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ClearIAS » Indian Polity Notes » Must Know Articles of Indian Constitution

Must Know Articles of Indian Constitution

Last updated on April 1, 2020 by Alex Andrews George

Must know articles of the Indian ConstitutionWhich are the must-know articles of the Indian Constitution?

Original Indian Constitution, when adopted by Constituent Assembly in 1949, had 395 articles and 22 parts. Many other articles and three other parts were added to it by subsequent constitutional amendments. As of now, the Indian constitution has about 450 articles in 25 parts.

In this post, let’s learn the must-know articles of the Indian Constitution.

Must-Know Articles of Indian Constitution

It’s not expected from a UPSC aspirant to by-heart all articles in Indian Constitution. But he/she is expected to have a fair idea about the nature and salient features of the Indian Constitution like Federalism, Separation of Powers, Fundamental Rights etc.

Article
Importance
Article 12 –35
Specify the Fundamental Rights available
Article 36-51
Specify the Directive Principles of state policy
Article 51A
Specifies the Fundamental Duties of every citizen
Article 80
Specifies the number of seats in the Rajya Sabha
Article 81
Specifies the number of seats in the Lok Sabha
Article 343
Hindi as official language
Article 356
Imposition of President’s Rule in states
Article 370
Special status to Kashmir
Article 395
Repeals India Independence Act and Government of India Act, 1935

Other Important Articles of the Indian Constitution

While learning, take a special note on the below articles.

Part 1 – Art. 1 to art. 4

  • Article 1- Name and territory of the union.
  • Article 2 – Admission and Establishment of the new state.
  • Article 3 – Formation of new states and alteration of areas, boundaries, and the name of existing states.

Part 2 – Art. 5 to art. 11

  • Article 5 – Citizenship at the commencement of the constitution.
  • Article 6- Rights of citizenship of a certain person who has migrated to India from Pakistan.
  • Article 10- continuance of rights of citizenship.
  • Article 11- Parliament to regulate the right of citizenship by law.

Part 3 – Art.12 to art.35

  • Article 12- Definition of the state
  • Article 13 Laws inconsistent with or in derogation of the fundamental rights.
  • Originally, the constitution provided for 7 basic fundamental rights, now there are only six rights, one Right to property U/A 31 was deleted from the list of fundamental rights by 44th amendment act 1978. It made a legal right U/A 300-A in Part XII of the constitution.

Some important Fundamental Rights are:

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Right to Equality: Art. 14 to Art. 18

  • Article 14- Equality before the law.
  • Article 15- Prohibition of discrimination on the grounds of religion, race, caste, sex. Or place of birth.
  • Article 16- Equality of opportunity in matters of public employment.
  • Article 17- Abolition of the untouchability.
  • Article 18- Abolition of titles

Right to Freedom: Art. 19 to art. 22

  • Art.19 guarantees to all the citizens the six rights
  1. · (a) Right to freedom of speech and expression.
  2. · (b) Right to assemble peacefully and without arms.
  3. · (c) Right to form associations or unions.
  4. · (d) Right to move freely throughout the territory of India.
  5. · (e) Right to reside and settle in any part of the territory of India.
  6. · (f) Right to practice any profession or to carry on any occupation, trade, and business.
  • Article 20- Protection in respect of conviction for offences.
  • Article 21-Protection of life and personal liberty.
  • Article 21A –  Right to education
  • Article 22- Protection against arrest and detention in certain cases.

Right against Exploitation: Art.23 & art. 24

  • Article 23- Prohibition of traffic in human beings and forced labour.
  • Article 24- Prohibition of employment of children in factories and mines under age of 14.

Right to Freedom of Religion: Art.25 to art. 28

  • Article 25- Freedom of conscience and free profession, practice and propagation of religion.
  • Article 26- Freedom to manage religious affairs.
  • Article 27- Freedom as to pay taxes for promotion of any particular religion.
  • Article 28- Freedom from attending religious instruction.

