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What are Fundamental Rights?
- They are a set of basic human rights and freedoms protected by a country's constitution.
- They are guaranteed by the Constitution to each individual.
- There are six Fundamental Rights in India.
Six Fundamental Rights
The six Fundamental Rights
Right to Equality
Articles 14-18
Right to Freedom
Articles 19-22
Right Against Exploitation
Articles 23-24
Right to Freedom of Religion
Articles 25-28
Cultural and Educational Rights
Articles 29-30
Right to Constitutional Remedies
Article 32
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Guaranteed, protected, and enforceable in courts under Articles 32 and 226
Important Points about Fundamental Rights
What kind of rights these are
Guaranteed and protected
by the Constitution
Enforceable
in courts of law
Indivisible and inalienable
cannot be split or taken away
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Subject only to reasonable restrictions, through the procedure established by law
| Point | Meaning |
|---|---|
| They are guaranteed and protected by the Constitution | The Constitution promises these rights to every citizen, and defends them if anyone tries to take them away |
| They safeguard the rights, freedom and dignity of citizens | They protect not just what you can do, but your standing as a person |
| They are enforceable in courts of law | If a right is denied, you can go to court |
| They are indivisible | Cannot be split up - you cannot be given some and denied others |
| They are inalienable | Cannot be taken away or given up |
| They are subject to reasonable restrictions | Sensible limits are allowed, but only through the procedure established by law |
What happens if a Fundamental Right is violated?
Where to go for a remedy
constitutional remedies
Article 32
Remedy in the Supreme Court
Example:
the Right to Constitutional Remedies
Article 226
Remedy in the High Courts
Example:
appropriate legal action follows
- It can lead to appropriate legal action .
- Citizens can seek constitutional remedies under Article 32 and Article 226 .
Article 32
Article 226
Remedy in the
Supreme Court
Remedy in the
High Courts
Let's Explore
Fundamental Rights, Fundamental Duties and Directive Principles - what is the difference?
Rights, Duties and Directive Principles
three different things
Fundamental Rights
Apply to citizens
Protect rights and dignity
Example:
enforceable in court
Fundamental Duties
Apply to citizens
What a citizen owes
Example:
not enforceable
Directive Principles
Apply to the State
Guide policy-making
Example:
not enforceable
- The Constitution guarantees Fundamental Rights , and also outlines Fundamental Duties and the Directive Principles of State Policy .
| Fundamental Rights | Fundamental Duties | Directive Principles | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Applies to | Citizens | Citizens | The State |
| What it does | Protects rights, freedom and dignity | Lists duties a citizen owes the country | Guides the State in making policies |
| Enforceable in court? | Yes | No | No |
- Significance: rights protect the citizen, duties remind the citizen of responsibility, and directive principles guide the government.
- Together they balance what a citizen gets , what a citizen owes , and what the State should aim for .
- This chapter names Fundamental Duties and the Directive Principles but does not detail them.
- The table above is a summary for discussion.
Right to Education (Article 21A)
The Right to Education
Added in 2009
Article 21A
Free and compulsory
education
Ages 6 to 14
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Education is what makes the other rights usable
- Added in 2009 .
- Ensures free and compulsory education for children aged 6 to 14 .
- Significance: education is what makes other rights usable.
- A citizen who cannot read cannot know their rights, question the government, or participate fully.
- Free removes the cost barrier; compulsory removes the choice to keep a child out of school.
1. How many Fundamental Rights are there? Name them.
Show answer
Six - Right to Equality, Right to Freedom, Right Against Exploitation, Right to Freedom of Religion, Cultural and Educational Rights, and Right to Constitutional Remedies.
2. Which Articles cover the Right Against Exploitation?
Show answer
Articles 23-24.
3. Under which Articles can citizens seek constitutional remedies?
Show answer
Article 32 and Article 226.
4. What do 'indivisible' and 'inalienable' mean?
Show answer
Indivisible - the rights cannot be split up. Inalienable - they cannot be taken away or given up.
5. Which Article gives the Right to Education, when was it added, and for which age group?
Show answer
Article 21A, added in 2009, for children aged 6 to 14.
