Why in News?
The government is planning guidelines for publication of books by defence personnel. The move highlights the continuing legal relevance of the Official Secrets Act (OSA) in preventing disclosure of classified and sensitive national security information.
Description:
About Official Secrets Act (OSA), 1923:
| Feature | Details |
| Origin | Colonial-era law — evolved from Official Secrets Act 1889 → strengthened in 1904 (Curzon era) → revised into present form in 1923 |
| Nature | National security protection law |
| Purpose | Prevent espionage and unauthorized disclosure of sensitive official information |
| Core Objective | Protect sovereignty, integrity, defence and strategic interests |
Applicability:
- Applies to Government officials, Defence personnel (serving and retired), All Indian citizens (within India and abroad), non-citizens involved in espionage affecting India.
- Applies even after retirement from government service.
Important Sections:
- Section 3: Deals with espionage, spying activities, handling secret codes or sensitive documents.
- Section 5: Deals with unauthorized communication, possession, retention or failure to return official documents, including receivers of such information.
- Section 10: Deals with harbouring or assisting spies.
Types of Information Protected: Classified defence information, military operational details, intelligence data, strategic installations and infrastructure details, sensitive government communications.
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