GS Paper II · Constitution
Fundamental Rights Current Affairs for UPSC (GS Paper II)
From the syllabus: Indian Constitution: historical underpinnings, evolution, features, amendments, significant provisions and basic structure; comparison with other countries
Why it matters: Aspirants face scenarios testing the delicate balance between individual liberties and reasonable restrictions imposed in the interest of public order.
In the news
October 2026
13 Oct 2026
Supreme Court Prompts Relocation of Protests from Jantar Mantar to Open SpacesThe Supreme Court of India urged authorities to identify spacious, open-air alternative sites for public demonstrations in Delhi, prompting government steps to de-notify Jantar Mantar as a primary protest venue. A bench led by the Chief...
12 Oct 2026
Protection of the fundamental right to peaceful assemblyAmidst sporadic protests in the national capital, legal experts and editorials are highlighting the importance of the fundamental right to peaceful assembly under Article 19. They argue against the excessive use of restrictive measures...
11 Oct 2026
Supreme Court Upholds Free Movement Subject to Public OrderThe Supreme Court emphasized that citizens have a fundamental right to free movement, cautioning against unjustified detentions and disproportionate curbs on public transit. The court clarified that while maintaining public order...
08 Oct 2026
Loan Default Cannot Curb Right to Travel AbroadThe Madras High Court has ruled that bank defaulters who do not face criminal charges cannot be stopped from traveling abroad. Justice V. Lakshminarayanan observed that loanees do not mortgage their fundamental constitutional rights...
05 Oct 2026Andhra Pradesh
Andhra Pradesh High Court Directs Police Against Civil Dispute InterferenceThe Andhra Pradesh High Court reiterated that police authorities have no jurisdiction to intervene in civil disputes, property partition claims, or contractual disagreements without specific statutory mandates or court orders. The...
03 Oct 2026
Rethinking Women's Safety and Access to Public SpacesPublic discourse is shifting away from imposing regressive mobility restrictions, such as night curfews on women, as a solution to hostile public spaces. Experts emphasize that institutional reforms, better policing, improved street...
02 Oct 2026
Valid Visa Does Not Guarantee Right of Entry, Rules Delhi High CourtThe Delhi High Court has ruled that possessing a valid visa does not grant a foreign national an enforceable legal right to enter India. The court clarified that the grant of a visa is a sovereign function of the state and does not...
September 2026
14 Sep 2026
Courts Push Back Against Arbitrary Police ArrestsIndian courts have issued stern warnings against arbitrary and reflexive arrests of activists and citizens by law enforcement agencies. The judiciary reiterated that police must strictly comply with statutory procedures under the...
13 Sep 2026
Higher Judiciary Reinforces Norms Against Reflexive ArrestsHighlighting the importance of personal liberty guaranteed under Article 21, courts have reiterated that law enforcement officers must avoid routine or reflexive arrests without satisfying necessary legal standards. Judges emphasized...
12 Sep 2026
Gauhati High Court Rebukes Assam Government Over Farmland DemolitionsThe Gauhati High Court questioned the Assam state government over the demolition of 21 houses on private farmland in Goalpara district. The court noted that the revenue authorities acted in a prima facie illegal and unauthorized manner,...
11 Sep 2026
Courts mandate strict oversight against reflexive arrestsSuperior courts in India have issued directives curbing the police practice of making routine and reflexive arrests without adequate justification. The rulings reinforce that personal liberty under Article 21 must not be compromised...
04 Sep 2026
Karnataka High Court Limits Police Powers on Externment OrdersThe Karnataka High Court struck down a state notification that empowered Superintendents of Police (SPs) to issue externment orders under the Police Act. The court clarified that the statute reserves this power strictly for Police...
03 Sep 2026
Delhi High Court Grants Bail in NIA Case Citing Long Pre-Trial IncarcerationThe Delhi High Court granted bail to two accused in a National Investigation Agency (NIA) terror case, emphasizing that prolonged pre-trial incarceration without timely trial infringes upon the fundamental right to liberty under Article...
01 Sep 2026
Global Human Rights Protocols and UN CERD MandateThe United Nations Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (CERD) released its periodic report reviewing global compliance with international human rights standards. As a treaty body, CERD evaluates anti-discrimination...
August 2026
31 Aug 2026
UN CERD Report Raises Concerns Over Discrimination in IndiaThe UN Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (CERD) released its observations on India, urging the country to address structural inequalities and prevent the normalization of discrimination. The report highlighted...
26 Aug 2026
India rejects UN Committee remarks on law enforcement actionsIndia has strongly rejected references made by the UN Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (UNCERD) regarding alleged violations by law enforcement personnel against ethnic populations. The Ministry of External Affairs...
26 Aug 2026
Concerns raised over use of facial recognition at protest sitesCivil rights groups and legal experts have raised serious privacy concerns regarding the deployment of facial recognition technology and biometric surveillance during public protests. Critics argue that indiscriminate surveillance...