Cultural and Educational Rights: Art.29 & art. 30

  • Article 29- Protection of interest of minorities.
  • Article 30- Right of minorities to establish and administer educational institutions.
  • Article 32- Remedies for enforcement of Fundamental Rights.

Part.4 Directive Principal of states Policy: Art 36 to art. 51

  • Article 36- Definition
  • Article 37- Application of DPSP
  • Article 39A- Equal justice and free legal aid
  • Article 40- Organisation of village panchayat
  • Article 41- Right to work, to education, and to public assistance in certain cases
  • Article 43- Living Wages, etc. for Workers.
  • Article 43A- Participation of workers in management of industries.
  • Article 44- Uniform civil code.( applicable in Goa only)
  • Article 45- Provision for free and compulsory education for children.
  • Article 46- Promotion of educational and economic interest of scheduled castes, ST, and OBC.
  • Article 47-Duty of the state to raise the level of nutrition and the standard of living and to improve public health.
  • Article 48-Organisation of agriculture and animal husbandry.
  • Article 49- Protection of monuments and places and objects of natural importance.
  • Article 50- Separation of judiciary from the executive.
  • Article 51- Promotion of international peace and security.

Fundamental Duties: Part IV-A- Art 51A

It contains, originally 10 duties, now it contains 11 duties by 86th amendments act 2002.

Part 5 – Union ( 52-151)

  • Article 52- The President of India
  • Article 53- Executive Power of the union.
  • Article 54- Election of President
  • Article 61- Procedure for Impeachment of the President.
  • Article 63- The Vice-president of India.
  • Article 64- The Vice-President to be ex-officio chairman the Council of States.
  • Article 66-Election of Vice-president.
  • Article 72-Pardoning powers of President.
  • Article 74- Council of Ministers to aid and advise the President.
  • Article 76- Attorney-General for India.
  • Article 79- Constitution of Parliament
  • Article 80- Composition of Rajya Sabha.
  • Article 81- Composition of Lok Sabha.
  • Article 83- Duration of Houses of Parliament.
  • Article 93- The speakers and Deputy speakers of the house of the people.
  • Article 105- Powers, Privileges, etc of the House of Parliament.
  • Article 109- Special procedure in respect of money bills
  • Article 110- Definition of “Money Bills”.
  • Article 112- Annual Financial Budget.
  • Article 114-Appropriation Bills.
  • Article 123- Powers of the President to promulgate Ordinances during recess of parliament.
  • Article 124- Establishment of Supreme Court.
  • Article 125- Salaries of Judges.
  • Article 126- Appointment of acting Chief justice.
  • Article 127- Appointment of ad-hoc judges.
  • Article 128-Attendance of a retired judge at sitting of the Supreme Court.
  • Article 129- Supreme court to be a court of Record.
  • Article 130- Seat of the Supreme court.
  • Article 136- Special leaves for appeal to the Supreme Court.
  • Article 137- Review of judgement or orders by the Supreme court.
  • Article 141-Decision of the Supreme Court binding on all the courts.
  • Article 148- Comptroller and Auditor- General of India
  • Article 149- Duties and Powers of CAG.

Part 6 – States ( 152-237)

  • Article 153- Governors of State
  • Article 154- Executive Powers of Governor.
  • Article 161- Pardoning powers of the Governor.
  • Article 165- Advocate-General of the State.
  • Article 213- Power of Governor to promulgate ordinances.
  • Article 214- High Courts for states.
  • Article 215- High Courts to be a court of record.
  • Article 226- Power of High Courts to issue certain writs.
  • Article 233- Appointment of District judges.
  • Article 235- Control over Sub-ordinate Courts.

