Fundamental Rights
मौलिक अधिकार
Six rights guaranteed to every Indian citizen by the Constitution. These rights are enforceable in the Supreme Court and High Courts.
Justiciable
Unlike Directive Principles, Fundamental Rights are enforceable in courts. You can directly approach the Supreme Court under Article 32.
Against State Action
These rights primarily protect citizens from arbitrary action by the State — government, police, and public authorities.
Can Be Suspended
Some fundamental rights can be suspended during a National Emergency (Article 352), except Articles 20 and 21.
Part III
The Six Fundamental Rights
1. Right to Equality
समानता का अधिकार · Articles 14–18
The state cannot deny equality before the law or equal protection of laws to any person. No discrimination on grounds of religion, race, caste, sex, or place of birth. Untouchability is abolished. No titles (except military/academic) can be conferred.
कानून के समक्ष समानता
Every person — rich, poor, powerful or ordinary — is equal before the law.
भेदभाव का निषेध
State cannot discriminate based on religion, race, caste, sex, or place of birth.
अवसर की समानता
Equal opportunity in public employment for all citizens.
अस्पृश्यता का उन्मूलन
Untouchability is abolished and its practice in any form is an offence.
उपाधियों का उन्मूलन
No title (except military or academic) can be conferred by the State.
2. Right to Freedom
स्वतंत्रता का अधिकार · Articles 19–22
Six freedoms under Article 19: speech & expression, peaceful assembly, forming associations, free movement within India, residence & settlement, and choice of profession. Protected by Articles 20, 21, and 22 against wrongful prosecution and arbitrary arrest.
छह स्वतंत्रताएं
Speech, assembly, association, movement, residence, and profession.
दोषसिद्धि के विरुद्ध संरक्षण
No person can be convicted for an act that was not an offence when committed. No double jeopardy.
प्राण और दैहिक स्वतंत्रता
No person shall be deprived of life or personal liberty except by procedure established by law.
शिक्षा का अधिकार
Free and compulsory education for children aged 6–14 years.
गिरफ्तारी के विरुद्ध संरक्षण
Right to be told why arrested, right to a lawyer, production before magistrate within 24 hours.
3. Right Against Exploitation
शोषण के विरुद्ध अधिकार · Articles 23–24
Prohibits human trafficking, forced labour (begar), and employment of children below 14 in hazardous work. Violations are punishable offences.
4. Freedom of Religion
धर्म की स्वतंत्रता · Articles 25–28
Every person has the freedom to profess, practise, and propagate religion. No compulsion in religious matters. No religious instruction in state-funded schools.
Freedom to profess, practise, and propagate religion.
Religious denominations can manage their own affairs.
No one can be forced to pay taxes for a particular religion.
State-funded schools cannot give religious instruction.
5. Cultural & Educational Rights
सांस्कृतिक एवं शैक्षिक अधिकार · Articles 29–30
Minorities have the right to conserve their language, script and culture. They can establish and administer their own educational institutions.
6. Right to Constitutional Remedies
संवैधानिक उपचारों का अधिकार · Article 32
"The heart and soul of the Constitution" — Dr. B.R. Ambedkar. If any fundamental right is violated, you can directly petition the Supreme Court. The Court can issue five types of writs.
Know your rights. Enforce them.
If your fundamental rights are violated, you can approach the High Court (Article 226) or Supreme Court (Article 32) directly.