Indian Constitution: Key Articles

• These are articles of the Indian Constitution

Articles of Indian Constitution

• Part I (Articles 1-4): The Union and its Territory

  • Article 1 establishes "India, that is Bharat" as a Union of States and defines territorial boundaries
  • Articles 2-4 empower Parliament to admit or establish new states, reorganize existing states, alter boundaries, and make consequential amendments

• Part II (Articles 5-11): Citizenship

  • Article 5 determines who became citizens at the commencement of the Constitution
  • Articles 6-7 address citizenship for migrants from Pakistan and those migrating to Pakistan
  • Articles 8-10 provide for citizenship by registration for persons of Indian origin residing outside India, persons in incorporated territories, and continued citizenship despite residency abroad
  • Article 11 empowers Parliament to regulate citizenship through legislation

• Part III (Articles 12-35): Fundamental Rights

  • Article 12 defines "State" to include governments, legislatures, and authorities within India
  • Article 13 establishes judicial review of laws inconsistent with fundamental rights
  • Article 14 guarantees equality before law and equal protection of laws
  • Article 15 prohibits discrimination while permitting special provisions for disadvantaged groups
  • Article 16 ensures equality of opportunity in public employment with provisions for reservations
  • Article 17 abolishes untouchability and forbids its practice
  • Article 18 prohibits conferment of titles other than military or academic distinctions
  • Article 19 protects six fundamental freedoms: speech, assembly, association, movement, residence, and profession
  • Articles 21-22 guarantee right to life and personal liberty, and protection against certain detentions
  • Article 21A makes free and compulsory education a fundamental right for children aged 6-14
  • Articles 31-31C concern property rights and saving clauses for certain laws
  • Article 32 provides the right to constitutional remedies to approach the Supreme Court for enforcement of fundamental rights

• Part IV (Articles 36-51): Directive Principles of State Policy

  • Article 36 defines "State" similar to Article 12
  • Article 37 establishes the non-justiciable but fundamental nature of these principles
  • Article 38 directs the State to secure a social order for welfare promotion
  • Article 39 outlines economic justice principles
  • Article 50 calls for separation of judiciary from executive
  • Article 51 promotes international peace and cooperation

• Part IVA (Article 51A): Fundamental Duties

  • Article 51A enumerates fundamental duties of citizens, including respecting national symbols and promoting harmony

• Part V (Articles 52-151): The Union Government

  • Article 74 provides for a Council of Ministers headed by Prime Minister to advise the President
  • Article 75 details ministerial appointment, tenure, responsibility, and qualifications
  • Article 76 provides for the Attorney-General's appointment
  • Articles 77-78 address government business conduct and Prime Ministerial duties
  • Article 79 establishes Parliament comprising the President and two Houses
  • Articles 80-84 detail the composition, membership qualifications, and duration of both Houses
  • Article 85 covers parliamentary sessions and dissolution
  • Articles 110-112, 117 deal with financial matters including Money Bills and the Union Budget
  • Article 123 empowers the President to promulgate ordinances when Parliament is not in session
  • Articles 124-147 establish the Supreme Court and define its powers
  • Article 148-151 provide for the CAG's appointment, duties, powers, and audit reports

• Part VI (Articles 152-237): The States

  • Article 153 provides for a Governor for each state
  • Article 154 vests executive power in the Governor
  • Articles 155-161 detail Governor's appointment, term, qualifications, and powers
  • Article 165 provides for Advocate-General's appointment
  • Article 168 establishes state legislatures
  • Article 169 enables the creation or abolition of Legislative Councils
  • Articles 170-172 detail composition and duration of state legislatures
  • Article 177 outlines Advocate-General's rights regarding legislative houses

• Article 194 details powers and privileges of the Advocate-General

• Articles 214-231 establish High Courts and address judges' appointment and conditions

• Article 233A validates certain district judges' appointments

• Part VIII (Articles 239-242): The Union Territories

  • Article 239 provides for administration of Union territories through appointed administrators
  • Article 239A enables creation of legislatures for certain Union territories
  • Articles 239AA-239AB contain special provisions for Delhi
  • Article 239B empowers administrators to promulgate ordinances

• Part IX (Articles 243-243O): The Panchayats

  • Article 243 defines terms related to Panchayats
  • Articles 243A-243I establish Gram Sabhas, Panchayats, and their powers and finances

• Part X (Articles 244-244A): The Scheduled and Tribal Areas

  • Article 244 provides for administration of Scheduled and Tribal Areas
  • Article 244A enables formation of autonomous state in certain tribal areas in Assam

• Part XI (Articles 245-263): Relations Between the Union and the States

  • Article 245 defines the territorial extent of laws made by Parliament and state legislatures
  • Article 246 distributes legislative powers according to the Seventh Schedule
  • Article 246A provides for GST legislation

• Articles 247-249 address Parliament's power to establish courts and legislate on state subjects

• Articles 256-263 establish administrative relations between Union and states

• Part XII (Articles 264-300A): Finance, Property, Contracts and Suits

  • Articles 268-293 govern financial relations between Centre and states
  • Article 279A establishes the GST Council
  • Articles 280-281 provide for the Finance Commission and its recommendations
  • Article 300A establishes constitutional right to property

• Part XIV (Articles 308-323): Services Under the Union and the States

  • Articles 315-323 establish Public Service Commissions and their functions

• Part XIVA (Articles 323A-323B): Tribunals

  • Article 323A provides for administrative tribunals
  • Article 323B enables tribunals for various specialized matters

