important one-liner facts about Fundamental Rights in the Indian Constitution for JKSSB, JKPSC, SSC, UPSC, Railway, and other competitive exams.
Fundamental Rights – One-Liner Facts
Fundamental Rights are mentioned in Part III of the Indian Constitution.
Fundamental Rights are covered under Articles 12 to 35.
They are known as the Magna Carta of India.
Fundamental Rights were borrowed from the Constitution of the United States (USA).
The objective of Fundamental Rights is to protect the liberty and dignity of individuals.
Originally, the Constitution provided 7 Fundamental Rights.
At present, there are 6 Fundamental Rights.
The Right to Property was removed as a Fundamental Right by the 44th Constitutional Amendment Act, 1978.
Right to Property is now a Legal Right under Article 300A.
Dr. B.R. Ambedkar called Article 32 the Heart and Soul of the Constitution.
Article 32 provides the Right to Constitutional Remedies.
The Supreme Court is the guardian of Fundamental Rights.
High Courts can also enforce Fundamental Rights under Article 226.
Fundamental Rights are enforceable by courts.
Fundamental Rights are not absolute.
The State can impose reasonable restrictions on Fundamental Rights.
Fundamental Rights can be suspended during a National Emergency except certain rights.
Articles 20 and 21 cannot be suspended even during a National Emergency.
Article 12 defines the term State.
Article 13 declares laws inconsistent with Fundamental Rights as void.
Judicial Review is based mainly on Articles 13, 32, and 226.
Fundamental Rights are available against arbitrary action by the State.
Some Fundamental Rights are available only to citizens.
Some Fundamental Rights are available to all persons, including foreigners.
Article 14 guarantees Equality before Law.
Article 14 also guarantees Equal Protection of Laws.
Equality before Law is borrowed from Britain.
Equal Protection of Laws is borrowed from the USA.
Article 15 prohibits discrimination on grounds of religion, race, caste, sex, or place of birth.
Article 16 guarantees equality of opportunity in public employment.
Article 17 abolishes Untouchability.
Article 17 is absolute and has no exceptions.
Article 18 abolishes titles except military and academic distinctions.
Bharat Ratna and Padma Awards are not considered titles.
Articles 19 to 22 deal with the Right to Freedom.
Article 19 provides six freedoms to citizens.
Article 19 is available only to citizens.
Freedom of Speech and Expression is under Article 19(1)(a).
Freedom of Peaceful Assembly is under Article 19(1)(b).
Freedom to Form Associations is under Article 19(1)(c).
Freedom of Movement is under Article 19(1)(d).
Freedom of Residence is under Article 19(1)(e).
Freedom of Profession, Occupation, Trade, or Business is under Article 19(1)(g).
Freedom of Press is not separately mentioned in the Constitution.
Freedom of Press is included under Freedom of Speech and Expression.
Article 20 provides protection in respect of conviction for offences.
Article 20 prohibits Ex Post Facto Laws.
Article 20 prohibits Double Jeopardy.
Article 20 protects against Self-Incrimination.
Article 21 guarantees the Right to Life and Personal Liberty.
Article 21 is available to both citizens and foreigners.
Article 21A provides the Right to Education.
Article 21A was inserted by the 86th Constitutional Amendment Act, 2002.
Right to Education became effective on 1 April 2010.
Article 21A provides free and compulsory education to children aged 6–14 years.
Article 22 protects against arbitrary arrest and detention.
Preventive detention is permitted under Article 22.
Articles 23 and 24 deal with the Right against Exploitation.
Article 23 prohibits Human Trafficking and Forced Labour.
Article 24 prohibits employment of children below 14 years in hazardous occupations.
Articles 25 to 28 deal with the Right to Freedom of Religion.
Article 25 guarantees Freedom of Conscience and Free Profession, Practice, and Propagation of Religion.
India follows the principle of Secularism.
Article 26 gives religious denominations the right to manage their own affairs.
Article 27 prohibits compulsory payment of taxes for promotion of any religion.
Article 28 deals with religious instruction in educational institutions.
Articles 29 and 30 deal with Cultural and Educational Rights.
Article 29 protects the interests of minorities.
Article 30 gives minorities the right to establish and administer educational institutions.
Articles 32 to 35 deal with the Right to Constitutional Remedies.
Article 32 is itself a Fundamental Right.
Five types of writs can be issued for enforcement of Fundamental Rights.
The five writs are Habeas Corpus, Mandamus, Prohibition, Certiorari, and Quo Warranto.
Habeas Corpus means "produce the body."
Mandamus means "we command."
Certiorari means "to be certified."
Prohibition means "to forbid."
Quo Warranto means "by what authority."
Only the Supreme Court can enforce Fundamental Rights under Article 32.
Both the Supreme Court and High Courts can issue writs.
High Courts exercise writ jurisdiction under Article 226.
Article 33 empowers Parliament to modify Fundamental Rights for armed forces and related personnel.
Article 34 deals with restrictions during Martial Law.
Article 35 empowers Parliament to make laws on certain Fundamental Rights.
Fundamental Rights promote political democracy.
Fundamental Rights are justiciable.
Directive Principles are non-justiciable, but Fundamental Rights are justiciable.
Fundamental Rights and Directive Principles are complementary to each other.
The Kesavananda Bharati (1973) judgment introduced the Basic Structure Doctrine, protecting essential constitutional features including judicial review and the core framework of Fundamental Rights.
The Maneka Gandhi (1978) judgment expanded the scope of Article 21.
The Golak Nath (1967) judgment held that Parliament could not amend Fundamental Rights (later modified by subsequent constitutional developments).
The Minerva Mills (1980) judgment emphasized the balance between Fundamental Rights and Directive Principles.
The Constitution prohibits discrimination but permits affirmative action (reservation) in certain cases.
Equality does not mean identical treatment; reasonable classification is permitted.
Fundamental Rights help protect individuals from arbitrary exercise of State power.
Most Fundamental Rights are enforceable against the State, while some (such as Articles 17, 23, and 24) also operate against private individuals.
The Constitution allows reasonable restrictions on freedoms in the interest of sovereignty, security, public order, decency, morality, and other specified grounds.
During a National Emergency under Article 352, enforcement of certain Fundamental Rights may be affected according to constitutional provisions.
Every competitive exam regularly includes questions from Articles 12–35.
Part III (Fundamental Rights) is one of the most important sections of the Indian Constitution for competitive examinations.