Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967 (UAPA)
The Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967, is India's primary counter-terrorism and anti-extremism legislation. Originally focused on organisations engaged in unlawful activities threatening national integrity, the Act was significantly amended in 2004, 2008, and 2019. The 2019 amendment empowered the government to designate individuals (not just organisations) as terrorists. UAPA allows detention without bail for up to 180 days, reverses the presumption of bail, and creates special courts for trial.
- Enacted: 1967; major amendments in 2004, 2008, 2019
- 2019 amendment: Introduced individual-level terrorist designation (previously only organisations could be designated)
- Bail provisions: Highly restrictive — courts cannot grant bail unless there are grounds to believe the accusation is prima facie false (Section 43D)
- Special courts: Designated NIA/UAPA courts for trials under the Act
- Key sections for powers: Section 43A (arrest, search, seizure); Section 43D (bail restrictions); Section 43E (presumption of guilt for certain offences)
● Tracked since March 24, 2026 · last seen August 17, 2026 · updates as the daily brief publishes
17 Aug '26
253 held across 14 states as security forces bust ISI-backed terror network
Internal Security
24 Jul '26
Khalistani terror suspect, US national held while entering India from Nepal
Internal Security
27 Apr '26
Siraj-ul-Aloom, one of Kashmir’s largest seminaries, declared ‘unlawful entity’
Internal Security
23 Apr '26
Manipur rights group opposes powers to lower-ranked police officers under UAPA
Internal Security
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