Key Articles of Fundamental Rights and Duties in India

Posted on Feb 13, 2026 in Law

Fundamental Rights in the Indian Constitution

1. Right to Equality (Articles 14-18)

  • Article 14: Ensures equality before the law and equal protection of the laws.
  • Article 15: Prohibits discrimination on grounds of religion, race, caste, sex, or place of birth.
  • Article 16: Guarantees equality of opportunity in matters of public employment.
  • Article 17: Abolishes untouchability and forbids its practice.
  • Article 18: Abolishes titles, except military and academic distinctions.

2. Right to Freedom (Articles 19-22)

  • Article 19: Guarantees six freedoms, including the freedom of speech and expression, assembly, association, movement, residence, and profession.
  • Article 20: Provides protection in respect of conviction for offenses (protection against *ex-post facto* laws, double jeopardy, and self-incrimination).
  • Article 21: Guarantees the right to life and personal liberty.
  • Article 21A: Provides the right to education for children aged 6 to 14 years.
  • Article 22: Provides protection against arrest and detention in certain cases.

3. Right against Exploitation (Articles 23-24)

  • Article 23: Prohibits human trafficking and forced labour.
  • Article 24: Prohibits the employment of children in hazardous industries.

4. Right to Freedom of Religion (Articles 25-28)

  • Article 25: Guarantees freedom of conscience and the right to freely profess, practice, and propagate religion.
  • Article 26: Allows religious denominations the freedom to manage their own affairs in matters of religion.
  • Article 27: Prohibits compelling any person to pay taxes for the promotion of any particular religion.
  • Article 28: Allows freedom from attending religious instruction or worship in certain educational institutions.

5. Cultural and Educational Rights (Articles 29-30)

  • Article 29: Protects the interests of minorities by allowing them to conserve their culture, language, and script.
  • Article 30: Grants minorities the right to establish and administer educational institutions of their choice.

6. Right to Constitutional Remedies (Articles 32-35)

  • Article 32: Empowers citizens to move the Supreme Court to enforce their fundamental rights, making the right to constitutional remedies a cornerstone of the Indian Constitution. It is considered the “heart and soul” of the Constitution by Dr. B.R. Ambedkar.
  • Articles 33-35: Provide the power to Parliament to modify the rights in their application to forces, and lay down the procedure, and application to other laws.

Fundamental Duties in India (Article 51A)

Fundamental Duties are moral obligations enshrined in Article 51A of the Indian Constitution, added by the 42nd Amendment in 1976. These duties emphasize the responsibilities of citizens toward their nation and society, fostering a sense of patriotism and national unity.

List of Fundamental Duties:

  1. To abide by the Constitution and respect its ideals and institutions, the National Flag, and the National Anthem.
  2. To cherish and follow the noble ideals which inspired our national struggle for freedom.
  3. To uphold and protect the sovereignty, unity, and integrity of India.
  4. To defend the country and render national service when called upon to do so.
  5. To promote harmony and the spirit of common brotherhood among all the people of India, transcending religious, linguistic, and regional or sectional diversities; to renounce practices derogatory to the dignity of women.
  6. To value and preserve the rich heritage of our composite culture.
  7. To protect and improve the natural environment, including forests, lakes, rivers, wildlife, and to have compassion for living creatures.
  8. To develop the scientific temper, humanism, and the spirit of inquiry and reform.
  9. To safeguard public property and to abjure violence.
  10. To strive towards excellence in all spheres of individual and collective activity so that the nation constantly rises to higher levels of endeavour and achievement.
  11. For parents or guardians to provide opportunities for education to their child or ward between the ages of six and fourteen years.

Significance of Fundamental Duties:

  • Moral Responsibility: These duties serve as a constant reminder that while citizens enjoy their rights, they also have a responsibility to contribute positively to the nation.
  • Legal Framework: Although these duties are not legally enforceable by themselves, they can provide a framework for legislative action and judicial interpretation.
  • National Integration: Promoting fundamental duties fosters a sense of unity and integrity, essential for national cohesion.