Awareness and Understanding of the New Criminal Laws (BNS, BNSS, BSA) Among Medical Students and Doctors

Introduction and Aim: The recent implementation of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), and Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam (BSA) has replaced the Indian Penal Code, Code of Criminal Procedure, and Indian Evidence Act, marking a major reform in India’s criminal justice system. As medico-legal responsibilities are integral to clinical practice, it is essential for medical professionals to be aware of and understand these new legislations. This study aimed to assess the level of awareness and understanding of the newly enacted criminal laws among medical students and practicing doctors, and to examine the association between knowledge levels and selected demographic or academic variables. Materials and Methods: Across-sectional, questionnaire-based study was conducted at a tertiary care teaching institution. A total of 400 participants, comprising 280 undergraduate medical students and 120 practicing doctors, were included. A structured and pre-validated questionnaire assessed awareness of the new criminal legislations, knowledge of key medico-legal provisions, and self-reported confidence in applying these laws in clinical practice. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, and associations between categorical variables were tested using the chi-square test, with a p-value of <0.05 considered statistically significant. Results: Overall awareness of the new criminal laws was found to be satisfactory among participants. Practicing doctors demonstrated significantly higher awareness and understanding compared to medical students (p < 0.05). Most respondents correctly identified the replacement of IPC, CrPC, and the Indian Evidence Act by BNS, BNSS, and BSA respectively. However, notable gaps were observed in the understanding of specific medico-legal provisions, including mandatory reporting, informed consent, and documentation requirements, particularly among undergraduate students. A majority of participants expressed a strong need for structured training and formal teaching on the new criminal laws. Conclusion:Although medical students and doctors exhibit reasonable awareness of the new criminal legislations, deficiencies persist in applied medico-legal knowledge. Incorporating these reforms into undergraduate curricula and continuing medical education programs is essential to enhance legal compliance and medico-legal competence among healthcare professionals.