What is Article 18 of indian constitution| Abolition of Titles

 

What is Article 18 of indian constitution

Article 18 – Abolition of Titles

Introduction

When India became a Republic, one of the big ideas was to ensure that no special titles or privileges would create inequality among citizens. The Constitution makers wanted a society where dignity and merit mattered more than hereditary honours or colonial decorations.

Article 18 serves exactly this purpose — it abolishes titles that can be a barrier to equality. It is a direct extension of Article 14 (Right to Equality) and is aimed at removing social distinctions that were often exploited under monarchy and colonial rule.

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Text of Article 18

Article 18 has four clauses:

1.   No title (except military or academic distinction) shall be conferred by the State.

2.   No citizen of India shall accept any title from any foreign State.

3.   No foreigner holding any office of profit or trust under the State shall accept any title from any foreign State without the President’s consent.

4.   No person holding any office of profit or trust under the State shall accept any present, emolument, or office from any foreign State without the President’s consent.

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Historical Background

• British Era: The colonial government used titles like Rai Bahadur, Khan Bahadur, Sir, and Lord to reward loyalty and maintain control.
• Post-Independence Vision: Dr. B.R. Ambedkar and others believed such titles created artificial hierarchies and should be abolished.
• Constituent Assembly Debates: It was decided that while academic degrees and military honours would remain, hereditary or honorific titles should go.

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Meaning and Scope

• Titles Abolished: Hereditary titles, nobility ranks, and colonial-style honours.
• Allowed Exceptions:
• Academic titles like Doctor, Professor, Ph.D.
• Military distinctions like Param Vir Chakra, Vir Chakra, Ashok Chakra.
• State Awards: Awards like Bharat Ratna, Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan, and Padma Shri are not considered titles in the constitutional sense — but they cannot be used as prefixes or suffixes before a person’s name.

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Judicial Interpretation

• Balaji Raghavan v. Union of India (1996) – Supreme Court upheld national awards but said they cannot be used as titles or as a prefix/suffix to names.
• Indira Jaising v. Supreme Court of India (2017) – Reiterated that awards should not create a class hierarchy among citizens.

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Examples

• Not Allowed:
• Calling someone Sir or Lord officially as a conferred title.
• Accepting a foreign knighthood without President’s permission.
• Allowed:
• Using Dr. for someone with a medical or academic degree.
• Honouring soldiers with Param Vir Chakra.

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Why Article 18 is Important

• Prevents creation of an artificial aristocracy.
• Upholds the principle of equality in a democratic society.
• Keeps honours merit-based and free from hereditary privileges.

 

 MCQs – Article 18: Abolition of Titles

1. Article 18 is part of which Fundamental Right?
A) Right to Freedom
B) Right to Equality
C) Right against Exploitation
D) Right to Constitutional Remedies
Answer: B – Falls under Part III, Right to Equality.

2. What does Article 18 primarily abolish?
A) Caste system
B) Titles
C) Forced labour
D) Untouchability
Answer: B – It focuses on titles.

3. Which of these is an exception under Article 18?
A) Sir
B) Lord
C) Param Vir Chakra
D) Rai Bahadur
Answer: C – Military distinctions are allowed.

4. The ban on titles applies to:
A) Only citizens
B) Only foreigners
C) Both citizens and foreigners
D) State governments only
Answer: C – But different clauses for each.

5. Can a citizen accept a foreign title?
A) Yes, freely
B) Yes, with President’s consent
C) No, absolutely prohibited
D) Only if Parliament allows
Answer: C – Citizens can’t accept any foreign title.

6. Can a foreigner holding office in India accept a foreign title?
A) Yes
B) Yes, with President’s consent
C) No
D) Only if PM allows
Answer: B – Needs President’s permission.

7. Which Article stops officials from accepting gifts from foreign States?
A) Article 15
B) Article 18(4)
C) Article 19
D) Article 21
Answer: B – Clause (4) covers this.

