5

M 3

+vBE
vh
12. {--< M , V iBE BE n +xl +{Fi x c, V BE +iMi i BE BE
+ n il V |iBE V BE BE + vx-b il i BE VFj BE i i
BE BE xjh BE +vx lx + +x |vBE c *
13. +vBE +Mi =xBE +{BEh BEx v--(1) < vx BE | ~BE
{c i BE VFj |k v = j iBE x cM V iBE < M BE ={v
+Mi c *
(2) V A BE< v xc xAM V < M u |nk +vBE BE Uxi c xx BEi c +
< Jb BE =Px x< M< |iBE v =Px BE j iBE x cM *
(3) < +xSUn , V iBE BE n +xl +{Fi x c,-(BE) v BE +iMi i BE VFj v BE Jx BE< +vn, +n, ={v,
x, x, +vSx, f |l c ;
(J) |k v BE +iMi i BE VFj BE vx-b +x F |vBE u
< vx BE | {c {i x< M< v c V {c c xi xc BE n M< c, Sc
A BE< v =BE BE< M = {hi ] Fj |ix xc c *
1

[(4) < +xSUn BE BE< i +xSUn 368 BE +vx BEA MA < vx BE BE vx BE M

xc cM *]
i BE +vBE
14. v BE F i--V, i BE VFj BE BBDi BE v BE F i v
BE x Fh Si xc BEM *
15. v, , Vi, M Vxlx BE +v { n BE |iv--(1) V, BE xMBE BE
r BE BE v, , Vi, M, Vxlx <x BE BE +v { BE< n xc BEM *
(2) BE< xMBE BE v, , Vi, M, Vxlx <x BE BE +v {-(BE) nBEx, VxBE Vx, c] + VxBE xVx BE lx |,
(J) {hi& Mi& V-xv {i vh Vxi BE |M BE A {i BE+,
i, xxP], BE + VxBE M BE lx BE ={M,
BE v BE xMi, ni, xxvx i BE +vx xc cM *
(3) < +xSUn BE BE< i V BE j + BE BE A BE< ={v BEx xi
xc BEM *
2

[(4) < +xSUn BE +xSUn 29 BE Jb (2) BE BE< i V BE VBE + FBE o]

{U cA xMBE BE BExc M BE =xxi BE A +xSi Vi + +xSi VxVi BE A
BE< ={v BEx xi xc BEM *]
16. BE xVx BE + BE i--(1) V BE +vx BE {n { xVx xBDi
vi xMBE BE A + BE i cM *
(2) V BE +vx BE xVx {n BE v BE v, , Vi, M, =n, Vxlx,
x <x BE BE +v { x i BE< xMBE +{j cM + x = n BE VAM *
1
2

vx (S vx) +vx, 1971 BE v 2 u +i&l{i *

vx ({c vx) +vx, 1951 BE v 2 u V M *

6
PART III
FUNDAMENTAL RIGHTS
General
12. Definition.In this Part, unless the context otherwise requires, the State includes
the Government and Parliament of India and the Government and the Legislature of each of
the States and all local or other authorities within the territory of India or under the control
of the Government of India.
13. Laws inconsistent with or in derogation of the fundamental rights.(1) All laws
in force in the territory of India immediately before the commencement of this Constitution,
in so far as they are inconsistent with the provisions of this Part, shall, to the extent of such
inconsistency, be void.
(2) The State shall not make any law which takes away or abridges the rights conferred by
this Part and any law made in contravention of this clause shall, to the extent of the
contravention, be void.
(3) In this article, unless the context otherwise requires,
(a) law includes any Ordinance, order, bye-law, rule, regulation, notification,
custom or usage having in the territory of India the force of law;
(b) laws in force includes laws passed or made by a Legislature or other competent
authority in the territory of India before the commencement of this Constitution and not
previously repealed, notwithstanding that any such law or any part thereof may not be
then in operation either at all or in particular areas.
1

[(4) Nothing in this article shall apply to any amendment of this Constitution made
under article 368.]
Right to Equality
14. Equality before law.The State shall not deny to any person equality before the law
or the equal protection of the laws within the territory of India.
15. Prohibition of discrimination on grounds of religion, race, caste, sex or place of
birth.(1) The State shall not discriminate against any citizen on grounds only of religion,
race, caste, sex, place of birth or any of them.
(2) No citizen shall, on grounds only of religion, race, caste, sex, place of birth or any of
them, be subject to any disability, liability, restriction or condition with regard to
(a) access to shops, public restaurants, hotels and places of public entertainment; or
(b) the use of wells, tanks, bathing ghats, roads and places of public resort maintained
wholly or partly out of State funds or dedicated to the use of the general public.
(3) Nothing in this article shall prevent the State from making any special provision for
women and children.
2

[(4) Nothing in this article or in clause (2) of article 29 shall prevent the State from
making any special provision for the advancement of any socially and educationally
backward classes of citizens or for the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes.]
16. Equality of opportunity in matters of public employment.(1) There shall be
equality of opportunity for all citizens in matters relating to employment or appointment to
any office under the State.
(2) No citizen shall, on grounds only of religion, race, caste, sex, descent, place of birth,
residence or any of them, be ineligible for, or discriminated against in respect of, any
employment or office under the State.

1
2

Ins. by the Constitution (Twenty-fourth Amendment) Act, 1971, s. 2.

Added by the Constitution (First Amendment) Act, 1951, s. 2.

7
(3) < +xSUn BE BE< i n BE BE< A v xx xi xc BEM V 1[BE V
P VFj BE BE BE = BE BE lx +x |vBE BE +vx BE M M BE
{n { xVx xBDi BE v A xVx xBDi {c = V P VFj BE i
x BE BE< +{F ci BEi c]*
(4) < +xSUn BE BE< i V BE {U cA xMBE BE BE M BE {F , VxBE |ixvi
V BE V BE +vx + {{i xc c, xBDi {n BE +Fh BE A ={v BEx
xi xc BEM *
2

[(4BE) < +xSUn BE BE< i V BE +xSi Vi + +xSi VxVi BE {F ,

VxBE |ixvi V BE V BE +vx + {{i xc c, V BE +vx + 3[BE
M M BE {n {, {hBE V~i ci,|xxi BE ] +Fh BE A ={v BEx xi
xc BEM *]
4

[(4J) < +xSUn BE BE< i V BE BE BExc x M< A BDi BE, V Jb (4)

