Fundamental Rights Articles 12 to 35 (Quick Answer)
Fundamental Rights are in Part III of the Constitution, Articles 12 to 35, and there are six of them today: Right to Equality (Articles 14–18), Right to Freedom (19–22), Right against Exploitation (23–24), Right to Freedom of Religion (25–28), Cultural and Educational Rights (29–30) and Right to Constitutional Remedies (32). The Constitution originally had seven; the Right to Property (Article 31) was removed by the 44th Amendment, 1978 and is now a legal right under Article 300A.
Key takeaway: Remember the six groups by their article ranges: 14–18, 19–22, 23–24, 25–28, 29–30, 32. Article 12 defines "State", Article 13 makes laws that violate these rights void, and Articles 33–35 deal with limits and legislation. Dr B. R. Ambedkar called Article 32 the "heart and soul" of the Constitution.
Article titles in this note follow the official text of the Constitution of India published by the Legislative Department (legislative.gov.in). SSC CGL, CHSL and bank exams ask at least one polity question from this part almost every year.
Fundamental Rights List Article Wise (12 to 35)
| Article | What it says |
|---|---|
| 12 | Definition of "the State" |
| 13 | Laws inconsistent with or in derogation of Fundamental Rights are void |
| 14 | Equality before law and equal protection of laws |
| 15 | No discrimination on grounds of religion, race, caste, sex or place of birth |
| 16 | Equality of opportunity in public employment |
| 17 | Abolition of untouchability |
| 18 | Abolition of titles (except military and academic distinctions) |
| 19 | Six freedoms of citizens (speech, assembly, association, movement, residence, profession) |
| 20 | Protection in respect of conviction for offences |
| 21 | Protection of life and personal liberty |
| 21A | Right to education (6 to 14 years) |
| 22 | Protection against arrest and detention in certain cases |
| 23 | Prohibition of traffic in human beings and forced labour (begar) |
| 24 | Prohibition of employment of children below 14 in factories, mines and hazardous work |
| 25 | Freedom of conscience and free profession, practice and propagation of religion |
| 26 | Freedom to manage religious affairs |
| 27 | Freedom from taxes for promotion of a particular religion |
| 28 | Freedom from religious instruction in certain educational institutions |
| 29 | Protection of interests of minorities (language, script, culture) |
| 30 | Right of minorities to establish and administer educational institutions |
| 31 | Right to property (repealed by the 44th Amendment, 1978) |
| 31A, 31B, 31C | Saving of certain laws (land reform laws, Ninth Schedule, some Directive Principles) |
| 32 | Remedies for enforcement of Fundamental Rights (writs in the Supreme Court) |
| 32A | Omitted (43rd Amendment, 1977) |
| 33 | Parliament may modify rights for the armed forces, police and similar forces |
| 34 | Restriction on rights while martial law is in force |
| 35 | Legislation to give effect to provisions of Part III |
6 Fundamental Rights of India (Category Table)
| Right | Articles | Key points |
|---|---|---|
| Right to Equality | 14–18 | Equality before law, no discrimination, equal opportunity, untouchability abolished, titles abolished |
| Right to Freedom | 19–22 | Six freedoms, protection in conviction, life and liberty, education, safeguards on arrest |
| Right against Exploitation | 23–24 | No human trafficking, no begar, no child labour in hazardous work |
| Right to Freedom of Religion | 25–28 | Conscience, managing religious affairs, no religious tax, no compulsory religious instruction |
| Cultural and Educational Rights | 29–30 | Protection of minorities' language and culture, minority educational institutions |
| Right to Constitutional Remedies | 32 | Direct approach to the Supreme Court through writs |
Trick to remember the ranges: "Every Freedom Ends Rightly Calling Remedies" for Equality, Freedom, Exploitation, Religion, Cultural, Remedies, and the article starts 14, 19, 23, 25, 29, 32 (gaps of 5, 4, 2, 4, 3).
