BNS Section 21 — Act of a child above seven and under twelve years of age of immature understanding

Summary

Nothing is an offence if it is done by a child who is above seven years of age and under twelve years of age, and who has not yet gained enough maturity of understanding to judge the nature and consequences of his conduct on that particular occasion.

Official Text

Nothing is an offence which is done by a child above seven years of age and under twelve years of age, who has not attained sufficient maturity of understanding to judge of the nature and consequences of his conduct on that occasion.

Related Judgments

• SC (2025) Vol.3 p.1309 — Supreme Court of India (2025)
• SC (2025) Vol.11 p.291 — Supreme Court of India (2025)
• SC (2024) Vol.8 p.670 — Supreme Court of India (2024)
• SC (2025) Vol.6 p.280 — Supreme Court of India (2025)
• SC (2024) Vol.10 p.930 — Supreme Court of India (2024)
• SC (2025) Vol.3 p.1531 — Supreme Court of India (2025)
• SC (2025) Vol.7 p.105 — Supreme Court of India (2025)
• SC (2024) Vol.6 p.129 — Supreme Court of India (2024)

Old <-> New Code Mapping

• IPC §83 — Act of a child above seven and under twelve years of age of immature understanding