Phase IFoundation
Background
Overview
This concept is central to Indian Polity (GS2) and Governance. UPSC frequently examines the constitutional safeguards for fundamental rights, the role of the judiciary in protecting them, and the ethical dilemmas faced by the state when balancing security imperatives with individual freedoms.
Civil liberties are fundamental rights and freedoms guaranteed to individuals by law, protecting them from arbitrary interference by the government. State overreach occurs when government actions, often in the name of national security or public order, infringe upon these liberties beyond what is legally and constitutionally permissible, leading to concerns about human rights and democratic principles.