Practice paper — BNS Chapter V — Of Offences Against Woman And Child

1.Under the sixth description in Section 63 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, sexual intercourse by a man with a woman amounts to rape regardless of her consent when she is:

• (A) Under twenty-one years of age
• (B) Under sixteen years of age
• (C) Under eighteen years of age
• (D) Under fifteen years of age

2.Under the proviso to Explanation 2 of Section 63 BNS, the fact that a woman did not physically resist the act of penetration:

• (A) Conclusively establishes her consent
• (B) Shall not, by reason only of that fact, be regarded as her consenting to the sexual activity
• (C) Raises a rebuttable presumption of consent
• (D) Is irrelevant only where the woman is under eighteen

3.A police officer commits rape on a woman who is in the custody of a police officer subordinate to him. Under which provision of the BNS is he punishable?

• (A) Section 64(2)(a)
• (B) Section 64(1)
• (C) Section 64(2)(b)
• (D) Section 65

4.Under Section 65(1) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, what is the minimum term of rigorous imprisonment for committing rape on a woman under sixteen years of age?

• (A) Ten years
• (B) Twenty years
• (C) Life imprisonment only (no minimum term)
• (D) Seven years

5.Which of the following correctly describes the availability of the death penalty under Section 65?

• (A) Both Section 65(1) and Section 65(2) permit death as a possible punishment
• (B) Only Section 65(2) (rape on a woman under twelve years) permits punishment with death
• (C) Neither sub-section permits the death penalty
• (D) Only Section 65(1) (rape on a woman under sixteen years) permits punishment with death

6.If, while committing an offence punishable under section 64(1) or (2), the accused inflicts an injury that causes the woman to be in a persistent vegetative state, what punishment does Section 66 prescribe?

• (A) Rigorous imprisonment not less than twenty years, which may extend to life, or death
• (B) Simple imprisonment for up to three years
• (C) Fine only
• (D) Acquittal because death did not occur

7.Who is the person specifically criminalised by Section 67 for having sexual intercourse without consent under the circumstances described?

• (A) Any person
• (B) The wife
• (C) His own husband (the husband)
• (D) Any spouse, whether husband or wife

8.What is the minimum term of rigorous imprisonment prescribed by Section 68 for the offence described therein?

• (A) Three years
• (B) Four years
• (C) Five years
• (D) Seven years

9.What is the maximum term of imprisonment prescribed under Section 69 BNS for sexual intercourse by employing deceitful means or on a false promise to marry?

• (A) Three years
• (B) Five years
• (C) Seven years
• (D) Ten years

10.Section 69 BNS applies only when the sexual intercourse in question—

• (A) Amounts to rape under the BNS
• (B) Does not amount to the offence of rape
• (C) Takes place within a marital relationship
• (D) Is accompanied by grievous hurt

11.Under Section 70(2), where the victim is under eighteen years of age and raped by persons constituting a group or acting in furtherance of a common intention, the offenders shall be punished with:

• (A) Imprisonment for life (remainder of natural life) and with fine, or with death
• (B) The same minimum of twenty years' rigorous imprisonment as for adults
• (C) Imprisonment for a term not less than twenty years up to life, but no death penalty
• (D) Only a fine and imprisonment for less than twenty years

12.Under Section 71, what does the phrase "imprisonment for life" expressly mean?

• (A) A fixed term of 14 years.
• (B) Imprisonment for the remainder of that person’s natural life.
• (C) Imprisonment until eligibility for parole after 20 years.
• (D) Imprisonment only until death is lawfully carried out.

13.May a court, under Section 71, sentence a repeat offender to a definite term of years (for example 10 years) instead of the punishments specified in the provision?

• (A) Yes — the court may impose a lesser definite term by exercising discretion.
• (B) Yes — "imprisonment for life" can be interpreted as a set term such as 20 years.
• (C) No — but only if the defendant is a first-time offender.
• (D) No — Section 71 prescribes punishment only as imprisonment for life (meaning the remainder of natural life) or with death.

14.If the victim is dead, who may give lawful written authorisation for printing or publication of the victim's identity under Section 72(2)(c)?

