Important Articles of the Indian Constitution for UPSC Prelims

The Constitution of India, originally adopted with 395 articles divided into 22 parts and 8 schedules, has expanded through constitutional amendments into 25 parts and 12 schedules. It forms the fundamental law of the land, detailing the organization of government branches, individual rights, administrative relations, and special provisions. A structured understanding of key articles across constitutional parts enables clear conceptual mastery of the Indian political system.

Union, Citizenship, and Fundamental Rights (Articles 1–35)

Union and Its Territory (Articles 1–4)

• Article 1: Declares India, that is Bharat, as a Union of States rather than a federation of states.
• Article 2: Empowers Parliament to admit into the Union, or establish, new states on terms and conditions it thinks fit.
• Article 3: Authorizes Parliament to form new states, alter the areas, boundaries, or names of existing states by ordinary legislative procedure.
• Article 4: Mandates that laws made under Articles 2 and 3 are not considered constitutional amendments under Article 368.

Citizenship (Articles 5–11)

• Article 5: Outlines citizenship at the commencement of the Constitution for individuals domiciled in India.
• Article 6 & 7: Regulate citizenship rights for persons who migrated from Pakistan to India and those who migrated to Pakistan and returned.
• Article 9: Mandates that any person who voluntarily acquires the citizenship of a foreign state automatically loses Indian citizenship.
• Article 11: Grants Parliament exclusive authority to regulate citizenship rights through legislation.

Fundamental Rights (Articles 12–35)

• Article 12: Defines the term “State” for the enforcement of Fundamental Rights.
• Article 13: Declares all laws inconsistent with or in derogation of Fundamental Rights null and void.
• Article 14: Guarantees equality before the law and equal protection of the laws within India.
• Article 15: Prohibits state discrimination against citizens on grounds only of religion, race, caste, sex, or place of birth.
• Article 16: Guarantees equality of opportunity for all citizens in matters of public employment.
• Article 17: Abolishes untouchability and forbids its practice in any form.
• Article 18: Abolishes titles, excluding military and academic distinctions.
• Article 19: Guarantees six fundamental freedoms: speech and expression, peaceful assembly, forming associations, free movement, residence, and practicing any profession.
• Article 20: Provides protection against ex-post-facto laws, double jeopardy, and self-incrimination.
• Article 21: Guarantees protection of life and personal liberty except according to procedure established by law.
• Article 21A: Mandates free and compulsory education for children aged 6 to 14 years.
• Article 22: Provides safeguards against arbitrary arrest and preventive detention.
• Article 23 & 24: Prohibit human trafficking, forced labor, and child employment in factories, mines, or hazardous environments.
• Article 25–28: Protect freedom of conscience, religious practice, management of religious affairs, and exemption from religious taxes or compulsory instruction.
• Article 29 & 30: Safeguard linguistic and cultural interests of minorities and their right to establish educational institutions.
• Article 32: Guarantees the right to move the Supreme Court for enforcement of Fundamental Rights via constitutional writs.

Directive Principles and Fundamental Duties (Articles 36–51A)

Directive Principles of State Policy (Articles 36–51)

• Article 38: Directs the State to secure a social order for promoting welfare and reducing income inequalities.
• Article 39A: Mandates equal justice and free legal aid to economically weaker sections.
• Article 40: Directs the State to organize village panchayats as units of self-government.
• Article 44: Directs the State to secure a Uniform Civil Code for all citizens across India.
• Article 45: Provides for early childhood care and education for children below six years of age.
• Article 50: Directs the separation of the judiciary from the executive in public services.
• Article 51: Promotes international peace and security and encourages settlement of disputes by arbitration.

Fundamental Duties (Article 51A)

• Article 51A: Added by the 42nd Amendment Act in 1976 on the recommendation of the Swaran Singh Committee, listing 11 fundamental duties expected of every Indian citizen.

Union Executive, Parliament, and Judiciary (Articles 52–151)

Union Executive and Parliament

• Article 52 & 53: Provide for the President of India and vest the executive power of the Union in the President.
• Article 54 & 55: Specify the electoral college and the election procedure for the President.
• Article 61: Details the procedure for the impeachment of the President.
• Article 72: Grants pardoning power to the President to suspend, remit, or commute sentences.
• Article 74 & 75: Mandate a Council of Ministers with the Prime Minister at the head to aid and advise the President.
• Article 76: Establishes the office of the Attorney General for India.
• Article 109 & 110: Outline special procedures for Money Bills and define the requirements of a Money Bill.
• Article 112: Governs the presentation of the Annual Financial Statement (Union Budget).
• Article 123: Grants power to the President to promulgate Ordinances during parliamentary recess.

Union Judiciary and CAG

• Article 124: Provides for the establishment and constitution of the Supreme Court of India.
• Article 129: Declares the Supreme Court as a Court of Record with power to punish for contempt.
• Article 131: Grants original jurisdiction to the Supreme Court in inter-governmental disputes.
• Article 136: Grants discretionary power to the Supreme Court to grant Special Leave to Appeal.
• Article 141: Declares law laid down by the Supreme Court binding on all courts within India.
• Article 143: Authorizes the President to consult the Supreme Court on questions of law or public importance.
• Article 148: Establishes the office of the Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG).

State Executive, Local Governance, and Center-State Relations (Articles 152–300A)

State Government and Local Bodies

• Article 153 & 154: Establish the Governor as the executive head of a state.
• Article 161: Grants pardoning power to the Governor.
• Article 213: Authorizes the Governor to promulgate Ordinances during legislative recess.
• Article 226: Empowers High Courts to issue writs for fundamental rights and other legal remedies.
• Article 243 to 243O: Detail the 73rd Constitutional Amendment provisions governing Panchayati Raj institutions.
• Article 243P to 243ZG: Detail the 74th Constitutional Amendment provisions governing Municipalities.

Union-State Relations and Property Rights

• Article 249: Empowers Parliament to legislate on matters in the State List in national interest.
• Article 262: Provides for the adjudication of disputes relating to waters of inter-state rivers.
• Article 263: Authorizes the President to establish an Inter-State Council.
• Article 280: Mandates the constitution of a Finance Commission every five years.
• Article 300A: Guarantees the right to property as a constitutional and legal right, created after removing it from Fundamental Rights via the 44th Amendment Act of 1978.

Emergency, Constitutional Bodies, and Amendments (Articles 312–368)

Key Statutory and Emergency Articles

Key Facts for Quick Revision

• The Indian Constitution originally contained 395 articles in 22 parts and 8 schedules when adopted in 1949.
• Article 1 describes India as a “Union of States” to emphasize that the federation is non-destructible and not formed by an agreement among states.
• Article 32 was described by Dr. B.R. Ambedkar as the “heart and soul of the Constitution” because it provides direct judicial enforcement of rights.
• Part IV-A containing Fundamental Duties (Article 51A) was added by the 42nd Constitutional Amendment Act, 1976.
• Article 123 allows the President to issue Ordinances, which must be approved by Parliament within six weeks of reassembly.
• Article 280 requires the President to constitute a Finance Commission every five years to recommend central tax distribution.
• Article 300A converted the Right to Property from a Fundamental Right into a legal right through the 44th Constitutional Amendment Act, 1978.
• Article 352 requires a written recommendation from the Union Cabinet before the President can proclaim a National Emergency.
• Article 368 grants constituent powers to Parliament to amend constitutional provisions by absolute and special majorities.