Fundamental Rights: Overview

Fundamental Rights: Overview

Question: Fundamental Rights form an integral part of the Indian constitution. Discuss by providing an overview of Fundamental Rights.

A. Right to Equality

• Article 14 Equality before law and equal protection for citizens from law

• Article 15 :- Prohibition of discrimination on basis of only of religion, race, caste, sex or place of birth.

• Article 16 :- Equality of opportunity in issues of public employment

• Article 17 :- Elimination of untouchability

• Article 18 :- Abolition of titles (except Military and academic distinctions)

• Article 19 :- It gives the citizens of India the following six fundamentals freedoms:-
- Freedom of Speech and Expression
- Freedom of Assembly
- Freedom of forming Associations
- Freedom of Movement
- Freedom of Residence and Settlement
- Freedom of Profession, Occupation, Trade and Business

• Article 20 :- Protection with respect to conviction for offences

• Article 21 :- Protection of both life as well as personal liberty

• Article 22 :- Protection against arrest and detention in certain specific cases

B. Right Against Exploitation

• Article 23 :- Trafficking in human beings prohibited

• Article 24 :- No child under the age of 14 can be employed

C. Right to freedom of Religion

• Article 25 :- Freedom of conscience and free profession, practice and propagation of religious systems

• Article 26 :- Freedom to manage religious affairs and issues

• Article 27 :- Prohibition of taxes on religious grounds

• Article 28 :- Freedom regarding attendance at religious ceremonies in specific educational institutions

D. Cultural and Educational Rights

• Article 29 :- Protection of interests of minority communities

• Article 30 :- Right of minorities to establish and administer educational institutions

• Article 31 :- Omitted by the 44th Amendment Act

E. Right to Constitutional Remedies

• Article 32 :- The right to move the SC in case of their violation


• Fundamental Rights in Indian constitution guarantee that Indian citizens will have access to peace and democracy

• This section is contained in Part III of the Indian Constitution

• It includes individual rights common to democracies such as equality before law

• Originally, the right to property was included in FR but the 44 AA revised the status of property rights