• (A) Any close family member nominated by the next of kin
• (B) Any person chosen by the next of kin
• (C) The investigating officer with the next of kin's verbal consent
• (D) The next of kin in writing, but only to the chairman or the secretary of a recognised welfare institution or organisation

15.Does the printing or publication of the judgment of any High Court or the Supreme Court amount to an offence under Section 73?

• (A) No, it does not amount to an offence.
• (B) Yes, it always amounts to an offence.
• (C) Yes, but only if the Court has not given permission.
• (D) Only if the judgment concerns an offence under section 72.

16.What is the punishment prescribed under Section 74 BNS for assault or use of criminal force to a woman with intent to outrage her modesty?

• (A) Imprisonment up to three years only
• (B) Fine only
• (C) Imprisonment of not less than one year which may extend to five years, and fine
• (D) Imprisonment of not less than three years which may extend to seven years

17.Which of the following correctly contrasts Section 74 with Section 75 BNS?

• (A) Both sections allow the court to impose fine alone
• (B) Section 74 carries a mandatory minimum of one year's imprisonment, whereas under Section 75(2) the court may impose imprisonment up to three years, or fine, or both
• (C) Section 75 carries a higher mandatory minimum than Section 74
• (D) Section 74 punishes only knowledge-based acts while Section 75 punishes only intentional acts

18.A man commits the offence of physical contact and advances involving unwelcome and explicit sexual overtures. Under Section 75(2) BNS he may be punished with—

• (A) Simple imprisonment up to one year only
• (B) Imprisonment of not less than three years
• (C) Rigorous imprisonment up to three years, or fine, or both
• (D) Community service

19.What is the minimum term of imprisonment prescribed by this section?

• (A) One year
• (B) Six months
• (C) Three years
• (D) Seven years

20.Which of the following best describes the conduct prohibited by Section 77 (Voyeurism) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023?

• (A) Watching or capturing the image of any person in a public place without consent.
• (B) Watching, capturing, or disseminating the image of a woman engaging in a public act where she would usually expect to be observed.
• (C) Watching, capturing, or disseminating the image of a woman engaging in a private act in circumstances where she would usually have the expectation of not being observed either by the perpetrator or by any other person at the behest of the perpetrator.
• (D) Only capturing and disseminating images of a woman in places of worship.

21.Does Section 77 apply to watching, capturing or disseminating the image of a man engaging in a private act?

• (A) Yes — the section is gender-neutral and applies to any person.
• (B) Yes — but only if the man is engaged in a sexual act.
• (C) No — the section specifically refers to the capture or watching of a woman and therefore applies to women.
• (D) No — it applies only when both the perpetrator and victim are of opposite genders.

22.Does an 'attempt to contact' a woman repeatedly despite a clear indication of disinterest fall within the definition of stalking under Section 78(1)?

• (A) Yes — an attempt to contact repeatedly despite clear disinterest is included
• (B) No — only actual contact is covered, not attempts
• (C) Only if the attempt results in contact
• (D) Only if the person has a prior conviction for a related offence

23.Which of the following acts is explicitly covered as constituting the offence under Section 79?

• (A) Uttering any words intending that such word shall be heard by such woman
• (B) Only physical assault causing bodily injury
• (C) Civil trespass without any intention related to modesty
• (D) Financial fraud against a woman

24.For a death to be called 'dowry death' under Section 80(1) BNS, the death of the woman must occur within what period of her marriage?

• (A) Five years
• (B) Seven years
• (C) Ten years
• (D) Three years

25.For the purposes of Section 80 BNS, the term 'dowry' has the same meaning as in—

• (A) Section 3 of the Hindu Marriage Act, 1955
• (B) Section 2 of the Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, 2005
• (C) The General Clauses Act, 1897
• (D) Section 2 of the Dowry Prohibition Act, 1961

26.Does Section 81 apply if the woman deceived was already lawfully married to another man at the time of the deceit?

• (A) No — it applies only if she was unmarried.
• (B) No — it applies only when she is not married to anyone.
• (C) Yes — it applies because the provision requires only that she is not lawfully married to the deceiver.
• (D) Yes — but only if the other husband consented to the deception.

27.What is the maximum imprisonment prescribed under Section 82(1) for marrying again during the life of a husband or wife?

• (A) Imprisonment for a term which may extend to three years.
• (B) Imprisonment for a term which may extend to seven years.
• (C) Imprisonment for life.
• (D) Imprisonment for a term which may extend to ten years.

