Know Your Rights

1. Right to Equality (Article 14–18)

The Right to Equality ensures that every citizen is treated equally before the law and has equal protection under the law.

• Article 14: Equality before law and equal protection of the laws.
• Article 15: Prohibition of discrimination on grounds of religion, race, caste, sex, or place of birth.
• Article 16: Equality of opportunity in public employment.
• Article 17: Abolition of untouchability.
• Article 18: Abolition of titles (except academic or military distinctions).

2. Right to Freedom (Article 19–22)

This right guarantees freedom of speech, expression, and personal liberty for all citizens.

• Article 19: Freedom of speech, assembly, association, movement, residence, and profession.
• Article 20: Protection in respect of conviction for offenses.
• Article 21: Protection of life and personal liberty.
• Article 21A: Right to free and compulsory education for children aged 6–14 years.
• Article 22: Protection against arbitrary arrest and detention.

3. Right Against Exploitation (Article 23–24)

This right protects individuals from exploitation, human trafficking, and forced labor.

• Article 23: Prohibits human trafficking and forced labor.
• Article 24: Prohibits employment of children below 14 years in hazardous work environments.

4. Right to Education (Article 21A)

The Right to Education was added through the 86th Constitutional Amendment Act, 2002 and became a fundamental right in 2009 with the implementation of the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act (RTE Act).

Key Points:

• Article 21A: Guarantees free and compulsory education to all children between the ages of 6 and 14 years.
• The government must ensure that every child in this age group is enrolled in school and receives quality education.
• Private schools must reserve 25% of seats for economically weaker sections (EWS).
• No child shall be held back, expelled, or required to pass a board exam until completion of elementary education (Class 8).

Why It Matters:

• Promotes equal educational opportunity for all.
• Helps bridge the gap between rich and poor.
• Lays the foundation for an informed and empowered citizenry.

5. Right to Freedom of Religion (Article 25–28)

This right guarantees every citizen the freedom to practice, profess, and propagate their religion.

• Article 25: Freedom of conscience and free profession of religion.
• Article 26: Freedom to manage religious affairs.
• Article 27: No person shall be compelled to pay any taxes for the promotion of a religion.
• Article 28: Freedom from religious instruction in state-funded educational institutions.

6. Cultural and Educational Rights (Article 29–30)

These rights protect the cultural identity and educational access of minorities in India.

• Article 29: Protection of interests of minorities to preserve their language, script, and culture.
• Article 30: Right of minorities to establish and administer educational institutions of their choice.

7. Right to Constitutional Remedies (Article 32)

This right empowers citizens to move the courts to enforce their fundamental rights.

• Article 32: Allows citizens to directly approach the Supreme Court or High Courts for rights enforcement.
• Includes writs such as Habeas Corpus, Mandamus, Prohibition, Certiorari, and Quo-Warranto.