Jb (4BE) BE +vx BEA MA +Fh BE A BE ={v BE +x = Vx BE A +Fi
c, BE =ki Vx BE A {lBE M BE BDi BE { S BEx xi xc
BEM + A M BE BDi { = BE BDi BE l V V c c, = BE BDi
BE BE J BE v {S |ii +Fh BE +vBEi BE +vh BEx BE A S xc
BE VAM *]
(5) < +xSUn BE BE< i BE A v BE |ix { | xc bM V c ={v BEi c BE
BE vBE |nBE l BE BEBE{ vi BE< {nv =BE xBE BE BE< n
BE ] v BE xx ] |n BE c c *
17. +{i BE +i--+{i BE +i BE Vi c + =BE BE { +Sh xr
BE Vi c * +{i ={V BE xMi BE M BEx +{v cM V v BE +x nbx
cM *
18. ={v BE +i--(1) V, x t v x BE + BE< ={v |nx xc
BEM *
(2) i BE BE< xMBE BE n V BE< ={v BE xc BEM *
(3) BE< BBDi, V i BE xMBE xc c, V BE +vx BE BE {n BE vh
BEi cA BE n V BE< ={v ]{i BE ci BE x BE xc BEM *
(4) V BE +vx BE {n vh BEx BE< BBDi BE n V =BE
+vx BE { BE< ], ={v {n ]{i BE ci BE x BE xc BEM *
ij-+vBE
19. BE-ij +n BE BEU +vBE BE Fh--(1) xMBE BE-(BE) BE-ij + +BBDi-ij BE,
(J) i{BE + xv x BE,
(M) M P xx BE,
(P) i BE VFj j +v Sh BE,

vx (i vx) +vx, 1956 BE v 29 + +xS u {c +xS xn] BE V BE =BE Fj BE lx

+x |vBE BE +vx = V BE i x BE BE< +{F ci BEi c BE lx { |il{i *
2
vx (ick vx) +vx, 1995 BE v 2 u +i&l{i *
3
vx ({S vx) +vx, 2001 BE v 2 u (17-6-1995) BEU n BE lx { |il{i *
4
vx (<BD vx) +vx, 2000 BE v 2 u (9-6-2000 ) +i&l{i *

8
(3) Nothing in this article shall prevent Parliament from making any law prescribing, in
regard to a class or classes of employment or appointment to an office 1[under the
Government of, or any local or other authority within, a State or Union territory, any
requirement as to residence within that State or Union territory] prior to such employment
or appointment.
(4) Nothing in this article shall prevent the State from making any provision for the
reservation of appointments or posts in favour of any backward class of citizens which, in
the opinion of the State, is not adequately represented in the services under the State.
2

[(4A) Nothing in this article shall prevent the State from making any provision for
reservation 3[in matters of promotion, with consequential seniority, to any class] or classes
of posts in the services under the State in favour of the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled
Tribes which, in the opinion of the State, are not adequately represented in the services
under the State].
4

[(4B) Nothing in this article shall prevent the State from considering any unfilled
vacancies of a year which are reserved for being filled up in that year in accordance with
any provision for reservation made under clause (4) or clause (4A) as a separate class of
vacancies to be filled up in any succeeding year or years and such class of vacancies shall
not be considered together with the vacancies of the year in which they are being filled up
for determining the ceiling of fifty per cent. reservation on total number of vacancies of
that year.]
(5) Nothing in this article shall affect the operation of any law which provides that the
incumbent of an office in connection with the affairs of any religious or denominational
institution or any member of the governing body thereof shall be a person professing a
particular religion or belonging to a particular denomination.
17. Abolition of Untouchability.Untouchability is abolished and its practice in any
form is forbidden. The enforcement of any disability arising out of Untouchability shall
be an offence punishable in accordance with law.
18. Abolition of titles.(1) No title, not being a military or academic distinction, shall
be conferred by the State.
(2) No citizen of India shall accept any title from any foreign State.
(3) No person who is not a citizen of India shall, while he holds any office of profit or
trust under the State, accept without the consent of the President any title from any foreign
State.
(4) No person holding any office of profit or trust under the State shall, without the
consent of the President, accept any present, emolument, or office of any kind from or
under any foreign State.
Right to Freedom
19. Protection of certain rights regarding freedom of speech, etc.(1) All citizens
shall have the right
(a) to freedom of speech and expression;
(b) to assemble peaceably and without arms;
(c) to form associations or unions;
(d) to move freely throughout the territory of India;

1
2
3
4

Subs. by the Constitution (Seventh Amendment) Act, 1956, s. 29 and Sch., for under any State specified in the First
Schedule or any local or other authority within its territory any requirement as to residence within that State.
Ins. by the Constitution (Seventy-seventh Amendment) Act, 1995, s. 2.
Subs. by the Constitution (Eighty-fifth Amendment) Act, 2001, s. 2 (w.e.f. 17-6-1995).
Ins. by the Constitution (Eighty-first Amendment) Act, 2000, s. 2 (w.e.f. 9-6-2000).

9
(R) i BE VFj BE BE M x BEx + Vx BE, 1[+]
2

*
*
*
(U) BE< k, ={VBE, B{ BE BEx BE,
+vBE cM *

*
*

[(2) Jb (1) BE ={Jb (BE) BE BE< i =BDi ={Jb u nA MA +vBE BE |M { 4[i BE |i +

+Jbi, V BE F, n V BE l j{h v, BE Bl, ]S nS BE ci +l
x-+x, xcx +{v-=q{x BE v BDiBDi xvx Vc iBE BE< tx v +v{i BEi
c c iBE =BE |ix { | xc bM xvx +v{i BEx BE< v xx V BE xi
xc BEM *]
(3) =BDi Jb BE ={Jb (J) BE BE< i =BDi ={Jb u nA MA +vBE BE |M { 4[i BE |i +
+Jbi ] BE Bl BE ci BDiBDi xxvx Vc iBE BE< tx v +v{i BEi c c iBE =BE
|ix { | xc bM xxvx +v{i BEx BE< v xx V BE xi xc BEM *
(4) =BDi Jb BE ={Jb (M) BE BE< i =BDi ={Jb u nA MA +vBE BE |M { 4[i BE |i +
+Jbi ] BE Bl nS BE ci BDiBDi xxvx Vc iBE BE< tx v +v{i BEi c c
iBE =BE |ix { | xc bM xxvx +v{i BEx BE< v xx V BE xi xc
BEM *
(5) =BDi Jb BE 5[={Jb (P) + ={Jb (R)] BE BE< i =BDi ={Jb u nA MA +vBE BE |M {
vh Vxi BE ci BE +xSi VxVi BE ci BE Fh BE A BDiBDi xxvx Vc iBE BE<
tx v +v{i BEi c c iBE =BE |ix { | xc bM xxvx +v{i BEx

