20 Most Confusing IPC Sections Used in Judicial Viva
1. Section 299 vs Section 300
👉 Culpable Homicide vs Murder
Trap question:
“Every murder is culpable homicide but every culpable homicide is not murder. Explain.”
Key point:
Section 300 is aggravated form of 299.
2. Section 304 vs Section 304A
304 → culpable homicide not amounting to murder
304A → death by negligence
Trap:
Doctors’ negligence → usually 304A, not 304.
3. Section 307 vs Section 308
307 → attempt to murder
308 → attempt to commit culpable homicide
Trap:
Intention to cause death determines section.
4. Section 323 vs Section 325
323 → simple hurt
325 → grievous hurt
Trap:
You must check definition of grievous hurt in Section 320 IPC.
5. Section 379 vs Section 403
379 → theft
403 → dishonest misappropriation
Trap:
In theft property is taken, but in 403 property already in possession.
6. Section 403 vs Section 405
403 → misappropriation
405 → criminal breach of trust
Trap:
405 requires entrustment.
7. Section 415 vs Section 420
415 → cheating
420 → cheating + delivery of property
Trap:
If property delivered, then 420.
8. Section 441 vs Section 447
441 → criminal trespass definition
447 → punishment
Trap question:
“What is offence under Section 447?”
Correct answer:
Offence is defined in 441, 447 only punishment.
9. Section 375 vs Section 376
375 → definition of rape
376 → punishment
Classic judicial viva trap.
10. Section 503 vs Section 506
503 → criminal intimidation definition
506 → punishment
11. Section 107 vs Section 109
107 → abetment definition
109 → punishment when offence committed.
12. Section 34 vs Section 149
34 → common intention
149 → unlawful assembly common object
Trap question:
Minimum persons?
👉 34 = 2 persons
👉 149 = 5 persons
13. Section 120A vs Section 120B
120A → criminal conspiracy definition
120B → punishment
14. Section 141 vs Section 146
141 → unlawful assembly
146 → rioting
Trap:
Rioting occurs when force or violence used by unlawful assembly.
15. Section 191 vs Section 193
191 → giving false evidence
193 → punishment
16. Section 299 vs Section 304
Candidates confuse these.
299 → definition
304 → punishment
17. Section 463 vs Section 465
463 → forgery definition
465 → punishment
18. Section 464 vs Section 467
464 → making false document
467 → forgery of valuable security
Trap:
Very serious offence.
19. Section 494 vs Section 495
494 → bigamy
495 → bigamy with concealment of previous marriage.
20. Section 300 Exception 4
One of the most asked viva traps.
Murder becomes culpable homicide if:
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sudden fight
-
no premeditation
-
heat of passion
-
no undue advantage
The Golden Pattern Judges Use
Judges usually trap candidates by asking:
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Definition section
-
Punishment section
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Distinction between similar offences
Example:
“Difference between theft, cheating, criminal breach of trust and misappropriation.”
✅ Mastering these 20 IPC sections covers almost 70% of criminal law viva traps in judicial interviews.