Phase IFoundation
Background
Overview
UPSC frequently tests the interplay between state powers, technological advancements, and fundamental rights, especially in the context of governance, law, and ethics. The proportionality test and the chilling effect are key legal principles relevant to democratic functioning.
The Indian Constitution guarantees fundamental rights, including the right to privacy (Article 21) and the right to freedom of speech and expression, which includes the right to protest peacefully (Article 19(1)(a) and (b)). State surveillance, particularly through advanced technologies like facial recognition, raises critical questions about the balance between national security/public order and individual liberties.