Part 7 – 238 – Repealed

Part 8 – 239-242 – Union Territories

Part 9 – 243-243 O – Panchayats

  • Article 243A- Gram Sabha
  • Article 243B- Constitution of Panchayats

Part 9A – 243 P-243 ZG – Municipalities

Part 9B – 243 ZH-243 ZT- Co-operative Societies

Part 10: Scheduled and Tribal Areas -244

Part 11: Center- State Relations 245 – 263

Part 12: Finance, Property, Contracts and Suits (264 – 300A)

  • Article 266- Consolidated Fund and Public Accounts Fund
  • Article 267- Contingency Fund of India
  • Article 280- Finance Commission
  • Article 300-A- Right to property.

Part 13: Trade, Commerce and Intercourse within the territories of India (301-307)

  • Article 301-Freedom to trade, commerce, and intercourse.
  • Article 302- Power of Parliament to impose restrictions on trade, commerce, and intercourse.

Part 14: Services Under Center and State (308-323)

  • Article 312- All- India-Service.
  • Article 315- Public service commissions for the union and for the states
  • Article 320- Functions of Public Service Commission.

Part 14A: Tribunals (323 A – 323 B)

  • Article 323A- Administrative Tribunals

Part 15 : Elections (324 – 329)

  • Article 324-Superintendence, direction and control of Elections to be vested in an Election Commission.
  • Article 325- No person to be ineligible for inclusion in or to claim to be included in a special, electoral roll on grounds of religion, race, caste, or sex.
  • Article 326- Elections to the house of the people and to the legislative assemblies of states to be on the basis of adult suffrage.

Part 16: Special Provisions to SC, ST, OBC, Minorities etc (330 -342)

  • Article 338- National Commission for the SC, & ST.
  • Article 340- Appointment of a commission to investigate the conditions of backward classes.

Part 17: Official Language (343- 351)

  • Article 343- Official languages of the Union.
  • Article 345- Official languages or languages of states.
  • Article 348- Languages to be used in the Supreme Court and in the High Courts.
  • Article 351-Directive for development of the Hindi languages.

Part 18: Emergency (352-360)

  • Article 352- Proclamation of emergency ( National Emergency).
  • Article 356- State Emergency (President’s Rule)
  • Article 360- Financial Emergency

Part 19: Miscellaneous (361-367)

  • Article 361- Protection of President and Governors

Part 20: Amendment of Constitution (368)

  • Article 368- Powers of Parliaments to amend the constitution.

Part 21: Special, Transitional and Temporary Provisions (369 – 392)

  • Article 370 – Special provision of J&K.
  • Article 371A –  Special provision with respect to the State of Nagaland
  • Article 371-J: Special Status for Hyderabad-Karnataka region

Part 22: Short Text, Commencement, Authoritative Text in Hindi and Repeals (392 – 395)

  • Article 393 – Short title – This Constitution may be called the Constitution of India.
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Alex Andrews George is a mentor, author, and entrepreneur. Alex is the founder of ClearIAS and one of the expert Civil Service Exam Trainers in India.

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Law Student says

    July 22, 2014 at 11:27 pm

    We DO NOT have 444 articles. The additional articles that are added do not increase the number of articles. The number of articles in the Constitution still remains 395. There is nothing like Article 396. The new articles are always inserted in between i.e. Article 31A. These should not be counted as separate articles.

    Reply
    • Arun Kumar says

      November 12, 2014 at 12:03 pm

      Ofcourse..
      You are right..

    • Jyotirmoy Deka says

      February 13, 2017 at 8:45 pm

      [email protected]

    • Tanya Sharma says

      March 26, 2016 at 6:21 pm

      Yeah…correct

    • Priya Anand says

      August 25, 2016 at 1:48 am

      Absolutely correct.

    • Usha says

      January 11, 2019 at 8:32 am

      Sir that u mentioned only 395 articles but reality is 448 what about reaming.
      – Law student

  2. Chandan tamang says

    November 6, 2015 at 11:11 am

    Thanks for ur kind [email protected] student.. for some people who dont know even abc of law n constituion like me,it is very benefiacal for our general awareness.

