Substantive law defines the rights, duties and liabilities of individuals, institutions and organizations. In simple words, it tells us “what the law is” — like what is legal or illegal and what constitutes a crime. Substantive law tells what people can or cannot do under the law. Examples of substantive laws include the Indian Penal Code (IPC) or Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), Fundamental Rights, etc.
Procedural law, on the other hand, explains “how the law is applied”. Procedural law outlines the processes and methods for enforcing those rights and duties defined by substantive law through the legal system. It tells us how legal actions are carried out — like how a case is filed, how trials happen, and how courts give remedies. Examples of procedural laws include the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) or Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam (BSA) or the Indian Evidence Act, etc.