Fundamental Rights in India appear in Part III of the Constitution, encompassing Articles 12 to 35. These rights guarantee essential freedoms and protections to all citizens for the development of their personalities and maintaining equality, liberty, and justice. Historically, the concept of Fundamental Rights in India was inspired by various democratic documents, primarily drawing from the Constitution of the United States and the Bill of Rights of England, along with influences from other countries. The framers of the Indian Constitution incorporated these rights to ensure the protection of civil liberties and to promote social justice in a newly independent democratic nation. Part III of the Constitution systematically enshrines these rights, making them justiciable and enforceable by the courts, including rights like equality before law, freedom of speech, freedom of religion, and protection against exploitation.
The six fundamental rights in India along with their article.
- Right to Equality (Articles 14–18)
- Right to Freedom (Articles 19–22)
- Right against Exploitation (Articles 23–24)
- Right to Freedom of Religion (Articles 25–28)
- Cultural and Educational Rights (Articles 29–30)
- Right to Constitutional Remedies (Articles 32–35)
Detailed Articles of Fundamental Rights
Here is a detailed table of each article under the Fundamental Rights of India as enshrined in Part III (Articles 12 to 35) of the Indian Constitution. These rights are categorized into six groups:
| Article No. | Title / Subject | Details |
|---|---|---|
| 12 | Definition of State | Defines “State” for enforcing fundamental rights. |
| 13 | Laws inconsistent with or in derogation of Fundamental Rights | Declares laws inconsistent with Fundamental Rights void. |
| 14 | Equality before law | Guarantees equality before the law and equal protection of laws within India. |
| 15 | Prohibition of discrimination | Prohibits discrimination on grounds of religion, race, caste, sex, or place of birth. |
| 16 | Equality of opportunity | Provides equality of opportunity in public employment and prohibits discrimination therein. |
| 17 | Abolition of untouchability | Abolishes untouchability in any form and forbids its practice. |
| 18 | Abolition of titles | Abolishes all titles except military and academic distinctions. |
| 19 | Protection of certain rights regarding freedom | Grants six freedoms: speech & expression, assembly, association, movement, residence, and profession/business practice. |
| 20 | Protection in respect of conviction for offenses | Protects against ex post facto laws, double jeopardy, self-incrimination, and excessive punishment. |
| 21 | Protection of life and personal liberty | Protects life and personal liberty except as per procedure established by law; right to privacy recognized under this article. |
| 21A | Right to education | Provides free and compulsory education to children aged 6–14 years. |
| 22 | Protection against arrest and detention | Safeguards relating to arrest, legal representation, and timely judicial review. |
| 23 | Prohibition of trafficking in human beings and forced labor | Prohibits human trafficking, forced labor, and begar. |
| 24 | Prohibition of child labor | Prohibits employment of children below 14 years in factories and hazardous jobs. |
| 25 | Freedom of conscience and religion | Guarantees freedom of conscience and free profession, practice, and propagation of religion. |
| 26 | Freedom to manage religious affairs | Freedom to manage religious institutions and affairs. |
| 27 | Freedom from payment of taxes for promotion of any particular religion | Exempts taxes for promoting any particular religion. |
| 28 | Freedom from attending religious instruction or worship in certain educational institutions | Prohibits compulsory attendance at religious instruction/worship in certain educational institutions. |
| 29 | Protection of interests of minorities | Protects cultural, linguistic, and religious minorities and their rights to conserve their culture and language. |
| 30 | Right of minorities to establish and administer educational institutions | Minorities have the right to run educational institutions of their choice. |
| 31 | (Repealed) | Originally the right to property, now a legal right under Article 300A. |
| 32 | Remedies for enforcement of Fundamental Rights | Guarantees the right to constitutional remedies through the Supreme Court (writ jurisdiction). |
| 33 | Power of Parliament to modify Fundamental Rights for Armed Forces | Parliament can modify rights for armed forces and other security forces. |
| 34 | Restriction on Fundamental Rights in areas under martial law | Restricts rights when martial law is in force in any area. |
| 35 | Legislation to give effect to Fundamental Rights | Parliament empowered to enact laws to implement Fundamental Rights provisions. |
This table summarizes the scope and content of the Fundamental Rights provided in the Constitution of India, which aim to protect individual liberties and ensure equality, freedom, and justice