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National Security Act, 1980 (NSA) is a preventive detention law that empowers the Central and State Governments to detain a person without formal charges or trial if the person is considered a threat to national security, public order, or maintenance of essential supplies and services.

Under the Act, a person can be detained for up to 12 months. The order can be issued by the District Magistrate or Police Commissioner, and the case must be reviewed by an Advisory Board.

The legal basis for such preventive detention comes from Article 22 of the Constitution of India. However, the Act is often criticized for possible misuse and concerns over civil liberties.