The Constitution of India is the world's longest written constitution, and its individual Articles are among the most frequently tested topics in SSC CGL. This is a reference chapter: it walks through the Constitution in order — from the Union and its territory, through Fundamental Rights, the Directive Principles, the Union and State executives, Parliament, the judiciary, the constitutional bodies, the emergency provisions and the amendment power — and lists, for every section, the exact Article-to-subject mapping you need to memorise. Two compact tables at the end cover the Parts and the Schedules of the Constitution. > How to use this chapter: scan the section leads to fix the big picture, then drill the pipe tables. The marquee Articles are in bold — those are the ones that appear again and again in previous-year papers.
The opening Articles describe India as a Union of States and lay down how new states are admitted, created or reorganised.
| Article | Subject |
|---|---|
| Article 1 | Name and Territory of the Union (India, that is Bharat, shall be a Union of States) |
| Article 2 | Admission and establishment of new states |
| Article 3 | Formation of new states; alteration of areas, boundaries or names of existing states |
Which Article declares India, that is Bharat, to be a Union of States?
Which Article empowers Parliament to form new states and alter the areas, boundaries or names of existing states?
Article deals with the admission and establishment of new states.
Part I of the Constitution deals with the Union and its .
Articles 5–11 settle who was a citizen of India at the commencement of the Constitution and leave the rest to Parliament.
| Article | Subject |
|---|---|
| Article 5 | Citizenship at the commencement of the Constitution |
| Article 6 | Rights of citizenship of persons who migrated to India from Pakistan |
| Article 10 | Continuance of the rights of citizenship |
| Article 11 | Parliament to regulate the right of citizenship by law |
Which Article empowers Parliament to regulate the right of citizenship by law?
Which Article covers citizenship at the commencement of the Constitution?
Article deals with the rights of citizenship of persons who migrated to India from Pakistan.
Citizenship provisions are contained in Part of the Constitution.
Articles 12–35 contain the Fundamental Rights — the most heavily tested block in the Constitution. Article 12 defines the "State", Article 13 makes laws inconsistent with these rights void, and Articles 14–32 lay out the six rights themselves. Originally there were seven Fundamental Rights; the Right to Property was removed by the 44th Amendment (1978) and made an ordinary legal right under Article 300A, leaving six.
| Article | Subject |
|---|---|
| Article 12 | Definition of the "State" |
| Article 13 | Laws inconsistent with or in derogation of the Fundamental Rights (void) |
| Article 14 | Equality before Law / Equal protection of laws (Right to Equality) |
| Article 15 | Prohibition of discrimination on grounds of religion, race, caste, sex or place of birth |
| Article 16 | Equality of opportunity in matters of public employment |
| Article 17 | Abolition of Untouchability |
| Article 18 | Abolition of Titles |
| Article 19 | Protection of six freedoms — speech & expression, assembly, association, movement, residence, profession |
| Article 20 | Protection in respect of conviction for offences |
| Article 21 | Right to Life and Personal Liberty |
| Article 21A | Right to Education (free and compulsory, ages 6–14) |
| Article 22 | Protection against arrest and detention in certain cases |
| Article 23 | Prohibition of traffic in human beings and forced labour |
| Article 24 | Prohibition of employment of children below 14 in factories and mines |
| Article 25 | Freedom of conscience and free profession, practice and propagation of religion |
| Article 26 | Freedom to manage religious affairs |
| Article 27 | Freedom from payment of taxes for promotion of any particular religion |
| Article 28 | Freedom from attending religious instruction in state-funded institutions |
| Article 29 | Protection of interests of minorities |
| Article 30 | Right of minorities to establish and administer educational institutions |
| Article 32 | Right to Constitutional Remedies — power to issue writs ("Heart and Soul of the Constitution") |
The six freedoms under Article 19(1) — a favourite trap, since these are clauses of one Article, not separate Articles:
| Clause | Freedom |
|---|---|
| Article 19(1)(a) | Freedom of speech and expression |
| Article 19(1)(b) | Freedom to assemble peaceably and without arms |
| Article 19(1)(c) | Freedom to form associations or unions |
| Article 19(1)(d) | Freedom to move freely throughout the territory of India |
| Article 19(1)(e) | Freedom to reside and settle in any part of India |
| Article 19(1)(g) | Freedom to practise any profession, occupation, trade or business |
*(The former 19(1)(f), freedom to acquire and hold property, was repealed by the 44th Amendment; property is now a legal right under Article 300A.)*
Which Article guarantees the Right to Life and Personal Liberty?
