Skip to main content

The Official Secrets Act, 1923

Central

An Act to consolidate and amend the law relating to official secrets.

Act number
19 of 1923
Ministry
Ministry of Home Affairs
Department
Department of Internal Security
Enacted
2 Apr 1923
In force from
2 Apr 1923

Source: IndiaCode Portal, Legislative Department, Ministry of Law and Justice, Government of India. Open on India Code Check against the official text before relying on it.

16 sections

  1. Section 1Short title, extent and application.
  2. Section 2Definitions.
  3. Section 3Penalties for spying.
  4. Section 4Communications with foreign agents to be evidence of commission of certain offences.
  5. Section 5Wrongful communication, etc., of information.
  6. Section 6Unauthorised use of uniforms; falsification of reports, forgery, personation, and falsedocuments.
  7. Section 7Interfering with officers of the police or members of the Armed Forces of the Union.
  8. Section 8Duty of giving information as to commission of offences.
  9. Section 9Attempts, incitements, etc.
  10. Section 10Penalty for harbouring spies.
  11. Section 11Search-warrants.
  12. Section 12Provisions of section 337 of Act 5 of 1898 to apply to offences under sections 3, 5 and 7.
  13. Section 13Restriction of trial of offences.
  14. Section 14Exclusion of public from proceedings.
  15. Section 15Offences by companies.
  16. Section 16Repealed..