Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA), 1958
Gajendra Singh Godara
Oct 1, 2025
15
mins read
The Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958 (AFSPA) empowers the military to maintain public order in designated “disturbed areas.” It was first promulgated as an Ordinance on 22 May 1958 to curb the Naga insurgency in Assam and became law on 11 September 1958. Essentially, AFSPA authorizes security forces to operate with special authority in regions declared disturbed by the Centre or State.
The Assam government recently extended the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA), 1958, in three districts for another six months. In late 2025, the Home Ministry extended the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA) in parts of Manipur, Nagaland and Arunachal Pradesh.
AFSPA’s origins lie in the 1950s Northeast insurgencies. When the Naga National Council rebelled and boycotted India’s first elections, the government deemed the Naga Hills “disturbed” and sent the Assam Rifles. This situation prompted the AFSPA (Assam and Manipur) Ordinance of May 1958, and the subsequent AFSPA Act of 1958 applied to Assam’s Naga areas and Manipur.
Over the decades, AFSPA’s reach expanded. A 1972 amendment extended it to other Northeastern states (Meghalaya, Nagaland, Tripura, etc.). The Act’s model was also adopted elsewhere: a special AFSPA (Punjab and Chandigarh) Act was enacted in 1983, and the Armed Forces (J&K Special Powers) Act in 1990. It was withdrawn from Punjab (1997), Tripura (2015) and Meghalaya (2017) after insurgencies abated.
Other important articles that trace the journey of Kashmir check the blog : Article 370 of the Indian Constitution: History, Abrogation and Impact on Jammu & Kashmir
Declaration of Disturbed Areas (Section 3)
The Central Government or state government (Governor/Administrator of a state or union territory) can declare an area as “disturbed.”
Once declared, the armed forces special powers immediately apply.
Example: Notifications in three districts of Assam and parts of Nagaland.
Special Powers of Armed Forces (Section 4)
Use of Force
Any commissioned officer, warrant officer, non-commissioned officer, or any other person of equivalent rank in the armed forces may open fire.
Force, even to the extent of causing death, can be used after such due warning against:
Assembly of five or more persons violating prohibitory orders.
Carrying weapons or carrying proclaimed offenders.
Arrest without Warrant
A person can be arrested without warrant if reasonable suspicion exists of committing cognizable offences.
The person arrested must be handed over to the nearest police station without unnecessary delay.
Search and Seizure
Security forces can enter and search any premises without warrant to recover arms, ammunition, or seized forcibly stolen property.
They can destroy property like hideouts, arms dumps, fortified positions, or shelters used by armed gangs.
Check on Assemblies
The Act authorizes dispersal of unlawful gatherings of five or more persons in disturbed areas.
Immunity from Prosecution (Section 6)
No prosecution, suit, or other legal proceeding shall be instituted against any member of the armed forces special powers act for acts done under AFSPA.
Prosecution requires prior sanction from the Central Government.
This clause shields army officers and security forces from trial unless cleared by the union government.
Scope of Application
Initially applied in Assam and Manipur (drawing on the Assam Disturbed Areas Act of 1955).
Later extended to other north eastern states and Jammu & Kashmir.
Can cover any state or union territory formally declared as a “disturbed area.”
Who Can Exercise Powers?
Officers of the Indian armed forces, central armed police forces, or other paramilitary forces deployed by the union ministry.
Applies equally to army personnel, not just police or civil power.
Legal Framework Nature
AFSPA is considered an extraordinary legal framework designed for counter insurgency operations in regions facing internal disturbance.
The powers act broadly remained in force for decades in areas of recurring militancy.
Definition: Under Section 3 of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA), disturbed areas are regions where armed forces deployment is necessary to aid civil power
Declaration Authority: The AFSPA Act empowers both Central Government and State Governors/UT Administrators to declare areas as disturbed (amendment 1972)
Criteria: Areas facing disputes between religious, racial, linguistic, regional groups, castes, or communities qualify for AFSPA designation.
Duration: Once declared disturbed, regions remain under Armed Force Special Power Act 1958 for three months minimum per The Disturbed Areas (Special Courts) Act, 1976.
