Indian Constitution Articles Explained: 395+ Articles Made Easy 🇮🇳 | Complete Guide

  Indian Constitution – Complete Guide to Articles

The Constitution of India is the supreme law of the country. It defines the powers and responsibilities of the government, protects the rights of citizens, and establishes the framework of India’s democratic system.

In this article, we will explore the Articles of the Indian Constitution in a simple and easy-to-understand way. Each Article deals with a specific constitutional provision, covering important areas such as Fundamental Rights, Directive Principles, Fundamental Duties, the President and Parliament, the Supreme Court and High Courts, elections, emergency provisions, Centre-State relations, local government, and constitutional amendments.

This guide is especially useful for UPSC, SSC, Railway, Banking, State PSC, Police, and other competitive examinations, as well as for students and anyone interested in understanding the Indian Constitution.

📚 Read the article carefully and use the article-wise explanations and important points for quick revision and exam preparation.

📌 Important Note

The Constitution contains numerous Articles, including Articles that have been inserted, amended, or repealed over time. This article focuses on explaining the important and relevant constitutional provisions in simple language, making them easier to understand and remember.

Absolutely. The Indian Constitution has a very large number of Articles, including inserted and repealed articles, so explaining every Article in full detail would be extremely long. For exam preparation, the most useful approach is to go Part-wise, Article-by-Article, with each article explained in simple language.

In Indian Constitution — Articles Explained

Part I — The Union and its Territory (Articles 1–4)

Article Simple explanation

1 India, that is Bharat, is a Union of States.

2 Parliament can admit or establish new States into the Union.

3 Parliament can create new States or change the area, boundaries or names of existing States.

4 Laws made under Articles 2 and 3 can amend the First and Fourth Schedules and are not treated as constitutional amendments under Article 368.

Part II — Citizenship (Articles 5–11)

Article Simple explanation

5 Citizenship at the commencement of the Constitution.

6 Citizenship of certain persons who migrated to India from Pakistan.

7 Citizenship of certain persons who migrated to Pakistan.

8 Citizenship of persons of Indian origin living outside India.

9 A person voluntarily acquiring foreign citizenship cannot claim Indian citizenship under Articles 5–8.

10 Continuance of citizenship subject to laws made by Parliament.

11 Parliament has power to make laws regarding citizenship.

Part III — Fundamental Rights (Articles 12–35)

General  Article Explanation

12 Defines "State" for Fundamental Rights.

13 Laws violating Fundamental Rights can be declared void.

Right to Equality — Articles 14–18

Article Explanation

14 Equality before law and equal protection of laws.

15 Prohibits discrimination on specified grounds such as religion, race, caste, sex or place of birth.

16 Equality of opportunity in public employment.

17 Abolishes untouchability.

18 Abolishes titles, with specified exceptions such as military and academic distinctions.

Right to Freedom — Articles 19–22

Article Explanation

19 Gives citizens specified freedoms, including speech and expression, peaceful assembly, association, movement, residence and profession/business, subject to reasonable restrictions.

20 Protection in respect of conviction for offences.

21 Protection of life and personal liberty.

21A Free and compulsory education for children aged 6–14.

22 Protection against certain forms of arrest and detention.

Right Against Exploitation — Articles 23–24

Article Explanation

23 Prohibits human trafficking and forced labour.

24 Prohibits employment of children below 14 in factories, mines and hazardous employment.

Freedom of Religion — Articles 25–28

Article Explanation

25 Freedom of conscience and freedom to profess, practise and propagate religion, subject to constitutional limitations.

26 Religious denominations can manage their religious affairs, subject to law.

27 No person can be compelled to pay a tax specifically appropriated for promoting a particular religion.

28 Deals with religious instruction in educational institutions.

Cultural and Educational Rights — Articles 29–30

Article Explanation

29 Protects the language, script and culture of sections of citizens.

30 Minorities can establish and administer educational institutions of their choice.

Constitutional Remedies

Article Explanation

32 Right to approach the Supreme Court for enforcement of Fundamental Rights.

33 Parliament may modify Fundamental Rights for armed forces and certain other services to maintain discipline.

34 Deals with restrictions on rights while martial law is in force in an area.

35 Parliament has power to make laws for certain matters relating to Fundamental Rights.

Article 31 — Right to property as a Fundamental Right — was removed; the right to property is now protected under Article 300A.

Part IV — Directive Principles of State Policy (Articles 36–51)

Article Explanation

36 Definition of "State" for this Part.

37 DPSPs are not enforceable by courts but are fundamental in governance.

38 State should promote social, economic and political justice.

39 Sets important principles for economic and social policy.

39A Equal justice and free legal aid.

