Distinction / Difference between Robbery and Dacoity

There is no difference between robbery and dacoity except in the number of offenders. Robbery is dacoity, if the persons committing robbery are five or more in number.  

No	Robbery	Dacoity
1	Definition : Section 390 of the Indian Penal Code defines Robbery — In all robbery there is either theft or extortion.  When theft is robbery – Theft is "robbery" if, in order to the committing of the theft, or in committing the theft, or in carrying away or attempting to carry away property obtained by the theft, the offender, for that end, voluntarily causes or attempts to cause to any person death or hurt or wrongful restraint, or fear of instant death or of instant hurt, or of instant wrongful restraint. When extortion is robbery – Extortion is "robbery" if the offender, at the time of committing the extortion, is in the presence of the person put in fear, and commits the extortion by putting that person in fear of instant death, of instant hurt, or of instant wrongful restraint to that person or to some other person, and, by so putting in fear, induces the person, so put in fear then and there to deliver up the thing extorted.	Definition : Section 391 of the Indian Penal Code defines Dacoity — “When five or more persons conjointly commit or attempt to commit a robbery, or where the whole number of persons conjointly committing or attempting to commit a robbery, and persons present and aiding such commission or attempt, amount to five or more, every person so committing, attempting or aiding, is said to commit "dacoity".
2	Robbery can be committed by even one accused.	In Dacoity there must be five or more persons.
3	Robbery is not as serious as Dacoity	Dacoity is an aggravated and more serious form of robbery.
4	Punishment –  Section 392 of the Indian Penal Code prescribes the punishment for robbery – Whoever commits robbery shall be punished with rigorous imprisonment for a term which may extend to ten years, and shall also be liable to fine; and, if the robbery be committed on the highway between sunset and sunrise, the imprisonment may be extended to fourteen years.	Punishment – Section 395 of the Indian Penal Code prescribes the Punishment for dacoity – Whoever commits dacoity shall be punished with  imprisonment for life, or with rigorous imprisonment for a term which may extend to ten years, and shall also be liable to fine.
5	Cognizable, non-bailable, non-compoundable and triable by Magistrate of the first class.	Cognizable, non-bailable, non-compoundable and triable by Court of session.