Fundamental rights: General Awareness & Current Affairs Notes for District Judge Exam

District Judge Exam – General Awareness & Current Affairs

Topic: Fundamental Rights

1. Simple Explanation

Fundamental Rights are the basic freedoms guaranteed to every citizen by the Constitution of India (Articles 14–30). They are inherent and inviolable but can be limited only by the law and for public interest. These rights are the cornerstone of a democratic society and the first line of protection against arbitrary state action.

2. Key Points

#	Article	Right	Key Notes
1	14	Equality before law	No discrimination on religion, race, caste, sex, or place of birth.
2	15	Equality in public employment	No discrimination on religion, race, caste, sex, or place of birth.
3	16	Equality of opportunity in public employment	Conditions of service can be based on merit, not on any protected class.
4	17	Abolition of Untouchability	Prohibits untouchability in all forms.
5	18	Abolition of Titles	Removes any hereditary titles.
6	19	Freedom of speech & expression, etc.	Includes freedom of assembly, association, movement, residence, profession; subject to reasonable restrictions (Article 19(2)–(6)).
7	20	Protection of life & personal liberty	No deprivation of life or liberty without due process of law.
8	21	Right to life & personal liberty	Expansive interpretation: includes dignity, privacy, health, etc.
9	22	Protection against arbitrary arrest & detention	Right to be informed, to be produced before a court, etc.
10	23	Prohibition of human trafficking	Prohibits trafficking of women and children for sexual exploitation.
11	24	Prohibition of child labour	Prohibits employment of children under 14 in hazardous work.
12	25	Freedom of religion	Freedom of conscience, religious practice; no establishment of religion.
13	26	Freedom to practice & propagate religion	Includes right to propagate.
14	27	Freedom from religious instruction in schools	No religious instruction in state schools.
15	28	Right to education	Parliament can make laws to give free & compulsory education to children 6–14.
16	29	Right to cultural & educational rights	Rights of minorities to maintain their own educational institutions.
17	30	Right to manage educational institutions	Parity with Article 29.
18	32	Right to Constitutional Remedies	Courts can issue writs (P led, Habeas Corpus, etc.) for enforcement.
19	33	Right to form unions	No restriction to form trade unions.
20	34	Right to form associations	No restriction to form associations.
21	35	Right to form political parties	No restriction to form political parties.
22	36	Right to vote	Universal adult franchise.
23	37	Right to vote in elections	Right to vote in general elections.
24	38	Right to be elected	Right to contest elections.
25	39	Right to be represented	Right to have representation in body of state.
26	40	Right to be recognized as a national citizen	Federal structure.
27	41	Right to be protected against exploitation	Protection against exploitation of labor.
28	42	Right to be protected against exploitation	Prohibition of child labor.
29	43	Right to private property	Property rights under Article 300A.
30	44	Right to form political parties	(See above).
31	45	Right to work, to education, to publicly funded health care	(See above).
32	46	Right to protection of livelihood	(See above).
33	47	Right to property (repealed in 1971).
34	48	Right to property, as per Article 300A (not a fundamental right).
35	49	Right to property (repealed).
	50	Removal of anti‑defamation wording (51st Amendment).
36	51	Protection against discrimination on the basis of religion, caste, sex, etc.	51st Amendment, 2000.
37	52	Right to a healthy environment	52nd Amendment, 2000.
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