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31 July 2026

Supreme Court on use of pellet guns

The topic involves a significant judicial stance on the use of force by security agencies, touching upon constitutional tests of proportionality and human rights, which are core themes for GS2 and GS3.

1 min read 2 questions 1 prelims

Notes

  • Supreme Court (SC) stance: Pellet guns are considered part of a 'graded police response' for crowd control in exceptional circumstances.
  • Judicial approach: The SC is hesitant to impose a blanket ban but is willing to examine specific instances of indiscriminate or arbitrary use.
  • Constitutional tests: Petitioners argue that the use of projectile-activated guns (PAG) fails the tests of necessity, proportionality, and reasonableness.
  • Police reforms: The SC suggested that providing police with better protective gear could allow personnel more time to assess situations before resorting to force.
  • Psychological impact: A 2018 study by Government Medical College, Srinagar, on 380 pellet victims revealed high rates of depression (30.38%), adjustment disorder (16.92%), and PTSD (10.77%).
  • Demographics: The majority of victims in the 2018 study were in the 10-30 age group, with eye injuries being the most common (260 cases).
  • Legal status: The SC has directed petitioners to amend their plea to specifically challenge the rules or protocols governing the use of pellet guns by law enforcement.

Questions

  1. Discuss the constitutional challenges associated with the use of non-lethal weapons like pellet guns in crowd control, specifically regarding the principles of proportionality and necessity. 150 words
    Attempt this — 150 words in 8 min
    0 / 150 words 8:00
  2. The use of force by law enforcement agencies in democratic societies must balance public order with the protection of human rights. In this context, evaluate the need for police reforms, including the adoption of better protective gear and standardized protocols for crowd management. 250 words
    Attempt this — 250 words in 11 min
    0 / 250 words 11:00

Prelims

  1. According to the 2018 study by Government Medical College, Srinagar, which of the following was the most prevalent psychiatric condition reported among pellet gun victims?

Syllabus

Topics

Sources

250words.in · https://250words.in/daily/2026-07-31/supreme-court-on-use-of-pellet-guns