Legal Framework — Legal Reforms

Entry	Year	Description	Impact
44th Constitutional Amendment Act	1978	Replaced 'internal disturbance' with 'armed rebellion' as a ground for declaring a National Emergency under Article 352, aiming to prevent arbitrary use of emergency powers.	Significantly curtailed the executive's power to impose national emergency, strengthening democratic safeguards and protecting fundamental rights against potential misuse of power.
Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Amendment Act	2019	Empowered the Central Government to designate individuals as 'terrorists' and expanded the powers of the NIA, including allowing Inspector-rank officers to investigate and seize terror-related property outside India.	Strengthened the state's counter-terrorism capabilities, enabling proactive action against individuals and expanding NIA's operational reach, but raised concerns about individual liberties and due process.
National Investigation Agency (Amendment) Act	2019	Expanded the list of scheduled offenses that the NIA can investigate to include human trafficking, counterfeit currency, manufacture/sale of prohibited arms, cyber-terrorism, and offenses under the Explosive Substances Act.	Broadened NIA's jurisdiction, allowing it to tackle a wider range of complex and transnational crimes linked to national security, enhancing its role as a premier investigative agency.
Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita	2023	Replaced the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973. Introduced new provisions for electronic FIRs, forensic investigations, and modified procedures for arrest, bail, and trial, impacting internal security investigations.	Aims to modernize criminal procedure, expedite justice, and enhance investigative capabilities, but also raises concerns about increased police powers and potential implications for civil liberties in preventive measures.
Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita	2023	Replaced the Indian Penal Code, 1860. Redefined various offenses, including new provisions related to terrorism, sedition (now 'Sedition' replaced by 'offences against the State'), and organized crime, directly impacting internal security law.	Updates substantive criminal law to address modern challenges, including terrorism, but its new definitions and penalties will require careful judicial interpretation and may face challenges regarding their scope and impact on fundamental rights.