BE< v xx V BE xi xc BEM *
(6) =BDi Jb BE ={Jb (U) BE BE< i =BDi ={Jb u nA MA +vBE BE |M { vh
Vxi BE ci BDiBDi xxvx Vc iBE BE< tx v +v{i BEi c c iBE =BE |ix {
| xc bM xxvx +v{i BEx BE< v xx V BE xi xc BEM +
]i 6[=BDi ={Jb BE BE< i-(i) BE< k, ={VBE, B{ BE BEx BE A +BE kBE iBExBE +ci+
,
(ii) V u V BE i xjh BE xM u BE< B{, BE, =tM
, xMBE BE {hi& Mi& +{Vx BEBE +xl, SA Vx ,
Vc iBE BE< tx v v Ji c c iBE =BE |ix { | xc bM < |BE v Jx
BE< v xx V BE xi xc BEM *]

20. +{v BE A nr BE v Fh--(1) BE< BBDi BE +{v BE A i iBE rn xc

~c VAM, V iBE BE =x A BE< BE BEx BE , V +{v BE { +{i c, BE |k v BE
+iEh xc BE c = +vBE i BE M xc cM V = +{v BE BEA Vx BE |k v BE
+vx +v{i BE V BEi l *
(2) BE BBDi BE ABE c +{v BE A ABE +vBE +Vi + nbi xc BE VAM *
(3) BE +{v BE A +BDi BE BBDi BE +{x r F cx BE A v xc BE VAM *
21. |h + ncBE iji BE Fh--BE BBDi BE =BE |h ncBE iji v u l{i
|E BE +x c Si BE VAM, +xl xc *
1

vx (S vx) +vx, 1978 BE v 2 u (20-6-1979 ) +i&l{i *

vx (S vx) +vx, 1978 BE v 2 u (20-6-1979 ) ={Jb (S) BE { BE M *
3
vx ({c vx) +vx, 1951 BE v 3 u (iF | ) Jb (2) BE lx { |il{i *
4
vx (c vx) +vx, 1963 BE v 2 u +i&l{i *
5
vx (S vx) +vx, 1978 BE v 2 u (20-6-1979 ) ={Jb (P), ={Jb (R) + ={Jb (S) BE lx {
|il{i *
6
vx ({c vx) +vx, 1951 BE v 3 u BEU n BE lx { |il{i *
2

10

(e) to reside and settle in any part of the territory of India; 1[and]
2

(g) to practise any profession, or to carry on any occupation, trade or business.

3

[(2) Nothing in sub-clause (a) of clause (1) shall affect the operation of any existing law,
or prevent the State from making any law, in so far as such law imposes reasonable
restrictions on the exercise of the right conferred by the said sub-clause in the interests of
4
[the sovereignty and integrity of India,] the security of the State, friendly relations with
foreign States, public order, decency or morality, or in relation to contempt of court,
defamation or incitement to an offence.]
(3) Nothing in sub-clause (b) of the said clause shall affect the operation of any existing
law in so far as it imposes, or prevent the State from making any law imposing, in the
interests of 4 [the sovereignty and integrity of India or] public order, reasonable restrictions
on the exercise of the right conferred by the said sub-clause.
(4) Nothing in sub-clause (c) of the said clause shall affect the operation of any existing
law in so far as it imposes, or prevent the State from making any law imposing, in the
interests of 4 [the sovereignty and integrity of India or] public order or morality, reasonable
restrictions on the exercise of the right conferred by the said sub-clause.
(5) Nothing in 5[sub-clauses (d) and (e)] of the said clause shall affect the operation of
any existing law in so far as it imposes, or prevent the State from making any law imposing,
reasonable restrictions on the exercise of any of the rights conferred by the said sub-clauses
either in the interests of the general public or for the protection of the interests of any
Scheduled Tribe.
(6) Nothing in sub-clause (g) of the said clause shall affect the operation of any existing
law in so far as it imposes, or prevent the State from making any law imposing, in the
interests of the general public, reasonable restrictions on the exercise of the right conferred
by the said sub-clause, and, in particular, 6[nothing in the said sub-clause shall affect the
operation of any existing law in so far as it relates to, or prevent the State from making any
law relating to,
(i) the professional or technical qualifications necessary for practising any profession
or carrying on any occupation, trade or business, or
(ii) the carrying on by the State, or by a corporation owned or controlled by the State,
of any trade, business, industry or service, whether to the exclusion, complete or partial,
of citizens or otherwise.]
20. Protection in respect of conviction for offences.(1) No person shall be convicted
of any offence except for violation of a law in force at the time of the commission of the
Act charged as an offence, nor be subjected to a penalty greater than that which might have
been inflicted under the law in force at the time of the commission of the offence.
(2) No person shall be prosecuted and punished for the same offence more than once.
(3) No person accused of any offence shall be compelled to be a witness against himself.
21. Protection of life and personal liberty.No person shall be deprived of his life or
personal liberty except according to procedure established by law.

1
2
3
4
5
6

Ins. by the Constitution (Forty-fourth Amendment) Act, 1978, s. 2 (w.e.f. 20-6-1979)

.Sub-clause (f) omitted by s. 2. ibid., (w.e.f. 20-6-1979).
Subs. by the Constitution (First Amendment) Act, 1951, s. 3, for cl. (2) (with retrospective effect).
Ins. by the Constitution (Sixteenth Amendment) Act, 1963, s. 2.
Subs. by the Constitution (Forty-fourth Amendment) Act, 1978, s. 2, for .sub-clauses (d), (e) and (1) (w.e.f. 20-6-1979).
Subs. by the Constitution (First Amendment) Act, 1951, s. 3, for certain words.

