Must Know Articles of Indian Constitution

The Constitution of India, which was ratified on January 26, 1950, is the ultimate law of the land and serves as the nation’s guiding light. It expresses the founding fathers’ shared aim of establishing an independent, socialist, secular, and democratic republic. The Indian Constitution is a complex constitution that defines the structure and concepts that guide the country’s governance.

Several articles in its pages stand out as vital pillars, defining the very essence of India’s democracy and society. In this article, we will look at some of the most essential provisions of the Indian Constitution, which are critical to sustaining the country’s democratic goals and values.

Preamble to the Constitution of India

Before we go into the Important Articles of the Indian Constitution, let’s take a look at the Preamble. The Preamble to the Indian Constitution is a brief introductory paragraph that summarizes the Constitution’s essential values and aims. It represents the Constitution’s guiding spirit and soul. The Preamble was adopted on November 26, 1949, and enacted alongside the remainder of the Constitution on January 26, 1950, when India became a republic.

The key principles enshrined in the Preamble are:

1. Sovereignty: It emphasizes that India is a sovereign nation and is free from any external interference.
2. Socialist: India is committed to achieving a socialist society, striving for social and economic equality.
3. Secular: The state does not promote any specific religion and ensures equal treatment to all religions.
4. Democratic: The power of the government is derived from the people, and there is a system of elected representatives.
5. Republic: India is a republic where the head of state is an elected representative, rather than a hereditary monarch.
6. Justice: The Preamble seeks to establish justice in all spheres – social, economic, and political.
7. Liberty: It ensures freedom of thought, expression, belief, faith, and worship for all citizens.
8. Equality: The Preamble aims to secure equal status and opportunities for all individuals.
9. Fraternity: It promotes a sense of brotherhood and unity among all citizens.

List of important Articles of Indian Constitution

Because Indian Polity is an important subject for UPSC exam candidates, they must be familiar with all of the Indian Constitution’s provisions and modifications. Below is a list of the most important Indian Constitutional Articles, along with a brief discussion of each one that comprised the Indian Constitution.

Article 1 – Article 4 (Part 1)

• Article 1 – Name and territory of the union
• Article 2 – Admission and establishment of the new state
• Article 3 – Formation of new states and alteration of areas, boundaries, and name of existing states

Article 5 – Article 11 (Part 2)

• Article 5 – Citizenship at the commencement of the constitution
• Article 6 – Rights of citizenship of a certain person who has migrated to India from Pakistan
• Article 10 – Continuance of rights of citizenship
• Article 11 – Parliament to regulate the right of citizenship by law

Article 12 – Article 35 (Part 3)

• Article 12 – Definition of the state
• Article 13 – Laws inconsistent with or in derogation of the fundamental rights

Important Fundamental Rights of India

There used to be 7 Fundamental Rights in the Indian Constitution, but currently only 6 are left. The Right to Property U/A 31 was removed by the 44th Amendment Act of 1978. A legal right U/A 300-A was created and added to Part XII of the Constitution.

Right to Equality: Article 14 to Article 18

• Article 14 – Equality before the law
• Article 15 – Prohibition of discrimination on the grounds of religion, race, caste, sex, or place of birth
• Article 16 – Equality of opportunity in matters of public employment
• Article 17 – Abolition of the untouchability
• Article 18 – Abolition of titles

Right to Freedom: Article 19 to Article 22

• Article 19 – Guarantees the six rights to citizens of India

1. Freedom of speech and expression
2. Freedom to assemble peaceably and without arms
3. Freedom to form associations or unions
4. Freedom to move freely throughout the territory of India
5. Freedom to reside and settle in any part of the territory of India
6. Omitted
7. Freedom to practice any profession, or to carry on any occupation, trade or business

• Article 20 – Protection in respect of conviction for offenses
• Article 21 – Protection of life and personal liberty
• Article 22 – Protection against arrest and detention in certain cases

Right to Exploitation: Article 23 to Article 24

• Article 23 – Prohibition of traffic in human beings and forced labor
• Article 24 – Prohibition of employment of children (Under the age of 14) in factories and mines

Right to Exploitation: Article 25 to Article 28

• Article 25 – Freedom of conscience and free profession, practice and propagation of religion
• Article 26 – Freedom to manage religious affairs
• Article 27 – Freedom as to pay taxes for promotion of any particular religion
• Article 28 – Freedom from attending religious instruction

Cultural and Educational Rights: Article 29 to Article 30

• Article 29 – Protection of interest of minorities
• Article 30 – Right of minorities to establish and administer educational institutions

Right to Constitutional Remedies: Article 32

• Article 32 – Remedies for enforcement of Fundamental Rights

Directive Principal of States Policy: Article 36 – 51 (Part 4)

• Article 36 – Definition
• Article 37 – Application of DPSP
• Article 39A – Equal justice and free legal aid
• Article 40 – Organization of a village panchayat
• Article 41 – Right to work, to education, and to public assistance in certain cases
• Article 43 – Living Wages, etc. for Workers
• Article 43A – Participation of workers in management of industries
• Article 44 – Uniform civil code ( applicable in Goa only)
• Article 45 – Provision for free and compulsory education for children
• Article 46 – Promotion of educational and economic interest of scheduled castes, ST, and OBC
• Article 47 – Duty of the state to raise the level of nutrition and the standard of living and to improve public health
• Article 48 – Organization of agriculture and animal husbandry
• Article 49 – Protection of monuments and places and objects of natural importance
• Article 50 – Separation of judiciary from the executive
• Article 51 – Promotion of international peace and security

Fundamental Duties: Article 51A (Part 4A)

Earlier there were 10 Fundamental Duties but after 86th Amendment Act 2002 it became 11 Duties.