Article 19 Freedoms List for SSC CGL
Article 19(1) gives citizens six freedoms:
| Clause | Freedom |
|---|---|
| 19(1)(a) | Speech and expression (includes freedom of the press) |
| 19(1)(b) | To assemble peaceably and without arms |
| 19(1)(c) | To form associations or unions or co-operative societies ("co-operative societies" added by the 97th Amendment, 2011) |
| 19(1)(d) | To move freely throughout India |
| 19(1)(e) | To reside and settle in any part of India |
| 19(1)(f) | Property (deleted by the 44th Amendment, 1978) |
| 19(1)(g) | To practise any profession or carry on any occupation, trade or business |
Clauses 19(2) to 19(6) allow "reasonable restrictions", for example for the sovereignty and integrity of India, security of the State, public order, decency or morality.
Article 20 and Article 21 Explained
Article 20 gives three protections: no ex post facto criminal law (no punishment under a law made after the act), no double jeopardy (not punished twice for the same offence), and no self-incrimination (not forced to be a witness against oneself).
Article 21 says no person shall be deprived of life or personal liberty except according to procedure established by law. Courts have read many rights into it, such as privacy, a clean environment, livelihood and speedy trial.
Articles 20 and 21 cannot be suspended even during a national emergency. This protection was added by the 44th Amendment, 1978, and is a frequent exam question.
Writs Under Article 32 (Five Writs)
| Writ | Meaning | Used against |
|---|---|---|
| Habeas corpus | "To have the body" | Unlawful detention |
| Mandamus | "We command" | A public official or body not doing a public duty |
| Prohibition | "To forbid" | A lower court or tribunal exceeding jurisdiction (issued before the decision) |
| Certiorari | "To be certified" | Quashing an order of a lower court or tribunal |
| Quo warranto | "By what authority" | A person wrongly holding a public office |
The Supreme Court issues writs under Article 32 and the High Courts under Article 226. The High Court's power is wider because it can issue writs for legal rights as well as Fundamental Rights.
Fundamental Rights Available to Citizens Only vs All Persons
| Citizens only | Citizens and foreigners (all persons) |
|---|---|
| Article 15, 16, 19, 29, 30 | Article 14, 20, 21, 21A, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28 |
Enemy aliens do not get the protection of Article 22. This table is one of the most repeated SSC questions in this topic.
Important Amendments Related to Fundamental Rights
| Amendment | Change |
|---|---|
| 1st Amendment, 1951 | Added Article 15(4) (special provisions for backward classes) and the Ninth Schedule (Article 31B) |
| 25th Amendment, 1971 | Added Article 31C |
| 43rd Amendment, 1977 | Omitted Article 32A |
| 44th Amendment, 1978 | Removed the Right to Property (Articles 19(1)(f) and 31); protected Articles 20 and 21 during emergency |
| 86th Amendment, 2002 | Added Article 21A (Right to Education, 6 to 14 years) |
| 93rd Amendment, 2005 | Added Article 15(5) (reservation in educational institutions) |
| 97th Amendment, 2011 | Added "co-operative societies" to Article 19(1)(c) |
| 103rd Amendment, 2019 | Added Articles 15(6) and 16(6) (up to 10% reservation for economically weaker sections) |
To see where Part III sits next to the Schedules, revise our 12 schedules of Indian Constitution trick.
Fundamental Rights Facts for SSC CGL (One-Liners)
- Part III is called the Magna Carta of India.
- The idea was taken mainly from the US Bill of Rights.
- Fundamental Rights are justiciable (enforceable in courts); Directive Principles (Part IV) are not.
- The right to approach the Supreme Court under Article 32 is itself a Fundamental Right.
- The President can suspend the enforcement of most Fundamental Rights during a national emergency (Article 359), except Articles 20 and 21.
