The articles of the Indian Constitution form the backbone of every polity question in competitive exams.
India’s Constitution — the world’s longest written constitution — originally had 395 articles across 22 parts; it now has around 448 articles due to amendments. From Article 14 (equality) to Article 370 (now abrogated), from Article 21 (right to life) to Article 356 (President’s Rule), specific article numbers and their provisions are tested relentlessly in UPSC Prelims, SSC CGL, Banking, Railways, and State PSC exams. This page gives you a complete, part-wise list of all important constitutional articles — organised for fast revision and maximum exam coverage.
⚡ Quick Facts
- Originally 395 articles, 8 schedules — now ~448 articles and 12 schedules after amendments.
- Article 21 — right to life and personal liberty — most important FR; interpreted to include right to education, privacy, livelihood, clean environment.
- Article 32 — “Heart and Soul of the Constitution” (Dr. B.R. Ambedkar) — right to move SC directly for FR enforcement.
- Article 370 abrogated — August 5, 2019; J&K’s special status removed; bifurcated into J&K UT (with legislature) and Ladakh UT (without legislature).
- Article 1 — India is a “Union of States” — not a “Federation of States” — a deliberate and frequently tested distinction.
Students often confuse Article 32 (SC writs) and Article 226 (HC writs): Art. 32 is only for Fundamental Rights and is itself a FR; Art. 226 is for FRs AND any legal right — wider scope but not a FR. Also: Articles 20 and 21 cannot be suspended even during National Emergency — Article 19 and 32 CAN be suspended. And: Article 19 now has 6 freedoms (not 7) — the right to property was removed by the 44th Amendment (1978) and moved to Article 300A as a legal right only.
✅ My Progress Tracker
📜 Important Articles — Complete List
| Part | Articles | Subject |
|---|---|---|
| Part I | 1–4 | The Union and its Territory |
| Part II | 5–11 | Citizenship |
| Part III | 12–35 | Fundamental Rights |
| Part IV | 36–51 | Directive Principles of State Policy (DPSP) |
| Part IVA | 51A | Fundamental Duties (added by 42nd Amendment) |
| Part V | 52–151 | The Union (President, VP, Parliament, Supreme Court) |
| Part VI | 152–237 | The States |
| Part VII | — | Repealed by 7th Amendment, 1956 |
| Part VIII | 239–242 | Union Territories |
| Part IX | 243–243O | Panchayats (added by 73rd Amendment) |
| Part IXA | 243P–243ZG | Municipalities (added by 74th Amendment) |
| Part IXB | 243ZH–243ZT | Co-operative Societies (added by 97th Amendment) |
| Part X | 244–244A | Scheduled and Tribal Areas |
| Part XI | 245–263 | Relations between Union and States |
| Part XII | 264–300A | Finance, Property, Contracts and Suits |
| Part XIII | 301–307 | Trade, Commerce and Intercourse within India |
| Part XIV | 308–323 | Services under the Union and States |
| Part XIVA | 323A–323B | Tribunals |
| Part XV | 324–329A | Elections |
| Part XVI | 330–342A | Special Provisions for Certain Classes |
| Part XVII | 343–351 | Official Language |
| Part XVIII | 352–360 | Emergency Provisions |
| Part XIX | 361–367 | Miscellaneous |
| Part XX | 368 | Amendment of the Constitution |
| Part XXI | 369–392 | Temporary, Transitional, and Special Provisions |
| Part XXII | 393–395 | Short Title, Commencement, Authoritative Text |
| Article ↕ | Subject ↕ | Key Provision | Part ↕ | Exam Tag |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Art. 1 | Name and Territory of India | India = “Union of States” (not Federation) | Part I | Union vs Federation |
| Art. 2 | Admission of new states | Parliament may admit or establish new states | Part I | New state creation |
| Art. 3 | Formation of new states | Parliament can alter boundaries, names of states | Part I | State reorganisation |
| Art. 12 | Definition of “State” (for FRs) | “State” includes Govt, Parliament, state govts, local authorities | Part III | FR applicability; State defined |
| Art. 13 | Laws inconsistent with FRs | Pre/post-Constitution laws void if they violate FRs; basis of judicial review | Part III | Judicial review basis |
| Art. 14 | Right to Equality | Equality before law; equal protection of laws | Part III | Equality; Art. 14 |
| Art. 15 | Prohibition of discrimination | No discrimination on grounds of religion, race, caste, sex, place of birth | Part III | Anti-discrimination |
