancelled
D No arrest without recorded reasons
Answer: D. No arrest without recorded reasons. Section 35(5) says a compliant person is not arrested under that notice unless the officer records reasons for arrest.
What is the main difference between a bail bond and a bond?
A Trial versus appeal
B Surety versus no surety
C Fine versus imprisonment
D Court versus police
Answer: B. Surety versus no surety. The BNSS defines a bail bond as release with surety and a bond as an undertaking without surety.
How does the BNSS define a victim?
A Any police officer
B Person suffering loss or injury
C Only the complainant
D Only a direct witness
Answer: B. Person suffering loss or injury. The definition includes a person suffering loss or injury and the victim’s guardian or legal heir.
What does a police case diary record under Section 192?
A Only the investigating officer
B Only the Magistrate
C Only the accused
D Daily investigation proceedings
Answer: D. Daily investigation proceedings. Section 192 requires day-by-day entries such as the information time, investigation times, places visited, and circumstances found.
After a Magistrate authorises non-cognizable investigation, which power remains excluded?
A Warrant-case only
B Summons-case only
C Arrest without warrant
D Cognizable case
Answer: C. Arrest without warrant. Section 174(3) allows investigation after a Magistrate’s order but excludes arrest without warrant.
What earlier law is repealed by Section 531 of the BNSS?
A Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973
B Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita
C Indian Penal Code, 1860
D Indian Evidence Act, 1872
Answer: A. Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973. Section 531 repeals the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973, while preserving specified prior matters.
When should police issue a notice to appear under Section 35?
A After a conviction
B Only during trial
C Whenever bail is denied
D When arrest is unnecessary
Answer: D. When arrest is unnecessary. Section 35(3) requires a notice to appear when arrest is not required under its conditions.
What should police tell a warrantlessly arrested person in a bailable case?
A The witness addresses
B Bail eligibility and arranging sureties
C The appeal outcome
D The final judgment
Answer: B. Bail eligibility and arranging sureties. Section 47(2) requires information about entitlement to bail and arranging sureties in the specified non-bailable exception.