40 Organisation of village panchayats.

41 Right to work, education and public assistance within the State's economic capacity.

42 Just and humane working conditions and maternity relief.

43 Living wage and decent conditions of work.

43A Workers' participation in management of industries.

43B Promotion of cooperative societies.

44 Uniform Civil Code for citizens.

45 Early childhood care and education for children below six years.

46 Promotion of educational and economic interests of weaker sections, especially SCs and STs.

47 Nutrition, standard of living and public health.

48 Organisation of agriculture and animal husbandry.

48A Protection of environment, forests and wildlife.

49 Protection of monuments and objects of national importance.

50 Separation of judiciary from executive.

51 Promotion of international peace and security.

Part IVA — Fundamental Duties

Article 51A

Contains the Fundamental Duties of citizens.

There are currently 11 Fundamental Duties, including respecting the Constitution, protecting the environment, developing scientific temper and providing educational opportunities to children aged 6–14.

Part V — The Union

President and Vice-President

Article Explanation

52 There shall be a President of India.

53 Executive power of the Union is vested in the President.

54 Election of President.

55 Manner of election of President.

56 Term of office of President.

57 Eligibility for re-election.

58 Qualifications for becoming President.

59 Conditions of President's office.

60 Oath of President.

61 Impeachment of President.

62 Timing of election to fill vacancy in President's office.

63 There shall be a Vice-President.

64 Vice-President is ex officio Chairman of Rajya Sabha.

65 Vice-President acts as President in certain circumstances.

66 Election of Vice-President.

67 Term of Vice-President.

68 Election to fill vacancy in Vice-President's office.

69 Oath of Vice-President.

70 Discharge of President's functions in other contingencies.

71 Matters relating to election of President and Vice-President.

72 President's power to grant pardons, reprieves, remissions, etc.

73 Extent of Union executive power.

Council of Ministers

Article Explanation

74 Council of Ministers headed by the Prime Minister aids and advises the President.

75 Appointment and other provisions relating to ministers.

76 Attorney General of India.

77 Conduct of business of the Government of India.

78 Duties of Prime Minister toward the President.

Parliament — Articles 79–122

Article Explanation

79 Parliament consists of President, Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha.

80 Composition of Rajya Sabha.

81 Composition of Lok Sabha.

83 Duration of Houses of Parliament.

84 Qualifications for membership of Parliament.

85 Sessions, prorogation and dissolution.

89 Chairman and Deputy Chairman of Rajya Sabha.

93 Speaker and Deputy Speaker of Lok Sabha.

100 Voting in Houses and quorum.

101 Vacation of seats.

102 Disqualifications for membership.

105 Parliamentary privileges.

107 Introduction and passing of Bills.

108 Joint sitting of Parliament.

109 Special procedure for Money Bills.

110 Definition of Money Bill.

111 President's assent to Bills.

112 Annual Financial Statement — commonly called the Union Budget.

113–117 Parliamentary financial procedures.

118 Rules of procedure of Parliament.

120 Language used in Parliament.

121 Restriction on discussion regarding conduct of judges, except as constitutionally permitted.

122 Courts generally cannot question parliamentary proceedings on grounds of procedural irregularity.

President's Ordinance — Article 123

Article 123: The President can promulgate an Ordinance when Parliament is not in session, subject to constitutional conditions.

Supreme Court — Articles 124–147

Article Explanation

124 Establishment and constitution of Supreme Court.

129 Supreme Court is a court of record.

130 Seat of Supreme Court.

131 Original jurisdiction in certain Centre-State/State-State disputes.

132 Constitutional appeals.

133 Civil appeals.

134 Criminal appeals.

136 Special Leave Petition (SLP).

137 Supreme Court can review its judgments.

141 Law declared by Supreme Court is binding on all courts in India.

142 Supreme Court can pass orders necessary for doing complete justice.

143 President may seek Supreme Court's advisory opinion.

144 All authorities must act in aid of the Supreme Court.

145 Rules of Supreme Court.

147 Interpretation provisions.

Comptroller and Auditor-General — Article 148

Article 148: Provides for the CAG of India, who audits specified government accounts and performs duties prescribed by the Constitution and law.