Current Status: For AFSPA UPSC preparation, note that the Union Home Ministry currently issues periodic notifications only for Nagaland and Arunachal Pradesh.
State Role: State governments can recommend whether the Act is required in their territory
Arguments in Favour of AFSPA
National Security Imperatives
Provides the armed forces and central armed police forces with special powers to combat insurgency and maintain order in disturbed areas.
Helps in tackling armed attacks, insurgent groups, and armed gangs in sensitive border regions.
Legal Framework for Counter-Insurgency
The Armed Forces Special Powers Act creates a structured legal framework for counter insurgency operations.
Enables army officers to take swift action when reasonable suspicion exists.
Maintains Civil Power
Supports the state government and civil power where normal law enforcement is ineffective.
Ensures internal stability in north eastern states and Jammu & Kashmir.
Operational Flexibility
Allows search, arrest, and destruction of insurgent hideouts without waiting for lengthy permissions.
Immediate reporting to the nearest police station maintains a basic civilian check.
Temporary but Necessary Tool
The Union Government argues that AFSPA is not permanent; it applies only in disturbed areas formally notified.
Reviews (mandated every 6 months by the Supreme Court) prevent misuse as permanent law.
Arguments Against AFSPA
Human Rights Violations
Linked with extrajudicial killings, custodial torture, rapes, and alleged human rights violations.
Operations by armed forces special units often kill innocents, mislabelled as insurgents.
Impunity & Lack of Accountability
Section 6 gives blanket immunity—no legal proceeding without Central Government sanction.
Very few prosecutions against army personnel → creates a climate of impunity.
Alienation of Communities
Excessive use of special powers alienates people in India’s North East and Kashmir.
Example: Nagaland killings (2021) triggered widespread protests against the armed forces special powers act.
Federalism Concerns
Only the Governors or the Union Government can declare an area “disturbed.”
Limits the role of the state government in maintaining public order.
International Criticism
Condemned by the UN Human Rights Commissioner as a “colonial-era law” against international law.
Human Rights Watch: calls AFSPA “a tool of state abuse, oppression, and discrimination.”
Act Broadly Remained Unreformed
Despite multiple committee reports (e.g., Administrative Reforms Commission), the special powers act AFSPA has not been repealed or meaningfully amended.
Continues to be seen as draconian and disproportionate
Counter-Insurgency Tool:
AFSPA provides the armed forces broad operational cover. It “empowers forces to conduct operations anywhere and arrest anyone without a prior warrant,” giving them latitude in disturbed areas.
Military leaders argue these powers are vital against well-armed militants that local police cannot handle. In strategy terms, AFSPA is seen as an “enabling” statute for stabilizing insurgency zones.
Centre-State Relations:
AFSPA highlights federal tensions. Policing is a state subject, yet this law allows the Union to deploy federal forces in states.
The Centre must often negotiate with states; indeed, Assam’s extension of AFSPA was approved only after state officials urged it.
For a broader view of India’s federal structure, see Padhai’s [Federalism in Indian Polity, Federal Features, Evolution, Significance and Challenges] which explains how Centre-State powers are divided Federalism in Indian Polity, Federal features, Evolution, Significance and Challenges
Peace and Governance:
AFSPA’s presence (or removal) often correlates with peace processes. In Tripura (2015) and Meghalaya (2017), insurgency pacts led to complete AFSPA withdrawal.
Conversely, continuing AFSPA can frustrate peace negotiations (one demand of Northeast groups is often AFSPA repeal).
Human Rights Concerns
The Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) is often linked with alleged human rights violations.
Reported abuses include:
Extrajudicial killings
Torture and illegal detentions
Cases of sexual violence and harassment
Security forces and armed forces operations have at times killed innocents, later labeled as “combat kills.”
Legal Immunity & Accountability Gap
Section 6 of the Forces Special Powers Act provides blanket immunity to army personnel and other security forces.
Central Government sanction is required before any legal proceeding can be initiated. In practice, almost no prosecutions occur, creating a climate of impunity.
This undermines civilian oversight and weakens the role of the state government in disturbed areas.
