Collecting arms, etc., with intention of waging war against Government of India

Q: When did Section 149 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita come into force?

Section 149 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, cited as BNS 149, came into force on 01 Jul 2024, having been enacted on 25 Dec 2023. It is in force as at the date shown on this page.

In force From 01 Jul 2024 Act 45 of 2023 As on 15 Oct 2026

Act 45 of 2023 Ministry Home Affairs Enacted 25 Dec 2023 In force 01 Jul 2024

Section 149 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 deals with collecting arms, etc., with intention of waging war against Government of India. Whoever collects men, arms or ammunition or otherwise prepares to wage war with the intention of either waging or being prepared to wage war against the Government of India, shall be punished with imprisonment for life or imprisonment of either description for a term not exceeding ten years, and sha The Act came into force on 01 Jul 2024.

Whoever collects men, arms or ammunition or otherwise prepares to wage war with the intention of either waging or being prepared to wage war against the Government of India, shall be punished with imprisonment for life or imprisonment of either description for a term not exceeding ten years, and shall also be liable to fine.
Section 149, The Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 (Act 45 of 2023).

Replaces a provision of the Indian Penal Code

IPC 122 Collecting arms, etc., with intention of waging war against the Government of India Text carried over almost unchanged 100%

Measured by comparing the text of the two provisions, not taken from an official correspondence table — there is no machine-readable one. See both texts side by side before relying on it.

Both regimes are live. The repealed enactment still governs what happened while it was in force. We never redirect one to the other.

How this offence is classified

From the First Schedule to the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, which classifies every offence under the Sanhita. Cognizable means a police officer may arrest without warrant; bailable means bail is a matter of right rather than of the court's discretion.

Offence	Punishment	Cognizable	Bailable	Triable by
Collecting arms, etc., with the intention of waging war against the Government of India.	Imprisonment for life, or imprisonment for 10 years and fine.	Cognizable.	Non-bailable.	Court of Session.

The Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023

Questions about Section 149

What does Section 149 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita deal with?

Section 149 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita is headed "Collecting arms, etc., with intention of waging war against Government of India". Whoever collects men, arms or ammunition or otherwise prepares to wage war with the intention of either waging or being prepared to wage war against the Government of India, shall be punished with imprisonment for life or imprisonment of either description for a term not exceeding ten years, and sha

Is Section 149 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita bailable?

Non-bailable, under the First Schedule to the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023.

Is Section 149 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita cognizable?

Cognizable. "Cognizable" means a police officer may arrest without warrant; "non-cognizable" that they may not. An offence under this section is triable by Court of Session.

How do I find court cases under Section 149 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita?

In judgments and charge sheets this section is written several ways, and each form finds a different set of orders. These search the full text of every order eCourtsIndia holds, best matches first: BNS 149, section 149 BNS, section 149 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. People searching for it also type 149 bns act and 149 bns in ipc. Each opens the full list of orders on eCourtsIndia, where it can be narrowed by court, year and outcome.

What should I read with Section 149 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, and has it changed?

It carries forward IPC 122 (Collecting arms, etc., with intention of waging war against the Government of India), so the judgments decided under that provision are the case law on this one.

When did Section 149 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita come into force?

Section 149 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, cited as BNS 149, came into force on 01 Jul 2024, having been enacted on 25 Dec 2023. It is in force as at the date shown on this page.

Other sections of this Act

Source and method. Compiled from the enactments of Parliament and of the State legislatures as published on India Code, and republished together with commentary and other original matter under section 52(1)(q)(ii) of the Copyright Act, 1957. Structured, cross-referenced and maintained by eCourtsIndia. Text as in force on 15 Oct 2026. This page is not a substitute for legal advice.