BharatNotes Sedition
nounUsage in a UPSC answer
The persistence of colonial-era sedition provisions in a constitutional democracy sits uneasily with the fundamental right to free speech, prompting the Supreme Court to keep Section 124A in abeyance pending legislative review.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Word Family
seditious (adj), seditiously (adv), seditiousness (n), seditionary (n/adj)
Root
Latin seditio = discord, rebellion; sed- = apart; itio = a going (from ire = to go); via Anglo-French sediciun
Etymology
From Latin seditio ("discord, rebellion"), literally "a going apart" — sed- ("apart") + itio ("a going"), from ire ("to go"); entered English via Anglo-French sediciun, first recorded c. 1325-1375.
Memory Hook
From Latin sed- 'apart' + ire 'to go' — sedition is making the people "go apart" from the State, splitting their loyalty away from lawful authority.
How This Word Works in UPSC Writing
Historically, the offence of exciting disaffection toward the government established by law, used extensively against nationalist leaders under colonial rule. The current Indian position must be stated carefully, because it changed: the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 deleted section 124A of the Indian Penal Code, and sedition as such is no longer an offence. In its place is an offence covering acts endangering the sovereignty, unity and integrity of India, which reaches exciting or attempting to excite secession, armed rebellion or subversive activities, and encouraging feelings of separatist activities, whether by words or signs, electronic communication or financial means, punishable with imprisonment up to seven years or with life, and fine. The examinable criticism is that the successor provision retains aspects of sedition while widening the range of acts covered, and that 'subversive activities' is left undefined.
Don’t Confuse It With
Sedition was the colonial-era offence of exciting disaffection toward the government, now deleted. The successor offence targets acts endangering sovereignty, unity and integrity, which is framed around the State's integrity rather than the government's standing. Treason concerns betrayal of the State, typically in war. Dissent is lawful disagreement and is constitutionally protected, which is precisely the boundary these provisions are argued to blur.
Hindi Meaning
राजद्रोह (rājdroh) for the historical offence; देशद्रोह is often used loosely and less precisely.
Common Questions
- Is sedition still an offence in India?
- No. The Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 deleted section 124A of the Indian Penal Code, so sedition as such is no longer an offence.
- What replaced the sedition provision?
- An offence covering acts endangering the sovereignty, unity and integrity of India, including exciting secession, armed rebellion or subversive activities and encouraging separatist feelings, punishable with up to seven years or life imprisonment and fine.
Seen in UPSC Question Papers
- Prelims 2015 — Modern India
Real UPSC previous-year questions whose text uses “Sedition” — proof this word earns its place on your list.
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