What is Article 15 of indian constitution| Prohibition of Discrimination

 

What is Article 15 of indian constitution

 

Article 15 of the Indian Constitution – Prohibition of Discrimination

Posted on: August 10, 2025 | By: Admin – Indian Constitution Simplified

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When India became a free nation in 1947, it carried the heavy baggage of centuries of discrimination based on caste, religion, gender, and social status. The framers of the Constitution were determined to build a society where every person could stand equal in dignity and rights. One of the strongest steps they took was to include Article 15, which directly prohibits the State from discriminating against any citizen on specific grounds.

The exact words of Article 15(1) say:

“The State shall not discriminate against any citizen on grounds only of religion, race, caste, sex, place of birth or any of them.”

This simple but powerful sentence means that no law, policy, or government action can treat a citizen unfairly just because of their religion, their caste, whether they are male or female, their race, or the place where they were born.

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Historical Background

The roots of Article 15 lie in India’s painful history of social divisions. Under the British Raj, discriminatory laws often favoured certain communities while ignoring others. Before that, in many parts of India, caste-based restrictions controlled who could enter temples, use wells, or even walk on certain streets. Women were denied equal access to education and public life. Leaders like Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, Mahatma Gandhi, and Jawaharlal Nehru strongly opposed these inequalities. In the Constituent Assembly debates of 1948–49, members discussed how freedom would be meaningless unless citizens were protected from such discrimination.

Article 15 took inspiration from the U.S. Constitution’s Equal Protection Clause and international human rights principles, but it was carefully tailored to India’s unique social realities, especially caste.

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What Does Article 15 Cover?

While Article 14 gives the general principle of equality before law, Article 15 focuses specifically on prohibited grounds of discrimination. It doesn’t stop at just banning discrimination; it also empowers the State to make special provisions for certain groups to promote real equality.

For example:

• Article 15(3) allows special provisions for women and children.
• Article 15(4), added by the First Constitutional Amendment (1951), allows special provisions for socially and educationally backward classes, Scheduled Castes (SCs), and Scheduled Tribes (STs).
• Article 15(5), inserted by the 93rd Amendment (2005), allows reservations in educational institutions, including private institutions (except minority institutions).
• Article 15(6), inserted by the 103rd Amendment (2019), allows up to 10% reservation for economically weaker sections (EWS) in addition to existing reservations.

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Important Judgments

Several landmark cases have shaped the meaning of Article 15:

• State of Madras vs Champakam Dorairajan (1951) – Struck down caste-based reservations in educational institutions, which led to the First Amendment inserting Article 15(4).
• Indra Sawhney vs Union of India (1992) – Upheld OBC reservations but clarified that caste can be a factor for determining backwardness.
• Jarnail Singh vs Lachhmi Narain Gupta (2018) – Clarified the “creamy layer” principle for SC/ST promotions.
• Janhit Abhiyan vs Union of India (2022) – Upheld the 10% EWS reservation under Article 15(6).

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Real-Life Examples

Article 15 protects against:

• Denying a woman entry into a public park or government office just because of her gender.
• A State government refusing admission to a college based on a student’s religion or caste.
• Discriminatory advertisements for jobs in the public sector.
• Refusal of access to public spaces such as roads, restaurants, or hospitals for people from certain communities.

At the same time, it supports positive discrimination or affirmative action, like:

• Reserved seats for women in local bodies.
• Scholarships for SC/ST and OBC students.
• Hostels for girls in rural areas.

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Conclusion

Article 15 is a shield against the injustices that have haunted India for centuries. It doesn’t just promise formal equality; it actively encourages measures to uplift those who have been historically disadvantaged. In doing so, it strikes a balance between non-discrimination and social justice. In modern India, where issues like gender bias in tech, digital caste-based trolling, and economic inequality persist, Article 15 continues to be a vital tool to ensure that democracy is not just about casting votes, but also about living with dignity and fairness every day.

