GK Question

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The Preamble's equality commitment has guided digital inclusion jurisprudence: Supreme Court has recognized right to internet access as part of Article 19(1)(a), Digital India initiatives aim to bridge digital divide, reflecting that equality in digital age requires not just connectivity but ______ access to digital public infrastructure, services.

  1. economic
  2. equitable
  3. administrative
  4. military

Answer: equitable

Equality and digital inclusion from Preamble: (a) Preamble's equality promise: Not just formal equality (treating likes alike) but substantive equality (addressing structural inequalities to achieve real equality of opportunity), including digital inclusion, (b) Digital inclusion evolution: (i) Anuradha Bhasin (2020): Recognized freedom of speech, profession extend to internet medium; internet shutdowns subject to proportionality test, publication, judicial review, (ii) Digital India: Initiatives (BharatNet, Common Service Centres, Digital Saksharta) aim to bridge digital divide through infrastructure, access, literacy, (iii) DPDP Act, 2023: Data protection framework balances privacy with innovation; ensures digital services respect rights while enabling inclusion, (c) Equitable access dimensions: (i) Infrastructure: Broadband connectivity, electricity, devices in rural, remote areas enable digital participation, (ii) Literacy: Digital skills training, multilingual interfaces, accessible design enable meaningful use of digital services, (iii) Affordability: Subsidized data, devices, services ensure digital inclusion for economically vulnerable groups, (d) Applications: (i) E-governance: Digital public infrastructure (Aadhaar, UPI, DigiLocker) enables access to services, benefits, but requires safeguards against exclusion, profiling, (ii) Education: Digital learning platforms, resources expand educational access, but require offline alternatives, teacher support for equitable outcomes, (iii) Healthcare: Telemedicine, health apps expand healthcare access, but require physical infrastructure, human support for comprehensive care, (e) Illustrates transformative equality: Preamble's equality promise operationalized through digital inclusion jurisprudence; balance between technological innovation, rights protection, social inclusion essential for realizing constitutional vision of inclusive development in digital age.

Topic Preamble - Equality and Digital Inclusion
Exam Relevance Preamble equality and digital inclusion critical for UPSC Mains and Judiciary exams