GK Question

polity hard true_false

In digital governance, fair procedure under Article 21 requires that algorithmic decisions affecting citizens' rights include explainability, human oversight, and appeal mechanisms to satisfy natural justice principles.

  1. True
  2. False

Answer: True

Fair procedure in digital governance: (a) Algorithmic decision-making challenges: (i) Opacity: 'Black box' algorithms hard to understand/challenge, (ii) Bias: Algorithms may perpetuate historical discrimination, (iii) Scale: Automated decisions affect millions; errors have widespread impact, (b) Fair procedure requirements for algorithmic decisions: (i) Explainability: Citizens entitled to understand basis of decision affecting rights (linked to right to information, reasoned orders), (ii) Human oversight: Critical decisions (welfare denial, law enforcement) require human review, appeal, (iii) Appeal mechanism: Opportunity to challenge algorithmic decision before human authority, (iv) Data quality: Decisions based on accurate, non-discriminatory data, (c) Legal basis: Article 14 (equality), Article 21 (fair procedure), DPDP Act (data protection) — interpreted to require procedural safeguards for algorithmic governance, (d) Applications: (i) Welfare eligibility: Algorithmic screening must allow appeal, human review, (ii) Policing: Predictive policing algorithms require transparency, oversight to prevent bias, (iii) Credit scoring: Financial algorithms must provide explanations, appeal routes, (e) Balance: Efficiency of automation vs. fairness of procedure; Constitutional Morality requires technology serve rights, not undermine them. Illustrates adaptive administrative law: applying enduring fairness principles to emerging technological contexts.

Topic Administrative Law - Fair Procedure and Digital Governance
Exam Relevance Digital governance and fair procedure critical for UPSC Mains and Judiciary exams