The Indian Penal Code, 1860 is the official criminal code of India, drafted under the leadership of Lord Thomas Babington Macaulay, who chaired the First Law Commission in 1834 during British rule. It came into force on 1st January 1862, aiming to provide a uniform set of criminal laws across the country. The IPC is a comprehensive document that defines various offences, prescribes punishments, and lays down the general principles of criminal liability. Divided into 23 chapters and 511 sections, it covers a wide range of offences including crimes against the state, human body, property, public tranquility, and morality.
While it was originally drafted in the colonial era, the IPC continues to be the backbone of criminal law in India, having undergone several amendments to suit the changing social and legal landscape. In essence, the IPC is not just a statute—it is a code of justice, ensuring law and order, safeguarding rights, and deterring criminal conduct through legally established consequences.