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| Fundamental Rights (Part III) of the Indian Constitution |
🇮🇳 Fundamental Rights (Part III of the Indian Constitution)
📜 Articles 12 to 35
🗓️ Introduced in: 1950 (original Constitution)
📌 Enforceable by courts (except Art. 31A, 31B, 31C)
✅ What Are Fundamental Rights?
Fundamental Rights are the basic human rights guaranteed by the Indian Constitution to all citizens. They are justiciable, meaning you can approach the Supreme Court or High Courts if they are violated (Article 32 & 226).
🌟 List of Fundamental Rights
| No. | Name of Right | Articles |
|---|---|---|
| 1️⃣ | Right to Equality | Articles 14–18 |
| 2️⃣ | Right to Freedom | Articles 19–22 |
| 3️⃣ | Right Against Exploitation | Articles 23–24 |
| 4️⃣ | Right to Freedom of Religion | Articles 25–28 |
| 5️⃣ | Cultural and Educational Rights | Articles 29–30 |
| 6️⃣ | Right to Constitutional Remedies | Article 32 |
🧾 Explanation of Each Fundamental Right with Examples
1️⃣ Right to Equality (Articles 14–18)
| Article | Provision |
|---|---|
| 14 | Equality before law; Equal protection of laws |
| 15 | No discrimination on religion, race, caste, sex, or place of birth |
| 16 | Equality of opportunity in public employment |
| 17 | Abolition of untouchability (punishable offense) |
| 18 | Abolition of titles (like Raja, Nawab, etc.) |
✅ Example: A school or hospital cannot deny services based on caste.
2️⃣ Right to Freedom (Articles 19–22)
| Article | Provision |
|---|---|
| 19 | Six freedoms: |
a. Speech & expression
b. Assembly
c. Association
d. Movement
e. Residence
f. Profession |
| 20 | Protection in respect of conviction – no double punishment, no retroactive laws |
| 21 | Right to life and personal liberty (expanded to include right to privacy, clean environment, education, etc.) |
| 21A | Right to Education (added by 86th Amendment – free & compulsory education for children 6–14 years) |
| 22 | Protection against arbitrary arrest and detention |
✅ Example: You can hold peaceful protests (Art. 19); cannot be jailed without legal process (Art. 21).
3️⃣ Right Against Exploitation (Articles 23–24)
| Article | Provision |
|---|---|
| 23 | Prohibits human trafficking and forced labor |
| 24 | Prohibits child labor in hazardous jobs (below age 14) |
✅ Example: Bonded labor is illegal; children can't be employed in mines/factories.
4️⃣ Right to Freedom of Religion (Articles 25–28)
| Article | Provision |
|---|---|
| 25 | Freedom of conscience, practice, and propagation of religion |
| 26 | Freedom to manage religious affairs |
| 27 | No tax for promotion of any particular religion |
| 28 | No religious instruction in government-funded institutions |
✅ Example: Citizens can freely follow any religion or even no religion at all.
5️⃣ Cultural and Educational Rights (Articles 29–30)
| Article | Provision |
|---|---|
| 29 | Right to conserve one’s culture, script, or language |
| 30 | Minorities (religious or linguistic) can establish and manage their own schools |
✅ Example: A Tamil-speaking minority in Maharashtra can open its own language school.
6️⃣ Right to Constitutional Remedies (Article 32)
| Article | Provision |
|---|---|
| 32 | Right to move the Supreme Court directly if any fundamental right is violated |
✅ Example: If your right to speech is denied, you can approach the SC using a writ like Habeas Corpus, Mandamus, Prohibition, Certiorari, or Quo-Warranto.
👨⚖️ Dr. B. R. Ambedkar called Article 32 the “heart and soul” of the Constitution.
🛡️ Important Points
-
Reasonable restrictions can be imposed on rights (especially on freedom of speech, assembly, etc.).
-
Rights are not absolute — they must balance with public order, morality, security, etc.
-
Some rights are available only to citizens (e.g., Article 19); others to all persons (e.g., Article 21).
📘 Summary Table
| Right | Articles | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Equality | 14–18 | Equal treatment for all |
| Freedom | 19–22 | Speech, life, movement, education |
| Against Exploitation | 23–24 | No trafficking or child labor |
| Freedom of Religion | 25–28 | Freedom of belief and worship |
| Cultural & Educational Rights | 29–30 | Protection of minority cultures |
| Constitutional Remedies | 32 | Right to move courts if rights are violated |
Here is a Flowchart of the Fundamental Rights (Part III) of the Indian Constitution for easy understanding and memorization:
📊 Flowchart: Fundamental Rights (Articles 12–35)
🧾 Under Part III of the Constitution
📘 Fundamental Rights (Part III)
Articles 12–35
│
┌──────────────────────────┼───────────────────────────┐
▼ ▼ ▼
1️⃣ Right to Equality 2️⃣ Right to Freedom 3️⃣ Right Against Exploitation
(Art. 14–18) (Art. 19–22) (Art. 23–24)
│ │ │
├─ Art. 14 – Equality ├─ Art. 19 – 6 Freedoms ├─ Art. 23 – No trafficking
├─ Art. 15 – No ├─ Art. 20 – Protection └─ Art. 24 – No child labour
discrimination in criminal offences
├─ Art. 16 – Public jobs ├─ Art. 21 – Right to life
├─ Art. 17 – No ├─ Art. 21A – Education
untouchability └─ Art. 22 – Arrest rights
└─ Art. 18 – No titles
▼ ▼ ▼
4️⃣ Right to Freedom 5️⃣ Cultural & 6️⃣ Constitutional
of Religion Educational Rights Remedies
(Art. 25–28) (Art. 29–30) (Art. 32)
│ │ │
├─ Art. 25 – Practice ├─ Art. 29 – Culture └─ Art. 32 – Writs
any religion └─ Art. 30 – Minority for rights protection
├─ Art. 26 – Manage institutions
religious affairs
├─ Art. 27 – No tax for
religion
└─ Art. 28 – No religious
teaching in govt. schools
🧠 Tips to Remember:
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📖 Equality: 14–18
-
🕊 Freedom: 19–22
-
🚫 Exploitation: 23–24
-
🛐 Religion: 25–28
-
🎓 Culture & Education: 29–30
-
⚖️ Remedy: 32
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