polity hard Fill in the Blank

Constitutional Morality in the digital age requires applying enduring values (privacy, equality, dignity) to emerging challenges like algorithmic bias, data surveillance, and digital exclusion, guided by the ______ test to balance innovation with rights protection.

  1. Wednesbury
  2. proportionality
  3. rational basis
  4. strict scrutiny

Answer: proportionality

Constitutional Morality in digital governance: (a) Enduring values: Privacy (Puttaswamy), equality (Article 14), dignity (Article 21) provide normative framework for digital rights, (b) Emerging challenges: (i) Algorithmic bias: AI systems may perpetuate discrimination; require fairness audits, (ii) Data surveillance: State/corporate access to personal data; require transparency, oversight, (iii) Digital exclusion: Elderly, rural, disabled populations left behind; require inclusive design, accessibility standards, (c) Proportionality test application: (i) Legitimate aim: Innovation, security, welfare efficiency, (ii) Rational connection: Technology must serve stated purpose, (iii) Necessity: Least restrictive alternative (e.g., targeted vs mass surveillance), (iv) Balancing: Benefits must outweigh privacy intrusion, exclusion risks, (d) DPDP Act, 2023: Framework for balancing innovation with rights protection. Illustrates adaptive constitutionalism: applying enduring values to emerging technological contexts through calibrated judicial review.

Topic Constitutional Morality - Digital Age Application
Exam Relevance Digital rights and constitutional morality critical for UPSC Mains and current affairs exams