11
1

[21BE. F BE +vBE--V, Uc Snc iBE BE + BE BE A x&BE +

+x F nx BE A i , V V v u, +vi BE, ={v BEM *]
2

22. BEU n+ M{Di + xv Fh--(1) BE BBDi BE V M{Di BE M c, A

M{Di BE BEh lQ +Mi BEA x +F xr xc J VAM +{x S BE v B
{ BEx + |iF BEx BE +vBE Si xc J VAM *
(2) |iBE BBDi BE, V M{Di BE M c + +F xr J M c, M{Di BE lx V]]
BE x iBE j BE A +BE BE UBE A M{Di S P] BE +v xBE]i V]] BE
F { BE VAM + A BE BBDi BE V]] BE |vBE BE x =BDi +v +vBE +v BE A
+F xr xc J VAM *
(3) Jb (1) + Jb (2) BE BE< i BE A BBDi BE M xc cM V-(BE) ii j +xn c ;
(J) xBE xv BE ={v BEx BE v BE +vx M{Di xr BE M c *
(4) xBE xv BE ={v BEx BE< v BE BBDi BE ix +vBE +v BE A i iBE
xr BE Vx |vBEi xc BEM V iBE BE-(BE) A BBDi , V =SS x BE xv c xv c c xv xBDi cx BE
A +ci c, BE x cBE b x ix BE =BDi +v BE {i {c c |inx xc n c
BE =BE A xv BE A {{i BEh c :
{i < ={Jb BE BE< i BE BBDi BE = +vBEi +v +vBE +v BE A xr BE
Vx |vBEi xc BEM V Jb (7) BE ={Jb (J) BE +vx n u x< M< v u ci BE M< c ;

(J) A BBDi BE Jb (7) BE ={Jb (BE) + ={Jb (J) BE +vx n u x< M< v BE ={v
BE +x xr xc BE Vi c *
(5) xBE xv BE ={v BEx BE v BE +vx BEA MA +n BE +xh V BE BBDi BE
xr BE Vi c i +n BEx |vBE lBD Q = BBDi BE c Si BEM BE c +n BEx
+v { BE M c + = +n BE r +nx BEx BE A = QiQ + nM *
(6) Jb (5) BE BE i A +n, V = Jb xn] c, BEx |vBE BE A A il BE
|BE] BEx +BE xc cM Vxc |BE] BEx A |vBE BEci BE r Zi c *
(7) n v u ci BE BEM BE-(BE) BEx {li BE +vx + BE M M BE BE BBDi BE xBE xv BE
={v BEx BE v BE +vx ix +vBE +v BE A Jb (4) BE ={Jb (BE) BE ={v BE
+x cBE b BE |{i BEA x xr BE V BEM ;
(J) BE M M BE BEix +vBEi +v BE A BE BBDi BE xBE xv BE
={v BEx BE v BE +vx xr BE V BEM ; +
(M) Jb (4) BE ={Jb (BE) BE +vx BE Vx VS cBE b u +xh BE Vx
|E BD cM *
h BE r +vBE
23. x BE nB{ + ig BE |iv--(1) x BE nB{ + M il < |BE BE +x
ig |ir BE Vi c + < ={v BE BE< =Px +{v cM V v BE +x nbx cM *
(2) < +xSUn BE BE< i V BE VxBE |Vx BE A +x +v{i BEx xi xc
BEM * A +v{i BEx V BE v, , Vi M <x BE BE +v { BE< n xc
BEM *
1
2

vx (U vx) +vx, 2002 BE v 2 u (+vSx BE iJ ) +i&l{i BE VAM *

vx (S vx) +vx, 1978 BE v 3 BE |ii cx {, +xSUn 22 = +vx BE v 3 xni {
vi c VAM * = +vx BE v 3 BE {~ {] 3 nJA *

12
1

[21A. Right to education.The State shall provide free and Compulsory education to
all children of the age of six to fourteen years in such manner as the State may, by law,
determine.]
2

22. Protection against arrest and detention in certain cases.(1) No person who is
arrested shall be detained in custody without being informed, as soon as may be, of the
grounds for such arrest nor shall he be denied the right to consult, and to be defended by, a
legal practitioner of his choice.
(2) Every person who is arrested and detained in custody shall be produced before the
nearest magistrate within a period of twenty-four hours of such arrest excluding the time
necessary for the journey from the place of arrest to the court of the magistrate and no such
person shall be detained in custody beyond the said period without the authority of a
magistrate.
(3) Nothing in clauses (1) and (2) shall apply
(a) to any person who for the time being is an enemy alien; or
(b) to any person who is arrested or detained under any law providing for preventive
detention.
(4) No law providing for preventive detention shall authorise the detention of a person for
a longer period than three months unless
(a) an Advisory Board consisting of persons who are, or have been, or are qualified to
be appointed as, Judges of a High Court has reported before the expiration of the said
period of three months that there is in its opinion sufficient cause for such detention:
Provided that nothing in this sub-clause shall authorise the detention of any person
beyond the maximum period prescribed by any law made by Parliament under sub-clause
(b) of clause (7); or
(b) such person is detained in accordance with the provisions of any law made by
Parliament under sub-clauses (a) and (b) of clause (7).
(5) When any
for preventive
communicate to
him the earliest

person is detained in pursuance of an order made under any law providing

detention, the authority making the order shall, as soon as may be,
such person the grounds on which the order has been made and shall afford
opportunity of making a representation against the order.

(6) Nothing in clause (5) shall require the authority making any such order as is referred
to in that clause to disclose facts which such authority considers to be against the public
interest to disclose.
(7) Parliament may by law prescribe
(a) the circumstances under which, and the class or classes of cases in which, a person
may be detained for a period longer than three months under any law providing for
preventive detention without obtaining the opinion of an Advisory Board in accordance
with the provisions of sub-clause (a) of clause (4);
(b) the maximum period for which any person may in any class or classes of cases be
detained under any law providing for preventive detention; and
(c) the procedure to be followed by an Advisory Board in an inquiry under sub-clause
(a) of clause (4).
Right against Exploitation
23. Prohibition of traffic in human beings and forced labour.(1) Traffic in human
beings and begar and other similar forms of forced labour are prohibited and any
contravention of this provision shall be an offence punishable in accordance with law.
(2) Nothing in this article shall prevent the State from imposing compulsory service for
public purposes, and in imposing such service the State shall not make any discrimination
on grounds only of religion, race, caste or class or any of them.
1
2

Ins by the Constitution (Eighty-sixth Amendment) Act, 2002, s. 2 (w.e.f. the date to be notified).
On the enforcement of s. 3 of the Constitution (Forty-fourth Amendment) Act, 1978, art. 22 shall stand amended as directed in s. 3 of
that Act. For the text of s. 3 of that Act, See Appendix III.

