If the Central Government is of opinion that having regard to the circumstances prevailing in any area it is necessary or expedient in the public interest that the acquisition, possession or carrying of arms other than firearms should also be regulated, it may, by notification in the Official Gazette, direct that this section shall apply to the area specified in the notification and thereupon no person shall acquire, have in his possession or carry in that area arms of such class or description as may be specified in that notification unless he holds in this behalf a licence issued in accordance with the provisions of this Act and the rules made thereunder.
Legal Commentary & Landmark Judgments: Section 4
Section 4 empowers the Central Government to mandate, by Official Gazette notification, that the acquisition, possession, or carrying of arms of specified descriptions other than firearms—such as swords, daggers, spears, and large bladed weapons—within designated administrative areas shall require a valid statutory licence.
In prosecutions under Section 25(1-B)(b) for carrying bladed weapons, immediately verify whether the police filed the relevant Section 4 Gazette notification with the charge sheet. In cross-examination, challenge the seizure memo if the investigating officer failed to measure the blade length, blade width, and handle separately with a certified instrument; move for discharge or quashing under Section 482 CrPC / Section 528 BNSS if no operative notification is brought on record.