Indian Constitution: 40 Key Articles Every Competitive Exam Aspirant Must Know

Article 1 defines India as a Union of States (not a federation), emphasising the indestructibility of the Union.

Article 2 empowers Parliament to admit or establish new states.

Article 3 allows Parliament to form new states, alter boundaries, change names — but requires the President's recommendation and the concerned state legislature's views.

Article 4 clarifies that laws made under Articles 2 and 3 are not amendments under Article 368.

Exam tip: Telangana was formed from Andhra Pradesh in 2014 under Article 3. J&K's reorganisation in 2019 also used Article 3.

Fundamental Rights are guaranteed to all citizens (and some to all persons) and are justiciable — you can approach courts if they are violated.

Article 12 defines "State" broadly to include government, Parliament, state legislatures, and all authorities under the Government.

Article 13 makes any law that takes away or abridges Fundamental Rights void to the extent of the inconsistency.

Article 14 — Equality before law and equal protection of laws. Based on the concept of "like should be treated alike."

Article 15 — Prohibition of discrimination on grounds of religion, race, caste, sex, or place of birth. The State can make special provisions for women, children, and backward classes.

Article 16 — Equality of opportunity in public employment. Allows reservations for backward classes.

Article 17 — Abolition of untouchability. Enforcement of untouchability is an offence. (The Protection of Civil Rights Act, 1955 gives effect to this.)

Article 18 — Abolition of titles. No citizen shall accept any title from a foreign state. Military and academic distinctions are allowed.

Article 19 — Six freedoms: (1) speech & expression, (2) assemble peaceably, (3) form associations, (4) move freely throughout India, (5) reside & settle in any part of India, (6) practise any profession. (Right to property was removed by the 44th Amendment 1978.)

Article 20 — Protection in respect of conviction for offences: no ex-post-facto law, no double jeopardy, no self-incrimination.

Article 21 — Right to life and personal liberty. The Supreme Court has expanded this to include right to livelihood, privacy, dignity, education, health, and clean environment.

Article 21A — Right to education (6–14 years), added by the 86th Constitutional Amendment, 2002.

Article 22 — Protection against arbitrary arrest and detention. Right to be informed of grounds of arrest, right to consult a lawyer, production before magistrate within 24 hours.

Article 23 — Prohibition of traffic in human beings and forced labour.

Article 24 — Prohibition of employment of children below 14 years in factories, mines, or hazardous employment.

Articles 25–28 — Freedom of religion: right to profess, practise, and propagate religion; freedom of religious institutions to manage their affairs; no compulsory religious instruction in state-funded schools.

Article 32 — Right to constitutional remedies. Dr. B.R. Ambedkar called this the "heart and soul of the Constitution." The Supreme Court can issue five writs: Habeas Corpus, Mandamus, Prohibition, Certiorari, and Quo Warranto.

DPSPs are non-justiciable (cannot be enforced in court) but are fundamental to governance. They are borrowed from the Irish Constitution.

Article 39A — Equal justice and free legal aid (added by 42nd Amendment, 1976).

Article 40 — Organisation of village panchayats.

Article 44 — Uniform Civil Code — one of the most debated DPSPs.

Article 45 — Early childhood care and education for children below 6 (amended by 86th Amendment; 6–14 years moved to FR under Article 21A).

Article 48A — Protection and improvement of environment and safeguarding of forests and wildlife (added by 42nd Amendment).

Article 51 — Promotion of international peace and security.

Added by the 42nd Amendment (1976) on the recommendation of the Swaran Singh Committee. Originally 10 duties; an 11th duty was added by the 86th Amendment (2002) — duty of parents to provide opportunities for education to children aged 6–14.

Key duties include: abiding by the Constitution, cherishing noble ideals of freedom struggle, upholding sovereignty, defending the country, promoting harmony, protecting the environment, developing scientific temper, and safeguarding public property.

Article 352 — National Emergency: Can be proclaimed in case of war, external aggression, or armed rebellion. Requires Cabinet recommendation in writing and approval by 2/3rd majority of Parliament.

Article 356 — President's Rule (State Emergency): When constitutional machinery fails in a state. Based on the Governor's report or otherwise. Approved every 6 months by Parliament (maximum 3 years).

Article 360 — Financial Emergency: When financial stability of India or any part is threatened. Has never been proclaimed in India.

The 44th Amendment (1978) replaced the word "internal disturbance" with "armed rebellion" in Article 352, making it harder to impose National Emergency.

Article 72 — President's pardoning power (Reprieve, Respite, Remission, Pardon, Commutation).

Article 74 — Council of Ministers to aid and advise the President.

Article 110 — Definition of Money Bill; the Speaker certifies a bill as a Money Bill.

Article 123 — Ordinance-making power of President when Parliament is not in session.

Article 124 — Establishment of Supreme Court of India.

Article 148 — Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) of India.

Article 280 — Finance Commission — constituted every 5 years to recommend distribution of taxes between Centre and States.

Article 300A — Right to property (moved from Fundamental Rights to a constitutional right by 44th Amendment).

Article 312 — All India Services (IAS, IPS, IFS).

Article 324 — Election Commission of India — superintendence, direction, and control of elections.

Article 343 — Hindi in Devanagari script as the official language of the Union.

Article 368 — Power and procedure to amend the Constitution.