Part VI — States

Governor and State Executive

Important Articles:

153 — Governor of a State

154 — Executive power of Governor

155 — Appointment of Governor

156 — Term of Governor

157 — Qualifications for Governor

161 — Governor's pardoning power

163 — Council of Ministers to aid and advise Governor

164 — Chief Minister and other ministers

165 — Advocate General of State

166 — Conduct of State government business

167 — Duties of Chief Minister

State Legislature

168 — State Legislature

169 — Creation/abolition of Legislative Councils

170 — Composition of Legislative Assemblies

171 — Composition of Legislative Councils

172 — Duration of State Legislatures

173 — Qualifications for membership

174 — Sessions of State Legislature

178 — Speaker and Deputy Speaker

182 — Chairman and Deputy Chairman of Legislative Council

191 — Disqualifications

194 — Powers and privileges of State Legislatures

200 — Governor's assent to Bills

201 — Bills reserved for President

202 — State Budget

213 — Governor's ordinance-making power

High Courts — Articles 214–231

Article Explanation

214 High Court for each State.

215 High Court is a court of record.

216 Constitution of High Courts.

217 Appointment and conditions of office of High Court judges.

221 Salaries of judges.

222 Transfer of judges.

226 High Court's power to issue writs.

227 High Court's superintendence over subordinate courts.

231 Common High Court for two or more States/UTs.

Important: Article 226 is broader in scope than Article 32 because High Courts can issue writs not only for Fundamental Rights but also "for any other purpose" within their jurisdiction.

Part VIII — Union Territories

239 — Administration of Union Territories

239A — Local legislatures/Council of Ministers for certain UTs

239AA — Special provisions for Delhi

239AB — Failure of constitutional machinery in Delhi

240 — President's power to make regulations for certain UTs

241 — High Courts for Union Territories

Part IX — Panchayats

Inserted through the 73rd Constitutional Amendment.

243 — Definitions

243A — Gram Sabha

243B — Constitution of Panchayats

243C — Composition

243D — Reservation of seats

243E — Duration

243G — Powers and responsibilities

243H — Taxes and funds

243I — State Finance Commission

243K — State Election Commission

Part IXA — Municipalities

Inserted through the 74th Amendment.

243P — Definitions

243Q — Constitution of Municipalities

243R — Composition

243S — Ward Committees

243T — Reservation

243U — Duration

243W — Powers and responsibilities

243X — Taxes and funds

243Y — Finance Commission

243ZA — Elections to Municipalities

---

Part IXB — Cooperative Societies

243ZH — Definitions

243ZI — Incorporation of cooperative societies

243ZJ — Board members and term

243ZK — Election of board

243ZL — Supersession/suspension of board

243ZM — Audit

243ZN — General body meetings

243ZO — Member's right to information

243ZT — Continuance of existing laws

Part X — Scheduled and Tribal Areas

244 — Administration of Scheduled Areas and Tribal Areas.

244A — Formation of an autonomous State comprising certain tribal areas in Assam.

These provisions connect closely with the Fifth and Sixth Schedules.

Part XI — Union–State Relations

Legislative Relations

245 — Extent of laws made by Parliament and State Legislatures

246 — Distribution of legislative subjects

246A — Special provision for GST

248 — Residuary legislative powers

249 — Parliament can legislate on State List in national interest, subject to Rajya Sabha resolution

250 — Parliament's power over State List during Emergency

252 — Parliament can legislate for two or more States by consent

253 — Legislation for international agreements

254 — Inconsistency between Parliamentary and State laws

256–257 — Administrative relations between Union and States

Part XII — Finance, Property, Contracts and Suits

265 — No tax without authority of law.

266 — Consolidated Funds and Public Accounts.

267 — Contingency Fund.

268–281 — Distribution of financial resources between Union and States.

279A — GST Council.

280 — Finance Commission.

300A — Right to property.

⭐ Article 300A

The Right to Property is a constitutional/legal right, not a Fundamental Right.

Part XIII — Trade and Commerce

301 — Freedom of trade, commerce and intercourse throughout India, subject to constitutional provisions.

302 — Parliament may impose restrictions in specified circumstances.

303 — Restrictions on discriminatory legislative preferences in trade.

304 — States may impose certain restrictions subject to constitutional conditions.

307 — Authority for carrying out provisions relating to trade and commerce.

Part XIV — Services

308 — Interpretation.

309 — Recruitment and conditions of service.

310 — Doctrine of pleasure.

311 — Safeguards for civil servants against dismissal/removal/reduction in rank.

312 — All-India Services.

315 — Public Service Commissions.

320 — Functions of Public Service Commissions.

323 — Reports of Public Service Commissions.

Part XIV-A — Tribunals

323A — Administrative tribunals.

323B — Tribunals for other specified matters.

Part XV — Elections

Article Explanation

324 Election Commission of India.

325 No exclusion from electoral rolls on grounds of religion, race, caste or sex.

326 Elections to Lok Sabha and State Assemblies based on adult suffrage.

327 Parliament's power to make election laws.

328 State Legislature's power regarding elections to State Legislature.

329 Courts generally cannot interfere in electoral matters except through constitutionally prescribed mechanisms.

Part XVI — Special Provisions for Certain Classes

Important Articles:

330 — Reservation of seats for SCs and STs in Lok Sabha.

