Offences Against the State
Purposely or knowingly exciting (or attempting to excite) secession, armed rebellion, or subversive activities, or encouraging separatist feelings, or endangering India's sovereignty/unity/integrity, by words, signs, visible representation, electronic communication, or financial means, is punished with life imprisonment or up to 7 years' imprisonment plus fine. Comments merely disapproving of government measures, aimed at lawful change without exciting the above, are explicitly not an offence.
This is the BNS's replacement for the old IPC sedition provision (Section 124A), narrowed to specifically target secession, armed rebellion, and threats to India's unity and integrity - explicitly financial means (like funding separatist activity) are now covered - while an express carve-out protects ordinary lawful criticism of government policy.
This section's built-in exception means that criticising a government policy or demanding its reversal through lawful, peaceful means is explicitly protected and does not constitute an offence, no matter how strongly worded - only conduct that actually excites secession, rebellion, or subversion crosses the line.