BNS, BSA, BNSS MCQs for AIBE, APO/ADA, Law Officer & Judiciary Exams

Preparing for competitive law exams like AIBE , Judiciary, APO/ADA, and Law Officer exams requires more than just reading bare acts—it demands conceptual clarity and a strong command over practical application-based questions. 

With the introduction of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam (BSA), and Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), aspirants must now adapt to the updated legal framework replacing IPC, Evidence Act, and CrPC.

This set of important MCQs has been designed to help you understand key legal principles through exam-oriented questions and explanations. Read on to get MCQs on BNS, BSA, and BNSS.

Important MCQs on India's New Criminal Laws

The following MCQs cover important substantive, procedural, and evidentiary provisions under the new criminal laws. Each question is accompanied by a detailed explanation to help candidates understand the legal principle involved and improve conceptual clarity.

The BNS MCQs focus on criminal liability, punishments, general exceptions, private defence, and offences against the human body. The BSA MCQs test understanding of evidence law concepts such as relevancy of facts, witnesses, oral evidence, and accomplice testimony. 

The BNSS MCQs cover important procedural topics, including arrest, maintenance, powers of magistrates, recording of statements, and framing of charges. 

BNS MCQs for Judiciary, AIBE & APO/ADA Exams

The Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) forms the foundation of substantive criminal law in India. Questions from topics such as General Exceptions, Right of Private Defence, Punishments, and Offences Against the Human Body are frequently asked in Judiciary, AIBE, APO/ADA, and Law Officer examinations.

These questions assess not only knowledge of statutory provisions but also the ability to apply legal principles to factual scenarios, making them highly important for competitive exam preparation.

General Exceptions & Self-Defense

Q1. A soldier (A) fires on a mob by the order of his superior officer in conformity with the commands of law. What offense has A committed?

• A) Culpable Homicide

• B) No Offense

• C) Use of Excessive Force

• D) Abetment of Murder

Solution: B. Acts done by a person bound, or by mistake of fact, believing himself bound, by law are protected under General Exceptions.

Q2. A is at work with a hatchet; the head flies off and kills a man standing by. There was no want of proper caution on the part of A. A's act is:

• A) Culpable Homicide

• B) Negligent Act

• C) Excusable and not an offense

• D) Murder

Solution: C. This is an accident in the doing of a lawful act with proper care and caution.

Q3. The right of private defense of the body extends to causing death if the assault reasonably causes apprehension of:

• A) Simple Hurt

• B) Theft

• C) Grievous Hurt

• D) Wrongful Restraint for one hour

Solution: C. Reasonable apprehension of death or grievous hurt justifies the right of private defense extending to causing death.

Punishments & Computations

Q4. In calculating fractions of terms of punishment, imprisonment for life shall be reckoned as equivalent to imprisonment for:

• A) 14 years

• B) 20 years

• C) 25 years

• D) 30 years

Solution: B. For the purpose of calculating fractions, life imprisonment is treated as 20 years.

Q5. The maximum period for which a person may be kept in solitary confinement in total shall not exceed:

• A) 1 month

• B) 2 months

• C) 3 months

• D) 6 months

Solution: C. As per the BNS, solitary confinement cannot exceed three months in total.

BSA MCQs for Evidence Law Preparation

The Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam (BSA) modernizes India's law of evidence and places greater emphasis on digital and electronic records. Understanding the principles of relevancy, admissibility, burden of proof, and witness testimony is crucial for success in law examinations.

The following MCQs cover some of the most important evidence law concepts frequently tested in objective and descriptive examinations.

State of Mind and Body

Q1. Under Section 12 of the BSA, the facts showing the existence of state of mind must be:

• A) Specific state of mind

• B) General state of mind

• C) Both (A) and (B)

• D) None of the above

Solution: A. Under BSA Section 12 (formerly Sec 14 of IEA), for a fact to be relevant as showing a state of mind (like intention or knowledge), it must show that the state of mind exists, not generally, but in reference to the particular matter in question.

Relevance of Facts

Q2. Which of the following facts is relevant under Section 8 of the BSA?

• A) Those facts which are introductory in nature.

• B) Those facts which help to certain identification and article of a person.

• C) Those facts which depict relation between parties.

• D) Those facts from which inference of conspiracy can be traced.

Solution: B. Section 8 (formerly Sec 9 of IEA) deals with facts necessary to explain or introduce relevant facts, specifically including facts that establish the identity of any thing or person.

Exclusion of Oral Evidence

Q3. Section 94 of the BSA...

• A) Permits admission of oral evidence to prove contents of a document where the writing is a fact in issue.

• B) Prohibits admission of oral evidence to prove the contents of a document where the writing is a fact in issue.

