SSC Selection Post - Higher Secondary Level - 31st July 2025 - Shift 2

Correct Answer

Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A.

Explanation

Assertion (A) is true: The Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023, has introduced 'community service' as a specific form of punishment for the first time in India.

Reason (R) is true and is the correct explanation: The primary objective of this reform is to reduce the burden of imprisonment for petty or minor offenses and to provide offenders with a better opportunity for rehabilitation. The provision of community service is a significant step toward reducing prison overcrowding and making the penal system more reformative.

Key Points

Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS): It has replaced the old Indian Penal Code (IPC), 1860.

Scope of Community Service: Under the BNS, for certain specific minor offenses (such as non-appearance in response to a public servant's order, attempted petty theft, or certain cases of defamation), the court may order the offender to perform community service instead of sending them to jail.

Reformative Justice: The provision for community service is based on the principle of 'Reformative Justice,' which aims to reintegrate the offender into the mainstream of society rather than isolating them.

Important Questions and Answers

Question: When did the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) come into effect?

Answer: The Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, came into effect on July 1, 2024.

Question: What is the primary benefit of community service?

Answer: It helps avoid imprisonment for minor offenses, reduces overcrowding in jails, and allows offenders to make amends by performing useful work for society.

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