Indian Polity & Constitution • Topic 2 of 4

Fundamental Rights & Duties

The six Fundamental Rights (Articles 12–35) are guaranteed to citizens; Article 32 (Right to Constitutional Remedies) is the 'heart and soul' of the Constitution. Fundamental Duties (Article 51A) were added by the 42nd Amendment (1976).

The six Fundamental Rights (Articles 12–35)

RightArticles
Right to Equality14–18
Right to Freedom19–22
Right against Exploitation23–24
Right to Freedom of Religion25–28
Cultural & Educational Rights29–30
Right to Constitutional Remedies32
"Heart and soul of the Constitution" — that is how Dr. Ambedkar described Article 32 (Right to Constitutional Remedies), because it lets you go straight to the Supreme Court to enforce all the other rights.

The single most-tested articles

  • Article 14 — Right to Equality (equality before law).
  • Article 19 — six freedoms (speech, assembly, movement…).
  • Article 21 — Right to Life and Personal Liberty.
  • Article 21A — Right to Education (added by the 86th Amendment, 2002).
  • Article 32 — Right to Constitutional Remedies.

Two amendments you must not confuse

AmendmentWhat it did
42nd (1976)Added Fundamental Duties (Art 51A) and the words Socialist/Secular to the Preamble. Called the "Mini-Constitution".
44th (1978)Removed the Right to Property as a Fundamental Right (it is now only a legal right, Art 300A).

So there are now six Fundamental Rights, not seven. Fundamental Duties (originally 10, now 11) are listed in Article 51A and were recommended by the Swaran Singh Committee.

✅ Solved examples

1. Which article guarantees the Right to Equality?
Article 14.
2. Which article protects the Right to Life and Personal Liberty?
Article 21.
3. Which right did Ambedkar call the "heart and soul" of the Constitution?
The Right to Constitutional Remedies (Article 32).
4. Fundamental Duties are listed in which article?
Article 51A.

✏️ Practice — try these, take hints as needed

1. How many Fundamental Rights are there today?
One was removed in 1978.
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Six
2. Right to Life and Liberty is under which article?
Famous article.
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Article 21
3. Fundamental Duties were added by which amendment?
1976.
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42nd Amendment
4. The Right to ___ was removed as a Fundamental Right in 1978.
Owning assets.
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Property
5. Article 32 provides the Right to?
Approach the court.
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Constitutional Remedies

📝 Topic test — 8 questions

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