Article 32, called the 'Heart and Soul of the Constitution' by Dr. Ambedkar, deals with:
Article guarantees Equality before Law and equal protection of laws.
The Right to Property was removed by the 44th Amendment and made a legal right under Article .
Articles 36–51 set out the Directive Principles — non-justiciable ideals that guide the State in making laws and policy.
| Article | Subject |
|---|---|
| Article 36 | Definition of "State" for the purpose of DPSP |
| Article 37 | Application of the Directive Principles (not enforceable by courts) |
| Article 39A | Equal justice and free legal aid |
| Article 40 | Organisation of village panchayats |
| Article 41 | Right to work, to education and to public assistance in certain cases |
| Article 43 | Living wage etc. for workers |
| Article 43A | Participation of workers in the management of industries |
| Article 44 | Uniform Civil Code for the citizens |
| Article 45 | Provision for early childhood care and education for children below 6 |
| Article 46 | Promotion of educational and economic interests of SCs, STs and weaker sections |
| Article 47 | Duty of the State to raise nutrition, standard of living and public health |
| Article 48 | Organisation of agriculture and animal husbandry |
| Article 49 | Protection of monuments, places and objects of national importance |
| Article 50 | Separation of the judiciary from the executive |
| Article 51 | Promotion of international peace and security |
Which Article directs the State to secure a Uniform Civil Code?
Article 50 of the Directive Principles directs the State to secure:
Article deals with the organisation of village panchayats.
Article 39A provides for equal justice and free legal .
| Article | Subject |
|---|---|
| Article 51A | Fundamental Duties of every citizen (11 duties) |
Which Article is the sole Article of Part IVA, listing the Fundamental Duties?
How many Fundamental Duties are there in all after the 86th Amendment?
The Fundamental Duties are contained in Part of the Constitution.
The 11th Fundamental Duty (parental duty of education) was added by the th Amendment (2002).
Part V begins with the President and Vice-President, their election and powers, the Council of Ministers, the Attorney-General and the Prime Minister.
| Article | Subject |
|---|---|
| Article 52 | The President of India |
| Article 53 | Executive power of the Union vested in the President |
| Article 54 | Election of the President |
| Article 61 | Procedure for impeachment of the President |
| Article 63 | The Vice-President of India |
| Article 64 | Vice-President to be ex-officio Chairman of the Council of States (Rajya Sabha) |
| Article 66 | Election of the Vice-President |
| Article 72 | Power of the President to grant pardons, reprieves, respites and remissions |
| Article 74 | Council of Ministers to aid and advise the President |
| Article 76 | Attorney-General for India |
| Article 78 | Duties of the Prime Minister (to communicate decisions to the President) |
| Article 123 | Power of the President to promulgate Ordinances during recess of Parliament |
Which Article gives the President the power to grant pardons, reprieves and remissions?
Which Article empowers the President to promulgate Ordinances during recess of Parliament?
Article deals with the President of India.
Article 74 provides for a Council of Ministers to aid and advise the .
Articles 79–122 deal with the composition and working of Parliament — the two Houses, sessions, voting, privileges and the legislative process for money and financial bills.
| Article | Subject |
|---|---|
| Article 79 | Constitution of Parliament (President + two Houses) |
| Article 80 | Composition of the Rajya Sabha (Council of States) |
| Article 81 | Composition of the Lok Sabha (House of the People) |
| Article 85 | Sessions of Parliament, prorogation and dissolution |
| Article 93 | The Speaker and Deputy Speaker of the Lok Sabha |
| Article 100 | Voting in the Houses; quorum |
| Article 105 | Powers, privileges and immunities of Members of Parliament |
| Article 106 | Salaries and allowances of Members of Parliament |
| Article 108 | Joint sitting of both Houses of Parliament |
| Article 109–110 | Special procedure for Money Bills; definition of "Money Bill" |
| Article 112 | Annual Financial Statement (Union Budget) |
| Article 114 | Appropriation Bills |
Which Article fixes the composition of the Rajya Sabha (Council of States)?
Which Article provides for a joint sitting of both Houses of Parliament?
Article fixes the composition of the Lok Sabha (House of the People).
Article 112 deals with the Annual Financial Statement, also known as the Union .