Impact on Local Communities
Excessive use of special powers has fueled resentment in India’s North East and Jammu & Kashmir.
Abuses have alienated local populations, leading to distrust of the Indian armed forces.
Governance and Federalism Issues
AFSPA applies to any state or union territory declared a “disturbed area.” The union government and central armed forces often override state government control.
Arrests can be made without warrant if reasonable suspicion exists, with the nearest police station only notified after a person arrested is taken into custody.
International Criticism
The UN Human Rights Commissioner has called AFSPA a “dated, colonial-era law” inconsistent with international law.
Human Rights Watch terms it “a tool of state abuse, oppression, and discrimination. Several reports argue the armed forces special powers under AFSPA are broader than similar security laws like UAPA, making misuse more likely.
Feature | AFSPA | UAPA |
Purpose | Special powers for armed forces in disturbed areas to restore order (counter-insurgency). | Legislation to prevent unlawful activities (especially terrorism) and safeguard India’s sovereignty. |
Scope | It applies only in regions formally declared “disturbed” (currently parts of Nagaland, Assam, Manipur, Arunachal Pradesh and J&K). | Applies nationwide to individuals and organizations; covers all states/UTs, defines terrorists and bans groups. |
Key Powers | Allows armed forces to fire upon suspects after warning, and to arrest and search without a warrant; they may also destroy insurgent hideouts. Forces enjoy immunity from prosecution for actions under AFSPA. | Authorizes the government to designate individuals as terrorists and ban organizations; empowers special agencies (like NIA) to investigate and arrest suspects with stringent conditions (e.g. longer detention, strict bail rules). |
Criticisms | Decried as draconian and violative of human rights. Critics link it to extra-judicial killings and impunity. | Criticized for curbing civil liberties and due process. Recent UAPA amendments (2019) are said by UN experts to breach human rights norms, and detainees often find bail very difficult to obtain. |
UPSC Previous Year Questions
Q. Human rights activists constantly highlight the fact that the Armed forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958 (AFSPA) is a draconian act leading to cases of human rights abuses by security forces. What sections of AFSPA are opposed by the activists? Critically evaluate the requirement with reference to the view held by the Apex Court. (2015)
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. What is AFSPA in simple terms?
A. AFSPA stands for Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958. It is a law that empowers the military to maintain public order in regions officially declared “disturbed”, giving them broad powers to search, arrest or use force.
Q. Why was AFSPA introduced in 1958?
A. AFSPA was enacted to help the Indian Army suppress the Naga insurgency in Assam. The government needed strong legal powers to tackle the armed revolt in the Naga Hills, so it introduced AFSPA to stabilize the region.
Q. Which areas are under AFSPA today?
A. Currently, AFSPA is in force in parts of Manipur, Nagaland, Arunachal Pradesh, and Jammu & Kashmir. Several previously “disturbed” districts (for example in Assam, Tripura and Meghalaya) have been gradually cleared as security has improved.
Q. Why is AFSPA controversial?
A. AFSPA is controversial because of frequent reports of human rights violations. Critics point to alleged cases of extrajudicial killings, torture and disappearances under its cover, and note that the law’s immunity clause shields security forces from prosecution. Activists demand reforms or repeal to ensure accountability.
Q. What is AFSPA’s relevance for UPSC?
A. AFSPA is important for UPSC GS-II and GS-III. It illustrates themes in Polity (federalism, Centre-State relations, emergency powers, human rights) and Internal Security (counterinsurgency laws, insurgency in the North-East). Questions on AFSPA often appear in Mains essays and interviews, so aspirants should be familiar with its history, provisions and debates.
Conclusion
AFSPA remains a balancing act between national security and civil liberties. On one hand it is credited with empowering India’s armed forces to tackle deep-rooted insurgencies; on the other hand, it has raised serious human rights concerns. For UPSC aspirants, understanding AFSPA connects many dots: it links historical insurgencies in the North-East, constitutional provisions on federalism and emergency powers, governance of conflict zones, and current internal security policy. A thorough study of AFSPA’s provisions, judicial rulings, and ongoing debates will help answer UPSC questions that span history, polity, and internal security.
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