ਆਪਣੇ ਅਧਿਕਾਰਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਜਾਣੋ

The State shall not deny any person equality before the law or the equal protection of the laws. Like must be treated alike; the law cannot be arbitrary.

The State shall not discriminate against any citizen on grounds only of religion, race, caste, sex or place of birth — while allowing special provision for women, children and backward classes.

Every citizen has an equal opportunity in matters of public employment, subject to permitted reservation for under-represented groups.

Untouchability is abolished and its practice in any form is forbidden and punishable.

Every citizen has the right to freedom of speech and expression — including a free press and the right to know — subject only to the reasonable restrictions in Article 19(2).

No one can be convicted under a retrospective law, punished twice for the same offence, or compelled to be a witness against themselves.

No person shall be deprived of life or personal liberty except by a fair, just and reasonable procedure established by law — read by the courts to include dignity, privacy, health, a clean environment and livelihood.

An arrested person must be told the grounds of arrest, may consult a lawyer of their choice, and must be produced before a magistrate within 24 hours.

Traffic in human beings, begar and other forms of forced labour are prohibited.

No child below 14 years may be employed in any factory, mine or other hazardous work.

All persons are equally entitled to freedom of conscience and the right freely to profess, practise and propagate religion, subject to public order, morality and health.

Any section of citizens with a distinct language, script or culture has the right to conserve it.

Religious and linguistic minorities may establish and administer educational institutions of their choice.

The right to move the Supreme Court directly to enforce fundamental rights — called by Dr Ambedkar "the heart and soul of the Constitution." The courts can issue writs such as habeas corpus and mandamus.

Citizens may assemble peaceably and without arms — the constitutional basis of the right to protest.

Citizens may form associations, unions or cooperative societies.

The State shall provide free and compulsory education to all children aged 6 to 14 years.

The State shall strive to promote the welfare of the people and to minimise inequalities in income, status and opportunity.

The State shall, within its capacity, secure the right to work, education and public assistance in cases of unemployment, old age, sickness and disablement.

The State shall make provision for just and humane conditions of work and for maternity relief.

The State shall regard raising the level of nutrition and public health as among its primary duties.

The State shall take steps to separate the judiciary from the executive in the public services.

The State shall secure that the legal system promotes justice on equal opportunity, and provide free legal aid so that no citizen is denied justice for want of means.

The State shall endeavour to protect and improve the environment and safeguard forests and wildlife.

Panchayats and municipalities are constitutional bodies — the 73rd and 74th Amendments guarantee grassroots democracy and devolution.

Law-making is divided between Parliament and the States across the Union, State and Concurrent Lists — the bedrock of Indian federalism.

The Constitution sets out how the Union and States must cooperate, including the Inter-State Council for resolving disputes.

A Finance Commission is constituted every five years to recommend how tax revenue is shared between the Centre and the States.

Superintendence, direction and control of elections vests in an independent Election Commission of India.

Every citizen aged 18 or above has the right to vote, regardless of wealth, status, gender or education.

It is the duty of the Union to protect every State against external aggression and internal disturbance, and to ensure its governance runs per the Constitution.

Central rule may be imposed on a State only when its government cannot run per the Constitution — a power the Supreme Court (S.R. Bommai) held to be exceptional and judicially reviewable.

Parliament may amend the Constitution by special majority, but cannot — per the Basic Structure doctrine (Kesavananda Bharati) — destroy its essential features.

No person shall be deprived of property save by authority of law — a constitutional (legal) right, requiring fair procedure and, in practice, compensation.

Any citizen may ask any public authority for information and must normally receive it within 30 days. It flows from the right to know under Article 19(1)(a).