 

MCQs on Article 15 – Prohibition of Discrimination

1. Article 15 prohibits discrimination by the State on which of the following grounds?
A) Religion, race, caste, sex, place of birth
B) Age, wealth, education, height
C) Religion, language, gender, income
D) Caste, color, income, nationality
Answer: A

2. Which Article of the Indian Constitution specifically deals with the Prohibition of Discrimination?
A) Article 14
B) Article 15
C) Article 16
D) Article 17
Answer: B

3. Article 15(3) allows the State to make special provisions for:
A) Economically weaker sections only
B) Women and children
C) Minorities only
D) Scheduled Tribes only
Answer: B

4. Article 15(4) was inserted by which amendment?
A) First Amendment, 1951
B) Forty-second Amendment, 1976
C) Ninety-third Amendment, 2005
D) One Hundred Third Amendment, 2019
Answer: A

5. Article 15(4) allows special provisions for:
A) Farmers and industrial workers
B) Socially and educationally backward classes, SCs, and STs
C) Government employees only
D) Religious minorities only
Answer: B

6. Which amendment inserted Article 15(5)?
A) First Amendment, 1951
B) Forty-fourth Amendment, 1978
C) Ninety-third Amendment, 2005
D) One Hundred Third Amendment, 2019
Answer: C

7. Article 15(5) provides for:
A) Reservation in promotions
B) Reservation in educational institutions, including private ones (except minority institutions)
C) Reservation in Parliament
D) Reservation in police recruitment only
Answer: B

8. Article 15(6) was added by which amendment?
A) 93rd Amendment, 2005
B) 103rd Amendment, 2019
C) 44th Amendment, 1978
D) 86th Amendment, 2002
Answer: B

9. Article 15(6) provides for up to:
A) 5% reservation for EWS
B) 10% reservation for EWS
C) 15% reservation for EWS
D) 20% reservation for EWS
Answer: B

10. Which case led to the insertion of Article 15(4)?
A) Kesavananda Bharati vs State of Kerala
B) Champakam Dorairajan vs State of Madras
C) Indra Sawhney vs Union of India
D) Ashoka Kumar Thakur vs Union of India
Answer: B

11. Article 15 was inspired partly from which country’s Constitution?
A) USA
B) UK
C) France
D) Australia
Answer: A

12. In Champakam Dorairajan case (1951), the Supreme Court struck down:
A) Land reform laws
B) Caste-based reservations in educational institutions under State orders
C) Tax laws
D) Preventive detention laws
Answer: B

13. The phrase “socially and educationally backward classes” appears in:
A) Article 14
B) Article 15(4)
C) Article 16(4)
D) Both Article 15(4) and 16(4)
Answer: D

14. The First Amendment to the Constitution was passed in:
A) 1949
B) 1951
C) 1955
D) 1961
Answer: B

15. Which Article allows the State to make special provisions for women and children?
A) 14
B) 15(3)
C) 16(4)
D) 17
Answer: B

16. The 93rd Amendment inserted which clause in Article 15?
A) Clause (3)
B) Clause (4)
C) Clause (5)
D) Clause (6)
Answer: C

17. Which case upheld the validity of Article 15(5)?
A) Indra Sawhney case
B) Ashoka Kumar Thakur case
C) Maneka Gandhi case
D) Kesavananda Bharati case
Answer: B

18. Reservation for EWS under Article 15(6) was upheld in which case?
A) Kesavananda Bharati case
B) Janhit Abhiyan vs Union of India
C) Champakam Dorairajan case
D) Puttaswamy case
Answer: B

19. Which Article deals with abolition of untouchability?
A) 14
B) 15
C) 16
D) 17
Answer: D

20. Article 15 applies to:
A) Only the State
B) State and private citizens equally
C) Only Parliament
D) Only State governments
Answer: A

21. Does Article 15 prevent private discrimination?
A) Yes, fully
B) No, unless Parliament passes a law
C) Only in education and employment
D) Yes, but only for SC/ST
Answer: B

22. Special laws for reservation in educational institutions come under:
A) Article 14
B) Article 15(4) and 15(5)
C) Article 17
D) Article 19
Answer: B

23. The concept of “Protective Discrimination” is reflected in:
A) Article 14 only
B) Article 15 and 16
C) Article 17 only
D) Article 19 only
Answer: B

24. Who presided over the drafting of Article 15 in the Constituent Assembly?
A) Jawaharlal Nehru
B) Dr. Rajendra Prasad
C) Dr. B.R. Ambedkar
D) Sardar Patel
Answer: C

