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Updated to 23 October 2025 (Act No. 10 of 2025 and S.I. No. 506 of 2025)

All effects below are reflected in the most recent Revised Act.

Official Secrets Act 1963
No. 1 of 1963

Contents

Commencement

Section Commencement/Effective Date
Where the commencement and effective dates differ, the effective date is shown below.
 Commencement Information
Whole Act 5 February 1963 Commenced on enactment

Amendments and other effects

How AffectedAffecting Provision
Saver for. 20/2005, ss. 2, 62(7), 81(7), 118(5)
Application of Act restricted 36/2004, ss. 8(4), 19(2)
  39/1997, s. 507(2) as substituted by 6/2011, s. 33(1)(a), (2)
  39/1997, ss. 1003(12), 1086(3), 1097
  8/1995, s. 176(12)(b)
  15/1983, s. 23(3)
  26/1980, ss. 7
Saving for cert. functn. of Attorney General. 22/1974, s. 3(5)
S. 2(1) reference construed 53/2012, ss. 15(1), 21(2)
  7/2008, ss. 1(2), 23(5), 27(9)
  38/1997, ss. 9(2), 14(2)
S. 4 references construed 38/1997, ss. 9(1), (2), 14(2)
S. 4, applic. ext. 30/2014, ss. 1(2), (3), 51
  38/1997, ss. 9(1), 14(2)
  13/1997, ss. 1(2) (3), 48(1)
S. 4, application restricted 33/2013, ss. 1(2), 74(2), 89(2)
  7/2000, ss. 2, 32
  17/1997, ss. 16(2), 18(2)
S. 4, exemption from disclosure and exceptions 30/2014, ss. 1(2), (3), 41, sch. 3
  13/1997, ss. 1(2) (3), 32, sch. 3
S. 4(4) constr. of refs. 53/2012, ss. 15(2), 21(2)
S. 5, application restricted 33/2013, ss. 1(2), 74(2), 89(2)
  7/2000, ss. 2, 32
  17/1997, ss. 16(2), 18(2)
S. 5, defence provision 30/2014, ss. 1(2), (3), 51
  13/1997, ss. 1(2) (3), 48 (2)
S. 5, exemption from disclosure and exceptions 30/2014, ss. 1(2), (3), 41, sch. 3
  13/1997, ss. 1(2) (3), 32, sch. 3
Ss. 7, 8 rep. 50/2001, ss. 1(2), 3(1), sch. 1
S. 9, defence provision 30/2014, ss. 1(2), (3), 51
  13/1997, ss. 1(2) (3), 48(2)
S. 9, exemption from disclosure and exceptions 30/2014, ss. 1(2), (3), 41, sch. 3
  13/1997, ss. 1(2) (3), 32, sch. 3
S. 13 offence under designated as corrupt conduct 30/1996, s. 16B(1)(b) as inserted by 1/2005, s. 12
S. 15 rep. 14/1997, ss. 1, 16, sch. 3
S. 16 reference construed S.I. No. 452 of 2020, art 3
  S.I. No. 138 of 2011, art. 3
  S.I. No. 216 of 2010, art. 3
  S.I. No. 298 of 1997, art. 3
S. 18 rep. 10/1993, s. 14

SIs made under the Act

SectionSIs made under the Act
None