The Indian Penal Code (IPC) is the main criminal code of India. It is a comprehensive code intended to cover all substantive aspects of criminal law. The code was drafted in 1860 and came into force in 1862. The IPC is divided into 23 chapters and contains 511 sections. It covers various aspects of criminal law including: 1. General Explanations (Chapter I) 2. Punishments (Chapter III) 3. General Exceptions (Chapter IV) 4. Abetment (Chapter V) 5. Criminal Conspiracy (Chapter VA) 6. Offences against the State (Chapter VI) 7. Offences relating to the Army, Navy and Air Force (Chapter VII) 8. Offences against Public Tranquillity (Chapter VIII) 9. Offences by or relating to Public Servants (Chapter IX) 10. Contempt of the Lawful Authority of Public Servants (Chapter X) The code defines various crimes and prescribes punishments for them. It is based on the principle of "actus non facit reum nisi mens sit rea" (an act does not make a person guilty unless the mind is also guilty). Some important sections include: - Section 299: Culpable Homicide - Section 300: Murder - Section 302: Punishment for Murder - Section 304: Punishment for Culpable Homicide not amounting to Murder - Section 307: Attempt to Murder - Section 376: Punishment for Rape