8. Academic degrees are:
A) Allowed under Article 18
B) Prohibited under Article 18
C) Allowed only with approval
D) Not mentioned
Answer: A – Educational qualifications are fine.

9. Bharat Ratna is:
A) A title
B) A national award
C) A hereditary honour
D) A military rank
Answer: B – Not a title, but cannot be used as prefix/suffix.

10. Which case upheld that national awards are not “titles” under Article 18?
A) Kesavananda Bharati Case
B) Balaji Raghavan Case
C) Indra Sawhney Case
D) Minerva Mills Case
Answer: B – 1996 SC judgment.

11. Which British-era titles were common before Article 18?
A) Rai Bahadur, Khan Bahadur
B) Professor, Doctor
C) Param Vir Chakra
D) Major, Colonel
Answer: A – Colonial-era honours.

12. Article 18 came into force on:
A) 15 August 1947
B) 26 January 1950
C) 1 April 1951
D) 2 October 1949
Answer: B – Same day as Constitution.

13. Which organ of government gives permission to accept foreign honours?
A) Parliament
B) Prime Minister
C) President
D) Supreme Court
Answer: C – President’s consent required.

14. “Abolition of titles” aims to prevent:
A) Corruption
B) Aristocracy
C) Censorship
D) Secession
Answer: B – Prevents creation of nobility.

15. The phrase “no title” in Article 18 excludes:
A) Awards
B) Academic distinctions
C) Hereditary nobility
D) Honorary prefixes
Answer: B – Degrees and diplomas allowed.

16. The SC in Balaji Raghavan case said national awards:
A) Are unconstitutional
B) Are constitutional but not to be used as titles
C) Can be used as prefixes
D) Can only be given to politicians
Answer: B – They’re valid but can’t precede names.

17. Which Article prohibits hereditary titles?
A) 14
B) 17
C) 18
D) 20
Answer: C – Article 18.

18. Can a soldier use his gallantry award as a title?
A) Yes
B) No
C) Only with President’s consent
D) Only if Parliament passes a resolution
Answer: B – Cannot prefix it to his name.

19. Who among the following can accept a foreign title without restriction?
A) Any citizen
B) Foreign tourist
C) Indian MP
D) Governor
Answer: B – Not bound unless holding office under State.

20. Which Fundamental Right does Article 18 strengthen?
A) Freedom of speech
B) Equality before law
C) Protection against arbitrary arrest
D) Freedom of religion
Answer: B – Equality.

21. “No person holding any office of profit or trust under the State…” refers to:
A) Only President and PM
B) All government employees
C) Only Ministers
D) Judges only
Answer: B – All such positions.

22. Padma Awards are given for:
A) Sports only
B) Exceptional service in various fields
C) Only for soldiers
D) Only for scientists
Answer: B – For excellence in multiple areas.

23. The idea to abolish titles came from:
A) British Parliament
B) French Revolution ideals
C) American Constitution
D) Russian Constitution
Answer: B – Equality principles of French Revolution.

24. Which word is common to all clauses of Article 18?
A) Freedom
B) Title
C) Equality
D) Honor
Answer: B – All relate to titles.

25. The President can permit acceptance of:
A) Any hereditary title
B) Military distinctions from other countries
C) Hereditary foreign knighthoods
D) Colonial nobility
Answer: B – But not hereditary titles.

26. Can an Indian citizen receive Nobel Prize?
A) Yes
B) No
C) Only with PM’s permission
D) Only if given by Indian govt
Answer: A – It’s not a “title” in constitutional sense.

27. Which clause prohibits foreigners from accepting foreign titles without consent?
A) Clause (1)
B) Clause (2)
C) Clause (3)
D) Clause (4)
Answer: C – Specifically about foreigners in Indian service.