28.If a person's earlier marriage has been declared void by a Court of competent jurisdiction, and they marry again while the earlier spouse is alive (and they do not inform the new spouse about the prior marriage), is the person punishable under Section 82(2)?

• (A) No — Section 82(1) does not extend to anyone whose marriage has been declared void by a Court, so they have not committed the offence under sub-section (1) and s.82(2) does not apply.
• (B) Yes — s.82(2) applies irrespective of any court declaration and punishable up to ten years for concealment.
• (C) Yes — but only punishable under s.82(1) up to seven years, not under s.82(2).
• (D) No — they are only liable to pay a fine and not imprisonment.

29.If a person genuinely and honestly believes that the ceremony has lawfully married him, but in fact it has not, can he be punished under Section 83?

• (A) Yes — because the ceremony was gone through even if belief was honest
• (B) Yes — if the ceremony was publicly celebrated
• (C) Yes — if the other party misled him
• (D) No — because Section 83 requires dishonest or fraudulent intention and knowledge that he was not lawfully married

30.If a person takes away a woman but genuinely did not know and had no reason to believe that she was married to another man, does Section 84 apply?

• (A) Yes, the offence is committed irrespective of knowledge
• (B) No, because the provision requires that he knows or has reason to believe she is another man's wife
• (C) Only if she is detained against her will
• (D) Only if the husband files a complaint

31.Who can be punished under Section 85 BNS for subjecting a woman to cruelty?

• (A) Any person acquainted with the woman
• (B) Only the woman's own parents
• (C) The husband of the woman or a relative of the husband
• (D) Any public servant

32.Which of the following correctly distinguishes Section 85 from Section 80 BNS?

• (A) Section 85 requires the death of the woman while Section 80 does not
• (B) Both sections require a dowry demand as an essential ingredient
• (C) Section 85 punishes the act of cruelty itself with imprisonment up to three years, whereas Section 80 applies only where the woman dies otherwise than under normal circumstances within seven years of marriage and carries a minimum of seven years' imprisonment
• (D) Section 80 punishes the husband alone, while Section 85 punishes only his relatives

33.Does Section 86(a) require that the woman actually commit suicide or suffer grave injury before conduct is classified as 'cruelty'?

• (A) Yes, actual suicide or injury must occur for the conduct to be 'cruelty'.
• (B) Yes, unless the harassment is covered by clause (b).
• (C) No, clause (a) covers wilful conduct that is likely to drive the woman to commit suicide or to cause grave injury or danger to life, limb or health.
• (D) No, but only if there is written evidence of threat.

34.Which of the following acts is expressly criminalised by the latter part of Section 87 (besides kidnapping/abduction)?

• (A) Marrying a woman with her full consent
• (B) Private consensual elopement between adults
• (C) Inducing any woman by means of criminal intimidation, abuse of authority or other compulsion to go from any place with intent that she may be forced or seduced to illicit intercourse
• (D) Committing monetary fraud against a woman

35.Under Section 88, what is the maximum imprisonment where a person voluntarily causes a woman with child to miscarry (and the miscarriage is not caused in good faith to save the woman's life), when the woman is not 'quick with child'?

• (A) Imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to three years
• (B) Imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to seven years
• (C) Life imprisonment
• (D) Death penalty

36.Someone causes the miscarriage of a woman who is 'quick with child' but did so in good faith to save her life. Which is correct under Section 88?

• (A) They are not punishable under Section 88
• (B) They are punishable with imprisonment up to seven years and fine
• (C) They are punishable with imprisonment up to three years only
• (D) Only the pregnant woman herself can invoke the good faith saving-life exception

37.If the woman is "quick with child," how does Section 89 affect the punishment for causing miscarriage without her consent?

• (A) The section applies only if the woman is not quick with child.
• (B) The section applies whether the woman is quick with child or not.
• (C) The section applies only if the woman is quick with child.
• (D) The section applies only when the woman gives consent.

38.What is the maximum punishment specified in sub-section (1) of Section 90?

• (A) Imprisonment for life
• (B) Imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to ten years, and fine
• (C) Death penalty
• (D) Imprisonment up to seven years and fine

39.Which mental element is required for an offence under Section 91 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023?