13
24. BEJx +n BE BE xVx BE |iv--Snc BE + BE BE BE BE BE BEJx
Jx BE BEx BE A xVi xc BE VAM BE +x {BE] xVx xc M VAM *
v BE iji BE +vBE
25. +i&BEh BE + v BE +v { xx, +Sh + |S BEx BE iji--(1) BE Bl,
nS + l il < M BE +x ={v BE +vx ci cA, BBDi BE +i&BEh BE iji BE +
v BE +v { xx, +Sh BEx + |S BEx BE x cBE cM *
(2) < +xSUn BE BE< i BE A tx v BE |ix { | xc bM V BE BE< A v
xx xi xc BEM V-(BE) vBE +Sh r BE +lBE, k, VxiBE +x BEBE EBE{ BE xx
xxvx BEi c ;
(J) VBE BEh + v BE A VxBE |BE BE cn+ BE vBE l+ BE cn+ BE
M + +xM BE A Jx BE ={v BEi c *
{]BEh 1--BE{h vh BEx + BE Sx BDJ v BE xx BE +M Z VAM *
{]BEh 2--Jb (2) BE ={Jb (J) cn+ BE |i xn BE c +l M VAM BE =BE +iMi BDJ,
Vx r v BE xx BBDi BE |i xn c + cn+ BE vBE l+ BE |i xn BE +l inx
M VAM *
26. vBE BE BE |v BE iji--BE Bl, nS + l BE +vx ci cA, |iBE vBE
|n =BE BE +xM BE-(BE) vBE + {i |Vx BE A l+ BE l{x + {h BE,
(J) +{x v BE BE BE |v BEx BE,
(M) VM + l {k BE +Vx + i BE, +
(P) A {k BE v BE +x |x BEx BE,
+vBE cM *
27. BE ] v BE +r BE A BE BE n BE iji--BE BBDi BE A BE BE
n BEx BE A v xc BE VAM VxBE +M BE ] v vBE |n BE +r {h
B BEx BE A xn] { xVi BEA Vi c *
28. BEU F l+ vBE F vBE ={x ={li cx BE iji--(1) V-xv
{hi& {i BE F l BE< vBE F xc n VAM *
(2) Jb (1) BE BE< i A F l BE M xc cM VBE |x V BEi c BEi V BE A
x x BE +vx l{i c< c VBE +x = l vBE F nx +BE c *
(3) V xi|{i V-xv ci {x F l ={li cx BE BBDi BE
A l n Vx vBE F M x BE A A l = Mx lx BE Vx
vBE ={x ={li cx BE A i iBE v xc BE VAM V iBE BE = BBDi x, n c +BE
c i =BE FBE x, <BE A +{x ci xc n n c *
BEi + F v +vBE
29. +{JBE-M BE ci BE Fh--(1) i BE VFj =BE BE M BE x xMBE BE BE
+xM BE, VBE +{x , { BEi c, = xA Jx BE +vBE cM *
(2) V u {i V-xv ci {x BE F l | BE xMBE BE BE
v, , Vi, <x BE BE +v { Si xc BE VAM *
30. F l+ BE l{x + |x BEx BE +{JBE-M BE +vBE--(1) v { +vi
+{JBE-M BE +{x S BE F l+ BE l{x + |x BE +vBE cM *

14
24. Prohibition of employment of children in factories, etc.No child below the age of
fourteen years shall be employed to work in any factory or mine or engaged in any other
hazardous employment.
Right to Freedom of Religion
25. Freedom of conscience and free profession, practice and propagation of
religion.(1) Subject to public order, morality and health and to the other provisions of
this Part, all persons are equally entitled to freedom of conscience and the right freely to
profess, practise and propagate religion.
(2) Nothing in this article shall affect the operation of any existing law or prevent the
State from making any law
(a) regulating or restricting any economic, financial, political or other secular activity
which may be associated with religious practice;
(b) providing for social welfare and reform or the throwing open of Hindu religious
institutions of a public character to all classes and sections of Hindus.
Explanation I.The wearing and carrying of kirpans shall be deemed to be included in
the profession of the Sikh religion.
Explanation II.In sub-clause (b) of clause (2), the reference to Hindus shall be
construed as including a reference to persons professing the Sikh, Jaina or Buddhist
religion, and the reference to Hindu religious institutions shall be construed accordingly.
26. Freedom to manage religious affairs.Subject to public order, morality and health,
every religious denomination or any section thereof shall have the right
(a) to establish and maintain institutions for religious and charitable purposes;
(b) to manage its own affairs in matters of religion;
(c) to own and acquire movable and immovable property; and
(d) to administer such property in accordance with law.
27. Freedom as to payment of taxes for promotion of any particular religion.No
person shall be compelled to pay any taxes, the proceeds of which are specifically
appropriated in payment of expenses for the promotion or maintenance of any particular
religion or religious denomination.
28. Freedom as to attendance at religious instruction or religious worship in certain
educational institutions.(1) No religious instruction shall be provided in any educational
institution wholly maintained out of State funds.
(2) Nothing in clause (1) shall apply to an educational institution which is administered
by the State but has been established under any endowment or trust which requires that
religious instruction shall be imparted in such institution.
(3) No person attending any educational institution recognised by the State or receiving
aid out of State funds shall be required to take part in any religious instruction that may be
imparted in such institution or to attend any religious worship that may be conducted in
such institution or in any premises attached thereto unless such person or, if such person is
a minor, his guardian has given his consent thereto.
Cultural and Educational Rights
29. Protection of interests of minorities.(1) Any section of the citizens residing in the
territory of India or any part thereof having a distinct language, script or culture of its own
shall have the right to conserve the same.
(2) No citizen shall be denied admission into any educational institution maintained by
the State or receiving aid out of State funds on grounds only of religion, race, caste,
language or any of them.
30. Right of minorities to establish and administer educational institutions. (1) All
minorities, whether based on religion or language, shall have the right to establish and
administer educational institutions of their choice.

15
1

[(1BE) Jb (1) xn] BE +{JBE-M u l{i + |i F l BE {k BE +x

+Vx BE A ={v BEx v xi , V c xSi BEM BE A {k BE +Vx BE A A v
u xi =BE +vx +vi BE <ix c BE = Jb BE +vx |ii +vBE xxvi xBEi x c
VA *]
(2) F l+ BE ci nx V BE F l BE r < +v { n xc BEM BE c v
{ +vi BE +{JBE-M BE |v c *
2

*
*
*
31. [{k BE +x +Vx *]--vx (S vx) +vx, 1978 BE v 6 u (20-6-1979 )
xi *
3

[BEU v BE Bk]