28. Which clause deals with gifts from foreign States?
A) (1)
B) (2)
C) (3)
D) (4)
Answer: D – Clause (4).

29. A “title” here means:
A) Book name
B) Honorary or hereditary designation
C) Job title
D) Degree name
Answer: B – Social/official honour.

30. Can an Indian government employee receive a foreign honorary doctorate?
A) Yes, freely
B) Yes, with President’s consent
C) No, never
D) Only if from UN
Answer: B – Clause (4) applies.

31. Are sports awards like Arjuna Award banned?
A) Yes
B) No
C) Only for politicians
D) Only for soldiers
Answer: B – They’re not considered “titles”.

32. Article 18 prohibits the creation of:
A) Caste
B) Political parties
C) Nobility
D) Labour unions
Answer: C – Prevents nobility classes.

33. Which year was the Balaji Raghavan case decided?
A) 1976
B) 1989
C) 1996
D) 2005
Answer: C – 1996.

34. Which Article is closely related to Article 18’s purpose?
A) 14
B) 19
C) 21
D) 32
Answer: A – Equality before law.

35. Can a citizen use “Sir” as part of their legal name after getting UK knighthood?
A) Yes
B) No
C) Only in UK
D) Only with Parliament’s permission
Answer: B – Violates Article 18.

36. Does Article 18 ban honorary prefixes given socially by communities?
A) Yes
B) No
C) Only for politicians
D) Only for soldiers
Answer: B – Applies to State-conferred titles.

37. Which is NOT an exception under Article 18?
A) Ph.D. degree
B) Padma Bhushan
C) Hereditary Maharaja
D) Param Vir Chakra
Answer: C – Hereditary titles banned.

38. “No title except military or academic distinction” appears in which clause?
A) (1)
B) (2)
C) (3)
D) (4)
Answer: A – Clause (1).

39. Can a civil servant accept an award from the UN?
A) Yes
B) Yes, with President’s consent
C) No
D) Only if Parliament says so
Answer: B – Consent needed.

40. Is the Bharat Ratna a hereditary title?
A) Yes
B) No
C) Only for MPs
D) Only for soldiers
Answer: B – It’s a non-hereditary award.

41. Which word in Article 18 shows it’s absolute for citizens?
A) No
B) Except
C) Without
D) None of these
Answer: A – “No title” is unconditional for citizens.

42. Which colonial practice did Article 18 end?
A) Zamindari
B) Granting of titles for loyalty
C) Compulsory military service
D) Press censorship
Answer: B – Titles for loyalty.

43. Which Fundamental Right includes both Article 17 and Article 18?
A) Right to Equality
B) Right to Freedom
C) Right against Exploitation
D) Right to Constitutional Remedies
Answer: A – Part III.

44. Can a film star use Padma Shri as a prefix?
A) Yes
B) No
C) Only in films
D) Only in awards ceremony
Answer: B – Can’t be used as a title.

45. “Title” in Article 18 means:
A) Designation
B) Social honour
C) Academic qualification
D) Both A and B
Answer: B – Social honour conferred by State.

46. Which freedom is indirectly strengthened by Article 18?
A) Political freedom
B) Economic freedom
C) Social equality
D) Religious freedom
Answer: C – Ensures no status-based hierarchy.

47. Which Indian President awarded the first Bharat Ratna?
A) Dr. Rajendra Prasad
B) Dr. S. Radhakrishnan
C) Zakir Husain
D) V.V. Giri
Answer: A – In 1954.

48. Can an Indian MP accept a gift from a foreign head of state?
A) Yes
B) Yes, with President’s consent
C) No
D) Only if Parliament approves
Answer: B – Clause (4).

49. Can a citizen put “Sir” before his name if it’s just his nickname?
A) Yes
B) No
C) Only in social media
D) Only in family circles
Answer: A – If it’s not State-conferred.

50. The primary objective of Article 18 is to:
A) Maintain foreign relations
B) Protect state security
C) Promote equality by abolishing special titles
D) Encourage higher education
Answer: C – Equality is the main goal.