Polity · General Awareness

Fundamental Rights & Indian Polity

What every citizen is guaranteed, and how the system works

Fundamental Rights are basic freedoms guaranteed to every Indian citizen by the Constitution, enforceable in a court of law. They protect individuals from arbitrary action by the state and form the backbone of Indian democracy.

The Six Fundamental Rights

Right	Articles	Covers
Right to Equality	14-18	Equality before law, abolition of untouchability
Right to Freedom	19-22	Speech, assembly, movement, and protection against arrest
Right against Exploitation	23-24	Prohibits human trafficking and child labor
Right to Freedom of Religion	25-28	Freedom to practice and propagate any religion
Cultural & Educational Rights	29-30	Protects minority rights to language and culture
Right to Constitutional Remedies	32	Right to move courts if any right is violated

Key Facts

• The Right to Property was originally a Fundamental Right but was removed via the 44th Amendment (1978) and made a legal right instead
• Article 17 abolishes untouchability in any form
• Article 21 (Right to Life and Personal Liberty) has been interpreted very broadly by courts over the years
• Article 32 was called the "heart and soul" of the Constitution by Dr. B.R. Ambedkar
• Fundamental Rights can be suspended during a National Emergency, except Articles 20 and 21

Exam angle: Questions often ask which Article covers a specific right, and which right was removed from the Fundamental Rights list (a very commonly tested fact).

15 Practice Questions

1. Which Article of the Constitution deals with the Right to Equality before law?

A. Article 14    B. Article 19    C. Article 21    D. Article 32

Answer: A. Article 14

2. Which Article abolishes untouchability?

A. Article 14    B. Article 17    C. Article 21    D. Article 25

Answer: B. Article 17

3. Which right was removed from the list of Fundamental Rights by the 44th Amendment?

A. Right to Equality    B. Right to Property    C. Right to Freedom    D. Right to Religion

Answer: B. Right to Property

4. In which year was the Right to Property removed from Fundamental Rights?

A. 1968    B. 1978    C. 1988    D. 1998

Answer: B. 1978

5. Which Article is known as the "heart and soul" of the Constitution?

A. Article 14    B. Article 21    C. Article 32    D. Article 44

Answer: C. Article 32

6. Who described Article 32 as the "heart and soul" of the Constitution?

A. Jawaharlal Nehru    B. Rajendra Prasad    C. B.R. Ambedkar    D. Sardar Patel

Answer: C. B.R. Ambedkar

7. The Right against Exploitation is covered under which Articles?

A. Articles 14-18    B. Articles 19-22    C. Articles 23-24    D. Articles 25-28

Answer: C. Articles 23-24

8. Which right prohibits human trafficking and forced labor?

A. Right to Equality    B. Right to Freedom    C. Right against Exploitation    D. Cultural Rights

Answer: C. Right against Exploitation

9. Which Articles guarantee protection for minority language and culture?

A. Articles 14-18    B. Articles 23-24    C. Articles 25-28    D. Articles 29-30

Answer: D. Articles 29-30

10. Which two Articles remain protected even during a National Emergency?

A. Articles 14 and 15    B. Articles 19 and 21    C. Articles 20 and 21    D. Articles 25 and 26

Answer: C. Articles 20 and 21

11. Which right guarantees freedom of speech and expression?

A. Right to Equality    B. Right to Freedom    C. Right against Exploitation    D. Right to Constitutional Remedies

Answer: B. Right to Freedom

12. The Right to Freedom is covered under which Articles?

A. Articles 14-18    B. Articles 19-22    C. Articles 23-24    D. Articles 29-30

Answer: B. Articles 19-22

13. Which Article allows citizens to move the court if a Fundamental Right is violated?

A. Article 21    B. Article 25    C. Article 30    D. Article 32

Answer: D. Article 32

14. Freedom to practice and propagate any religion is guaranteed under which right?

A. Right to Equality    B. Right to Freedom of Religion    C. Cultural Rights    D. Right to Constitutional Remedies

Answer: B. Right to Freedom of Religion

15. How many Fundamental Rights are currently guaranteed by the Indian Constitution?

A. Five    B. Six    C. Seven    D. Eight

Answer: B. Six

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