| Art. 16 | Equality in public employment | Equal opportunity in public jobs; basis for reservations | Part III | Reservations; equal opportunity |
| Art. 17 | Abolition of Untouchability | Untouchability abolished; its practice is an offence | Part III | Untouchability abolished |
| Art. 18 | Abolition of Titles | No titles except military/academic; Indians cannot accept foreign titles | Part III | Title abolition |
| Art. 19 | Six Freedoms (Right to Freedom) | Speech & expression, assembly, association, movement, residence, profession | Part III | 6 freedoms; suspended in Emergency |
| Art. 20 | Protection in respect of conviction | No ex post facto law; no double jeopardy; no self-incrimination | Part III | CANNOT be suspended in Emergency |
| Art. 21 | Right to Life and Personal Liberty | No person deprived of life/liberty except by procedure established by law | Part III | Most important FR; CANNOT be suspended |
| Art. 21A | Right to Education | Free and compulsory education for children 6–14 years; added by 86th Amendment | Part III | RTE; 86th Amendment (2002) |
| Art. 22 | Protection against arrest and detention | Rights upon arrest; rules for preventive detention | Part III | Arrest protections |
| Art. 23 | Prohibition of traffic in human beings | Begar and forced labour prohibited; human trafficking prohibited | Part III | Forced labour; trafficking |
| Art. 24 | Prohibition of child labour | No child below 14 employed in factories or hazardous work | Part III | Child labour prohibited |
| Art. 25 | Freedom of religion | Freedom of conscience; free profession, practice, and propagation of religion | Part III | Religious freedom |
| Art. 29 | Protection of interests of minorities | Minorities may conserve their language, script, and culture | Part III | Minority cultural rights |
| Art. 30 | Right of minorities to establish institutions | Minorities may establish and administer educational institutions | Part III | Minority educational rights |
| Art. 32 | Right to Constitutional Remedies | Move SC directly for FR enforcement; 5 writs; “Heart & Soul of Constitution” (Ambedkar) | Part III | Heart & Soul; SC writs; itself a FR |
| Art. 39A | Equal Justice and Free Legal Aid | Free legal aid to ensure justice is not denied by economic reasons | Part IV | Legal aid; DPSP |
| Art. 40 | Organisation of Village Panchayats | State shall organise village panchayats; basis of Panchayati Raj | Part IV | Panchayati Raj; DPSP |
| Art. 44 | Uniform Civil Code (UCC) | State shall endeavour to secure a Uniform Civil Code for citizens | Part IV | UCC; DPSP; not justiciable |
| Art. 48A | Protection of environment | State shall protect and improve the environment and wildlife | Part IV | Environment; added by 42nd Amendment |
| Art. 51A | Fundamental Duties | 11 Fundamental Duties of citizens; added by 42nd (10 duties) and 86th (11th duty) Amendments | Part IVA | 11 duties; 42nd & 86th Amendments |
| Art. 52 | The President of India | There shall be a President of India | Part V | President; Union executive |
| Art. 54 | Election of the President | President elected by an Electoral College (elected MPs + elected MLAs) | Part V | Electoral College |
| Art. 61 | Impeachment of the President | Process for impeachment of President by Parliament | Part V | President’s impeachment |
| Art. 72 | Pardoning power of the President | President may grant pardons, reprieves, respites, or commute sentences | Part V | Pardoning power; President |
| Art. 74 | Council of Ministers to aid President | CoM with PM to aid and advise President; advice is binding on President | Part V | Cabinet; PM; advice binding |
| Art. 76 | Attorney General of India | President appoints AG; AG is India’s chief law officer | Part V | Attorney General of India |
| Art. 79 | Constitution of Parliament | Parliament = President + Lok Sabha + Rajya Sabha | Part V | Parliament composition |
| Art. 80 | Composition of Rajya Sabha | Max 250 members (238 elected from states + 12 nominated by President) | Part V | Rajya Sabha composition |
| Art. 81 | Composition of Lok Sabha | Max 552 members (530 from states + 20 from UTs + 2 Anglo-Indian, now removed) | Part V | Lok Sabha composition |
| Art. 108 | Joint Sitting of Parliament | President may call joint sitting of both Houses to resolve a deadlock | Part V | Joint sitting; deadlock |
