Table of Contents
Important Articles in the Indian Constitution: The Constitution of India, adopted on 26th January 1950, is the supreme law of the country. It lays down the framework of the government, fundamental rights and duties of citizens, powers of the legislature, executive, and judiciary, and the relationship between the Centre and the States.
The Indian Constitution comprises a collection of guidelines known as constitutional articles, which detail various laws and regulations. These articles pertain to a range of topics, including political structure, personal freedoms, and electoral processes, among others. At present, the Indian Constitution encompasses 448 articles divided into 25 sections, along with 12 schedules and 104 amendments. The Article here provides a list of all the important Articles in the Indian Constitution.
Articles in Indian Constitution
Let’s take a look at some of the important articles of the Indian Constitution.
- Article 14 – Right to Equality This article guarantees equality before the law and prohibits discrimination on the basis of religion, race, caste, sex, or place of birth.
- Article 19 – Freedom of Speech and Expression Article 19 gives citizens the right to express themselves freely through speech, writing, or any other form of communication.
- Article 21 – Right to Life and Personal Liberty Article 21 provides every person with the right to life and personal liberty, and protects them from arbitrary arrest and detention.
- Article 32 – Right to Constitutional Remedies This article grants the right to move the Supreme Court of India for the enforcement of fundamental rights.
- Article 44 – Uniform Civil Code Article 44 directs the state to strive towards a Uniform Civil Code throughout the territory of India, which will replace personal laws based on religion or community.
- Article 51A – Fundamental Duties Article 51A lays down the fundamental duties of every citizen, which include respecting the Constitution, promoting harmony, and protecting the natural environment.
- Article 243 – Panchayats and Municipalities This article provides for the establishment of Panchayats in rural areas and Municipalities in urban areas, which will have the power to govern their respective areas.
- Article 356 – President’s Rule Article 356 empowers the President of India to impose President’s Rule in a state in case of failure of the constitutional machinery in that state.
List of Important Articles in the Indian Constitution
Following is the list of important articles under the Indian Constitution:
- Article 12-35: Fundamental Rights
- Article 36-50: Directive Principle of State Policy (DPSP)
- Article 51A: Fundamental Duties
- Article 80: Number of Seats in Rajya Sabha
- Article 243-243 (o): Panchayati Raj Institutions
- Article 343: Hindi as Official Language
- Article 356: Imposition of President’s Rule
- Article 395: Repeals Indian Independence Act and Government of India Act 1919
Fundamental Rights Under the Indian Constitution
The fundamental rights are essential for the protection of the citizens of India and form the backbone of the Indian Constitution. They fall under part III of the Indian Constitution.
- Right to Equality (Articles 14-18): The right to equality ensures that every citizen of India is equal before the law and has equal protection of the law. It also prohibits discrimination on grounds of religion, race, caste, sex, or place of birth.
- Right to Freedom (Articles 19-22): The right to freedom includes the freedom of speech and expression, assembly, association, movement, and residence. It also guarantees the right to practice any profession, occupation, trade, or business.
- Right against Exploitation (Articles 23-24): This right prohibits human trafficking, forced labor, and child labor.
- Right to Freedom of Religion (Articles 25-28): The right to freedom of religion guarantees the freedom to profess, practice, and propagate any religion of one’s choice. It also ensures the freedom to manage religious affairs and to establish and maintain religious institutions.
- Cultural and Educational Rights (Articles 29-30): These rights protect the interests of minorities by guaranteeing the right to conserve their language, script, and culture. They also ensure that minorities have the right to establish and administer educational institutions of their choice.
- Right to Constitutional Remedies (Articles 32): This right provides for the enforcement of fundamental rights by giving citizens the right to move the Supreme Court for the enforcement of their rights.
Part IV of the Indian Constitution
Part IV of the Indian Constitution contains the Directive Principles of State Policy. Here are the articles in order:
- Article 36: Definition of State
- Article 37: Application of the principles contained in this Part
- Article 38: State to secure a social order for the promotion of the welfare of the people
- Article 39: Certain principles of policy to be followed by the State
- Article 39A: Equal justice and free legal aid
- Article 40: Organisation of village panchayats
- Article 41: Right to work, to education, and to public assistance in certain cases
- Article 42: Provision for just and humane conditions of work and maternity relief
- Article 44: Uniform civil code for the citizens
- Article 45: Provision for free and compulsory education for children
- Article 46: Promotion of educational and economic interests of Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and other weaker sections
- Article 48A: Protection and improvement of environment and safeguarding of forests and wildlife
- Article 50: Separation of Judiciary from the executive
- Article 51: Promotion of international peace and security
Part V of the Indian Constitution
Part V of the Indian Constitution deals with the Union Executive. The following are the important articles under Part V of the Indian Constitution:
- Article 52 – The President of India
- Article 53 – Executive power of the Union
- Article 56 – Term of office of President
- Article 58 – Qualifications for Election as President
- Article 60 – Oath or affirmation by the President
- Article 61 – Procedure for Impeachment of the President
- Article 63 – The Vice-President of India
- Article 64 – The Vice-President to be ex-officio Chairman of the Council of States
- Article 65 – The Vice-President to act as President or to discharge his functions during casual vacancies in the office, or during the absence, of President
- Article 67 – Term of office of Vice-President
- Article 69 – Oath or affirmation by the Vice-President
- Article 72 –Pardoning powers of President
- Article 74 –Council of ministers to aid and advise President
- Article 76 –Attorney General of India
- Article 79 –Constitution of Parliament
- Article 80 –Composition of Rajya Sabha
- Article 81 –Composition of Lok Sabha
- Article 83 –Duration of Houses of Parliament
- Article 93 –The speakers and Deputy speakers of the house of the people
- Article 105 –Powers, Privileges, etc. of the House of Parliament
- Article 110 –Definition of “Money Bills”
- Article 112 –Annual Financial Budget
- Article 123 –Powers of the President to promulgate Ordinances during recess of parliament
- Article 124 – Establishment of Supreme Court
- Article 126 –Appointment of acting Chief justice
- Article 127 –Appointment of ad-hoc judges
- Article 129 –Supreme Court to be a court of Record
- Article 130 –Seat of the Supreme Court
- Article 136 –Special leaves for an appeal to the Supreme Court
- Article 137 –Review of judgment or orders by the Supreme Court
- Article 141 –Decision of the Supreme Court binding on all the courts
- Article 148 –Comptroller and Auditor-General of India
- Article 149 –Duties and Powers of CAG.
Part VI of the Indian Constitution
Article 154 – Executive power of State.
156 Term of office of Governor.
157 Qualifications for appointment as Governor.
215 High Courts to be courts of record.
216 Constitution of High Courts.
217 Appointment and conditions of the office of a Judge of a High Court.
Part VIII of the Indian Constitution
Part VIII of the Indian Constitution deals with the Union Territories. The following are the important articles under Part VIII of the Indian Constitution:
239A Creation of local Legislatures or Council of Ministers or both for certain Union territories.
239AA Special provisions with respect to Delhi.
Part IX of the Indian Constitution
243B Constitution of Panchayats.
243C Composition of Panchayats.
243R Composition of Municipalities.