Articles 124–147 establish and govern the Supreme Court of India.
| Article | Subject |
|---|---|
| Article 124 | Establishment and constitution of the Supreme Court |
| Article 125 | Salaries and allowances of Supreme Court judges |
| Article 126 | Appointment of an acting Chief Justice |
| Article 127 | Appointment of ad-hoc judges of the Supreme Court |
| Article 128 | Attendance of retired judges at sittings of the Supreme Court |
| Article 129 | Supreme Court to be a Court of Record |
| Article 130 | Seat of the Supreme Court |
| Article 137 | Review of judgments or orders by the Supreme Court |
| Article 139 | Power of the Supreme Court to issue certain writs |
| Article 141 | Law declared by the Supreme Court binding on all courts in India |
Which Article establishes and constitutes the Supreme Court of India?
Which Article makes law declared by the Supreme Court binding on all courts in India?
Article makes the Supreme Court a Court of Record.
Article 137 provides for the review of judgments or orders by the Court.
| Article | Subject |
|---|---|
| Article 148 | Comptroller and Auditor-General (CAG) of India |
| Article 149 | Duties and powers of the CAG |
Which Article provides for the Comptroller and Auditor-General (CAG) of India?
The duties and powers of the CAG are dealt with under which Article?
Article 148 provides for the Comptroller and -General of India.
The duties and powers of the CAG are given under Article .
Part VI mirrors the Union for the states: the Governor and his powers, the Chief Minister, the Advocate-General, and the High Courts and subordinate judiciary.
| Article | Subject |
|---|---|
| Article 153 | Governors of States |
| Article 154 | Executive power of the State vested in the Governor |
| Article 155 | Appointment of the Governor (by the President) |
| Article 161 | Power of the Governor to grant pardons, reprieves and remissions |
| Article 165 | Advocate-General for the State |
| Article 166 | Conduct of business of the Government of a State |
| Article 167 | Duties of the Chief Minister |
| Article 213 | Power of the Governor to promulgate Ordinances |
| Article 214 | High Courts for States |
| Article 215 | High Courts to be Courts of Record |
| Article 216 | Constitution of High Courts |
| Article 224 | Appointment of additional and acting judges of High Courts |
| Article 224A | Appointment of retired judges at sittings of High Courts |
| Article 226 | Power of High Courts to issue writs |
| Article 233 | Appointment of district judges |
| Article 235 | Control over subordinate courts |
Which Article gives the Governor pardoning powers?
Which Article empowers High Courts to issue writs — a wider power than the Supreme Court's?
Article provides for a Governor for each state.
Article 214 provides for a High for each state.
| Article | Subject |
|---|---|
| Article 280 | Finance Commission |
| Article 300A | Right to Property (a legal/constitutional right, not a Fundamental Right) |
Which Article provides for the Finance Commission?
The Right to Property, now a legal/constitutional right and not a Fundamental Right, is under which Article?
The Finance Commission is provided for under Article .
Finance, Property and Centre-State relations are covered in Part of the Constitution.
Articles 308–323B cover the services under the Union and States, the Public Service Commissions and the administrative tribunals.
| Article | Subject |
|---|---|
| Article 312 | All-India Services (creation by Rajya Sabha resolution) |
| Article 315 | Public Service Commissions for the Union and the States (UPSC / SPSC) |
| Article 320 | Functions of the Public Service Commissions |
| Article 323A | Administrative Tribunals |
Which Article provides for the All-India Services (creation by Rajya Sabha resolution)?
Which Article provides for the Public Service Commissions for the Union and the States (UPSC/SPSC)?
Article provides for Administrative Tribunals.
Article 320 deals with the functions of the Public Service .
| Article | Subject |
|---|---|
| Article 324 | Election Commission — superintendence, direction and control of elections |
| Article 325 | No person to be excluded from the electoral roll on grounds of religion, race, caste or sex |
| Article 326 | Elections to the Lok Sabha and State Assemblies on the basis of adult suffrage |
Which Article vests the superintendence, direction and control of elections in the Election Commission?
Which Article establishes universal adult suffrage for elections to the Lok Sabha and State Assemblies?
Article provides that no person shall be excluded from the electoral roll on grounds of religion, race, caste or sex.
Article 324 vests control of elections in the Election of India.