| Art. 109 | Special procedure for Money Bills | Rajya Sabha cannot amend Money Bills; only 14-day delay | Part V | Money Bill; RS limited role |
| Art. 110 | Definition of Money Bill | Bills certified by Speaker as Money Bills | Part V | Money Bill definition |
| Art. 123 | Ordinance-making power of President | President may promulgate ordinances when Parliament is not in session | Part V | Presidential Ordinance |
| Art. 124 | Establishment of Supreme Court | SC consists of CJI + up to 33 other judges | Part V | Supreme Court; CJI |
| Art. 131 | Original Jurisdiction of SC | Disputes between Centre and states; between states | Part V | SC original jurisdiction |
| Art. 136 | Special Leave Petition (SLP) | SC may grant special leave to appeal in any cause or matter | Part V | SLP; SC appellate power |
| Art. 141 | Law declared by SC binding | SC’s law is binding on all courts in India | Part V | SC precedent; binding on all |
| Art. 143 | Advisory jurisdiction of SC | President may seek SC’s advisory opinion on questions of law or public importance | Part V | Presidential reference; SC advisory |
| Art. 148 | Comptroller & Auditor General (CAG) | CAG of India; appointed by President; audits Union and State accounts | Part V | CAG; constitutional post |
| Art. 155 | Appointment of Governor | Governor of each state is appointed by the President | Part VI | Governor appointment |
| Art. 161 | Pardoning power of the Governor | Governor may grant pardons for offences against state law | Part VI | Governor’s pardon; state offences only |
| Art. 163 | Council of Ministers (State) | CoM with CM to aid and advise Governor; advice generally binding | Part VI | State Cabinet; CM; Governor |
| Art. 213 | Ordinance power of Governor | Governor may promulgate ordinances when State Legislature is not in session | Part VI | Governor’s Ordinance (state) |
| Art. 214 | High Courts for States | Each state shall have a High Court | Part VI | High Courts established |
| Art. 226 | Writ jurisdiction of High Courts | HC may issue writs for enforcement of FRs AND any other legal right (wider than Art. 32) | Part VI | HC writs; wider than Art. 32; not a FR |
| Art. 239AA | Special provisions for Delhi (NCT) | Delhi = NCT; has Legislative Assembly; added by 69th Amendment | Part VIII | Delhi NCT; 69th Amendment |
| Art. 248 | Residuary powers of legislation | Parliament has residuary powers (matters not in any List) | Part XI | Residuary powers; Parliament |
| Art. 262 | Adjudication of water disputes | Parliament may adjudicate inter-state river water disputes by law | Part XI | River water disputes; Art. 262 |
| Art. 266 | Consolidated Fund of India | All revenues received by Government go to the Consolidated Fund of India | Part XII | CFI; finance |
| Art. 280 | Finance Commission | President constitutes Finance Commission every 5 years for tax devolution | Part XII | Finance Commission; every 5 years |
| Art. 300A | Right to property (legal right) | No person deprived of property except by authority of law; legal right, not FR | Part XII | Property = legal right only; 44th Amendment |
| Art. 315 | Public Service Commissions | UPSC for Union; SPSCs for States — for recruitment and advisory | Part XIV | UPSC; SPSC; recruitment |
| Art. 324 | Election Commission of India | Superintendence of elections vested in Election Commission of India | Part XV | Election Commission; ECI |
| Art. 326 | Elections on basis of adult suffrage | LS and State Assembly elections on basis of adult suffrage (18 years+) | Part XV | Adult franchise; 18 years voting |
| Art. 338 | National Commission for Scheduled Castes | NCSC — constitutional body for SC welfare and safeguards | Part XVI | NCSC; constitutional commission |
| Art. 338A | National Commission for Scheduled Tribes | NCST — added by 89th Amendment (2003) when SC/ST commission was bifurcated | Part XVI | NCST; 89th Amendment |
| Art. 338B | National Commission for Backward Classes | NCBC — constitutional status given by 102nd Amendment (2018) | Part XVI | NCBC; 102nd Amendment |
| Art. 343 | Official Language of the Union | Hindi in Devanagari script = official language of Union | Part XVII | Hindi; Devanagari; official language |
| Art. 352 | Proclamation of National Emergency | National Emergency; grounds: war, external aggression, armed rebellion; requires special majority | Part XVIII | National Emergency; armed rebellion |
