Unit IV · Topic 5Offences against state and terrorism – Previous Year Questions

6 previous year questions on Offences against state and terrorism from UGC NET Law papers (2016–2026), including 1 statement-based questions. The correct option is marked in green.

Questions

6 questions

2016

Which one of the expressive factors does not constitute sedition?

  1. (a)Disapprobation of the government
  2. (b)Exite disrespect of against government
  3. (c)Commenting on adminstrative actions of the government✓
  4. (d)Attempting to excite disaffection against government
Answer & explanation

Ans. (c) : According to section 124-A of Indian Penal Code, the following are the essential elements of sedition- (1) Creating or attempting to create hatred or contempt or disaffection against the Government of India. (2) Such act or attempt, may be done in the following manner- (a) By spoken or written words (b) By signs (c) By visible representation

2017

Which one of the expressive factors does not constitute sedition?

  1. (a)Disapprobation of the government
  2. (b)Exite disrespect of against government
  3. (c)Commenting on adminstrative actions of the government✓
  4. (d)Attempting to excite disaffection against government
Answer & explanation

Ans. (c) : According to section 124-A of Indian Penal Code, the following are the essential elements of sedition- (1) Creating or attempting to create hatred or contempt or disaffection against the Government of India. (2) Such act or attempt, may be done in the following manner- (a) By spoken or written words (b) By signs (c) By visible representation

2019

Sedition means:

  1. (a)expressing disapprobation of the measure of the government with a view to obtain their alteration
  2. (b)advocacy of boycott of foreign goods as a means of helping Indian industries
  3. (c)exciting or attempting to excite hatred towards the government through a writing which remains with the author unpublished
  4. (d)bringing or attempting to bring the government into hatred through words, signs or visible representation✓
Answer & explanation

Ans. (d) : Section 124-A of the Indian Penal Code provides for the offence of sedition, according to this section, whoever by words, spoken or written, or by signs, or by visible representation, brings or attempts to bring into hatred or contempt, or excites or attempts to excite disaffection towards the Government established by law in India, shall be punished with imprisonment for life to which fine may be added, or with imprisonment which may extend to three years to which fine may be added.

2020-2021Statements

Which of the following statement/statements is/are correct?

(A) The offence of 'sedition' is defined under section 124A of IPC (B) The supreme court in Kedar Nath Singh V. State of Bihar held that section 124A ipc is not unconstitutional (C) State (N.C.T. of Delhi) V. Navijot sandhu Afsan Guru is a case related to sedition (D) Mohd. Arif V. State of NCT of Delhi is also known as Mumbai Terror Attack case (E) Waging or attempt to wage war or abetting waging of war against the Government of Indian is an offence under section 121 IPC

Choose the correct answer from the options given below:

  1. (a)(A), (B), (C), (D) only
  2. (b)(B), (C), (D), (E) only
  3. (c)(A), (B), (E) only✓
  4. (d)(D), (E) only
Answer & explanation

Ans. (c) : Sedition is defined under Section 124A of the Indian Penal Code, 1860. According to it, whoever by words spoken or written, or by signs, or by visible representation, or otherwise, brings or attempts to bring into hatred or contempt, or excites or attempts to excite disaffection towards the Government established by law in India, shall be punished with imprisonment for life, to which fine may be added, or with imprisonment which may extend to three years, to which fine may be added, or with fine.

According to Section 121 of the Indian Penal Code, 1860, whoever wages war against the Government of India, or attempts to wage such war, or abets the waging of such war, shall be punished with death, or imprisonment for life, and shall also be liable to fine.

In the case of Kedarnath Singh v. State of Bihar (1962 SC), the Supreme Court upheld Section 124A and refused to declare it unconstitutional. But the Court set the limits of this section, holding that mere criticism of the government cannot be considered sedition.

June 2025 · Q34

Which section in BNS, 2023 replaced Section 124A of IPC, 1860 regarding acts endangering sovereignty, unity and integrity of India?

  1. (a)Section 112
  2. (b)Section 152✓
  3. (c)Section 95
  4. (d)Section 304
Answer & explanation

Answer: (b) Section 152

Explanation: Section 152 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 replaces the sedition clause (124A IPC) with a more targeted provision addressing threats to national unity and sovereignty.

June 2026 · Q56Sequence / order

Arrange the following offences against the State under Indian Penal Code, 1860 in ascending order

A. Sedition

B. Waging, or attempting to wage war against the Government of India

C. Public Servant voluntarily allowing prisoner of State or war to escape

D. Waging war against any Asiatic power in alliance with the Government of India

Choose the correct answer from the options given below

  1. (a)B, A, C, D
  2. (b)A, C, B, D
  3. (c)C, B, D, A
  4. (d)B, A, D, C✓
Answer & explanation

Answer: (d) B, A, D, C

Explanation: The question requires arranging the offences against the State under Chapter VI of the Indian Penal

Code (IPC), 1860 in ascending order of their statutory section numbers:

• B. Waging, or attempting to wage war against the Government of India: Section 121

• A. Sedition: Section 124A

• D. Waging war against any Asiatic power in alliance with the Government of India:

Section 125

• C. Public Servant voluntarily allowing prisoner of State or war to escape: Section 128 Arranging these sections strictly in ascending numerical order:

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