The Official Secrets Act, 1923
The Official Secrets Act, 1923 is an Indian law that regulates the disclosure of official information and imposes penalties for espionage and unauthorized access to such information.
Summary
The Official Secrets Act, 1923 was enacted to safeguard official secrets and sensitive information relating to the security and strategic interests of the Indian state. The Act defines what constitutes an official secret and provides for penalties for espionage, wrongful communication of information, and unauthorized possession of such information. The Act also empowers the government to conduct searches and seize documents suspected to be in violation of the Act. The Act applies to all citizens of India, as well as to people living outside India who are employed by the Indian government. It is important to note that the Act has been amended several times, with the most recent amendment taking place in 2021.
Table of Contents
| # | Section | Link |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Section 2: Definitions | Open |
| 2 | Section 3: Penalties For Spying | Open |
| 3 | Section 4: Communications With Foreign Agents To Be Evidence Of Commission Of Certain Offences | Open |
| 4 | Section 5: Wrongful Communication, Etc, Of Information | Open |
| 5 | Section 6: Unauthorised Use Of Uniforms; Falsification Of Reports, Forgery, Personation, And Falsedocuments | Open |
| 6 | Section 10: Penalty For Harbouring Spies | Open |
| 7 | Section 11: Search-Warrants | Open |
| 8 | Section 13: Restriction Of Trial Of Offences | Open |
| 9 | Section 15: Offences By Companies | Open |