Ethics · 2 Aug 2026

National Security Act

With reference to the National Security Act (NSA), 1980, consider the following statements:

  1. It permits detention without trial for up to 12 months.
  2. It requires the detaining authority to first obtain a conviction in an ordinary criminal court before invoking preventive detention.
  3. Article 22 of the Constitution provides for an Advisory Board safeguard in cases of preventive detention.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

A1 only
B1 and 3 only
C2 and 3 only
D1, 2 and 3
This question is based on: NSA Invoked Against Kaziranga Activist a Day After He Gets Bail
Take this in full test mode → Instructions for 2 Aug 2026
About this question

Why in news

The Assam government invoked the NSA against activist Pranab Doley a day after a court granted him bail, finding no evidence of the "deadly weapons" police had alleged.

Why for UPSC

UPSC frequently tests the defining feature of preventive detention laws - that they operate independently of the ordinary criminal trial and conviction process - which is the exact legal mechanism this case illustrates.

Prelims summary

The NSA, 1980 allows detention without trial for up to 12 months, independent of any criminal conviction, subject only to Article 22's Advisory Board safeguard - a mechanism that can override even a favourable bail order.

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