[31BE. {n+ +n BE +Vx BE A ={v BEx v BE Bk--5[(1) +xSUn 13 +i] BE

i BE ci cA ,-(BE) BE {n BE = BExc +vBE BE V u +Vx BE A BExc A +vBE BE x{x
=x {ix BE A,
(J) BE {k BE |v BEci = {k BE =Si |v xSi BEx BE =q {i
+v BE A V u A Vx BE A,
(M) n +vBE xM BE BEci =x xM BE BE =Si |v xSi BEx BE =q
i BEx BE A,
(P) xM BE |v +BEi+, S + BEvF, |v xnBE, xnBE |vBE BE BExc
+vBE =xBE vBE BE i nx BE BExc +vBE BE x{x =x {ix BE A,
(R) BE JxV JxV i BE JV BEx = |{i BEx BE |Vx BE A BE BE, {]]
+xY{i BE +v { |ni cx BExc +vBE BE x{x =x {ix BE A BE A BE,
{]] +xY{i BE {c {i BEx q BEx BE A,
={v BEx v < +v { x xc Z VAM BE c 6[+xSUn 14 +xSUn 19] u |nk +vBE
BE +Mi c = Uxi c xx BEi c :
{i Vc A v BE V BE vx-b u x< M< v c c < +xSUn BE ={v = v BE i
iBE M xc cM V iBE A v BE, V ]{i BE S BE A +Fi J M< c, =BE +xi |{i xc c
M< c :]
7

[{i c + BE Vc BE v BE {n BE V u +Vx BE A BE< ={v BE M c + Vc

= ] BE< BE BBDi BE +{x Vi c c V BE A A BE A M BE, V BE ii
|k v BE +vx =BE M +vBEi BE i c, = { xi = +xMx BE x Sx
BE +Vi BEx = n BE v{h xc cM V n A , x Sx BE +Vx vi v
= n |iBE BE n BE A ={v BEi c V =BE V- BE xc cM *]
(2) < +xSUn ,-8

[(BE) {n {n BE BE lx Fj BE v c +l c V = {n BE =BE i lx
{n BE = Fj |k -vi vi tx v c + <BE +iMi--

vx (S vx) +vx, 1978 BE v 4 u (20-6-1979 ) +i&l{i *

vx (S vx) +vx, 1978 BE v 5 u (20-6-1979 ) ={BE {k BE +vBE BE { BE M *
3
vx ( vx) +vx, 1976 BE v 3 u (3-1-1977 ) +i&l{i *
4
vx ({c vx) +vx, 1951 BE v 4 u (iF | ) +i&l{i *
5
vx (Sl vx) +vx, 1955 BE v 3 u (iF | ) Jb (1) BE lx { |il{i *
6
vx (S vx) +vx, 1978 BE v 7 u (20-6-1979 ) +xSUn 14, +xSUn 19 +xSUn 31 BE lx
{ |il{i *
7
vx (jc vx) +vx, 1964 BE v 2 u +i&l{i *
8
vx (jc vx) +vx, 1964 BE v 2 u (iF | ) ={Jb (BE) BE lx { |il{i *
2

16
1

[(1A) In making any law providing for the compulsory acquisition of any property of an
educational institution established and administered by a minority, referred to in clause (1),
the State shall ensure that the amount fixed by or determined under such law for the
acquisition of such property is such as would not restrict or abrogate the right guaranteed
under that clause.]
(2) The State shall not, in granting aid to educational institutions, discriminate against
any educational institution on the ground that it is under the management of a minority,
whether based on religion or language.
2

31. [Compulsory acquisition of property.] Rep. By the Constitution (Forty-fourth

Amendment) Act, 1978, s. 6 (w.e.f. 20-6-1979).
3

[Saving of Certain Laws]

[31A.
Saving
of
laws
providing
for
acquisition
of
estates,
[(1) Notwithstanding anything contained in article 13, no law providing for

etc.

(a) the acquisition by the State of any estate or of any rights therein or the
extinguishment or modification of any such rights, or
(b) the taking over of the management of any property by the State for a limited period
either in the public interest or in order to secure the proper management of the property,
or
(c) the amalgamation of two or more corporations either in the public interest or in order to secure the
proper management of any of the corporations, or
(d) the extinguishment or modification of any rights of managing agents, secretaries
and treasurers, managing directors, directors or managers of corporations, or of any
voting rights of shareholders thereof, or
(e) the extinguishment or modification of any rights accruing by virtue of any
agreement, lease or licence for the purpose of searching for, or winning, any mineral or
mineral oil, or the premature termination or cancellation of any such agreement, lease or
licence,
shall be deemed to be void on the ground that it is inconsistent with, or takes away or
abridges any of the rights conferred by 6[article 14 or article 19:]
Provided that where such law is a law made by the Legislature of a State, the provisions
of this article shall not apply thereto unless such law, having been reserved for the
consideration of the President, has received his assent:]
7

[Provided further that where any law makes any provision for the acquisition by the
State of any estate and where any land comprised therein is held by a person under his
personal cultivation, it shall not be lawful for the State to acquire any portion of such land
as is within the ceiling limit applicable to him under any law for the time being in force or
any building or structure standing thereon or appurtenant thereto, unless the law relating to
the acquisition of such land, building or structure, provides for payment of compensation at
a rate which shall not be less than the market value thereof.]
(2) In this article,
8

[(a) the expression estate shall, in relation to any local area, have the same
meaning as that expression or its local equivalent has in the existing law relating to land
tenures in force in that area and shall also include

Ins. by the Constitution (Forty-fourth Amendment) Act, 1978, s. 4 (w.e.f. 20-6-1979).

The sub-heading Right to Property omitted by s. 5, ibid. (w.e.f. 20-6-1979).
Ins. by the Constitution (Forty-second Amendment) Act, 1976, s. 3 (w.e.f. 3-1-1977).
4
Ins. by the Constitution (First Amendment) Act, 1951, s. 4 (with retrospective effect).
5
Subs. by the Constitution (Fourth Amendment) Act, 1955, s. 3 for clause (1) (with retrospective effect).
6
Subs. by the Constitution (Forty-fourth Amendment) Act, 1978, s. 7, for article 14, article 19 or article 31 (w.e.f. 20-6-1979).
7
Ins. by the Constitution (Seventeenth Amendment) Act, 1964, s. 2.
8
Subs. by Constitution (Sevententh Amendment) Act s. 2, for sub-clause (a) (with retrospective effect).
2
3

17
(i) BE< VM, <x +{E +l c +x +xnx + 1[ixb] + BE V
BE< Vx +vBE cM ;
(ii) i, ni BE +vx vi BE< cM ;
(iii) BE BE |Vx BE A =BE cBE |Vx BE A vi {]] { n M< BE<
cM, VBE +iMi V , x , SMc BE BEBE, BE gBE + Oh BEM BE
+vM x + +x Sx+ BE l c ;]
(J) +vBE {n BE +iMi, BE {n BE v , BE iv, ={-iv, + iv, vivBE, 2[i, + i] +x vi xci BE< +vBE + -V BE v BE< +vBE
vBE cM *
3

