Section168

The Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023

Wearing garb or carrying token used by soldier, sailor or airman

Q: When did Section 168 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita come into force?

Section 168 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, cited as BNS 168, 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 14 Oct 2026

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

Section 168 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 deals with wearing garb or carrying token used by soldier, sailor or airman. Whoever, not being a soldier, sailor or airman in the Army, Naval or Air service of the Government of India, wears any garb or carries any token resembling any garb or token used by such a soldier, sailor or airman with the intention that it may be believed that he is such a soldier, sailor or airma The Act came into force on 01 Jul 2024.

Whoever, not being a soldier, sailor or airman in the Army, Naval or Air service of the Government of India, wears any garb or carries any token resembling any garb or token used by such a soldier, sailor or airman with the intention that it may be believed that he is such a soldier, sailor or airman, shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to three months, or with fine which may extend to two thousand rupees, or with both.
Section 168, The Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 (Act 45 of 2023).

Replaces a provision of the Indian Penal Code

IPC 140 Wearing garb or carrying token used by soldier, sailor or airman Text carried over almost unchanged 95%

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 The repealed enactment still governs what happened while it was in force.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
Wearing garb or carrying token used by soldier, sailor or airman.	Imprisonment for 3 months, or fine of 2,000 rupees, or both.	Cognizable.	Bailable.	Any Magistrate.

The Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023

Questions about Section 168

What does Section 168 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita deal with?

Section 168 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita is headed "Wearing garb or carrying token used by soldier, sailor or airman". Whoever, not being a soldier, sailor or airman in the Army, Naval or Air service of the Government of India, wears any garb or carries any token resembling any garb or token used by such a soldier, sailor or airman with the intention that it may be believed that he is such a soldier, sailor or airma

Is Section 168 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita bailable?

Bailable, under the First Schedule to the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023.

Is Section 168 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 Any Magistrate.

How do I find court cases under Section 168 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 168, section 168 BNS, section 168 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. People searching for it also type bns 168 notice. 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 168 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, and has it changed?

It carries forward IPC 140 (Wearing garb or carrying token used by soldier, sailor or airman), so the judgments decided under that provision are the case law on this one.

When did Section 168 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita come into force?

Section 168 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, cited as BNS 168, 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 14 Oct 2026. This page is not a substitute for legal advice.