| Art. 356 | President’s Rule in States | Failure of constitutional machinery in state; state govt dismissed; Governor’s rule | Part XVIII | President’s Rule; Art. 356 |
| Art. 360 | Financial Emergency | Proclamation of Financial Emergency; threat to financial stability of India | Part XVIII | Financial Emergency; never invoked |
| Art. 368 | Power to amend the Constitution | Parliament may amend by special majority; some provisions need state ratification | Part XX | Amendment procedure; Art. 368 |
| Art. 370 | Special status of J&K (abrogated) | Gave special status to J&K; abrogated August 5, 2019; J&K became UT | Part XXI | 370 abrogated 2019; J&K UT |
| Art. 371A | Special provision for Nagaland | Nagaland’s customary law and practices protected from Parliament’s interference | Part XXI | Nagaland; customary law |
| Writ | Meaning | Issued Against | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|
| Habeas Corpus | “You shall have the body” | Any authority or individual | Release of unlawfully detained person |
| Mandamus | “We command” | Public authority or body | Compel performance of a public duty |
| Prohibition | “To forbid” | Lower courts or tribunals | Prevent court from exceeding jurisdiction (issued BEFORE decision) |
| Certiorari | “To be certified” | Lower courts or tribunals | Quash order of lower court with jurisdiction error (issued AFTER decision) |
| Quo Warranto | “By what authority” | Person holding public office | Enquire into legality of claim to a public office |
| Right | Articles | Key Articles |
|---|---|---|
| Right to Equality | 14–18 | Art. 14 (equality before law), 15 (no discrimination), 16 (public employment), 17 (untouchability abolished), 18 (titles abolished) |
| Right to Freedom | 19–22 | Art. 19 (6 freedoms), 20 (conviction protections), 21 (life & liberty — most important), 21A (education), 22 (arrest protections) |
| Right against Exploitation | 23–24 | Art. 23 (forced labour & trafficking), 24 (child labour under 14) |
| Right to Freedom of Religion | 25–28 | Art. 25 (conscience & religion), 26 (manage religious affairs), 27 (no tax for religion), 28 (no religious instruction in state schools) |
| Cultural and Educational Rights | 29–30 | Art. 29 (minority culture & language), 30 (minority educational institutions) |
| Right to Constitutional Remedies | 32–35 | Art. 32 (“Heart & Soul”; SC writs — itself a FR), 33 (armed forces), 34 (martial law), 35 (Parliament’s power) |
| Type | Article | Grounds | Approval Required | Key Effect |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| National Emergency | 352 | War, external aggression, armed rebellion | Cabinet in writing + Parliament (2/3 special majority, both Houses) | Art. 19 suspended; Centre governs states; Arts. 20, 21 CANNOT be suspended |
| President’s Rule | 356 | Failure of constitutional machinery in a state | Parliament simple majority (within 2 months) | State govt dismissed; Governor administers on behalf of President |
| Financial Emergency | 360 | Threat to financial stability of India or any part | Parliament simple majority | Centre directs states on financial matters; never invoked so far |
⚖️ Compare Two Articles
📝 Key Notes & Memory Tips
Article 32 gives the right to move the Supreme Court directly for enforcement of Fundamental Rights only — it is itself a Fundamental Right and cannot be suspended except during National Emergency. Article 226 gives High Courts the power to issue writs for both Fundamental Rights AND any other legal right — a wider scope but NOT a Fundamental Right itself. Art. 226 = HC; Art. 32 = SC.
Article 19 originally guaranteed 7 freedoms. The right to “acquire, hold and dispose of property” was removed by the 44th Amendment (1978), leaving 6 freedoms. The right to property moved to Article 300A as a legal (not fundamental) right. The 6 remaining: speech/expression, peaceful assembly, association, free movement, residence, and profession/trade/business.
National Emergency (Art. 352) requires a special majority (2/3 of members present and voting + majority of total membership) in both Houses — and the Cabinet must send the advice in writing. President’s Rule (Art. 356) and Financial Emergency (Art. 360) require only a simple majority of Parliament. Financial Emergency has never been invoked in India’s history.
