DNA Testing, Paternity Disputes and Article 21 Privacy Balance
2026-06-10 GS-2 Polity / Fundamental Rights / Judiciary + GS-3 BiotechnologyMediumSource: The Hindu
Static Link (Preview)
Article 21, Right to Privacy, bodily autonomy, Section 112 of Indian Evidence Act / Section 116 of Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam, DNA technology, paternity jurisprudence.
UPSC Trap (Preview)
A common trap will be: “DNA test can be ordered as a matter of routine in all paternity disputes.” This is wrong. Courts require exceptional circumstances and balancing.
Possible MCQ Question
Q.
Compulsory DNA testing in paternity disputes involves a conflict between scientific truth and constitutional privacy. Discuss with reference to recent judicial approach.
- A.1.Right to Privacy is protected under Article 21 after the Puttaswamy judgment.
- B.2.DNA testing is the first resort in all paternity disputes.
- C.3.A child born during a valid marriage is generally presumed legitimate under law.
- D.4.Courts may consider scientific evidence where legal presumption conflicts with truth, but only after careful judicial scrutiny.
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