What is the difference between Article 15 and Article 16 of the Indian Constitution?

On a comparative basis, Article 16 deals with a very limited subject, viz., public employment. On the other hand, the scope of Article 15 (1) is much wider as it covers the entire range of state activities. The ambit of Article 16 (2) is restrictive in scope than that of Article 15 (1) because Article 16(2) is confined to employment or office under the state, meaning services under the Central and State Governments and their instrumentalities. However, Article 15 being more general in nature covers many varied situations of discrimination. Further, the prohibited grounds of discrimination under Article 16 (2) are somewhat wider than those under Article 15 (2) because Article 16 (2) prohibits discrimination on the additional grounds of descent and residence apart from religion, race, caste, sex and place of birth.


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