Daily Current Affairs Quiz: December 06, 2025

Statement 1 is incorrect: Article 21 primarily protects individuals against arbitrary actions of the State, not private individuals. The term “State” under Article 12 includes Government bodies, local authorities, and agencies under government control. However, courts have held that the State must prevent violations of life and liberty by private individuals as well (positive obligation).

Statement 2 is correct: The Supreme Court in the landmark Francis Coralie Mullin vs. Union Territory of Delhi (1981) and Maneka Gandhi vs. Union of India (1978) cases held that the right to life under Article 21 means much more than mere animal existence. It includes the right to live with human dignity, which covers a clean environment, livelihood, shelter, education, health, and other conditions necessary to live a meaningful life.

Statement 3 is correct: The Supreme Court in K.S. Puttaswamy vs. Union of India (2017) unanimously held that the right to privacy is a fundamental right intrinsic to life and personal liberty under Article 21. It includes privacy of body, mind, personal data, autonomy, and protection from arbitrary State intrusion. The judgment overturned earlier rulings like M.P. Sharma (1954) and Kharak Singh (1962).

Statement 4 is incorrect: The Supreme Court in Ramlila Maidan Incident Case (2012) held that the right to sleep peacefully is a part of the right to life under Article 21, as uninterrupted sleep is essential to human dignity and mental and physical health. Forcible disturbance of peaceful sleep amounts to violation of fundamental rights.

Option (a) is incorrect: Affirmative action is not intended as a permanent arrangement or a tool to provide perpetual advantages. It is a temporary, need-based measure designed to uplift historically disadvantaged groups until real equality is achieved.

Option (b) is incorrect: Affirmative action is not considered reverse discrimination. It is recognised as positive discrimination and is constitutionally valid because it enables substantive equality rather than treating unequal groups as equal.

Option (c) is correct: Affirmative action aims to remedy the cumulative effects of historical oppression, social exclusion, and lack of opportunities faced by marginalised groups. It seeks to create a level playing field and promote social justice.

Option (d) is incorrect: Legal equality alone cannot eliminate deep-rooted structural inequalities. Social and economic barriers persist despite equal laws, and therefore additional supportive measures like affirmative action are required to achieve real equality.

Statement 1 is incorrect: The right to freedom of speech and expression under Article 19(1)(a) is not absolute. It is subject to reasonable restrictions under Article 19(2) on grounds such as sovereignty and integrity of India, public order, decency, morality, defamation, and contempt of court.

Statement 2 is correct: The Right to Equality under Articles 14-18 guarantees equality before law (a negative concept ensuring no special privileges) and equal protection of laws (a positive concept allowing differential treatment based on reasonable classification). This applies to all persons within the territory of India, including citizens and foreigners.

Statement 3 is correct: Article 32 guarantees the Right to Constitutional Remedies, enabling individuals to approach the Supreme Court or High Courts for enforcement of Fundamental Rights. Citizens can seek writs such as habeas corpus, mandamus, prohibition, certiorari, and quo warranto. Dr. B.R. Ambedkar described this right as the “heart and soul of the Constitution.”

Statement 1 is correct: Abolition of Untouchability is a Fundamental Right under Article 17 of the Constitution. It prohibits the practice of untouchability in any form and declares its enforcement as a punishable offence under law (Civil Rights Protection Act, 1955 & SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act).

Statement 2 is correct: Protection against arbitrary arrest is part of the right to personal liberty under Article 22, which provides safeguards such as being informed of grounds of arrest, right to consult a lawyer, and production before a magistrate within 24 hours. It ensures legal protection against unjust detention.

Statement 3 is correct: Protection of the language, script, and culture of minorities is guaranteed under Article 29. It grants minority communities the right to preserve their distinct identity and prevents discrimination in admission to educational institutions maintained or aided by the State.

Pair 1 is correct: Habeas Corpus is a writ issued by the court to ensure that a person who is detained is produced before the court so that the legality of the detention can be examined. If the detention is found unlawful, the person is ordered to be released immediately. It is an important safeguard of personal liberty.

Pair 2 is correct: Mandamus is issued by a court to direct a public authority, government official, lower court, or statutory body to perform a duty that they are legally obligated to perform but have failed or refused to do. It cannot be issued against private individuals or for discretionary functions. It ensures responsible functioning of public bodies.

Pair 3 is correct: Prohibition is issued by a higher court to a lower court, tribunal or quasi-judicial body to stop it from proceeding with a case that lies outside its jurisdiction. It prevents excess or abuse of judicial power during the process of a trial. It is preventive in nature and issued before judgment is passed.

Pair 4 is correct: Certiorari is issued by a higher court to quash an order, judgment, or decision of a lower court or tribunal that has acted without jurisdiction, violated procedure, or committed an error of law. Unlike Prohibition, it is corrective in nature and issued after the decision has been delivered to rectify injustice.