Practice paper — BNS Chapter XII — Of Offences By Or Relating To Public Servants
40 questions · answer key at the end · no time limit
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1.Which of the following is NOT an essential ingredient of the offence under Section 198 (Public servant disobeying law, with intent to cause injury)?
- (A) The accused must be a public servant.
- (B) The accused must knowingly disobey a direction of the law as to how he is to conduct himself.
- (C) The accused's disobedience must have actually caused physical injury to a person.
- (D) There must be intention to cause, or knowledge that it is likely the disobedience will cause, injury to any person.
2.What punishment does Section 198 prescribe for the offence of a public servant knowingly disobeying a direction of law with intent or knowledge likely to cause injury?
- (A) Simple imprisonment for a term which may extend to one year, or with fine, or with both.
- (B) Imprisonment for a term which may extend to three years.
- (C) Only a fine.
- (D) Capital punishment in extreme cases.
3.A public servant deliberately disobeys an administrative instruction given by his superior which is not a 'direction of the law as to the way in which he is to conduct himself.' Is he liable under Section 198?
- (A) Yes, because any instruction from a superior is covered by the section.
- (B) Yes, but only if the instruction was issued by a Court.
- (C) No, because the offence applies to disobedience of a direction of the law as to how he is to conduct himself.
- (D) Yes, but only if a person is actually injured.
4.Which of the following correctly states the required mental element for an offence under Section 198?
- (A) The public servant must knowingly disobey a direction of law and either intend to cause injury or know it is likely his disobedience will cause injury.
- (B) Negligent disobedience of law that unintentionally causes injury is sufficient.
- (C) Only the intention to cause injury is required; knowledge of the disobedience is irrelevant.
- (D) Only actual injury matters; mental state is immaterial.
5.A public servant knowingly disobeys a direction of law knowing his disobedience is likely to cause injury to Person A, but as a result Person B (a different person) is injured. Under Section 198 is the public servant criminally liable?
- (A) No — liability attaches only if the person he foresaw (Person A) is injured.
- (B) Yes — the section covers causing or knowing it likely to cause injury to 'any person', so injury to a different person is still within the provision.
- (C) No — liability requires that the injured person be specified in the direction of law.
- (D) Yes — but only if the Court that pronounced the direction expressly mentioned the injured person.
6.What is the minimum period of rigorous imprisonment prescribed by Section 199 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 for an offence under that section?
- (A) Three months
- (B) Six months
- (C) One year
- (D) Two years
7.To whom does Section 199 apply, as stated in its opening words?
- (A) Any person
- (B) A public servant
- (C) Police officers only
- (D) Judicial officers only
8.A public servant knowingly compels a person to attend at a place for an investigation despite a legal prohibition on requiring such attendance. Is the public servant liable under Section 199?
- (A) Yes, because clause (a) penalises knowingly disobeying a law that prohibits requiring attendance for investigation
- (B) Yes, but only if the compulsion causes prejudice to the person
- (C) No, liability arises only for failure to record information under section 173(1)
- (D) No, Section 199 applies only to non-attendance related matters
9.If a public servant knowingly disobeys a direction regulating the manner of conducting an investigation but no person suffers prejudice, is the conduct punishable under Section 199?
- (A) Yes, any disobedience of directions regulating investigations is punishable
- (B) No, clause (b) requires the disobedience to be 'to the prejudice of any person'
- (C) Yes, but only if the investigation concerns a cognizable offence listed in section 199(c)
- (D) No, unless the disobedience also involves failure to record information under section 173(1)
10.Section 199(c) makes failure to record information under section 173(1) punishable only when the information relates to which category?
- (A) Any offence, cognizable or non-cognizable
- (B) A cognizable offence punishable under the specifically listed sections (e.g., 64, 65, 66, etc.)
- (C) A non-cognizable offence
- (D) Any civil wrong or dispute
11.What is the maximum term of imprisonment prescribed by Section 200 for contravening Section 397 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023?
- (A) Six months
- (B) One year
- (C) Two years
- (D) Three years
12.Who is made liable under Section 200 for contravening the provisions of Section 397?
- (A) Whoever is in charge of a hospital
- (B) Only government doctors
- (C) Only police officers
- (D) Only patients' family members
13.Does Section 200 apply to hospitals run by local bodies?
