Fundamental Rights & DPSP
Six Fundamental Rights, writs, Directive Principles, Fundamental Duties.
Fundamental Rights & DPSP
Fundamental Rights
What you'll learn
- Fundamental Rights — basic rights guaranteed by the Constitution of India to every citizen (and some to all persons).
- Six categories of Fundamental Rights (Articles 12–35).
- Right to Equality (Articles 14–18) — no discrimination on grounds of religion, race, caste, sex, birthplace.
- Right to Freedom (Articles 19–22) — speech, assembly, movement, profession.
- Right against Exploitation (Articles 23–24) — no forced labour, no child labour.
- Rights can be restricted during National Emergency.
Key concepts
Six Fundamental Rights
| Right | Articles | Key provisions |
|---|---|---|
| Right to Equality | 14–18 | Equal law, no discrimination, equality of opportunity, abolition of untouchability, no titles |
| Right to Freedom | 19–22 | Speech & expression, assembly, association, movement, residence, profession; protection against arrest |
| Right against Exploitation | 23–24 | No trafficking, no forced labour (begar); no child labour under 14 in hazardous work |
| Right to Freedom of Religion | 25–28 | Free to practice and propagate religion; state has no official religion (secular) |
| Cultural and Educational Rights | 29–30 | Minorities can preserve culture and language; right to establish educational institutions |
| Right to Constitutional Remedies | 32 | Right to approach Supreme Court if Fundamental Rights violated — Dr Ambedkar called this the "heart and soul" of Constitution |
Right to Constitutional Remedies — Writs
| Writ | Meaning | Used when |
|---|---|---|
| Habeas Corpus | "You have the body" | Person illegally detained; court orders release |
| Mandamus | "We command" | Public official not doing their duty |
| Prohibition | "To forbid" | Lower court exceeding its jurisdiction |
| Certiorari | "To certify" | Quash lower court order |
| Quo Warranto | "By what authority" | Challenge authority of a person holding public office |
Directive Principles of State Policy (DPSP)
- Part IV of Constitution (Articles 36–51).
- Not justiciable (cannot be enforced by courts) but fundamental to governance.
- Guide government in making laws: equal pay for equal work, free legal aid, protect environment.
- Difference from Fundamental Rights: FRs are enforceable; DPSPs are guidelines.
Fundamental Duties (Article 51A)
Added by 42nd Amendment (1976). 11 duties — e.g., respect Constitution, protect environment, promote scientific temper, protect public property.
Quick check
- Name the six categories of Fundamental Rights with their Article numbers.
- What is Habeas Corpus? When is it used?
- Why did Dr Ambedkar call Article 32 the "heart and soul" of the Constitution?
- What is the difference between Fundamental Rights and Directive Principles?
- Which amendment added Fundamental Duties?
Open the Practice tab for graded questions on Fundamental Rights.
Key Takeaways (TL;DR)
- What you'll learn
- Key concepts
- Quick check
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