Fundamental Rights – Delhi PSC Study Notes
(General Awareness & Current Affairs – Competitve Exams – IIT‑JEE, UPSC, PSCs, etc.)
Tip:
- Memorise the 14 articles – first 10 (Civil), 11‑14 (Political).
- Link each article to a landmark Supreme Court case – it becomes easier to recall.
- Know the “Three‑fold test” (Article 14) – Equality, Reasonableness, and Positive Discrimination.
- Be aware of Amendments – 44th (Right to Education), 42nd (Property), 52nd (Right to Privacy).
Table of Contents
- Historical Background
- Constitutional Framework
- Detailed Analysis of Each Fundamental Right
- 3.1 Article 14 – Equality before Law
- 3.2 Article 15 – Prohibition of Discrimination
- 3.3 Article 16 – Equality of Opportunity in Public Employment
- 3.4 Article 17 – Abolition of Untouchability
- 3.5 Article 18 – Freedom from Religion in Public Service
- 3.6 Article 19 – Freedom of Speech & Expression
- 3.7 Article 20 – Protection in Criminal Proceedings
- 3.8 Article 21 – Right to Life & Personal Liberty
- 3.9 Article 22 – Protection in Detention
- 3.10 Article 23 – Prohibition of Forced Labour
- 3.11 Article 24 – Prohibition of Child Labour
- 3.12 Article 25 – Freedom of Religion
- 3.13 Article 26 – Freedom to Manage Religious Affairs
- 3.14 Article 27 – No Religious Tax
- 3.15 Article 28 – No Compulsion in Religious Instruction
- 3.16 Article 29 – Protection of Cultural/Language Rights
- 3.17 Article 30 – Right of Minorities to Establish Institutions
- Key Judicial Interpretations
- Amendments & Current Issues
- Tricky Points & Common Exam Mistakes
- Hard Practice Question
1. Historical Background <a name="historical-background"></a>
| Year | Event | Impact on Fundamental Rights |
|---|---|---|
| 1946 | Constituent Assembly formed | Drafting of the Constitution, envisaging rights as “fundamental” |
| 1947 | Independence | Need for a democratic framework to protect individual liberties |
| 1950 | Constitution of India adopted | 14 Fundamental Rights enshrined in Part II |
| 1951–1970 | First 10 Articles (Civil Rights) focused on equality and freedom | |
| 1970 | Article 21 extended to “right to live with dignity” | |
| 1975 | Emergency – Article 19(2) suspended; 44th Amendment restored some rights | |
| 1992 | Right to Information Act – not a fundamental right but reinforces transparency | |
| 2017 | Puttaswamy v. Union of India – Right to Privacy declared a Fundamental Right (Article 21(2)) |
2. Constitutional Framework <a name="constitutional-framework"></a>
| Part | Section | Focus |
|---|---|---|
| Part I | Preamble | “Justice, Equality, Fraternity” – foundation of rights |
| Part II | Articles 14‑18 | Civil Rights (Equality, Freedom from Discrimination) |
| Part III | Articles 19‑22 | Political Rights (Freedom, Protection in Criminal Proceedings) |
| Part IV | Articles 23‑30 | Social Justice & Minority Rights |
- Basic Structure Doctrine (Kesavananda Bharati v. State of Kerala, 1973) – Fundamental Rights cannot be destroyed by amendment.
- Judicial Review – courts can strike down laws violating Fundamental Rights.
3. Detailed Analysis of Each Fundamental Right <a name="analysis"></a>
3.1 Article 14 – Equality before Law
- Text: “The State shall not discriminate… on grounds of religion, race, caste, sex, place of birth… or any of them.”
- Three‑fold test:
- Equality of treatment – same law for all.
- Equal protection – law must be justified by a legitimate aim.
- Reasonable classification – classification must be justifiable.
- Landmark Cases:
- M. K. V. Raghavan v. Union of India (1975) – “Reasonable classification” doctrine.
- S. R. B. Pillai v. Union of India (1975) – “Equality of treatment” test.