- (A) No; hospitals run by local bodies are excluded
- (B) Only if the local body is under State Government control
- (C) Yes; it applies whether run by Central Government, State Government, local bodies or any other person
- (D) Yes; but only to municipal hospitals
14.Is a private hospital covered by Section 200 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023?
- (A) No — only public hospitals are covered
- (B) Only if the private hospital has a government contract
- (C) Only private clinics are covered, not hospitals
- (D) Yes — private hospitals are included
15.Which of the following best describes the sentencing options under Section 200?
- (A) Mandatory imprisonment for exactly one year
- (B) Imprisonment for a term which may extend to one year, or fine, or both (court may impose any of these)
- (C) Only a fine is prescribed
- (D) Imprisonment of more than one year is required
16.Which of the following is an essential character of the offence under Section 201 BNS 2023?
- (A) The offender must be a public servant charged with preparation or translation of a document or electronic record.
- (B) Any person who prepares or translates a document with malicious intent is liable.
- (C) Only a head of department can be convicted under this section.
- (D) The offence applies only to private citizens translating documents for government use.
17.What is the maximum term of imprisonment prescribed by Section 201?
- (A) Imprisonment which may extend to one year
- (B) Imprisonment which may extend to three years
- (C) Imprisonment which may extend to five years
- (D) Life imprisonment
18.A public servant, tasked with preparing a document, deliberately frames it in a way he believes is incorrect to cause harm, but the document is in fact correct. Is an offence under Section 201 made out?
- (A) Yes, because the provision requires that the public servant "knows or believes" the document to be incorrect.
- (B) No, because the document must be actually incorrect for the offence to apply.
- (C) Yes, but only if the document is an electronic record.
- (D) No, unless actual injury has already been caused.
19.Which mental state is sufficient under Section 201 to attract liability?
- (A) Intention only (the public servant must intend to cause injury).
- (B) Knowledge only (the public servant must know actual injury will occur).
- (C) Either intention to cause injury or knowledge that it is likely he may cause injury.
- (D) No mens rea is required; mere incorrect preparation suffices.
20.Does Section 201 apply when a public servant, acting purely in his private capacity and not charged with the task, prepares or translates a document incorrectly to cause harm?
- (A) Yes — being a public servant is sufficient regardless of capacity.
- (B) No — the provision applies only if he is "as such public servant, charged with the preparation or translation" of the document.
- (C) Yes — but only if the document is an electronic record.
- (D) No — it applies only when actual injury has already been caused.
21.Who is criminally liable under Section 202 for unlawfully engaging in trade?
- (A) Any person who engages in trade
- (B) A public servant who is legally bound not to engage in trade and yet engages in trade
- (C) Any public servant regardless of restrictions
- (D) A public servant who engages in official duties involving trade
22.What is the maximum term of simple imprisonment prescribed by the provision for unlawfully engaging in trade?
- (A) Six months
- (B) Two years
- (C) One year
- (D) Three years
23.If a public servant engages in trade but is not legally bound as a public servant to refrain from trade, does this provision apply?
- (A) No — the provision requires the public servant to be legally bound not to engage in trade
- (B) Yes — any public servant who trades is covered regardless of any legal restriction
- (C) Yes — but only if the trade relates to official duties
- (D) No — unless the trade causes financial loss to the state
24.Which of the following best describes the sentencing options under this provision?
- (A) Community service is not provided; only imprisonment or fine are allowed
- (B) Community service may be imposed but only alongside imprisonment
- (C) A court may impose only imprisonment and community service together
- (D) Community service is an independent alternative to imprisonment or fine
25.Does the phrase “or with both or with community service” permit imposing imprisonment together with community service under this provision?
- (A) Yes — imprisonment may always be combined with community service
- (B) No — “both” refers to imprisonment and fine; community service is a separate alternative
- (C) Yes — but only if the court explicitly records reasons
- (D) No — community service can be imposed only if no fine is available
26.Which of the following most accurately describes the conduct made an offence by Section 203 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023?
- (A) A public servant who, being legally bound as such public servant not to purchase or bid for certain property, nonetheless purchases or bids for that property (in any name or jointly).
- (B) Any public servant who purchases any property at any time.
- (C) A public servant who sells government property without authorization.
