Supreme Court Upholds Right to Privacy in Digital Surveillance Case
The Supreme Court of India has delivered a landmark judgment reinforcing that digital surveillance must meet the triple test of legality, necessity, and proportionality.
Key Points for Quick Revision
- Reiterated the 'triple test' for privacy: Legality, Necessity, Proportionality.
- National security is not a free pass for state surveillance.
- Reinforces the 2017 K.S. Puttaswamy judgment.
- Mandates judicial oversight for digital interceptions.
How This Topic is Tested in Competitive Exams
| Exam | Frequency | Approx. Marks | What Gets Asked |
|---|---|---|---|
| UPSC / State PCS | Very High | 15–25 | Polity is a core UPSC subject. Both Prelims and Mains test constitutional provisions in depth. |
| SSC (CGL / CHSL / MTS) | High | 4–6 | Questions on constitutional amendments, Parliament, and schemes appear in every SSC paper. |
| State PCS / PSC | High | 5–10 | State PCS papers test both central and state government structures. |
What to Memorize from This Topic
- Article numbers related to the topic (e.g., Article 356 for President's Rule)
- Constitutional bodies: composition, tenure, appointment authority
- Recent amendments and their impact
- Supreme Court / High Court judgements mentioned in news
- Government schemes: ministry, launch year, beneficiaries
Practice Questions
Q1. Which landmark judgment first declared the Right to Privacy as a Fundamental Right in India?
- Kesavananda Bharati Case
- K.S. Puttaswamy Case
- Maneka Gandhi Case
- Golaknath Case
Explanation: The K.S. Puttaswamy vs. Union of India (2017) judgment declared the Right to Privacy as a fundamental right under Article 21.
Q2. According to the SC, what are the three criteria for state interference with privacy?
- Legality, Necessity, Proportionality
- Security, Economy, Policy
- Law, Order, Peace
- Authority, Power, Control
Explanation: The 'triple test' consists of Legality (backed by law), Necessity (legitimate aim), and Proportionality.
How to Prepare Indian Polity & Governance for Government Exams
Map every news item to an Article or provision in the Constitution. This is what UPSC Prelims directly tests.
For SSC and Railway, focus on the practical side — who appoints whom, term lengths, and what each body does.
Note the date and context of any constitutional amendment or ordinance. Questions are often framed around the 'first time' or 'most recent' event.