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19 August 2026

Supreme Court on NEET-UG paper leak protests

The topic involves significant constitutional questions regarding the use of Article 142, the right to protest, and the proportionality of surveillance technology like FRS, which are core themes in GS2 judiciary and constitutional law.

1 min read Day 17 of 25 2 questions 1 prelims

Notes

  • Supreme Court (SC) invoked Article 142 to facilitate the quashing of FIRs against students involved in peaceful NEET-UG protests.
  • The SC distinguished between peaceful student protesters and individuals with serious criminal antecedents (e.g., murder, rape, narcotics offences).
  • Delhi Police identified 2,873 individuals with serious criminal backgrounds at the protest site using Facial Recognition System (FRS).
  • The SC is examining the 'proportionality' of using FRS for policing, specifically whether it constitutes excessive surveillance or violates privacy.
  • Delhi Police maintains that FRS is a legitimate, proportionate policing tool used only to identify hardened criminals, not peaceful protesters.
  • The SC plans to establish a high-powered committee to investigate allegations of excessive police force, including the use of tear gas and lathi charges.
  • The court emphasized that the right to protest must be balanced against the maintenance of law and order, protecting those who protest peacefully.

Part of a longer story

This is day 17 of 25 in Protests against police conduct and state security measures, which has been running since 25 July 2026. Reading it whole is usually worth more than reading today alone — the exam asks how something developed.

Questions

  1. Discuss the scope and significance of Article 142 of the Constitution in ensuring substantive justice, particularly in the context of protecting the fundamental right to peaceful protest. 150 words
    Attempt this — 150 words in 8 min
    0 / 150 words 8:00
  2. The deployment of Facial Recognition Systems (FRS) by law enforcement agencies raises critical questions regarding the balance between state security and the right to privacy. Analyze the principle of 'proportionality' in the context of modern surveillance technologies in India. 250 words
    Attempt this — 250 words in 11 min
    0 / 250 words 11:00

Prelims

  1. Which Article of the Indian Constitution empowers the Supreme Court to pass such decrees or orders as are necessary for doing 'complete justice' in any cause or matter pending before it?

Syllabus

Topics

Sources

250words.in · https://250words.in/daily/2026-08-19/supreme-court-on-neet-ug-paper-leak-protests