25 Aug 2026
Rapid Rise of AI Smart Glasses Exposes Gaps in Privacy Regulatory FrameworksThe growing adoption of smart glasses equipped with cameras and artificial intelligence tools has raised significant concerns over unconsented public surveillance and privacy violations. Experts point out that existing personal data...
23 Aug 2026
Concerns Over Biometric Surveillance and Facial Recognition in Public ProtestsThe deployment of facial recognition technology and biometric surveillance at protest sites has sparked debates regarding civil liberties and privacy rights. Legal experts and civil society groups warn against potential regulatory...
23 Aug 2026
Biometric Surveillance at Protest Sites Sparks Privacy DebateThe increasing deployment of automated Facial Recognition Technology (FRT) and biometric equipment by law enforcement at peaceful protest venues has stirred constitutional debates over privacy rights. Legal scholars argue that...
22 Aug 2026
Patna HC Rules Essential Religious Practice Doctrine Does Not Extend to Every Mode of WorshipThe Patna High Court ruled that constitutional protection under Article 25 extends only to essential and integral religious practices, not to every mode or manner of their exercise. The single bench reiterated that freedom of religion...
21 Aug 2026
Supreme Court Reaffirms Significance of MGNREGAThe Supreme Court of India praised the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGA), observing that it serves as a crucial social security net rather than a freebie or a measure of exploitation. The court was...
19 Aug 2026
Escalating Debates over Digital Governance and Platform RegulationRecent parliamentary and executive actions concerning social media platforms have sparked widespread debate over digital governance in India. Discussions center on balancing national security, user safety, and platform accountability...
17 Aug 2026
Bombay High Court Rules Minimum Wages for Community Health VolunteersThe Bombay High Court ruled that community health volunteers working with local government bodies are legally entitled to statutory minimum wages. The court directed authorities to pay the difference between the low honorarium...
16 Aug 2026
Meta Curbs Proactive Enforcement of Hate Speech in IndiaReports indicate that Meta has significantly reduced its proactive enforcement against hate speech, bullying, and harassment on Facebook and Instagram in India since June 2025. Concurrently, the platform has increased censorship of...
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July 2026
25 Jul 2026
Security Surveillance and Internet Shutdowns Spark Civil Rights DebatesA plea has been filed in the Delhi High Court challenging the arbitrary suspension of internet services near the Jantar Mantar protest site in Delhi. Simultaneously, report highlights show that law enforcement agencies are increasingly...
23 Jul 2026
States Lag in Mandatory CCTV Installation inside Police StationsRecent performance data reveals a stark contrast among Indian states in complying with Supreme Court directives to install CCTV cameras in all police stations to curb custodial violence. While Himachal Pradesh is currently the only...
23 Jul 2026
Legal Framework Governing Plainclothes Police Actions During ProtestsRecent political protests in India have triggered public debates over the legal guidelines governing plainclothes police officers during public demonstrations. Under Indian law, police officers are generally required to display clear...
22 Jul 2026
Allahabad High Court Delivers Split Verdict on Safeguards Against DemolitionsThe Allahabad High Court has delivered a split verdict regarding the institutional safeguards required against punitive executive demolitions, popularly known as "bulldozer justice". While one judge emphasized the absolute primacy of...
21 Jul 2026
Protests and Curfews Re-ignite Debate on Assembly RightsA crackdown on the Climate Justice Peace (CJP) march to Parliament in New Delhi has injured several protestors and led to the imposition of strict prohibitory orders. Activist Sonam Wangchuk has vowed to continue his fast until youth...
20 Jul 2026
Mandatory Registration of Live-In Relationships under MP UCCUnder the proposed Uniform Civil Code (UCC) framework for Madhya Pradesh, couples who fail to register their live-in relationships could face imprisonment or fines. This move mirrors similar provisions enacted in Uttarakhand, raising...
19 Jul 2026
Right to Protest and the Requirement of Police PermissionA series of protest marches in major cities have highlighted the legal balance between the fundamental right to peaceful assembly under Article 19(1)(b) and reasonable restrictions imposed by the state under Article 19(3). Under Indian...
19 Jul 2026
Supreme Court Scrutinizes Two-Child Norm in Local PollsThe Supreme Court has raised questions about the constitutional and social validity of the two-child rule enforced by several states for contesting panchayat and local body elections. The bench indicated a need to examine if such...
17 Jul 2026
Supreme Court intervenes in life-saving drug pricingThe Supreme Court of India has taken suo motu cognisance of a case concerning access to expensive life-saving medicines. The issue originated from a petition filed in the Kerala High Court by a breast cancer patient challenging the...
17 Jul 2026
Privacy debate over new US visa vetting rulesPrivacy experts have raised concerns over the United States' new social media vetting requirements for visa applicants, comparing the aggressive data-harvesting approach to authoritarian measures. While applicants technically have the...
17 Jul 2026
Supreme Court emphasizes duty to preserve life during protestsWhile hearing matters related to activist Sonam Wangchuk's fast, the Supreme Court reiterated that the state has a fundamental duty to preserve the life of a citizen on an indefinite fast. The court noted that this duty must be...
