| Article 1 |
Name and Territory of India |
Declares India as a Union of States and specifies its territory, including states, union territories, and any acquired territories. |
India includes 28 states, 8 UTs (e.g., Delhi). |
Article 1 establishes India as a sovereign entity. |
| Article 2 |
Admission/New States |
Allows Parliament to admit or establish new states into the Union of India. |
Sikkim became a state in 1975 (36th Amendment). |
Reflects India’s flexible territorial structure. |
| Article 3 |
Formation of States |
Empowers Parliament to form new states, alter boundaries, or rename existing states. |
Telangana (2014), renamed states like Odisha. |
Requires the President's recommendation and consultation with the concerned states. |
| Article 4 |
Laws for Art. 2 and 3 |
Specifies that laws made under Articles 2 and 3 cannot be considered constitutional amendments under Article 368. |
Formation of Chhattisgarh (2000). |
Ensures smooth state reorganization. |
| Article 5 |
Citizenship at Commencement |
Defines who were considered citizens of India at the time of the Constitution’s commencement (26 January 1950). |
People born in India, or with parents from India. |
Precursor to the Citizenship Act, 1955. |
| Article 6 |
Rights of Migrants |
Grants citizenship to persons migrating from Pakistan under specific conditions. |
Refugees post-Partition from Punjab or Bengal. |
Reflects post-Partition challenges. |
| Article 7 |
Rights of Migrants to Pakistan |
Discusses loss of citizenship for individuals who migrated to Pakistan after March 1, 1947, but later returned. |
Migration to Pakistan but return to India. |
Balances migration patterns post-Independence. |
| Article 8 |
Overseas Citizenship |
Gives citizenship to Indians living abroad under certain conditions. |
People of Indian origin residing outside India. |
Basis for laws for Non-Resident Indians (NRIs). |
| Article 9 |
Voluntary Citizenship Loss |
Disallows dual citizenship. An Indian citizen who voluntarily acquires citizenship of another country loses their Indian citizenship. |
Indians acquiring U.S. citizenship. |
Reinforced in the Citizenship Act. |
| Article 10 |
Continuance of Citizenship |
Ensures the continuation of citizenship rights unless revoked by law. |
No arbitrary cancellation of rights. |
Citizenship laws must follow constitutional provisions. |
| Article 11 |
Regulation of Citizenship |
Empowers Parliament to regulate citizenship rights through laws. |
Citizenship Act, 1955. |
Provides Parliament authority to define citizenship conditions. |
| Article 12 |
Definition of State |
Defines "State" to include government, legislature, local authorities, and other authorities under its control. |
Government, PSUs, local bodies. |
Fundamental Rights apply to entities defined as the "State." |
| Article 13 |
Laws Inconsistent with Fundamental Rights |
Declares laws inconsistent with Fundamental Rights as void. |
Right to Equality overrides caste discrimination. |
Basis for judicial review in India. |
| Article 14 |
Right to Equality |
Ensures equality before law and equal protection under the law. |
No discrimination in employment. |
Forms the basis for anti-discrimination laws. |
| Article 15 |
Prohibition of Discrimination |
Prohibits discrimination on grounds of religion, race, caste, sex, or place of birth. |
Reservation policies (exceptions allowed). |
Exceptions for special provisions (e.g., women, children). |
| Article 16 |
Equality in Public Employment |
Ensures equal opportunity in matters of public employment, with provisions for reservations. |
SC/ST/OBC reservation policies. |
Balances equality and affirmative action. |
| Article 17 |
Abolition of Untouchability |
Abolishes untouchability and forbids its practice in any form. |
Criminalization of caste-based discrimination. |
Enforced through the Protection of Civil Rights Act, 1955. |
| Article 18 |
Abolition of Titles |
Prohibits titles except for military and academic distinctions. Prevents conferring of "titles of nobility." |
No titles like "Raja," exceptions: Bharat Ratna. |
Honorary titles like "Padma Awards" are not covered. |
| Article 19 |
Right to Freedom |
Guarantees six freedoms: speech, assembly, association, movement, residence, and profession. |
Freedom of speech, peaceful protests. |
Reasonable restrictions apply (e.g., public order, security). |
| Article 20 |
Protection in Criminal Law |
Provides protection in respect of conviction: no ex post facto laws, double jeopardy, or self-incrimination. |
Cannot be punished for a law made after the act. |
Ensures fairness in criminal justice. |