    Reply
  3. Garima says

    November 18, 2015 at 7:37 pm

    Hello
    As per Google , India has 448 articles, 25 parts and 100 amendments made till date .

    Reply
    • awesome law girl says

      May 6, 2016 at 11:03 pm

      no it has 395 articles

    • Abhiram says

      April 7, 2018 at 9:07 am

      What a name awesome law girl😘😘😘😘😘😘😘😘😘😘

    • Venkatesh says

      April 16, 2018 at 3:56 pm

      If you talk about articles and parts then it’s 395 articles,22 parts after including their subparts count will become 448 Art. and 25 parts

  4. sanjana says

    November 25, 2015 at 10:26 pm

    as per google the worlds lengthiest constitution is the Indian constitution which has 444 articles, 22 parts and 100 amendments made till date .

    Reply
  5. Another Law Student says

    December 6, 2015 at 9:58 pm

    This Is true that if counted separately there are 444 articles but in the book that is called the Constitution of India there are only 396 art. The rest are merely clauses or sub-clauses added later. The reason behind this is that there is a rule that no one can alter the basic structure of the COI. Now a problem came up, which was how to include more articles as you cannot add a 397th article as it would be against the Basic Structure Doctrine so a solution which came up, was that to include the new articles in clauses or sub-clauses of the existing articles.

    Hope it helps

    Reply
    • rex says

      November 24, 2016 at 8:50 pm

      yeah you r right

  6. Another Law Student says

    December 6, 2015 at 10:00 pm

    Sorry a correction the existing articles are 395 not 396 as i mentioned above

    Reply
  7. Vinish Shetty says

    February 17, 2016 at 7:00 am

    Hi all to explain our constitution has a rigid structure however provision has been given to amend it by article 368 (Semi Rigid)
    Total number of numbered articles are 395 however
    Total number of articles are 465 because Government of India never adds a new article beyond 395 they amend the constitution by adding articles like 51(A), 243(A) etc….
    Classic example is Indira Gandi altering the Constitution in 1974 during emergency (42nd Constitutional amendment)

    Extra information : out of 395 articles only 150 are functional rest are all procedural articles, Substantial and enabling articles, Hope this helps

    Thank you
    Vinish Shetty
    Aspirant – Aspirant

    Reply
    • Madhava says

      December 26, 2016 at 12:15 am

      What’s your said absolutely right. … now I satisfied with your answer. .thanks..

    • Vilaithi cs says

      September 8, 2018 at 3:18 pm

      Cud u Pls let me know those functional articles..

  8. ashutosh says

    June 20, 2016 at 11:47 pm

    we have only 395 article and 22 parts and 12 schedule ,,,alll the article which are added after amedments are inserted between these aticles so there is no increse in no of articles … i,e we can see 21 A added after 86th amedmnets

    Reply
  9. my drEam says

    July 12, 2016 at 12:45 pm

    Thanks to all u guys cleared my doubt before this I was very confused

    Reply
  10. shanil says

    July 23, 2016 at 11:15 am

    it is ture and very much corret

    Reply
  11. user says

    August 18, 2016 at 7:07 pm

    How many articles are there? 448 was the answer my teacher told.

    Reply
  12. manisha says

    September 23, 2016 at 12:11 pm

    indian constitution have 395 articles XXII PARTS VIII SCHEDULES.

    Reply
  13. akash yadav says

    December 15, 2016 at 4:54 am

    Its dsnt mttr hw mny article hve ….the mttr of fact how many hve in ur mind…[email protected]

    Reply
  14. sinu says

    December 28, 2016 at 11:31 pm

    thanku so much

    Reply
  15. pushpesh pandey says

    January 1, 2017 at 7:07 pm

    Yes it is 395 article, 22parts, others are included 51a , as explained .

    Reply
  16. Ramvilas Ghosh A says

    March 21, 2017 at 11:28 pm

    The article was useful and good, but didn’t include Art 21A in the fundamental right section.