- (D) Any person (not necessarily a public servant) who bids for property on behalf of another.
27.Under Section 203, what is the maximum term of imprisonment that may be imposed for the offence?
- (A) Six months
- (B) Two years
- (C) One year
- (D) Three years
28.Which of the following scenarios is covered by Section 203 according to its wording?
- (A) Only purchases made in the public servant's own name are covered.
- (B) Only purchases made jointly are covered, but not purchases in another person's name.
- (C) Purchases or bids made in the public servant's own name, in the name of another, jointly, or in shares are all covered.
- (D) Only bids (not purchases) made in another's name are covered.
29.If a public servant purchases certain property but was not "legally bound as such public servant not to purchase or bid for certain property," is he punishable under Section 203?
- (A) Yes, because any purchase by a public servant is prohibited by Section 203.
- (B) Yes, but only if the purchase was in his own name.
- (C) Yes, if he bid for it even once, irrespective of any legal restriction.
- (D) No, because the provision requires that the public servant be legally bound not to purchase or bid for that property.
30.Under Section 203, when is the property subject to confiscation?
- (A) The property shall be confiscated if it was purchased (the provision states "and the property, if purchased, shall be confiscated").
- (B) The property is confiscated even where the public servant only placed a bid but did not purchase.
- (C) The property is confiscated only if purchased in the public servant's own name.
- (D) Confiscation is left to the court's discretion and is not mandated by the provision.
31.Under Section 204 (Personating a public servant) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, what is the minimum imprisonment that may be imposed on conviction?
- (A) Three months
- (B) Six months
- (C) One year
- (D) Three years
32.Which mental element is explicitly required by Section 204 for the offence of personating a public servant?
- (A) Intention to cause grievous harm
- (B) Negligence regarding the truth of the claim
- (C) Honest belief that one holds the office
- (D) Knowing that he does not hold such office
33.A person falsely claims to be a public servant but never does or attempts any act under colour of that office. Is he punishable under Section 204?
- (A) No, he is not punishable under Section 204
- (B) Yes, he is punishable regardless of any act
- (C) He is punishable only if a public official lodges a complaint
- (D) He is punishable only if he obtains money by the claim
34.Which statement correctly reflects the scope of acts covered by Section 204?
- (A) Only successful acts done under colour of office are punishable
- (B) Only attempts, even without any act, are punishable
- (C) Both doing an act and attempting to do an act under colour of such office are punishable
- (D) Neither doing nor attempting an act is punishable under this section
35.What is the key distinction between the two forms of personation described in Section 204: 'pretends to hold any particular office as a public servant' and 'falsely personates any other person holding such office'?
- (A) Both phrases mean exactly the same and are interchangeable
- (B) The first is claiming to hold the office oneself; the second is impersonating a specific person who actually holds that office
- (C) The first applies only to written claims; the second applies only to spoken impersonation
- (D) The first requires causing financial loss; the second does not
36.Which mental element makes the offence complete under Section 205 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023?
- (A) Only the intention that others may believe the person belongs to that class of public servants
- (B) Only the knowledge that others will certainly believe the person belongs to that class of public servants
- (C) Either the intention that it may be believed or the knowledge that it is likely to be believed
- (D) Mere negligence about whether others believe the person belongs to that class
37.What is the maximum imprisonment prescribed by Section 205 for wearing garb or carrying a token of a public servant with the specified mental element?
- (A) Imprisonment which may extend to three months
- (B) Imprisonment which may extend to six months
- (C) Imprisonment which may extend to one year
- (D) No imprisonment, only fine
38.If a person (not belonging to that class of public servants) wears a garb resembling that class but neither intends others to believe he belongs to that class nor knows it is likely they will, is he punishable under Section 205?
- (A) Yes — mere wearing of resembling garb is sufficient for punishment
- (B) No — punishment requires either the intention that it may be believed or the knowledge that it is likely to be believed
- (C) Yes — punishment applies only when a fine is imposed
- (D) Yes — punishment applies only if members of the public are actually deceived
39.A public servant who belongs to Class A wears the garb or carries a token resembling that used by Class B. Under Section 205, when is this conduct punishable?