Articles 20 and 21 cannot be suspended even during a National Emergency. This was established by the 44th Amendment (1978). Article 19 (freedoms) CAN be suspended. Article 32 (constitutional remedies) CAN be suspended by Parliament during Emergency. This distinction — “which FRs cannot be suspended?” — is one of the most tested polity facts in UPSC and SSC.
Article 368 governs constitutional amendments. Three tiers: (1) Simple majority — ordinary laws (not amendments under Art. 368); (2) Special majority — 2/3 of members present and voting + majority of total strength; (3) Special majority + state ratification (at least half of state legislatures) — for changes affecting federal structure, President’s election, SC, or Article 368 itself.
“Every Free Elephant Really Cries Constantly”
→ Equality (14–18) · Freedom (19–22) · Exploitation (23–24) · Religion (25–28) · Cultural (29–30) · Constitutional Remedies (32–35)
“Have Many People Come Quickly”
→ Habeas Corpus · Mandamus · Prohibition · Certiorari · Quo Warranto
“20–21 = Forever Alive”
→ Even during National Emergency, Articles 20 (conviction protections) and 21 (right to life) CANNOT be suspended.
🃏 Flashcards
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🧩 Practice Quiz
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Article 32 \u2014 the Right to Constitutional Remedies \u2014 is called the \u201cHeart and Soul of the Constitution\u201d by Dr. B.R. Ambedkar. It gives citizens the right to move the Supreme Court directly for enforcement of Fundamental Rights and is itself a Fundamental Right that cannot be suspended except during a National Emergency.
Articles 20 (protection against conviction) and 21 (right to life and personal liberty) cannot be suspended even during a National Emergency. This was established by the 44th Amendment (1978). Article 19 can be suspended during Emergency; Article 32 can also be suspended during Emergency by Parliament.
Article 21A was inserted by the 86th Constitutional Amendment (2002) under PM Vajpayee\u2019s government. It makes free and compulsory education a Fundamental Right for children between 6 and 14 years. It is the basis for the Right to Education (RTE) Act, 2009.
Article 1 defines India as a \u201cUnion of States.\u201d The word \u201cUnion\u201d was deliberately chosen over \u201cFederation\u201d by Dr. B.R. Ambedkar to indicate that states cannot secede from the Union \u2014 the Union is indestructible even though it is made up of states. This distinction is heavily tested in UPSC Polity.
Article 356 empowers the President to impose President\u2019s Rule in a state when the constitutional machinery of that state has failed. Once proclaimed, the state government is dismissed and the Governor administers the state on behalf of the President. Parliament must approve it within two months by a simple majority.
\u2705 Key Takeaways
\u2753 Frequently Asked Questions
The Indian Constitution originally had 395 articles when it was adopted on November 26, 1949. Due to subsequent amendments, it now has approximately 448 articles across 25 parts, along with 12 schedules. It is the longest written constitution of any sovereign nation in the world. The original article count has been expanded by insertions (like Article 21A, 239AA) and reduced by deletions (Part VII was repealed).
The most tested articles include: Article 1 (Union of States), Articles 12\u201335 (Fundamental Rights), Article 21 (right to life), Article 32 (Heart and Soul; SC writs), Article 51A (Fundamental Duties), Articles 52\u201378 (President, PM, Cabinet), Articles 79\u2013123 (Parliament), Articles 124\u2013147 (Supreme Court), Article 226 (HC writs), Articles 352/356/360 (Emergencies), Article 368 (amendment power), and Article 370 (now abrogated). Mastering these covers over 80% of polity article-based questions.
Fundamental Rights (Part III, Articles 12\u201335) are justiciable \u2014 they can be enforced in courts; violation can be challenged directly in the Supreme Court (Art. 32) or High Court (Art. 226). Directive Principles of State Policy (Part IV, Articles 36\u201351) are non-justiciable \u2014 they are guidelines for the state in policy-making and cannot be enforced in court. However, the Supreme Court has held that DPSPs can be used to interpret FRs and that laws implementing DPSPs are generally valid even if they restrict some FRs.
Article 370 gave special autonomous status to Jammu & Kashmir, exempting it from most provisions of the Indian Constitution except defence, foreign affairs, finance, and communications. On August 5, 2019, the Government of India effectively abrogated Article 370 and bifurcated the state into two Union Territories \u2014 Jammu & Kashmir (with legislature) and Ladakh (without legislature). The Supreme Court upheld this decision in December 2023 and directed elections to be held in J&K by September 2024.