    Reply
  17. Haider says

    May 5, 2017 at 9:34 am

    Its great pleasure to give me actual knowledge about Constitution of india
    Proud to be an indian

    Reply
  18. Sabir Hossain Sardar says

    July 3, 2017 at 4:36 pm

    It’s correct that our constitution has 395 articles. Now I would like to know how many articles have been added to it. Please inform me.

    Reply
    • Dharan durga vara sai dharmana says

      January 21, 2018 at 3:16 pm

      395 articles-20 articles =375 articles. 375 articles +90 articles =465 articles. So totally 465 articles……..😁😁😁😁😁

  19. aro anar says

    September 12, 2017 at 10:49 pm

    Guys! acc to google ter are 25 parts in our const. is it true? pliz help.

    Reply
    • Dharan durga vara sai dharmana says

      January 21, 2018 at 3:12 pm

      Yeah bro there are total 25 parts till to date .In 1949 at the time when the costitution was adapted there are 22 parts.the various amendment carried out since 1951 have deleted one part (7th) and added four parts (4a,9a,9b,and 14a) so totally 22-1=21+4=25 are you happy bro i think it may clear your doubt thank you ………😁😁😁😁😁😁😁

  20. Ashok Kasthuri says

    November 12, 2017 at 8:56 pm

    Hello Team,

    Your work is fantastic and deserves an applause.

    Kindly correct the below spelling mistake.

    “Part 4 – Correct the meaning of “Directive Principal” to “Directive principles”.

    Thanks,

    Reply
  21. MAHESH GUDIKANDULA says

    December 26, 2017 at 11:38 pm

    Q1.Last article no.in indian Constitution
    Q2. Last amendment no. Till now .give me answer please.

    Reply
    • Dharan durga vara sai dharmana says

      January 21, 2018 at 3:05 pm

      Last artical no-465 and last amendment no-100 ok……..😁😁😁😁😁😁😁

  22. Rohini Rai says

    August 14, 2018 at 1:21 pm

    Awsome list..
    Thanks for the information author..

    Reply
  23. jithu says

    October 18, 2018 at 2:32 pm

    article 19 1 (f) you mentioned above is wrong .

    Reply
  24. Ashwani Kumar says

    October 20, 2018 at 6:13 pm

    I am in class 10 and I found best and adequate for NTSE.

    Reply
  25. Gaurav says

    October 27, 2018 at 9:56 am

    can i have a detailed account of all articles by this good site????

    Reply
  26. Aakib says

    January 10, 2019 at 3:59 pm

    Hey tell me one thing…there is mentioned 371(j) special status for Hyderabad-Karnataka region, as Hyderabad is separated into to region Hyderabad and Telangana so Telangana also has the status of special region?…?…?

    Reply
  27. Devidatta says don't know political science says

    March 2, 2019 at 10:54 am

    I am still in doubt after reading soo many comments how many articles exactly there is????

    Reply
  28. mr incredible says

    April 25, 2019 at 10:11 pm

    its written 448 article in 25 part an 12 schedules in indian constitution what about other remaining why are you saying only 395 articles 22 part whats your reason an your knowledge can you tell me something about your idea

    Reply
  29. A.Monika says

    August 11, 2019 at 1:35 pm

    What is exact number of articles in Indian constitution 448 or 450

    Reply
  30. Shaik Mahaboobjailan says

    September 3, 2019 at 7:10 am

    448Articles , 25 Parts and 12 schedules

    Reply
  31. Shashank says

    October 16, 2019 at 9:11 am

    Hyderabad Karnataka is the north part of Karnataka where nijam ruled in Past time so that the area was still backward so the Karnataka govt given special reservation in jobs and education to the north Karnataka.

    Reply
  32. ANBAZHAGAN R says

    June 26, 2020 at 5:20 pm

    Kindly note that, the information under reference,
    Article-4 is missing in explanation if possible kindly rectify the defect/incorporate it in the text

    with regards

    Reply

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