Judicial Services Exam (PCS-J) Criminal Procedure and Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita Syllabus

Criminal Procedure and Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita syllabus — full chapter and topic list

Expand any chapter to see its topics and sub-topics. This is the whole examinable outline for Criminal Procedure and Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita in Judicial Services Exam (PCS-J), not a summary of it.

1. 1

   Constitution of Criminal Courts and Investigation

   4 topics

   • Hierarchy and Powers of Criminal Courts
   • Functionaries - Police, Magistrate and Public Prosecutor
   • Information and Investigation
     • FIR and information in cognizable cases - Section 154 CrPC / BNSS
     • Investigation, statements and case diary
   • Arrest, Search and Seizure
     • Arrest with and without warrant
     • Rights of arrested persons
2. 2

   Jurisdiction, Cognizance and Pre-Trial Process

   4 topics

   • Cognizance of Offences by Magistrates
   • Complaints to Magistrates and Examination
   • Jurisdiction of Inquiries and Trials
   • Processes to Compel Appearance and Production
     • Summons, warrants, proclamation and attachment
3. 3

   Bail, Maintenance and Preventive Provisions

   4 topics

   • Bail and Bonds
     • Bailable and non-bailable offences
     • Anticipatory bail and cancellation of bail
   • Maintenance of Wives, Children and Parents
   • Security for Keeping Peace and Good Behaviour
   • Maintenance of Public Order and Tranquillity
     • Unlawful assembly and dispersal
     • Urgent cases of nuisance - Section 144 CrPC / BNSS
4. 4

   Trial Procedures

   5 topics

   • Charge - Form, Joinder and Amendment
   • Trial Before Court of Session
   • Trial of Warrant and Summons Cases
   • Summary Trials and Plea Bargaining
   • Judgment, Sentencing and Compensation
5. 5

   Appeals, Revision and Transition to BNSS

   5 topics

   • Appeals and Reference
   • Revision and Inherent Powers of High Court
   • Transfer of Criminal Cases
   • Execution, Suspension and Remission of Sentences
   • Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 Reforms
     • Time-bound investigation and trial timelines
     • Electronic records, e-FIR and forensic provisions

Criminal Procedure and Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita flashcards for Judicial Services Exam (PCS-J)

18 of 48 cards from the Criminal Procedure and Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita deck — real questions with worked answers.

1. Under the BNSS, 2023, what is the hierarchy of criminal courts (besides the High Court and courts under special laws)?

   Section 6 lists: (i) Courts of Session; (ii) Judicial Magistrates of the First Class; (iii) Judicial Magistrates of the Second Class; and (iv) Executive Magistrates. The CrPC's Metropolitan Magistrate category has been abolished.

2. What sentences may a Court of Session and an Additional Sessions Judge pass under BNSS Section 22?

   A Sessions Judge or Additional Sessions Judge may pass any sentence authorised by law, but a death sentence must be confirmed by the High Court.

3. What is the maximum sentence a Judicial Magistrate of the First Class can impose under BNSS Section 23?

   Imprisonment up to 3 years, or fine up to Rs. 50,000, or both, or community service.

4. What is the sentencing power of a Judicial Magistrate of the Second Class under BNSS Section 23?

   Imprisonment up to 1 year, or fine up to Rs. 10,000, or both, or community service.

5. What new punishment option has BNSS introduced that magistrates can award, and how is it defined?

   Community service - work the court orders a convict to perform as a form of punishment that benefits the community, for which the convict is not entitled to any remuneration.

6. Under BNSS Section 24, to what extent can a Magistrate of the First Class sentence a convict to imprisonment in default of fine?

   The default imprisonment must not exceed the Magistrate's ordinary sentencing power, and where it is in addition to a substantive sentence, it cannot exceed one-fourth of the maximum term the Magistrate is competent to impose.

7. Who are the three principal functionaries in the criminal justice process, and what are their core roles?

   Police (investigate offences, collect evidence, file the report), Magistrate (take cognizance, conduct inquiry/trial, supervise investigation safeguards), and Public Prosecutor (conduct prosecution in court on behalf of the State).

8. Under BNSS, what is the difference between a Public Prosecutor and an Assistant Public Prosecutor regarding the court they appear in?

   Public Prosecutors/Additional Public Prosecutors conduct cases in the Court of Session and High Court; Assistant Public Prosecutors conduct prosecutions in the courts of Magistrates.

9. What is the distinction between a cognizable and a non-cognizable offence under BNSS?

   In a cognizable offence the police may arrest without a warrant and investigate without a magistrate's order; in a non-cognizable offence the police cannot arrest without a warrant and need a magistrate's order to investigate.

10. What is an FIR and which BNSS section governs information in cognizable cases?

    The First Information Report is the information relating to the commission of a cognizable offence given to the officer in charge of a police station, recorded under Section 173 of BNSS. It sets the criminal law in motion.

11. What landmark feature regarding registration of FIRs is now statutory in BNSS Section 173?

    Zero FIR (information can be registered at any police station regardless of jurisdiction) and e-FIR (information by electronic communication, signed within 3 days) are now expressly provided.

12. Under BNSS Section 173, what preliminary inquiry is permitted for cognizable offences punishable between 3 and 7 years?

    With prior permission of an officer not below DSP rank, and having regard to the nature/gravity of the offence, the officer may conduct a preliminary inquiry within 14 days to ascertain whether a prima facie case exists before registering an FIR.

13. What is the maximum period for completing investigation and what does BNSS require regarding informing the complainant of progress?

    Investigation must be completed without unnecessary delay; under Section 193 the police must inform the informant/victim of the progress of investigation, including by electronic means, within 90 days.

14. What is the rule on recording statements of witnesses under BNSS, and what new audio-video provision applies?

    Statements are recorded under Section 180 (police) and Section 183 (Magistrate); BNSS encourages audio-video recording, and statements of certain victims (e.g., rape) must be recorded by a woman magistrate/officer, preferably audio-visually.

15. When can a police officer arrest a person without a warrant under BNSS Section 35?

    Mainly for cognizable offences - e.g., a person concerned in a cognizable offence or against whom a reasonable complaint/credible information exists, a proclaimed offender, a person in possession of stolen property, etc.

16. What safeguard does BNSS Section 35 add for arrests in offences punishable with imprisonment up to 7 years?

    For offences punishable up to 7 years, no arrest of a person above 60 years of age or with infirmity shall be made without prior permission of an officer not below the rank of DSP.

17. What is the constitutional/statutory 24-hour rule on production of an arrested person?

    Under BNSS Section 58 (and Article 22), an arrested person must be produced before a magistrate within 24 hours of arrest, excluding the time necessary for the journey from the place of arrest to the magistrate's court.

18. What are the rights of an arrested person regarding information and legal aid under BNSS?

    Right to be informed of grounds of arrest and of the right to bail in bailable offences (Section 47), right to consult a legal practitioner of choice (Section 38), and right to free legal aid; arrest information must be given to a nominated person and displayed at the police station/district HQ.

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