Fundamental Rights: the groups and their Articles
The enforceable rights in Articles 12 to 35, grouped into families, that a person can take straight to the Supreme Court.
What the paper can ask
- The families: equality (Articles 14 to 18), freedom (19 to 22), against exploitation (23 and 24), religion (25 to 28), culture and education (29 and 30), remedies (32).
- Article 32 lets a person move the Supreme Court directly for enforcement through writs; Ambedkar called it the very soul of the Constitution and the very heart of it.
- Rights such as life and personal liberty and freedom of religion cover every person; the freedoms listed in Article 19 are for citizens only.
- Article 24 bars employment of young children in factories, mines and other hazardous work; Article 23 bans human trafficking and forced labour.
Why exams ask
Setters ask which Article houses which right, the writs, what was removed or added by amendment, and which rights survive an Emergency.
The full story
The Fundamental Rights occupy Articles 12 to 35. They bind the State and can be enforced in court, unlike the Directive Principles. The families: equality (14 to 18), freedom (19 to 22), against exploitation (23 and 24), religion (25 to 28), culture and education (29 and 30), remedies (32). Some rights belong to every person in India; the Article 19 freedoms only to citizens.
Test yourself
1.Which Congress session of 1931 adopted resolutions on Fundamental Rights and National Economic Programme?
Correct. The Karachi session (March 1931, Patel presiding) adopted the resolution on Fundamental Rights and economic policy drafted by Nehru, and endorsed the Gandhi-Irwin Pact.
Not quite. The Karachi session (March 1931, Patel presiding) adopted the resolution on Fundamental Rights and economic policy drafted by Nehru, and endorsed the Gandhi-Irwin Pact. It goes into your error book.
2.Fundamental Rights are contained in which Part of the Constitution of India?
Correct. Part III (Articles 12 to 35) contains the Fundamental Rights. Part IV has the Directive Principles and Part IVA the Fundamental Duties.
Not quite. Part III (Articles 12 to 35) contains the Fundamental Rights. Part IV has the Directive Principles and Part IVA the Fundamental Duties. It goes into your error book.
3.Which Article of the Constitution abolishes untouchability?
Correct. Article 17 abolishes 'Untouchability' and forbids its practice in any form. Article 18 abolishes titles.
Not quite. Article 17 abolishes 'Untouchability' and forbids its practice in any form. Article 18 abolishes titles. It goes into your error book.