Fundamental Rights vs Directive Principles (Difference Table)
| Basis | Fundamental Rights | Directive Principles of State Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Part and articles | Part III, Articles 12–35 | Part IV, Articles 36–51 |
| Enforceable in court | Yes (justiciable) | No (non-justiciable) |
| Nature | Limits on the State | Duties and goals for the State |
| Borrowed from | USA (Bill of Rights) | Ireland |
| Can be suspended | Yes, during emergency (except Articles 20 and 21) | Not applicable |
| Aim | Political democracy | Social and economic democracy |
Common Mistakes in Fundamental Rights Questions
| Mistake | Correct fact |
|---|---|
| "There are seven Fundamental Rights" | There are six now; property was removed in 1978 |
| Right to Education is in Article 21 | It is Article 21A (86th Amendment, 2002) |
| Article 32 writs are issued by High Courts | High Courts use Article 226 |
| Article 19 applies to foreigners | Article 19 is for citizens only |
| Article 17 abolishes titles | Article 17 abolishes untouchability; Article 18 abolishes titles |
Fundamental Rights MCQs for SSC and Bank Exams (with Answers)
- Fundamental Rights are in which part of the Constitution? Answer: Part III.
- Which article abolishes untouchability? Answer: Article 17.
- Right to Education is under which article? Answer: Article 21A.
- Which amendment removed the Right to Property from Fundamental Rights? Answer: 44th Amendment, 1978.
- "Heart and soul of the Constitution" refers to? Answer: Article 32.
- Which writ is issued to release a person from unlawful detention? Answer: Habeas corpus.
- Which articles cannot be suspended during a national emergency? Answer: Articles 20 and 21.
- Article 24 prohibits child labour below what age in factories and mines? Answer: 14 years.
- Which article gives minorities the right to set up educational institutions? Answer: Article 30.
- "Co-operative societies" was added to Article 19(1)(c) by which amendment? Answer: 97th Amendment, 2011.
- Which article defines "the State" for Part III? Answer: Article 12.
- Which of these is available to foreigners too: Article 19 or Article 21? Answer: Article 21.
- Which writ means "by what authority"? Answer: Quo warranto.
- Article 18 deals with? Answer: Abolition of titles.
- EWS reservation was enabled by which amendment? Answer: 103rd Amendment, 2019.
Test this in the SSC CGL General Awareness Sectional Mock Test 01 and the SSC CHSL General Awareness Sectional Mock Test 01.
Fundamental Rights FAQs
How many Fundamental Rights are there in India?
Six: Equality, Freedom, against Exploitation, Freedom of Religion, Cultural and Educational, and Constitutional Remedies.
Which articles cover Fundamental Rights?
Articles 12 to 35 in Part III of the Constitution.
Why is the Right to Property not a Fundamental Right?
The 44th Amendment, 1978 removed it from Part III. It is now a constitutional (legal) right under Article 300A.
What is the difference between Article 32 and Article 226?
Article 32 lets a person go directly to the Supreme Court for Fundamental Rights. Article 226 lets High Courts issue writs for Fundamental Rights and other legal rights.
Which Fundamental Rights are only for citizens?
Articles 15, 16, 19, 29 and 30.
Practice Next
- New SSC CGL practice: SSC CGL Polity Mock Test 01.
- Mock tests: SSC CGL General Awareness Sectional Mock Test 03 and SSC CHSL General Awareness Sectional Mock Test 02.
- New topic-wise test: RRB NTPC General Awareness Sectional Mock Test 01: Static GK, Polity, Science and Railways (40 Questions) and RRB NTPC General Awareness Sectional Mock Test 02.
- Related notes: 12 schedules of Indian Constitution trick, important days list 2026, Indian rivers origin and end list, RBI governor list, president of India list 1950 to 2026 and important constitutional amendments list, plus directive principles and fundamental duties, plus sources of Indian Constitution, plus important articles of Indian Constitution.
- Exam details: SSC CGL 2026 notification and SSC CHSL 2026 notification.
- Browse all study notes.