Articles 330–342 provide reservations and safeguards for the Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, Anglo-Indians and backward classes.
| Article | Subject |
|---|---|
| Article 330 | Reservation of seats for SCs and STs in the Lok Sabha |
| Article 331 | Representation of the Anglo-Indian community in the Lok Sabha (nomination — discontinued by the 104th Amendment, 2019) |
| Article 333 | Representation of the Anglo-Indian community in the State Legislative Assemblies (discontinued by the 104th Amendment, 2019) |
| Article 335 | Claims of SCs and STs to services and posts |
| Article 338 | National Commission for the Scheduled Castes / Scheduled Tribes |
| Article 340 | Appointment of a commission to investigate the conditions of backward classes |
Which Article provides for the reservation of seats for SCs and STs in the Lok Sabha?
The representation of the Anglo-Indian community in the Lok Sabha (Article 331) was discontinued by which amendment?
Article provides for the National Commission for the Scheduled Castes / Scheduled Tribes.
Article 340 provides for a commission to investigate the conditions of classes.
| Article | Subject |
|---|---|
| Article 343 | Official language of the Union (Hindi in Devanagari script) |
| Article 345 | Official language(s) of a State |
| Article 348 | Language to be used in the Supreme Court and the High Courts |
| Article 351 | Directive for development of the Hindi language |
Which Article provides that Hindi in Devanagari script is the official language of the Union?
Which Article deals with the language to be used in the Supreme Court and the High Courts?
Article contains a directive for the development of the Hindi language.
Article 345 deals with the official language(s) of a .
Articles 352–360 contain the three types of emergency. These three Article numbers are among the most-asked in the exam.
| Article | Subject |
|---|---|
| Article 352 | National Emergency (proclamation of emergency) |
| Article 356 | President's Rule — failure of constitutional machinery in a State (State Emergency) |
| Article 360 | Financial Emergency |
| Article 361 | Protection of the President and Governors |
Which Article deals with National Emergency (proclamation of emergency)?
Which Article deals with President's Rule (State Emergency)?
Article deals with Financial Emergency.
Emergency Provisions are contained in Part of the Constitution.
| Article | Subject |
|---|---|
| Article 368 | Power of Parliament to amend the Constitution and the procedure therefor |
Which Article gives Parliament the power to amend the Constitution and lays down the procedure?
The amending power under Article 368 is limited by the basic structure doctrine of which case?
Article 368 falls under Part of the Constitution.
The power to amend the Constitution is given by Article .
| Article | Subject |
|---|---|
| Article 370 | Temporary provisions for the State of Jammu & Kashmir (abrogated on 5–6 August 2019) |
| Article 371A | Special provision with respect to the State of Nagaland |
| Article 371J | Special status for the Hyderabad–Karnataka region |
| Article 393 | Short title — "This Constitution may be called the Constitution of India" |
Which Article contained the temporary provisions for the State of Jammu & Kashmir (abrogated in 2019)?
Which Article contains the short title, 'This Constitution may be called the Constitution of India'?
Article contains a special provision with respect to the State of Nagaland.
Article 370 was abrogated on 5-6 August .
A fast way to recall which Articles carry which Fundamental Right, plus the major block boundaries.
| Articles | Right / Block |
|---|---|
| Article 14–18 | Right to Equality |
| Article 19–22 | Right to Freedom |
| Article 23–24 | Right against Exploitation |
| Article 25–28 | Right to Freedom of Religion |
| Article 29–30 | Cultural and Educational Rights |
| Article 32 | Right to Constitutional Remedies |
| Article 12–35 | Fundamental Rights (whole Part III) |
| Article 36–51 | Directive Principles of State Policy |
| Article 52–151 | The Union Government |
| Article 152–237 | The State Governments |
| Article 109–114 | Money Bills and Financial Bills |
| Article 352, 356, 360 | Emergency Provisions |
According to the memory grouping, which Articles carry the Right to Equality?
Which range of Articles constitutes the Fundamental Rights (whole Part III)?
Articles 23-24 carry the Right against .
Articles 36-51 constitute the Principles of State Policy.
