Phase IFoundation
Background
Overview
Civil servants must understand the constitutional guarantees of fundamental rights, their scope, limitations, and the delicate balance between individual liberties and state interests, especially in matters of public discourse and dissent.
Article 19(1)(a) of the Indian Constitution guarantees the fundamental right to freedom of speech and expression, allowing citizens to express their views freely. However, this right is not absolute and is subject to reasonable restrictions under Article 19(2) in the interest of sovereignty, integrity, security of the state, public order, decency, morality, contempt of court, defamation, or incitement to an offence.