[31J. BEU +vx + x BE vxBEh--+xSUn 31BE +i] ={v BE B{BEi {

|iBE | b x, x +xS xn] +vx + x + =xBE ={v BE< < +v
{ x BE x c+ xc Z VAM BE c +vx, x ={v < M BE BExc ={v u |nk
+vBE BE +Mi c = Uxi c xx BEi c + BE x +vBEh BE BE |iBE
xh, bE +n BE ci cA , =BDi +vx + x |iBE, = xi vi BEx BE
BE F vx-b BE BDi BE +vx ci cA, |k x cM *]
4

[31M. BEU xnBE ik BE | BEx v BE Bk--+xSUn 13 BE i BE ci cA ,

BE< v, V 5[M 4 +vBEli BExc ik] BE xSi BEx BE A V BE xi BE | BEx
c, < +v { x xc Z VAM BE c 6[+xSUn 14 +xSUn 19] u |nk +vBE BE
+Mi c = Uxi c xx BEi c 7+ BE< v, V c Ph c BE c A xi BE | BEx BE
A c, BE x < +v { |xMi xc BE VAM BE c A xi BE | xc BEi c:
{i Vc A v BE V BE vx-b u x< Vi c c < +xSUn BE ={v = v BE i
iBE M xc cM V iBE A v BE, V ]{i BE S BE A +Fi J M< c, =BE +xi |{i xc c
M< c *]
8

31P. [] v EBE{ BE v v BE Bk*]--vx (ii vx) +vx, 1977

BE v 2 u (13-4-1978 ) xi *
vxBE ={S BE +vBE
32. < M u |nk +vBE BE |ii BEx BE A ={S--(1) < M u |nk +vBE BE |ii
BEx BE A Si BEc u =SSi x nx BEx BE +vBE |ii BE Vi c *
(2) < M u |nk +vBE BE BE |ii BEx BE A =SSi x BE A xn +n
], VxBE +iMi n |iFBEh, {n, |iv, +vBE-{SU + =i|h ] c, V Si c, xBEx
BE BDi cM *
(3) =SSi x BE Jb (1) + Jb (2) u |nk BDi { |iBE | b x, n, =SSi
x u Jb (2) BE +vx |BDiB BExc BDi BE BE +x x BE +{x +vBEi BE
lx + BE i |M BEx BE A v u BDi BE BEM *
(4) < vx u +xl ={vi BE , < +xSUn u |ii +vBE xi xc BE VAM *
1

p V (x-{ix) +vx, 1968 (1968 BE 53) BE v 4 u (14-1-1969 ) p BE lx { |il{i *

vx (Sl vx) +vx, 1955 BE v 3 u (iF | ) +i&l{i *
3
vx ({c vx) +vx, 1951 BE v 5 u +i&l{i *
4
vx ({SS vx) +vx, 1971 BE v 3 u (20-4-1972 ) +i&l{i *
5
vx ( vx) +vx, 1976 BE v 4 u (3-1-1977 ) +xSUn 39 BE Jb (J) Jb (M) xn]
ri BE lx { |il{i * v 4 BE =SSi x u, x 0 + +x x i P + +x
(1980) 2 A000 591 +vx Pi BE n M *
6
vx (S vx) +vx, 1978 BE v 8 u (20-6-1979 ) +xSUn 14, +xSUn 19 +xSUn 31 BE lx
{ |il{i *
7
=SSi x x BExn i x BE V (1973) +x{BE A..+. 1 BE~BE nA MA ={v BE +vx
Pi BE n c *
8
vx ( vx) +vx, 1976 BE v 5 u (3-1-1977 ) +i&l{i *
2

18
(i) any jagir, inam or muafi or other similar grant and in the States of 1[Tamil
Nadu] and Kerala, any janmam right;
(ii) any land held under ryotwari settlement;
(iii) any land held or let for purposes of agriculture or for purposes ancillary
thereto, including waste land, forest land, land for pasture or sites of buildings and
other structures occupied by cultivators of land, agricultural labourers and village
artisans;]
(b) the expression rights, in relation to an estate, shall include any rights vesting in
a proprietor, sub-proprietor, under-proprietor, tenure-holder, 2[raiyat, under-raiyat] or
other intermediary and any rights or privileges in respect of land revenue.]
3

[31B. Validation of certain Acts and Regulations.Without prejudice to the generality

of the provisions contained in article 31A, none of the Acts and Regulations specified in the
Ninth Schedule nor any of the provisions thereof shall be deemed to be void, or ever to
have become void, on the ground that such Act, Regulation or provision is inconsistent
with, or takes away or abridges any of the rights conferred by, any provisions of this Part,
and notwithstanding any judgment, decree or order of any court or Tribunal to the contrary,
each of the said Acts and Regulations shall, subject to the power of any competent
Legislature to repeal or amend it, continue in force.]
4

[31C. Saving of laws giving effect to certain directive principles.Notwithstanding

anything contained in article 13, no law giving effect to the policy of the State towards
securing 5[all or any of the principles laid down in Part IV] shall be deemed to be void on
the ground that it is inconsistent with, or takes away or abridges any of the rights conferred
by 6[article 14 or article 19]; 7and no law containing a declaration that it is for giving effect
to such policy shall be called in question in any court on the ground that it does not give
effect to such policy:
Provided that where such law is made by the Legislature of a State, the provisions of this
article shall not apply thereto unless such law, having been reserved for the consideration
of the President, has received his assent.
8

31D. [Saving of laws in respect of anti-national activities.] Rep. by the Constitution

(Forty-third Amendment) Act,1977, s.2 (w.e.f.13-4-1978).
Right to Constitutional Remedies
32. Remedies for enforcement of rights conferred by this Part.(1) The right to move
the Supreme Court by appropriate proceedings for the enforcement of the rights conferred
by this Part is guaranteed.
(2) The Supreme Court shall have power to issue directions or orders or writs, including
writs in the nature of habeas corpus, mandamus, prohibition, quo warranto and certiorari,
whichever may be appropriate, for the enforcement of any of the rights conferred by this
Part.
(3) Without prejudice to the powers conferred on the Supreme Court by clauses (1) and
(2), Parliament may by law empower any other court to exercise within the local limits of
its jurisdiction all or any of the powers exercisable by the Supreme Court under clause (2).
(4) The right guaranteed by this article shall not be suspended except as otherwise
provided for by this Constitution.