The Constitution is divided into 25 Parts (after later additions). Memorising the Part-to-Article ranges lets you place any Article instantly.
| Part | Subject | Articles |
|---|---|---|
| Part I | The Union and its Territory | Articles 1–4 |
| Part II | Citizenship | Articles 5–11 |
| Part III | Fundamental Rights | Articles 12–35 |
| Part IV | Directive Principles of State Policy | Articles 36–51 |
| Part IVA | Fundamental Duties | Article 51A |
| Part V | The Union | Articles 52–151 |
| Part VI | The States | Articles 152–237 |
| Part VII | Repealed (7th Amendment Act, 1956) | — |
| Part VIII | The Union Territories | Articles 239–242 |
| Part IX | The Panchayats | Articles 243–243O |
| Part IXA | The Municipalities | Articles 243P–243ZG |
| Part IXB | Co-operative Societies | Articles 243ZH–243ZT |
| Part X | Scheduled and Tribal Areas | Articles 244–244A |
| Part XI | Relations between the Union and the States | Articles 245–263 |
| Part XII | Finance, Property, Contracts and Suits | Articles 264–300A |
| Part XIII | Trade, Commerce and Intercourse within India | Articles 301–307 |
| Part XIV | Services under the Union and the States | Articles 308–323 |
| Part XIVA | Tribunals | Articles 323A–323B |
| Part XV | Elections | Articles 324–329A |
| Part XVI | Special Provisions for certain classes (SC, ST, OBC, Minorities) | Articles 330–342 |
| Part XVII | Official Languages | Articles 343–351 |
| Part XVIII | Emergency Provisions | Articles 352–360 |
| Part XIX | Miscellaneous | Articles 361–367 |
| Part XX | Amendment of the Constitution | Article 368 |
| Part XXI | Special, Transitional and Temporary Provisions | Articles 369–392 |
| Part XXII | Short Title, Commencement, Authoritative Hindi Text and Repeals | Articles 393–395 |
Which Part contains the Fundamental Rights, covering Articles 12-35?
Emergency Provisions (Articles 352-360) are contained in which Part of the Constitution?
Part IV of the Constitution deals with the Directive Principles of State Policy, covering Articles 36-.
Part deals with the Amendment of the Constitution (Article 368).
The Constitution originally had 8 Schedules; four more were added later, making 12 in all. Schedules are tested both for what they deal with and for the amendments that introduced them.
| Schedule | Subject / Deals With |
|---|---|
| 1st Schedule | Names of the States and Union Territories and their territorial extent |
| 2nd Schedule | Salaries and allowances of the President, Vice-President, Governors, Judges, CAG, Speaker, etc. |
| 3rd Schedule | Forms of oaths and affirmations for office-holders |
| 4th Schedule | Allocation of seats in the Rajya Sabha to States and Union Territories |
| 5th Schedule | Administration and control of Scheduled Areas and Scheduled Tribes (states other than the four North-East ones) |
| 6th Schedule | Administration of Tribal Areas in Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura and Mizoram (Autonomous District Councils) |
| 7th Schedule | Division of powers — Union List, State List and Concurrent List |
| 8th Schedule | The 22 official languages of India |
| 9th Schedule | Laws protected from judicial review (added by the 1st Amendment, 1951; mainly land-reform laws) |
| 10th Schedule | Anti-Defection Law (added by the 52nd Amendment, 1985) |
| 11th Schedule | Powers of Panchayats — 29 subjects (added by the 73rd Amendment, 1992) |
| 12th Schedule | Powers of Municipalities — 18 subjects (added by the 74th Amendment, 1992) |
Which Schedule divides powers into the Union List, State List and Concurrent List?
The Anti-Defection Law was added as which Schedule by the 52nd Amendment (1985)?
The 8th Schedule lists the official languages of India.
The 9th Schedule shields listed laws from judicial review, added by the st Amendment, 1951.
| Topic | Fact |
|---|---|
| Fundamental Rights | Originally 7, now 6 — the Right to Property (former Article 31) was removed by the 44th Amendment (1978) and made a legal right under Article 300A. |
| Fundamental Duties | 11 in total — the 42nd Amendment (1976) added 10; the 86th Amendment (2002) added the 11th, under Article 51A. |
| Article 370 | Temporary provision for Jammu & Kashmir; abrogated on 5–6 August 2019. |
| Commencement | The Constitution came into force on 26 January 1950 (Republic Day). |
| Official Languages | The 8th Schedule lists 22 languages (originally 14). |
How many Fundamental Rights are there now, after the Right to Property was removed?
On which date did the Constitution of India come into force?
There are Fundamental Duties in total.
Article 370, the temporary provision for Jammu & Kashmir, was abrogated on 5-6 August .
Take 5 questions at a time — tap an option to check. After each round, revise the notes above and take the retest for 5 fresh questions, until you've mastered the whole chapter.