25. Which Article provides for equality of opportunity in public employment?
A) 14
B) 15
C) 16
D) 17
Answer: C

26. Article 15 primarily enforces which type of equality?
A) Political equality
B) Social equality
C) Economic equality
D) Cultural equality
Answer: B

27. Reservation for women in local bodies is enabled under:
A) Article 14
B) Article 15(3)
C) Article 17
D) Article 21
Answer: B

28. The “Golden Triangle” of rights involves Article 14, Article 19, and:
A) 15
B) 16
C) 21
D) 17
Answer: C

29. Which Article prohibits discrimination based on “place of birth”?
A) 14
B) 15
C) 16
D) Both 15 and 16
Answer: D

30. The main difference between Article 14 and 15 is that:
A) Article 14 is about general equality; Article 15 is about specific grounds
B) Article 14 is specific; Article 15 is general
C) Article 14 is only for citizens; Article 15 is for everyone
D) There is no difference
Answer: A

31. The term “economically weaker sections” was added by:
A) 42nd Amendment
B) 93rd Amendment
C) 103rd Amendment
D) 44th Amendment
Answer: C

32. Can Article 15(4) be used for religious reservations?
A) Yes
B) No, unless linked to backwardness
C) Only for minorities
D) Yes, for all religions equally
Answer: B

33. Who was the petitioner in the 1951 case that led to Article 15(4)?
A) M.C. Mehta
B) Keshavananda Bharati
C) Champakam Dorairajan
D) Ashoka Kumar Thakur
Answer: C

34. Reservation in promotions is covered under:
A) Article 15
B) Article 16(4A)
C) Article 17
D) Article 19
Answer: B

35. Which Article provides that no citizen shall be denied admission into State institutions on prohibited grounds?
A) 14
B) 15(2)
C) 16
D) 21A
Answer: B

36. Article 15(2) applies to:
A) Only government actions
B) Access to public places and facilities
C) Private family matters
D) International law
Answer: B

37. Which one is NOT a ground mentioned in Article 15(1)?
A) Religion
B) Race
C) Language
D) Caste
Answer: C

38. Article 15 is part of which Fundamental Right category?
A) Right to Equality
B) Right to Freedom
C) Right against Exploitation
D) Cultural and Educational Rights
Answer: A

39. Article 15(4) and 15(5) are examples of:
A) Negative discrimination
B) Positive discrimination (affirmative action)
C) Economic policy
D) Cultural rights
Answer: B

40. The Constitution came into force on:
A) 26 January 1949
B) 26 November 1949
C) 26 January 1950
D) 15 August 1950
Answer: C

41. Article 15(3) was originally in the Constitution from:
A) 1949
B) 1950
C) Added in 1951
D) Added in 2005
Answer: B

42. Which case upheld women’s reservation in local bodies?
A) Indra Sawhney case
B) G. Sundarrajan case
C) Rajesh Kumar Daria vs Rajasthan Public Service Commission
D) None of the above
Answer: C

43. Is Article 15 self-executing?
A) Yes, it can be enforced without law
B) No, it always needs legislation
C) Only in criminal matters
D) Only in civil matters
Answer: A

44. Who has the final authority to decide if a class is socially and educationally backward?
A) Parliament
B) State Legislature
C) Courts
D) Both Parliament and State Legislature, subject to judicial review
Answer: D

45. Which ground of discrimination is common to both Articles 15 and 16?
A) Language
B) Place of birth
C) Residence
D) Economic status
Answer: B

46. Article 15 protects against discrimination in:
A) Only public employment
B) Only criminal law
C) Access to public places, facilities, and State benefits
D) Private contracts only
Answer: C

47. Which one of these is allowed under Article 15(4)?
A) Caste-based untouchability
B) Educational reservations for backward classes
C) Religious conversion laws
D) Tax exemptions for rich people
Answer: B

48. Which category was added by the 103rd Amendment for reservation?
A) Socially and educationally backward classes
B) Economically weaker sections
C) Religious minorities
D) Migrants
Answer: B

49. Which ground is NOT mentioned in Article 15 but is in Article 16?
A) Residence
B) Caste
C) Sex
D) Race
Answer: A

50. Article 15 aims to promote:
A) Social equality and justice
B) Political equality only
C) Economic equality only
D) Cultural diversity
Answer: A