Article 15 of Indian Constitution, Provisions and Amendments

Article 15 of Indian Constitution: India is a democratic, secular, and socialist nation that is supported by a wide range of provisions that uphold the idea of fair treatment for all of its residents. Part III of the Indian Constitution, which includes six essential rights that act as the guardians of the constitution’s core principles, is crucial. Part III, often referred to as the “Indian Magna Carta,” contains Article 15, which promotes equality between people. In this article, we have covered Article 15 of Indian Constitution in detail.

Article 15

Article 15 of Indian Constitution prohibits discrimination on grounds of religion, race, caste, gender, or birthplace. It extends the principle of equality from Article 14 to specific contexts, preventing targeted classifications. Article provision promotes a just and inclusive society, safeguarding individuals from unjust treatment. It reflects India’s commitment to upholding fundamental rights and combating discrimination.

Article 15 of Indian Constitution

The Article 15 of the Indian Constitution states: “Prevention of differentiation based on religion, race, caste, gender, or place of birth.”

• The State is prohibited from discriminating against any citizen based solely on religion, race, caste, sex, or place of birth.
• Citizens cannot face any disability, liability, restriction, or condition solely due to religion, race, caste, sex, or place of birth in regard to:

Article 15 of Indian Constitution on Access to shops, public restaurants, hotels, and places of public entertainment.
Use of wells, tanks, bathing ghats, roads, and places of public resort funded by the State or meant for public use.

• Special provisions for women and children are allowed despite the provisions of this article 15 of Indian constitution.
• The State retains the right to make special provisions for the progress of socially and educationally backward classes, Scheduled Castes, and Scheduled Tribes, irrespective of the provisions of this article or clause (2) of Article 29.

Article 15 of Indian Constitution Amendments

The Indian Constitution Article 15 has undergone revisions, and comprehension of these amendments requires knowledge of the relevant case law. To help applicants grasp the law more clearly, we’ve included the pertinent case laws below.

Provisions of Article 15 of Indian Constitution

Article 15 holds significant importance within the Indian Constitution, serving as a crucial provision that staunchly upholds the principle of non-discrimination based on specific criteria. This pivotal article distinctly recognizes religion, race, caste, gender, and place of birth as the outlined grounds. To provide a clearer understanding, the provisions of Article 15 are succinctly outlined in the table below:

Reservations Under Article 15 of Indian Constitution

Reservation for OBC Under Article 15(5) of Indian Constitution

Article 15 of the Indian Constitution has paved the way for inclusive education through reservation initiatives. Under Article 15(5) of Indian Constitution, the Central Educational Institutions (Reservation in Admission) Act, 2006 was enacted, establishing a pivotal milestone. This legislation has brought forth a significant development – a 27% reservation quota for candidates hailing from the Other Backward Classes (OBC) in all central higher educational institutions. This encompassing initiative encompasses prestigious institutions like IIMs and IITs, ensuring a fair and diverse representation.

Reservation for EWS Article 15(6) Reservation for OBC Under Article 15(5) 

The Indian Constitution, under Article 15(6), initiated a noteworthy provision. In 2019, the central government took a significant step by issuing an order that extends 10% reservation to Economically Weaker Sections (EWSs) in educational admissions under Article 15 of the Indian Constitution. This innovative reservation framework is tailored for EWS candidates who do not fall under the existing reservation categories for Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST), or Other Backward Classes (OBC). This proactive approach is a testament to India’s commitment to fostering equitable access to education.

Article 15 of Indian Constitution PDF

Article 15 of the Indian Constitution: Aspiring candidates can conveniently retrieve this PDF document whenever needed. It’s recommended that candidates download and retain the notes on Article 15 of the Indian Constitution, ensuring continuous access. This resource proves invaluable for comprehensive revision, especially while preparing for imminent UPSC examinations. For a broader understanding of the topics to focus on, kindly consult the UPSC exam syllabus provided below. This will provide insights into additional subjects worth preparing for.

Article 15 of Indian Constitution PDF (Link Inactive)

Article 15 of Indian Constitution Notes

The provisions of Article 15 in the Indian Constitution are as follows:

Article 15 holds a significant and indispensable place within the framework of the Indian Constitution. It explicitly declares that discrimination shall not be permitted based on specific criteria. These criteria encompass religion, race, caste, gender, or place of birth. The stipulations set forth by Article 15 are enumerated as follows:

Article 15 (1) of the Indian Constitution: This clause firmly establishes that the State shall refrain from practicing discrimination against any citizen solely on the grounds of religion, race, caste, gender, place of birth, or any combination thereof.

Article 15 (2) of the Indian Constitution: This provision outlines that no citizen, solely due to considerations of religion, race, gender, place of birth, caste, or any combination of these factors, shall be subjected to any form of restriction, disability, liability, or condition regarding:

(a) Access to establishments like shops, hotels, public restaurants, and venues for public entertainment;

(b) Usage of facilities such as tanks, bathing ghats, wells, roads, and places of communal recreation that are either wholly or partially funded by the State or dedicated to public use.

Amendments to Article 15 of Indian Constitution

Article 15 of Indian Constitution has undergone specific amendments that warrant comprehension in light of relevant case law. These case laws are furnished below to enhance candidates’ comprehension.

Article 15(3) of Indian Constitution: This clause empowers the State to adopt special measures to safeguard the interests of women and children. It advocates for gender parity by facilitating free education for children and reserving seats for women in municipal councils.

In the case of Revathi v. Union of India (1998), the Supreme Court elucidated that the term “for” within this clause signifies that governments can extend additional attention to women and children without entailing discriminatory practices.

Article 15(4) of Indian Constitution: This segment of Article 15 grants the State authority to enact amendments aimed at the upliftment of marginalized segments of society, including scheduled castes and scheduled tribes. For instance, educational institutions funded by public resources may offer fee concessions or reserved seats. This provision is enshrined within the First Amendment Act of 1951.

Article 15(5) of Indian Constitution: Irrespective of state assistance, the State can institute special arrangements for the advancement of socially or educationally disadvantaged citizens, along with scheduled tribes and scheduled castes, regarding admissions to educational institutions, including private ones. Minority educational institutions remain an exception.

The incorporation of this particular amendment to Article 15 of Indian Constitution took place via the 93rd Constitutional Amendment Act of 2005. In the case of Ashok Kumar Thakur v. Union of India, the Supreme Court upheld the legality of the 93rd Constitutional Amendment Act of 2005.

Article 15(6) of Indian Constitution: The State is empowered to undertake measures for the economic betterment of citizens. Except for minority educational institutions, the State may reserve up to 10% of seats in educational institutions, including private ones, regardless of state aid. This 10% quota supplements the existing reservations.

To achieve this, the State must identify and caution economically weaker sections based on family income and other indicators of economic disadvantage. This amendment was integrated into the Indian Constitution through the 103rd Amendment Act of 2019.

Article 15 of Indian Constitution UPSC

In spite of its enormous diversity, Article 15 has served as a sturdy bedrock that has helped Indian society overcome misogyny, racism, and the rigidity of the caste system. The oppressed are actively protected by its persistent effect, which actively halts the spread of prejudice.

The influence of Article 15 is firm and constant, which is an important aspect to understand. It acts as a steadfast barrier against prejudice, regardless of whether it is motivated by a person’s place of birth, gender, color, caste, or religion. People have experienced numerous types of discrimination throughout history, and this phrase refers to a broad range of injustices.

Sharing is caring!