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Supreme Court ruling brings internet access for children into the fundamental-rights debate
খবরে কেন?
Internet for children as a fundamental right? First recall which Article secures education for ages six to fourteen
A Supreme Court ruling has put internet access for children in the fundamental-rights frame.
Why it matters: factual, Prelims-type
What you need to know
2 মিনিট
A Supreme Court ruling has been read as treating internet access for children as part of their fundamental rights, prompting discussion of its reach.
Courts have earlier linked internet access to the freedoms under Article 19 and to the right to life under Article 21.
The right of children aged six to fourteen to free and compulsory education is secured separately by Article 21A.
সূত্র: Topper IAS editorial (PIB / The Hindu / Indian Express)
মূল তথ্য
Remember these
- Article 21A (inserted by the 86th Amendment Act, 2002) makes free and compulsory education a fundamental right for children aged 6 to 14 years
- Article 21 guarantees the right to life and personal liberty
- Article 19(1)(a) covers freedom of speech and expression; courts have linked internet access to Article 19 freedoms
- The 86th Amendment also amended Article 45 and added the fundamental duty under Article 51A(k)
- The Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education (RTE) Act, 2009 gives effect to Article 21A
প্রিলিমস · মেইনস
How the exam will ask it
প্রিলিমস
- Article 21A, inserted by the 86th Constitutional Amendment Act, 2002, provides free and compulsory education to children aged six to fourteen years as a fundamental right.
- Courts have read internet access as linked to the freedoms under Article 19 and to the right to life under Article 21.
- The 86th Amendment Act, 2002 also added a fundamental duty under Article 51A(k) for parents and guardians to provide education opportunities to children aged six to fourteen.
মেইনস
GS-II (Polity, Judiciary, Social Justice): The issue is whether internet access for children can be treated as a fundamental right. Article 21 (as expanded by judicial interpretation), Article 19 and Article 21A, together with the RTE Act, 2009, form the constitutional base. The implication is a state duty to bridge the digital divide in education, and the way forward lies in affordable connectivity, school digital infrastructure and child-safety safeguards.
Quick recall
Answer before you reveal
The right of children aged six to fourteen years to free and compulsory education was made a fundamental right under Article 21A by which Constitutional Amendment?
- The 42nd Amendment Act, 1976
- The 44th Amendment Act, 1978
- The 73rd Amendment Act, 1992
- The 86th Amendment Act, 2002
উত্তর দেখুন
উত্তর: D — The correct answer is The 86th Amendment Act, 2002. It inserted Article 21A, and also amended Article 45 and added a fundamental duty under Article 51A(k).
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