The Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023, is a landmark legislation enacted to replace the Indian Penal Code (IPC), 1860, as part of India's efforts to modernize its colonial-era criminal justice system. Introduced on August 11, 2023, and passed by Parliament in December 2023, the BNS seeks to align criminal laws with contemporary societal values, technological advancements, and constitutional principles. It retains many IPC provisions but introduces significant reforms, including gender-neutral offenses, enhanced penalties for crimes against women and children, community service as punishment for petty crimes, and stricter laws on organized crime, terrorism, and mob lynching. The BNS also removes sedition (Section 124A IPC) and replaces it with a provision penalizing acts endangering national sovereignty. While maintaining the structure of crimes and punishments, the BNS emphasizes justice, transparency, and victim-centric approaches. The law came into effect on July 1, 2024, marking a transformative shift in India's legal framework.