- (A) It is not punishable because the person is a public servant
- (B) It is punishable in all cases because a public servant must not wear others' garb
- (C) It is punishable only if Class B authorities file a complaint
- (D) It is punishable if the person does not belong to Class B and does so with the intention or with the knowledge that it is likely to be believed that he belongs to Class B
40.Which of the following mental states would NOT, by itself, satisfy the mental element required under Section 205?
- (A) A deliberate plan to be believed to belong to that class of public servants (intention)
- (B) Awareness that others are likely to believe he belongs to that class (knowledge)
- (C) A mere hope or wish that someone might believe he belongs to that class without intending it or being aware of its likelihood
- (D) Conduct done recklessly, with conscious disregard of whether others will believe he belongs to that class
Answer key
Explanations
- 1. (C) Section 198 requires a public servant who knowingly disobeys a direction of law and intends to cause, or knows it likely will cause, injury. It does not make actual physical injury a necessary element; the mental state (intention or knowledge of likelihood) suffices.
- 2. (A) The provision states the offender 'shall be punished with simple imprisonment for a term which may extend to one year, or with fine, or with both.' No longer terms or capital punishment are provided.
- 3. (C) Section 198 specifically requires disobedience of 'any direction of the law as to the way in which he is to conduct himself as such public servant.' An ordinary administrative instruction not amounting to a direction of law is not covered by the text.
- 4. (A) The section requires that the public servant 'knowingly disobeys any direction of the law' and does so 'intending to cause, or knowing it to be likely that he will by such disobedience, cause injury to any person.' Negligence or mere actual injury without the specified mental state is not sufficient.
- 5. (B) Section 198 criminalises disobedience done 'intending to cause, or knowing it to be likely that he will by such disobedience, cause injury to any person.' The phrase 'any person' shows liability is not limited to a particular person anticipated; injury to a different person still falls within the provision.
- 6. (B) Section 199 prescribes punishment of rigorous imprisonment for a term which shall not be less than six months but which may extend to two years. Thus the minimum term is six months.
- 7. (B) Section 199 begins 'Whoever, being a public servant,—' which limits its application to persons who are public servants. It does not extend to all persons or only police/judicial officers specifically.
- 8. (A) Clause (a) of Section 199 penalises a public servant who knowingly disobeys any direction of the law which prohibits him from requiring the attendance at any place of any person for the purpose of investigation. Therefore such compulsion falls within clause (a).
- 9. (B) Clause (b) specifies liability for 'knowingly disobeys, to the prejudice of any person, any other direction of the law regulating the manner in which he shall conduct such investigation.' The prejudice requirement must be satisfied for clause (b) to apply.
- 10. (B) Clause (c) expressly limits the offence to failure to record information under section 173(1) 'in relation to cognizable offence punishable under section 64, section 65, ... section 144.' Thus it applies only to the listed cognizable offences.
- 11. (B) Section 200 provides that the offender "shall be punished with imprisonment for a term which may extend to one year." This sets the maximum term of imprisonment at one year.
- 12. (A) Section 200 begins with "Whoever, being in charge of a hospital... contravenes the provisions of section 397... shall be punished..." Thus liability is on whoever is in charge of a hospital.
- 13. (C) The provision expressly includes hospitals "whether run by the Central Government, the State Government, local bodies or any other person." Therefore it applies to hospitals run by local bodies.
- 14. (D) Section 200 refers to "being in charge of a hospital, public or private," which expressly includes private hospitals within its ambit.
- 15. (B) Section 200 provides punishment as "imprisonment for a term which may extend to one year, or with fine, or with both," indicating the court may impose imprisonment up to one year, or a fine, or both.
- 16. (A) The provision begins with "Whoever, being a public servant, and being, as such public servant, charged with the preparation or translation of any document or electronic record..." so the offender must be a public servant charged with that duty. The text does not extend liability to any person or restrict it to a head of department.
- 17. (B) The provision prescribes "imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to three years, or with fine, or with both." Therefore the maximum term of imprisonment specified is three years (with the alternative or additional punishment of fine).
- 18. (A) The provision covers actions where the public servant "frames, prepares or translates that document ... in a manner which he knows or believes to be incorrect," so the subjective belief suffices. The offence does not require the document to be objectively incorrect or that injury has already occurred.
