Structure of the Indian Penal Code
The IPC in its various sections defines specific crimes and provides punishment for them. It is sub-divided into 23 chapters that comprise of 511 sections. The basic outline of the code is given in the table below:
| Indian Penal Code, 1860 (Sections 1 to 511) | ||
| Chapter | Sections covered | Classification of offences |
| Chapter I | Sections 1 to 5 | Introduction |
| Chapter II | Sections 6 to 52 | General Explanations |
| Chapter III | Sections 53 to 75 | Of Punishments |
| Chapter IV | Sections 76 to 106 | General Exceptions of the Right of Private Defence (Sections 96 to 106) |
| Chapter V | Sections 107 to 120 | Of Abetment |
| Chapter VA | Sections 120A to 120B | Criminal Conspiracy |
| Chapter VI | Sections 121 to 130 | Of offences against the state |
| Chapter VII | Sections 131 to 140 | Of Offences relating to the Army, Navy, and Air Force |
| Chapter VIII | Sections 141 to 160 | Of Offences against the Public Tranquility |
| Chapter IX | Sections 161 to 171 | Of Offences by or relating to Public Servants |
| Chapter IXA | Sections 171A to 171I | Of Offences Relating to Elections |
| Chapter X | Sections 172 to 190 | Of Contempts of Lawful; Authority of Public Servants |
| Chapter XI | Sections 191 to 229 | Of False Evidence and Offence against Public Justice |
| Chapter XII | Sections 230 to 263 | Of Offences relating to coin and Government Stamps |
| Chapter XIII | Sections 264 to 267 | Of Offences relating to Weight and Measures |
| Chapter XIV | Sections 268 to 294 | Of offences affecting the Public Health, Safety, Convenience, Decency and Morals |
| Chapter XV | Sections 295 to 298 | Of Offences relating to religion |
| Chapter XVI | Sections 299 to 377 | Of Offences affecting the Human Body.
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| Chapter XVII | Sections 378 to 462 | Of Offences Against Property
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| Chapter XVIII | Section 463 to 489 – E | Offences relating to Documents and Property Marks
|
| Chapter XIX | Sections 490 to 492 | Of the Criminal Breach of Contracts of Service |
| Chapter XX | Sections 493 to 498 | Of Offences Relating to Marriage |
| Chapter XXA | Sections 498A | Of Cruelty by Husband or Relatives of Husband |
| Chapter XXI | Sections 499 to 502 | Of Defamation |
| Chapter XXII | Sections 503 to 510 | Of Criminal intimidation, Insult and Annoyance |
| Chapter XXIII | Section 511 | Of Attempts to Commit Offences |