• (A) Negligence or carelessness regarding the child’s survival
• (B) Intention to prevent the child from being born alive or to cause it to die after its birth
• (C) Knowledge that the child might suffer harm
• (D) Motive to protect family honour

40.If the act was done in good faith for the purpose of saving the life of the mother, is the actor punishable under Section 91?

• (A) No — acts done in good faith to save the mother’s life are excluded from punishment under this provision
• (B) Yes — good faith is not a defence and punishment still applies
• (C) Yes — but only a fine is imposed, not imprisonment
• (D) No — provided the mother consented to the act

41.Which of the following facts would NOT satisfy the elements of Section 92?

• (A) The act would amount to culpable homicide if it caused the death of the pregnant woman, and it causes the death of the quick unborn child while the woman survives.
• (B) The act would NOT amount to culpable homicide even if it caused the death of the woman, but it causes the death of the quick unborn child.
• (C) The act would amount to culpable homicide if it caused the death of the woman, and it causes the death of both the woman and the quick unborn child.
• (D) The act would amount to culpable homicide if it caused the death of the woman, but it only causes serious injury to the woman and the quick unborn child later dies from those injuries.

42.What is the maximum imprisonment term provided for by Section 93 for exposure and abandonment of a child under twelve years?

• (A) Imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to seven years
• (B) Imprisonment up to three years
• (C) Life imprisonment
• (D) Death penalty

43.If a child dies as a consequence of being exposed or left, can the offender still be tried for murder or culpable homicide under the provision's explanation?

• (A) No; Section 93 bars any other prosecution
• (B) Only if the offender is not the parent
• (C) Yes; the explanation states it is not intended to prevent trial for murder or culpable homicide if the child dies in consequence of the exposure
• (D) Only if a separate statute expressly permits it

44.Would Section 94 apply where the dead body of a child is buried openly in a public ceremony but the actor's intention was to prevent others learning that the child had been born?

• (A) Yes — intention to conceal the birth makes the act punishable regardless of secrecy of burial
• (B) No — the section requires "secretly burying or otherwise disposing" of the dead body
• (C) Yes — any disposal of a child's body is covered
• (D) Only if the burial occurred before registration of birth

45.If the offence for which a child was hired is actually committed, what additional legal consequence does Section 95 provide for the person who hired the child?

• (A) They are exempt from the punishment under Section 95 and only punished for the underlying offence
• (B) They shall also be punished with the punishment provided for that offence as if the offence had been committed by such person himself
• (C) They receive only the punishment under Section 95 and not for the underlying offence
• (D) They are liable only to pay a fine in addition to Section 95 punishment

46.Which mental states are explicitly sufficient under Section 96 for criminal liability for procuration of a child?

• (A) Intent that the child may be forced or seduced (intent only)
• (B) Knowledge that it is likely the child will be forced or seduced (knowledge only)
• (C) Either intent that the child may be forced or seduced, or knowledge that it is likely
• (D) Negligence or accidental causation

47.Under Section 97, which age group of child is protected by the offence?

• (A) Any child under the age of ten years
• (B) Any child under the age of twelve years
• (C) Any child under the age of sixteen years
• (D) Any child under the age of eighteen years

48.Does Section 97 permit imposing only a fine without imprisonment for the offence described?

• (A) Yes — the court may impose only a fine
• (B) No — the provision prescribes imprisonment and also liability to fine
• (C) Only if the court records special reasons for not imposing imprisonment
• (D) Only if the value of property intended is below a prescribed amount

49.Under Explanation 1 to Section 98, when a female under eighteen years is sold to a prostitute or to a person who keeps or manages a brothel, who bears the burden to disprove that she was disposed of with intent that she be used for prostitution?

• (A) The prosecution must prove the intent beyond reasonable doubt despite the explanation
• (B) The person who disposed of her must prove the contrary (i.e., rebut the presumption)
• (C) The court must assume innocence and cannot draw any presumption
• (D) The purchaser (prostitute or brothel-keeper) must prove the intent did not exist

50.What is the minimum punishment prescribed by Section 99 for the offence of buying a child for prostitution or similar purposes?

• (A) Imprisonment which may extend to seven years and fine.
• (B) Imprisonment for life with fine.
• (C) Imprisonment of either description for a term which shall not be less than seven years but which may extend to fourteen years, and also liable to fine.
• (D) Only a fine with no minimum imprisonment.