Which one of the following statements is correct ?
- (a) Rights are claims of the State against the citizens.
- (b) Rights are privileges which are incorporated in the Constitution of a State.
- (c) Rights are claims of the citizens against the State. ✓ UPSC's answer
- (d) Rights are privileges of a few citizens against the many.
Why the answer is (c)
• Rights are the claims of individuals recognised by society and enforced by the State; fundamental rights in particular are claims of citizens against the State, limiting its power (Articles 12–13 make the State the addressee) — option (c).
• Laski: rights are 'those conditions of social life without which no man can seek to be himself at his best'.
• Hence option (c).
Why the other options are wrong
- (a) Rights are claims of the State against the citizens.
- Rights run from citizens against the State, not the reverse.
- (b) Rights are privileges which are incorporated in the Constitution of a State.
- Rights are entitlements, not privileges.
- (d) Rights are privileges of a few citizens against the many.
- Rights belong to all, not a few.
Asked in the GS Paper I of the UPSC Civil Services Preliminary Examination 2017, held on 18 June 2017. Question and answer key: Union Public Service Commission. Explanation: UPSC Answer Check.