• Part XVI (Articles 330-342): Special Provisions for Certain Classes

  • Article 330 provides for reserved seats for Scheduled Castes and Tribes in Parliament
  • Article 339 establishes Union control over scheduled areas administration

• Part XVII (Articles 343-351): Official Language

  • Articles 343-351 establish Hindi as the official language with provisions for continued use of English

• Part XVIII (Articles 352-360): Emergency Provisions

  • Article 352 enables the President to proclaim a national emergency
  • Articles 358-359 provide for suspension of certain fundamental rights during emergencies
  • Article 360 deals with financial emergency
  • Article 365 addresses effects of states failing to comply with Union directions

• Part XX (Article 368): Amendment of the Constitution

  • Article 368 empowers Parliament to amend the Constitution through specified procedures

• Part XXI (Articles 369-392): Temporary, Transitional and Special Provisions

  • Article 370 contained special provisions for Jammu and Kashmir (now modified)
  • Articles 371-371E provide special provisions for specific states

• Part XXII (Articles 393-395): Short Title, Commencement, and Authoritative Text

  • Articles 393-395 establish the Constitution's title, commencement, and authoritative text

Amendment Acts of The Constitution

• Amendment 1 (1951)
  • Empowered the state to make special provisions for socially and economically backward classes
  • Added the Ninth Schedule
  • Expanded restrictions on freedom of speech.
• Amendment 2 (1952) - Adjusted representation scale in the Lok Sabha.
• Amendment 3 (1954) - Modified legislative provisions for Tripura.
• Amendment 4 (1955) - Restricted property rights and modified compensation provisions for state acquisition.
• Amendment 5 (1955) - Facilitated amendment process for state boundary changes.
• Amendment 6 (1956) - Special provisions for tribal areas in Assam, Manipur, and northeastern states.
• Amendment 7 (1956) - Reorganized states along linguistic lines, created Union Territories, and common High Courts.
• Amendment 8 (1960) - Extended reservations for SC/STs in legislatures for ten more years.
• Amendment 9 (1960) - Adjusted boundaries with Pakistan under the Indo-Pakistan Agreement.
• Amendment 10 (1961) - Incorporated Dadra and Nagar Haveli as a Union Territory.
• Amendment 11 (1961) - Modified election and qualification requirements for President and Vice-President.
• Amendment 12 (1962) - Incorporated Goa, Daman, and Diu after liberation from Portuguese control.
• Amendment 13 (1962) - Created Nagaland and established its administration.
• Amendment 14 (1962) - Incorporated Pondicherry as a Union Territory.
• Amendment 15 (1963) - Changed retirement age for High Court judges.
• Amendment 16 (1963) - Strengthened restrictions on anti-national activities and loyalty oaths.
• Amendment 17 (1964) - Further restricted property rights concerning land reform.
• Amendment 18 (1966) - Clarified legislative powers regarding constituency delimitation.
• Amendment 19 (1966) - Modified powers of election tribunals and courts.
• Amendment 20 (1966) - Validated appointments of district judges retrospectively.
• Amendment 21 (1967) - Added Sindhi language to the Eighth Schedule.
• Amendment 22 (1969) - Created an autonomous state within Assam (Meghalaya).
• Amendment 23 (1969) - Extended reservations for SC/STs and Anglo-Indians in legislatures.
• Amendment 24 (1971) - Made President's assent mandatory for constitutional amendments.
• Amendment 25 (1971) - Limited property rights and prioritized Directive Principles over Fundamental Rights.
• Amendment 26 (1971) - Abolished privy purses and privileges of princely state rulers.
• Amendment 27 (1971) - Created Mizoram as a Union Territory with its legislature.
• Amendment 28 (1972) - Abolished special privileges of Indian Civil Service (ICS) officers.
• Amendment 29 (1972) - Added two Kerala land reform acts to the Ninth Schedule.
• Amendment 30 (1972) - Changed basis for Lok Sabha and state legislature quotas.
• Amendment 31 (1973) - Increased Lok Sabha size from 525 to 545 members.
• Amendments 32-34 (1974) - Sikkim as Associate State, resignation procedures, more land reform acts added.
• Amendments 35-36 (1975) - Sikkim became a full-fledged state.
• Amendments 37-39 (1975) - Created Arunachal Pradesh as Union Territory, enhanced emergency powers.
• Amendments 40-42 (1976) - Significant restructuring during Emergency, known as "Mini Constitution".
• Amendments 43-44 (1977-1978) - Restored judicial powers and reversed parts of the 42nd Amendment.
• Amendments 45-54 (1980-1986) - Extended reservations, tax legislation, and judicial salaries.
• Amendments 55-62 (1987-1989) - Statehood for Arunachal Pradesh and Goa, anti-defection law, lowered voting age to 18.
• Amendments 63-69 (1989-1991) - Special status for Delhi as the National Capital Territory.
• Amendment 98 (2013) - Empowered the Governor of Karnataka to develop the Hyderabad-Karnataka Region.
• Amendment 99 (2015) - Proposed National Judicial Appointments Commission (struck down by Supreme Court).
• Amendment 100 (2015) - Facilitated India-Bangladesh Land Boundary Agreement.
• Amendment 101 (2017) - Introduced Goods and Services Tax (GST).
• Amendment 129 (2024-2025) - Proposed 'One Nation, One Election' policy, aligning elections for Lok Sabha and state assemblies.