• C) Prohibits admission of oral evidence to prove the contents of a document where the writing is not a fact in issue and is merely a collateral memorandum.

• D) Both (B) and (C).

Solution: A. This section deals with the "Best Evidence Rule." Generally, documents must be proved by the document itself, but oral admissions as to contents are relevant when the party is entitled to give secondary evidence or if the genuineness of a document is in question.

Number of Witnesses

Q4. Under BSA, what number of witnesses will be required for the proof of any fact?

• A) No particular number

• B) At least one eyewitness

• C) Two witnesses

• D) Party and one eyewitness

Solution: A. Consistent with the old Section 134 of IEA, the BSA affirms that it is the quality, not the quantity, of evidence that matters. No specific number of witnesses is required to prove a fact.

Definition of an Accomplice

Q5. Under BSA, an accomplice is a person:

• A) who participates in the commission of a crime with the charged accused

• B) who is a prefunded confederate

• C) who is an informer

• D) All of the above

Solution: A. An accomplice is a particeps criminis—someone who is a partner in the actual crime. While an accomplice is a competent witness, their testimony is usually viewed with caution unless corroborated.

BNSS MCQs for Criminal Procedure Law Exams

The Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) governs criminal procedure and introduces several procedural reforms aimed at improving efficiency, transparency, and the use of technology in the criminal justice system.

Questions from arrest procedures, maintenance, recording of statements, powers of magistrates, and framing of charges are regularly asked in Judiciary, APO/ADA, Law Officer, and AIBE examinations.

Arrest of Women

Q1. A woman is to be arrested after sunset and before sunrise. Under Section 43, who must make the arrest, and whose prior permission is required?

• A) Any police officer, with the permission of the SHO.

• B) A woman police officer; permission of the Judicial Magistrate First Class.

• C) A woman police officer; permission of the Sessions Judge.

• D) Any police officer, with the permission of the District Magistrate.

Solution: B. BNSS Section 43 (corresponding to old CrPC Sec 46) mandates that a woman can only be arrested after sunset/before sunrise by a woman officer with the prior permission of a JMFC.

Maintenance and Adultery

Q2. A wife is living in adultery. She applies for maintenance against her husband under Section 144. Is she entitled to receive an allowance?

• A) Yes, maintenance is an absolute right.

• B) No, she shall not be entitled to receive an allowance if she is living in adultery.

• C) Yes, but only 50% of the normal amount.

• D) Only if she has children.

Solution: B. Under BNSS Section 144 (old CrPC Sec 125), a wife living in adultery is specifically barred from claiming maintenance.

Recording Statements

Q3. Under Section 182, a police officer shall not prevent any person from making any statement which he may be disposed to make of his own free will by:

• A) Offering a reward.

• B) Any caution.

• C) Any threat.

• D) Physical force.

Solution: B. The law prevents police from using threats or rewards, but it specifically states they shall not prevent a voluntary statement by using any "caution."

Competency of Magistrates

Q4. A Magistrate receives a complaint but is not competent to take cognizance of the case. If the complaint is in writing, the Magistrate shall:

• A) Dismiss the complaint immediately.

• B) Return it for presentation to the proper Court with an endorsement to that effect.

• C) Transfer it to the Chief Judicial Magistrate.

• D) Conduct a preliminary inquiry himself.

Solution: B. As per BNSS Section 224, if a Magistrate is not competent, they must return the written complaint to the complainant to be filed in the correct court.

Charges and Evidence

Q5. If a person is charged with one offense and it appears in evidence that he committed a different offense for which he might have been charged under Section 244, he may be:

• A) Released immediately.

• B) Convicted of the offense which he is shown to have committed, although he was not charged with it.

• C) Retried from the start by a new Judge.

• D) Sent for a fresh investigation.

Solution: B. Under BNSS Section 245, a person can be convicted for an offense they were not explicitly charged with if the evidence during trial proves that the offense was committed.

Key Differences Between BNS, BNSS, and BSA

The introduction of BNS, BNSS, and BSA marks one of the most significant reforms in India's criminal justice system. These laws replace the colonial-era IPC, CrPC, and Indian Evidence Act with a more modern, technology-oriented, and victim-centric legal framework. 

The introduction of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), and Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam (BSA) has brought a major transformation to India’s criminal justice system.

For aspirants preparing for AIBE, Judiciary, APO/ADA, and Law Officer exams, understanding these new criminal laws is no longer optional but essential. 

Practicing MCQs based on BNS, BNSS, and BSA helps candidates strengthen conceptual clarity, improve legal reasoning, and become familiar with practical application-based questions likely to appear in examinations