The new code, when you need it

Your Fundamental Rights, in plain words

These are the rights the Constitution gives every person in India — the new code, article by article. You can read the full text yourself at constitutionofindia.net.

• Article 14

  Equality before the law

  The State cannot deny anyone equality before the law or equal protection of the laws. The rule of law applies to all — rich or poor, high or low caste, official or citizen.

• Article 15

  No discrimination

  No discrimination on grounds only of religion, race, caste, sex or place of birth — and no denial of access to shops, wells, roads and public places on those grounds. Special provisions are allowed for women, children, backward classes, SC/ST and the EWS.

• Article 16

  Equal opportunity in public jobs

  Equality of opportunity in government employment, with reservation permitted for backward classes not adequately represented.

• Article 17

  Untouchability abolished

  'Untouchability' is abolished and its practice in any form is forbidden and a punishable offence. This is unconditional — no exception.

• Article 19

  The six freedoms

  Freedom of speech and expression; to assemble peacefully; to form associations; to move freely; to reside anywhere in India; and to practise any profession or trade — subject to reasonable restrictions.

• Article 20

  Protection if accused

  No punishment under a law made after the act; no being tried twice for the same offence; and no one can be forced to be a witness against themselves.

• Article 21

  Life and personal liberty

  No one may be deprived of life or personal liberty except by fair, just and reasonable procedure. The courts have read into it the right to privacy, dignity, health, a clean environment, and a speedy trial.

• Article 21A

  Right to education

  Free and compulsory education for all children aged 6 to 14 — a fundamental right.

• Article 22

  Protection on arrest

  If arrested you must be told why, allowed a lawyer of your choice, and produced before a magistrate within 24 hours. (Preventive-detention has separate, limited safeguards.)

• Article 23

  No forced labour

  Traffic in human beings, begar (unpaid forced labour) and bonded labour are prohibited and punishable.

• Article 24

  No child labour

  No child under 14 may work in a factory, mine or other hazardous employment.

• Article 25

  Freedom of religion

  Freedom of conscience and the right to freely profess, practise and propagate religion — subject to public order, morality and health, and to laws against forced conversion.

• Article 32

  Right to remedies

  The right to move the Supreme Court directly to enforce your Fundamental Rights — Ambedkar called it 'the heart and soul of the Constitution'. High Courts have the same power under Art. 226.

• Article 39A

  Free legal aid

  The State must provide free legal aid so that no one is denied justice for want of money. This is why NALSA legal aid exists — call 15100.

• Article 300A

  Right to property

  No person shall be deprived of their property except by authority of law. (A constitutional/legal right since 1978, not a fundamental right — but real.)

• Article 338 / 338A / 338B

  The safeguards' watchdogs

  National Commissions for the Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and Backward Classes — bodies you can approach when the protections are ignored.