UPSC Prelims 2011 Q46: Indian Polity – Political Theory & Concepts
Consider the following:
1. Right to education.
2. Right to equal access to public service.
3. Right to food.
Which of the above is/are Human Right/Human Rights under “Universal Declaration of Human
Rights”?
- (a) 1 only
- (b) 1 and 2 only
- (c) 3 only
- (d) 1, 2 and 3
Answer: (d) 1, 2 and 3
Explanation
Which of these are Human Rights under the UDHR
The Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR, 1948) covers a broad range of civil, political, economic and social rights.
| Right | Verdict | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Right to education | Correct | Article 26 of the UDHR explicitly guarantees the right to education |
| 2. Right to equal access to public service | Correct | Article 21 guarantees equal access to public service in one's country |
| 3. Right to food | Correct | Covered under Article 25's right to an adequate standard of living, which includes food |
UDHR coverage:
| Point | Detail |
|---|---|
| Adopted | 1948, UN General Assembly |
| Scope | Civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights |
| Education right | Article 26 |
| Public-service access | Article 21 |
| Food (adequate living standard) | Article 25 |
Answer: (d) 1, 2 and 3.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Incorrect. Rights 2 and 3 (public service access, food) are also UDHR rights, so '1 only' is too narrow.
- (b) Incorrect. Right 3 (food, under Article 25) is also covered, so this combination is incomplete.
- (c) Incorrect. Rights 1 and 2 (education, public service access) are also covered, so '3 only' is far too narrow.
- (d) CORRECT. The UDHR covers all three: education (Art. 26), equal public-service access (Art. 21), and food as part of an adequate standard of living (Art. 25).
Key point
UDHR (1948) covers education (Art. 26), equal access to public service (Art. 21), and food within the right to an adequate standard of living (Art. 25) — all three listed rights are genuine Human Rights under it.
Remember
UDHR Human Rights: education (Art.26), equal public-service access (Art.21), food under adequate living standard (Art.25) — all three valid.
Common mistakes
- Assuming the UDHR is limited to civil/political rights and excludes social-economic ones like food.
- Not knowing Article 21 covers equal public-service access specifically.
- Underestimating how broad the UDHR's rights catalogue actually is.
Exam tip
The UDHR is broad: civil, political, AND socio-economic rights (education, work, food, public service access) are all included.
Sources
- United Nations — Universal Declaration of Human Rights, 1948 (full text)
- Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights — UDHR article-by-article guide