16 Jul 2026
Delhi High Court Mandates Medical Care for Sonam WangchukThe Delhi High Court has directed the government to conduct daily medical monitoring of climate activist Sonam Wangchuk, who is on an indefinite hunger strike for Ladakh's constitutional safeguards. The court accepted arguments that the...
16 Jul 2026
British Lawmakers Pass Landmark Assisted Dying LegislationBritish lawmakers in England and Wales have voted to approve the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill, legalizing assisted suicide for terminally ill adults. Under the strict terms of the bill, eligible adults must have an incurable...
15 Jul 2026
Goa Mandates Government Approval for Outside School SpeakersThe Goa government has issued a directive making it mandatory for schools to obtain official state approval before inviting outside speakers or hosting external organizations. While the administration frames this as a measure to protect...
13 Jul 2026
Supreme Court stays Madras HC blanket ban on cow slaughterThe Supreme Court of India has stayed an order of the Madras High Court that directed a blanket ban on the slaughter of cows and calves across Tamil Nadu. The High Court had issued the ban in May, leading to appeals regarding its impact...
10 Jul 2026
India's parallel regimes for OTT and theatrical releasesThe takedown of content like 'Satluj' has brought attention to India's parallel regulatory regimes for films. While theatrical releases are governed by the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC), OTT platforms fall under a different...
09 Jul 2026
West Bengal Public Safety Law Sparks Civil Liberties DebateWest Bengal recently passed new public safety and public order laws that have ignited an intense debate over preventive detention and constitutional safeguards. Critics argue that the legislation grants sweeping powers to the state...
09 Jul 2026
SC Considers Larger Bench for Written Grounds of ArrestThe Supreme Court is considering a reference to a larger bench to resolve conflicting rulings on whether authorities must provide written grounds of arrest to an accused. This arose during an appeal regarding bail, highlighting the need...
09 Jul 2026
New Policy Framework for Dignified Death in Terminal IllnessA state government has approved pioneering guidelines to ensure a dignified natural death for terminally-ill patients with zero prospects of recovery. The policy outlines protocols for withholding or withdrawing life-support systems...
08 Jul 2026
Supreme Court Upholds Admissibility of Partner's Hotel Records in DisputesThe Supreme Court of India upheld a wife's right to access her husband's hotel room records in matrimonial dispute proceedings. The bench ruled that while the right to privacy under Article 21 is fundamental, it can be balanced in the...
08 Jul 2026
High Court Clarifies Constitutional Stance on Moral Instruction in SchoolsRejecting a petition against the recitation of the Gayatri Mantra in state-aided schools, a High Court clarified that the Constitution does not ban moral instruction. The court distinguished moral teaching, which builds character and...
07 Jul 2026
Government and WhatsApp Hold Talks on Username FeatureThe Union government has granted WhatsApp a short extension to reply to its notice regarding a new username feature that allows users to chat without sharing phone numbers. While WhatsApp assured that the feature will not be rolled out...
07 Jul 2026
Delhi High Court Defines Media's Role as a Public FunctionThe Delhi High Court has ruled that the media performs a public function, which places a heavy responsibility on press organizations to verify facts before publishing. The judgment noted that while press freedom is a cornerstone of...
04 Jul 2026
Digital Accessibility as a Fundamental Right: Delhi HC Notice to ZEEThe Delhi High Court has issued a notice to ZEE regarding a plea demanding accessibility features for visually challenged users on its ZEE5 streaming platform during the FIFA World Cup. The petition emphasizes that digital platforms...
04 Jul 2026
Science and Law: The Mechanism and Admissibility of Polygraph TestsAmid police efforts to obtain judicial permission for polygraph tests in high-profile criminal investigations, the debate on "lie-detector" tests has resurfaced in India. Polygraph tests measure physiological indices such as blood...
Practise Fundamental Rights
10 of our latest questions on this topic (out of 35).
Question 1 of 10
Under Article 19(5) of the Constitution of India, the right of citizens to move freely throughout the territory of India can be restricted by law on which of the following grounds?
Mains practice
Public policy often faces the challenge of balancing regulatory interventions for equity with economic efficiency and democratic rights. Examine this dilemma with reference to recent issues concerning essential medicine price caps, macroeconomic stabilization, and institutional oversight.
15 marks
A welfare state must continually reconcile its regulatory powers with individual liberties and socio-economic equity. In light of recent developments, critically examine how executive actions balancing public order restrictions, essential commodity price controls, and targeted infrastructure delivery impact democratic governance and inclusive growth.
15 marks
Global macroeconomic volatility arising from energy shocks and trade frictions underscores the need for internal regulatory stability and ecological resilience. Discuss how India can insulate its domestic economy from external sector disruptions while safeguarding constitutional rights and climate fragile ecosystems.
15 marks
Previous years' questions
Past exam questions sorted by topic are coming here. Until then, the full papers are in our previous papers library.