UPSC Previous Year Question | Prelims GS | 2017

Which one of the following statements is correct?

  1. Rights are claims of the State against the citizens.
  2. Rights are privileges which are incorporated in the Constitution of a State.
  3. Rights are claims of the citizens against the State.
  4. Rights are privileges of a few citizens against the many.

Answer

Correct Answer

Rights are claims of the citizens against the State.

Explanation

Rights are essentially claims that individuals (citizens) have against the State and society, which the State is obligated to protect, not the other way around.

Topics: nature of rights, political theory, polity and governance, rights and duties