1
2
3
4
5

6
7
8

Subs. by the Madras State (Alteration of Name) Act. 1968 (53 of 1968) s. 4, for Madras . (w.e..f. 14-1-1969).
Ins. by the Constitution (Fourth Amendment) Act, 1955. s. 3 (with retrospective effect).
Ins. by the Constitution (First Amendment) Act, 1951, s. 5.
Ins. by the Constitution (Twenty-fifth Amendment) Act, 1971. s. 3 (w.e..f. 20-4-1972).
Subs. by the Constitution (Forty-second Amendment) Act, 1976, s. 4, for the principles specified in clause (b) or clause (c) of article
39 (w.e.f. 3.1.1977). Section 4 has been declared invalid by the Supreme Court in Minerva Mills Ltd. and others vs. Union of India
and others (1980) s. 2, S.C.C. 591.
Subs. by the Constitution (Forty-fourth Amendment) Act, 1978, s. 8, for article 14, article 19 or article 31 (w.e.f. 20-6-1979).
In Kesavananda Bharati vs. the State of Kerala (1973,Supp. S.C.R.1., the Supreme Court held the provisions in italics to be invalid.
Ins. by the Constitution (Forty-second Amendment) Act, 1976, s. 5 (w.e.f. 3-1-1977).

19
1

32BE. [V v BE vxBE vi { +xSUn 32 BE +vx BEc S x BE Vx *]-vx (ii vx) +vx, 1977 BE v 3 u (13-4-1978 ) xi *
2

[33. < M u |nk +vBE BE, +n BE M cx , ={ih BEx BE n BE BDi--n,

v u, +vh BE BEM BE < M u |nk +vBE BE<,-(BE) j BE n BE,
(J) BE Bl xA Jx BE vx BEx BE n BE,
(M) +Sx |i +Sx BE |Vx BE A V u l{i BE +x M~x xVi
BBDi BE,
(P) Jb (BE) Jb (M) xn] BE , M~x BE |Vx BE A l{i nS |h
=BE v xVi BBDi BE,
M cx , BE i iBE xxvi xBEi BE VA V =xBE BEiB BE =Si {x + =x +xx
x cx xSi c *]
34. V BE Fj x v |k c i < M u |nk +vBE { xxvx--< M BE {M ={v
BE i BE ci cA , n v u P BE V BE BE BBDi BE BE +x BBDi BE
BE A BE BE v Fi{i BE BEM V =x i BE VFj BE i BE A Fj , Vc x v
|k l, Bl BE xA Jx {x&l{x BE v BE c A Fj x v BE +vx {i nbn, nA
MA nb, +n] {ch BEA MA +x BE BE vx BE BEM *
35. < M BE ={v BE | BEx BE A vx--< vx BE i BE ci cA ,-(BE) n BE BDi cM + BE V BE vx-b BE BDi xc cM BE c-(i) Vx BE A +xSUn 16 BE Jb (3), +xSUn 32 BE Jb (3), +xSUn 33 + +xSUn
34 BE +vx n v u ={v BE BEM =x BE BE A, +
(ii) A BE BE A, V < M BE +vx +{v Pi BEA MA c, nb ci BEx BE A,
v xA + n < vx BE | BE {Si lBD Q A BE BE A, V ={Jb (ii) xn]
c, nb ci BEx BE A v xAM ;
(J) Jb (BE) BE ={Jb (i) xn] BE vi = Jb BE ={Jb (ii) xn]
BE BE BE A nb BE ={v BEx BE< |k v, V i BE VFj < vx BE |
~BE {c |k l, =BE xvx BE + +xSUn 372 BE +vx = BEA MA BExc +xBEx + ={ih
BE +vx ci cA i iBE |k cM V iBE =BE n u {ix xx vx xc BE n
Vi c *
{]BEh--< +xSUn , |k v {n BE c +l c V +xSUn 372 c *

1
2

vx ( vx) +vx, 1976 BE v 6 u (1-2-1977 ) +i&l{i *

vx ({S vx) +vx, 1984 BE v 2 u +xSUn 33 BE lx { |il{i *

20
1

32A. [Constitutional validity of State laws not to be considered in proceedings under

article 32.] Rep. by the Constitution (Forty-third Amendment) Act, 1977, s.3 (w.e.f. 13-41978).
2
[33. Power of Parliament to modify the rights conferred by this Part in their
application to Forces, etc.Parliament may, by law, determine to what extent any of the
rights conferred by this Part shall, in their application to,
(a) the members of the Armed Forces; or
(b) the members of the Forces charged with the maintenance of public order; or
(c) persons employed in any bureau or other organisation established by the State for
purposes of intelligence or counter intelligence; or
(d) persons employed in, or in connection with, the telecommunication systems set up
for the purposes of any Force, bureau or organisation referred to in clauses (a) to (c),
be restricted or abrogated so as to ensure the proper discharge of their duties and the
maintenance of discipline among them
34. Restriction on rights conferred by this Part while martial law is in force in any
area.Notwithstanding anything in the foregoing provisions of this Part, Parliament may
by law indemnify any person in the service of the Union or of a State or any other person in
respect of any act done by him in connection with the maintenance or restoration of order in
any area within the territory of India where martial law was in force or validate any
sentence passed, punishment inflicted, forfeiture ordered or other act done under martial
law in such area.
35. Legislation to give effect to the provisions of this Part.Notwithstanding anything
in this Constitution,
(a) Parliament shall have, and the Legislature of a State shall not have, power to make
laws
(i) with respect to any of the matters which under clause (3) of article 16, clause
(3) of article 32, article 33 and article 34 may be provided for by law made by
Parliament; and
(ii) for prescribing punishment for those acts which are declared to be offences
under this Part;
and Parliament shall, as soon as may be after the commencement of this Constitution,
make laws for prescribing punishment for the acts referred to in sub-clause (ii);
(b) any law in force immediately before the commencement of this Constitution in the
territory of India with respect to any of the matters referred to in sub-clause (i) of clause
(a) or providing for punishment for any act referred to in sub-clause (ii) of that clause
shall, subject to the terms thereof and to any adaptations and modifications that may be
made therein under article 372, continue in force until altered or repealed or amended by
Parliament.
Explanation.In this article, the expression "law in force'' has the same meaning as in
article 372.

1
2

Ins. by the Constitution (Forty-second Amendment) Act, 1976, s. 6 (w.e..f. 3-1-1977).

Subs. by the Constitution (Fiftieth Amendment) Act, 1984, s. 2, for art. 33.