Union: Article 52 – 151 (Part 5)

• Article 52 – The President of India
• Article 53 – Executive Power of the union
• Article 54 – Election of 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 the council of States
• Article 66 – Election of Vice-president
• Article 72 – Pardoning powers of President
• Article 74 – Council of ministers to aid and advise President
• Article 76 – Attorney-General for 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 109 – Special procedure in respects of money bills
• Article 110 – Definition of “Money Bills”
• Article 112 – Annual Financial Budget
• Article 114 – Appropriation Bills
• Article 123 – Powers of the President to promulgate Ordinances during recess of parliament
• Article 124 – Establishment of Supreme Court
• Article 125 – Salaries of Judges
• Article 126 – Appointment of acting Chief justice
• Article 127 – Appointment of ad-hoc judges
• Article 128 – Attendance of retired judge at sitting of the Supreme Court
• 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

States: Article 152 – 237 (Part 6)

• Article 153 – Governors of State
• Article 154 – Executive Powers of Governor
• Article 161 – Pardoning powers of the Governor
• Article 165 – Advocate-General of the State
• Article 213 – Power of Governor to promulgate ordinances
• Article 214 – High Courts for states
• Article 215 – High Courts to be a court of record
• Article 226 – Power of High Courts to issue certain writs
• Article 233 – Appointment of District judges
• Article 235 – Control over Subordinate Courts

Repealed: Article 238 (Part 7)

Union Territories: Article 239 – 242 (Part 8)

Panchayats: Article 243 – 243O (Part 9)

• Article 243A – Gram Sabha
• Article 243B – Constitution of Panchayats

Municipalities: Article 243P – 243ZG (Part 9A)

Co-operative Societies: Article 243ZH – 243ZT (Part 9B)

Scheduled and Tribal Areas: Article 244 (Part 10)

Center- State Relations: Article 245 – 263 (Part 11)

Finance, Property, Contracts and Suits: Article 264 – 300A (Part 12)

• Article 266 – Consolidated Fund and Public Accounts Fund
• Article 267 – Contingency Fund of India
• Article 280 – Finance Commission
• Article 300-A – Right to property

Trade, Commerce and Intercourse within the territories of India: Article 301 – 307 (Part 13)

• Article 301 – Freedom to trade, commerce, and intercourse.
• Article 302 – Power of Parliament to impose restrictions on trade, commerce, and intercourse.

Services Under Center and State: Article 308 – 323 (Part 14)

• Article 312 – All- India-Service.
• Article 315 – Public service commissions for the union and for the states
• Article 320 – Functions of Public Service Commission.

Tribunals: Article 323A – 323B (Part 14A)

• Article 323A – Administrative Tribunals

Elections: Article 324 – 329 (Part 15)

• Article 324 – Superintendence, direction and control of Elections to be vested in an Election Commission.
• Article 325 – No person to be ineligible for inclusion in or to claim to be included in a special, electoral roll on grounds of religion, race, caste, or sex.
• Article 326 – Elections to the house of the people and to the legislative assemblies of states to be on the basis of adult suffrage.

Special Provisions to SC, ST, OBC, Minorities etc: Article 330 – 342 (Part 16)

• Article 338 – National Commission for the SC, & ST.
• Article 340 – Appointment of a commission to investigate the conditions of backward classes.

Official Language: Article 343 – 351 (Part 17)

• Article 343 – Official languages of the Union.
• Article 345 – Official languages or languages of states.
• Article 348 – Languages to be used in the Supreme Court and in the High Courts.
• Article 351 – Directive for development of the Hindi languages.

Emergency: Article 352 – 360 (Part 18)

• Article 352 – Proclamation of emergency ( National Emergency).
• Article 356 – State Emergency (President’s Rule)
• Article 360 – Financial Emergency

Miscellaneous: Article 361 – 367 (Part 19)

• Article 361- Protection of President and Governors

Amendment of Constitution: Article 368 (Part 20)

• Article 368 – Powers of Parliaments to amend the constitution

Special, Transitional and Temporary Provisions: Article 369 – 392 (Part 21)

• Article 370 – Special provision of J&K.
• Article 371A – Special provision with respect to the State of Nagaland
• Article 371-J – Special Status for Hyderabad-Karnataka region

Short Text, Commencement, Authoritative Text in Hindi and Repeals : Article 392 – 395 (Part 22)

• Article 393 – Short title – This Constitution may be called the Constitution of India

Schedules of the Indian Constitution

Parts of the Constitution

The Indian constitution originally contained 395 articles divided into 22 divisions and eight schedules. Since its inception, the number of articles has grown to 448 following different changes. There are 25 parts of the Indian Constitution that are listed below: 

1. The Union and its Territory
2. Citizenship
3. Fundamental Rights
4. Directive Principles of the State Policy
5. Fundamental Duties
6. The Union 
7. The State
8. Repealed by Const. (7th Amendment) Act, 1956
9. Union Territory
10. Panchayati Raj
11. The Municipalities
12. Co-operative Societies
13. Scheduled and Tribal Areas
14. Relations between the Union and the States
15. Finance, Property, Contracts and Suits
16. Trade, Commerce, and Intercourse within the territory
17. Services under the Union and the States
18. Tribunals
19. Elections
20. Special Provisions for certain classes
21. Official Language
22. Emergency Provisions
23. Miscellaneous
24. Amendment of the Constitution
25. Temporary, Transitional, and Special Provisions