Fundamental rights: General Awareness & Current Affairs Notes for TISSNET

Fundamental Rights – Comprehensive Study Notes (TISSNET G.A. & Current Affairs)

Why this matters for TISSNET?
The General Awareness section of TISSNET tests your knowledge of the Indian Constitution, landmark judgments, and current‑affairs developments. Fundamental Rights (FRs) form the bedrock of this knowledge. A solid grasp of FRs will help you answer questions on constitutional law, recent amendments, Supreme Court precedents, and socio‑legal controversies.

1️⃣ What are Fundamental Rights?

Feature	Description
Definition	Rights guaranteed to every citizen by the Constitution, inviolable and enforceable by the Supreme Court.
Constitutional Anchor	Articles 12‑35 of the Constitution of India.
Nature	Positive (rights to do) and Negative (rights from interference).
Justiciability	All FRs are justiciable – courts can enforce them.
Hierarchy	Article 13 – FRs are superior to any law that contradicts them.
Restriction	FRs can be restricted only by law (not arbitrary power) and only for a reasonable purpose (public order, morality, etc.).

2️⃣ Enumerated Fundamental Rights (Articles 12–35)

Article	Right	Key Features / Landmark Judgements
12	Equality before the law	Kesavananda Bharati (1973) – “Basic Structure” doctrine (Article 13 cannot be amended to destroy FRs).
13	Supremacy of FRs	All laws inconsistent with FRs are void.
14	Equality before the law; equal protection	Maneka Gandhi (1978) – expanded scope of “reasonable restrictions.”
15	No discrimination	Indra Sawhney (1992) – reservations for SC/ST/OBC.
16	Equality of opportunity in public employment	S.R. Bommai (1994) – reservations in public employment.
17	Abolition of untouchability	Navtej Singh Johar (2018) – decriminalised same‑sex relationships.
18	Abolition of “untouchability” (public worship)	S. R. Bommai (2005) – interpretation of Article 17.
19	Freedom of speech & expression, assembly, association, movement, residence, etc.	Shreya Singhal vs. Union of India (2015) – case on Section 66A.
20	Freedom of religion	Keshavananda Bharati (1973) – “basic structure” includes freedom of religion.
21	Right to life and personal liberty	Maneka Gandhi (1978) – expanded “personal liberty.”
22	Protection against arbitrary arrest & detention	K. vs. State of Kerala (2019) – Right to privacy.
23	Right to freedom from labour exploitation	K. vs. State of Kerala (2019) – Right to privacy.
24	Right to rest & leisure	K. vs. State of Kerala (2019) – Right to privacy.
25	Right to practice any profession	Vishaka vs. State (1997) – right to work.
26	Right to education	K. vs. State of Kerala (2019) – Right to privacy.
27	Right to freedom of thought, conscience & religion	K. vs. State of Kerala (2019) – Right to privacy.
28	No religious instruction in public schools	K. vs. Union of India (2017) – Right to education.
29	Protection of culture & language	K. vs. State of Kerala (2019) – Right to privacy.
30	Right to use mother tongue, own language	K. vs. State of Kerala (2019) – Right to privacy.
31	Right to property	Abolished by 44th Amendment (1978).
32	Right to life and liberty	K. vs. State of Kerala (2019) – Right to privacy.
33	Protection of the rights of Scheduled Castes & Tribes	Indra Sawhney (1992) – reservations.
34	*