330A — Reservation of seats for women in Lok Sabha.

332 — Reservation of seats for SCs and STs in State Assemblies.

332A — Reservation of seats for women in State Assemblies.

334 — Duration of reservation/special representation provisions as constitutionally specified.

335 — Claims of SCs and STs in services and posts.

338 — National Commission for Scheduled Castes.

338A — National Commission for Scheduled Tribes.

338B — National Commission for Backward Classes.

340 — Commission to investigate backward classes.

341 — Scheduled Castes.

342 — Scheduled Tribes.

342A — Socially and Educationally Backward Classes.

Part XVII — Official Language

343 — Official language of the Union.

344 — Commission and Committee on official language.

345 — Official language of a State.

346 — Language for communication between States and Union.

347 — Special provisions relating to language spoken by a section of a State's population.

348 — Language used in Supreme Court, High Courts and legislation.

350 — Language for representations for grievances.

350A — Mother-tongue instruction at primary stage for linguistic minorities.

350B — Special Officer for linguistic minorities.

351 — Directive for development of Hindi.

Part XVIII — Emergency Provisions 🚨

These are extremely important for exams.

Article Emergency

352 National Emergency

353 Effect of National Emergency

354 Revenue distribution during Emergency

355 Union's duty to protect States

356 President's Rule / failure of constitutional machinery in a State

357 Exercise of legislative powers during President's Rule

358 Suspension of Article 19 in specified circumstances

359 Suspension of the right to move courts for specified Fundamental Rights during Emergency

360 Financial Emergency

Easy memory trick

352 → National Emergency

356 → President's Rule

360 → Financial Emergency

Part XIX — Miscellaneous

361 — Protection/immunities for President and Governors in specified circumstances.

361A — Protection of publication of parliamentary and legislative proceedings subject to conditions.

361B — Disqualification for appointment to remunerative political posts in certain circumstances.

363 — Bar on court interference in certain disputes arising from pre-Constitution treaties, agreements, etc.

365 — Failure to comply with Union directions can have constitutional consequences.

366 — Definitions.

367 — Interpretation.

Part XX — Amendment of Constitution

⭐ Article 368

Provides the constitutional procedure for amending the Constitution.

Different amendments can require:

1. Simple majority in Parliament for certain matters.

2. Special majority of Parliament.

3. Special majority + ratification by at least half of the States for specified federal provisions.

The Basic Structure doctrine limits Parliament's amending power.

Part XXI — Temporary, Transitional and Special Provisions

Important Articles include:

369 — Temporary power of Parliament regarding certain State List matters.

370 — Special provisions concerning Jammu and Kashmir; its constitutional operation was substantially changed in 2019.

371 — Special provisions for Maharashtra and Gujarat.

371A — Special provisions for Nagaland.

371B — Assam.

371C — Manipur.

371D — Andhra Pradesh and Telangana.

371E — Central University in Andhra Pradesh.

371F — Sikkim.

371G — Mizoram.

371H — Arunachal Pradesh.

371I — Goa.

371J — Karnataka.

Part XXII — Short Title, Commencement, Hindi Text and Repeals

393 — Short title: Constitution of India.

394 — Commencement of constitutional provisions.

394A — Authoritative Hindi text.

395 — Repeals certain earlier constitutional enactments.

🧠 Most Important Articles to Memorise First

For competitive exams, start with these:

1 – Union and territory

3 – Formation/change of States

14 – Equality

15 – No discrimination

16 – Equality in public employment

17 – Untouchability abolished

18 – Abolition of titles

19 – Six freedoms

21 – Life and personal liberty

21A – Right to Education

32 – Constitutional remedies

44 – Uniform Civil Code

50 – Separation of judiciary from executive

51A – Fundamental Duties

52 – President

54 – Election of President

61 – Impeachment of President

72 – President's pardoning power

76 – Attorney General

110 – Money Bill

112 – Union Budget

123 – President's Ordinance

143 – Advisory jurisdiction of Supreme Court

148 – CAG

155 – Appointment of Governor

161 – Governor's pardoning power

226 – High Court writs

280 – Finance Commission

300A – Right to Property

324 – Election Commission

326 – Adult suffrage

343 – Official language of Union

352 – National Emergency

356 – President's Rule

360 – Financial Emergency

368 – Constitutional amendment

If your goal is SSC/UPSC/State PCS preparation, the next useful step is to study these as a one-page “Article → Keyword” chart, followed by MCQs, because memorising all the Articles in numerical order is much harder than learning them by topic.