GS-2Editorials22 August 2026thehindu.com

Noise annoys: On noise and the Patna High Court order

The Patna High Court, in the case of Surendra Prasad vs State of Bihar, has issued statewide directives to curb high-decibel noise pollution, criticizing the Bihar State Pollution Control Board and police for lax enforcement. The court emphasized the right to be protected from unlawful noise under Article 21 and directed proactive measures like routine enforcement, registration of sound operators, and specific timings for stopping loudspeakers, aiming for consistent enforcement despite challenges from social events and political considerations.

The Patna High Court, in the case of Surendra Prasad vs State of Bihar, has issued statewide directives to curb high-decibel noise pollution, criticizing the Bihar State Pollution Control Board and police for lax enforcement. The court emphasized the right to be protected from unlawful noise under Article 21 and directed proactive measures like routine enforcement, registration of sound operators, and specific timings for stopping loudspeakers, aiming for consistent enforcement despite challenges from social events and political considerations.

Exam linkage

GS Paper II - Indian Polity and Governance (Fundamental Rights, Judiciary, Constitutional Bodies, Government Policies and Interventions for Development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation).

Syllabus mapping

Indian Polity & GovernanceJudiciary & Judicial ReviewFundamental RightsFederal StructureParliament LegislaturesStatutory Quasi Judicial BodiesEnvironment Pollution EiaInternal Security Actors

This topic appears in Mains

Questions on Indian Polity & Governance come up regularly in GS papers. Practice writing an answer — and see exactly what earns marks.

Editorial & Review Process

Every current affairs analysis and practice question on UPSC Practice is researched using authoritative primary sources and reviewed for factual accuracy and syllabus relevance. Read our Editorial Policy.

Verified Quality