- 19. (C) The provision requires framing the document "intending thereby to cause or knowing it to be likely that he may thereby cause injury to any person," so liability is attracted by either intention to cause injury or knowledge that injury is likely. It is not a strict liability offence.
- 20. (B) The provision specifies "being a public servant, and being, as such public servant, charged with the preparation or translation of any document or electronic record," so liability arises when the public servant is charged with that duty in his official capacity. Acting purely in a private capacity without being charged with the task does not fall within the text.
- 21. (B) The provision applies to “whoever, being a public servant, and being legally bound as such public servant not to engage in trade, engages in trade.” Thus liability attaches only where the person is a public servant who is legally bound not to engage in trade and nevertheless engages in trade.
- 22. (C) The provision prescribes “simple imprisonment for a term which may extend to one year.” Therefore the maximum term of simple imprisonment under this section is one year.
- 23. (A) The provision specifically requires the person to be “legally bound as such public servant not to engage in trade.” If the public servant is not so legally bound, the section’s condition is not satisfied and it does not apply.
- 24. (D) The provision provides punishment as “simple imprisonment ... which may extend to one year, or with fine, or with both or with community service.” This language treats community service as an alternative sentencing option distinct from imprisonment or fine.
- 25. (B) The provision lists options as “simple imprisonment ... or with fine, or with both or with community service.” The term “both” logically refers to the two previously mentioned penalties (imprisonment and fine), while community service is separately listed as an alternative.
- 26. (A) Section 203 penalises a public servant who, while being legally bound as such not to purchase or bid for certain property, purchases or bids for that property, whether in his own name or in another's, or jointly or in shares. The offence specifically requires the actor to be a public servant legally bound not to buy or bid.
- 27. (B) Section 203 provides punishment with simple imprisonment for a term which may extend to two years, or with fine, or with both. The provision expressly caps imprisonment at two years.
- 28. (C) The text explicitly states the offence applies when the public servant purchases or bids for the property "either in his own name or in the name of another, or jointly, or in shares with others." Thus all those modes are covered.
- 29. (D) Section 203 makes the offence conditional on the public servant "being legally bound as such public servant, not to purchase or bid for certain property." If that legal obligation is absent, the statutory offence as worded does not arise.
- 30. (A) Section 203 expressly provides that "the property, if purchased, shall be confiscated," indicating confiscation applies where the property was purchased. The provision does not state confiscation for mere bids, nor limit confiscation to purchases in the servant's own name.
- 31. (B) The provision states punishment with imprisonment of either description for a term which shall not be less than six months. Therefore the minimum imprisonment is six months.
- 32. (D) Section 204 begins with 'Whoever pretends to hold any particular office as a public servant, knowing that he does not hold such office...' — the provision thus requires knowledge that the person does not hold the office.
- 33. (A) Section 204 requires that in the assumed character the person 'does or attempts to do any act under colour of such office.' Mere pretence without doing or attempting such an act is not covered by the provision.
- 34. (C) The provision punishes whoever 'in such assumed character does or attempts to do any act under colour of such office,' thereby expressly including both acts and attempts within its scope.
- 35. (B) Section 204 separately describes pretending to hold an office oneself and falsely personating any other person holding such office, distinguishing claiming the office personally from impersonating another individual who occupies that office.
- 36. (C) The provision punishes one who "with the intention that it may be believed, or with the knowledge that it is likely to be believed" represents himself as belonging to that class. Therefore either intention or knowledge suffices; mere negligence does not meet the stated mental element.
- 37. (A) Section 205 prescribes "imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to three months, or with fine which may extend to five thousand rupees, or with both." Thus the maximum imprisonment stated is three months.
- 38. (B) The provision requires the person to act "with the intention that it may be believed, or with the knowledge that it is likely to be believed." Mere wearing without that intention or knowledge therefore does not attract the punishment under Section 205.
- 39. (D) Section 205 applies to one "not belonging to a certain class of public servants" who wears garb or carries token resembling that class "with the intention... or with the knowledge that it is likely to be believed" he belongs to that class. Thus a public servant of Class A can be punishable when he does not belong to Class B and has the requisite intention or knowledge.
- 40. (C) Section 205 specifically requires action "with the intention that it may be believed, or with the knowledge that it is likely to be believed." A mere hope or wish without intention or knowledge does not meet these requirements; the provision does not endorse mere hope as sufficient.