Fundamental Ar cles Scope & Key Provisions Important Landmark Cases Notes for SSC

Right Amendments

1. Right to Art. - Art. 14: Equality before law - 1st, 77th, 81st, - Indira Sawhney “Equality”
Equality 14–18 & equal protec on of laws 85th, 103rd vs Union of India applies to
(Rule of Law). Amendments (1992) – Mandal ci zens &
related to Commission, 27% foreigners except
- Art. 15: Prohibi on of
reserva ons. OBC reserva on Art. 16 (ci zens
discrimina on on grounds of
upheld. – only).
religion, race, caste, sex, or
place of birth. State of West
Bengal vs Anwar
Art. 16: Equality of
Ali Sarkar (1952) –
opportunity in public
Equality before
employment; reserva ons for
law.
backward classes, SC/ST,
economically weaker sec ons
(103rd Amendment). –

Art. 17: Aboli on of

untouchability (punishable
under Untouchability
Offences Act, 1955; renamed
Protec on of Civil Rights Act,
1976). –

Art. 18: Aboli on of tles

except military & academic
dis nc ons.

2. Right to Art. - Art. 19(1): Six freedoms — - 44th - Maneka Gandhi Most important
Freedom 19–22 Amendment – vs Union of India for SSC – Many
(a) Speech & expression;
Right to property (1978) – Expanded ques ons come
(b) Assemble peacefully; removed from Art. 21. - K.S. from restric ons
FRs. – Pu aswamy vs under Art. 19 and
(c) Form associa ons/unions;
Union of India expanded
86th Amendment
(d) Move freely; (2017) – Right to meaning of Art.
– Added Art. 21A.
privacy 21.
(e) Reside anywhere;
fundamental.
(f) Prac ce any
profession/trade. –

Reasonable restric ons

under Art. 19(2)–(6) for
sovereignty, security, public
order, morality, etc. –

Art. 20: Protec on in criminal

offences — no ex post facto
laws, no double jeopardy, no
self-incrimina on. –

Art. 21: Right to life &

personal liberty (interpreted
 broadly: privacy, clean
environment, educa on,
speedy trial). –

Art. 21A: Free & compulsory

educa on (6–14 years). –

Art. 22: Protec on in certain

cases — preven ve &
puni ve deten on, maximum
preven ve deten on 3
months (can be extended).

3. Right Art. - Art. 23: Prohibits human - Child Labour - People’s Union Applies to
against 23–24 trafficking, forced labour (Prohibi on and for Democra c ci zens &
Exploita on (bonded labour). - Art. 24: Regula on) Rights vs Union of foreigners.
Prohibits child labour in Amendment Act, India (1982) –
hazardous industries (below 2016 – Bans all Forced labour
14 years). child labour under case.
14 except family
enterprises.

4. Right to Art. - Art. 25: Freedom of — - Bijoe Emmanuel Subject to public

Freedom of 25–28 conscience, free profession, vs State of Kerala order, morality,
Religion prac ce, and propaga on of (1986) – Na onal health. Applies to
religion. – anthem & ci zens &
religious freedom. foreigners.
Art. 26: Freedom to manage
religious affairs. –

Art. 27: No compulsion to

pay taxes for promo on of
any religion. –

Art. 28: Freedom from

religious instruc on in
educa onal ins tu ons
wholly maintained by the
state.

5. Cultural & Art. - Art. 29: Protec on of - 93rd - T.M.A. Pai Minori es
Educa onal 29–30 interests of minori es — Amendment – Founda on vs include linguis c
Rights conserve culture, language, Reserva on in State of Karnataka & religious
script. – private unaided (2002) – Minority minori es.
ins tu ons educa on rights.
Art. 30: Minori es can
(except minority
establish & administer
ins tu ons).
educa onal ins tu ons.

6. Right to Art. 32 - Right to move Supreme — - L. Chandra Available only for

Cons tu onal Court for enforcement of Kumar vs Union of Fundamental
Remedies Fundamental Rights. - India (1997) – Rights, not
Remedies: Writs — Habeas Judicial review DPSPs. SC & HCs
Corpus, Mandamus, have writ powers
Prohibi on, Cer orari, Quo part of basic (Art. 226 wider
Warranto. - Art. 32 called structure. scope).
“Heart & Soul” of the
Cons tu on (B.R.
Ambedkar).