1. What are Fundamental Rights?
Fundamental Rights are basic human rights guaranteed by the Constitution to all citizens (and in some cases, to all persons).
They are:
- Justiciable – can be enforced in a court of law.
- Limit the power of the State.
- Protected by the Supreme Court and High Courts.
हिंदी: Fundamental Rights = मौलिक अधिकार
यानी ऐसे अधिकार जो संविधान ने दिए हैं और जिन्हें Court में लागू कराया जा सकता है।
ये सरकार की शक्ति पर सीमा लगाते हैं।
2. List of Fundamental Rights (6 Groups)
Originally there were 7 rights; now there are **6 groups**:
- 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 & Educational Rights (Articles 29–30)
- Right to Constitutional Remedies (Article 32)
हिंदी Trick:
E F X R C R → Equality, Freedom, eXploitation, Religion, Culture, Remedies
इसे कई बार दोहराएँ – 6 groups याद हो जाएँगे।
3. Right to Equality (Arts. 14–18)
Article 14: Equality before law & equal protection of the laws.
Article 15: No discrimination on grounds of religion, race, caste, sex, place of birth.
Article 16: Equality of opportunity in public employment.
Article 17: Abolition of untouchability.
Article 18: Abolition of titles (except military and academic).
हिंदी: Right to Equality =
कोई “ऊँच–नीच” नहीं – कानून सबके लिए बराबर, untouchability खत्म, सरकारी नौकरी में समान अवसर।
4. Right to Freedom (Arts. 19–22)
Article 19: Six freedoms for citizens (NDA level):
- Freedom of speech and expression.
- Freedom to assemble peacefully and without arms.
- Freedom to form associations or unions.
- Freedom to move freely throughout the territory of India.
- Freedom to reside and settle in any part of India.
- Freedom to practise any profession, or to carry on any occupation, trade or business.
हिंदी:
Art 19 = बोलने, घूमने, संघ बनाने, कहीं भी बसने और धंधा करने की आज़ादी।
Art 21 = “Right to Life and Personal Liberty” – सबसे important article माना जाता है।
5. Right against Exploitation (Arts. 23–24)
Article 23: Prohibits human trafficking and forced labour.
Article 24: Prohibits employment of children below 14 years in factories, mines and hazardous jobs.
हिंदी: यह अधिकार कमजोरों की रक्षा के लिए है –
कोई जबरन मज़दूरी नहीं, बच्चों से खतरनाक काम नहीं।
6. Right to Freedom of Religion (Arts. 25–28)
Article 25: Freedom of conscience and free profession, practice and propagation of religion.
Article 26: Freedom to manage religious affairs.
Article 27: No tax can be used for promoting any particular religion.
Article 28: Freedom as to attendance at religious instruction in educational institutions.
हिंदी: भारत का secular character इन्हीं articles से मजबूत होता है –
हर व्यक्ति को धर्म चुनने, मानने और बदलने की आज़ादी।
7. Cultural & Educational Rights (Arts. 29–30)
Article 29: Protection of interests of minorities (language, script, culture).
Article 30: Right of minorities to establish and administer educational institutions.
हिंदी: जो समुदाय संख्या में कम हैं (minorities), उनकी भाषा–संस्कृति–शिक्षा की रक्षा के लिए ये अधिकार दिए गए हैं।
8. Right to Constitutional Remedies (Art. 32)
Article 32 allows a person to directly approach the **Supreme Court** if their Fundamental Rights are violated.
Dr. B. R. Ambedkar called Art. 32 the “heart and soul of the Constitution”.
The Supreme Court and High Courts can issue writs like:
The Supreme Court and High Courts can issue writs like:
- Habeas Corpus
- Mandamus
- Prohibition
- Certiorari
- Quo Warranto
हिंदी: अगर Fundamental Right टूटे तो सीधा Supreme Court जाने का अधिकार = Article 32।
Dr. Ambedkar ने इसे संविधान की “heart and soul” कहा है – अक्सर exam में पूछा जाता है।
9. Reasonable Restrictions
Fundamental Rights are not absolute.
The State can put reasonable restrictions in the interest of:
- Security of the State
- Public order, decency, morality
- Friendly relations with foreign states
- Sovereignty and integrity of India, etc.
हिंदी: अधिकार absolute नहीं हैं –
जैसे बोलने की आज़ादी है, पर आप हिंसा फैलाने वाली बातें नहीं बोल सकते।
10. Suspension of Fundamental Rights (Basic NDA Point)
- During a National Emergency (Art. 352), some Fundamental Rights can be suspended.
- Article 20 and 21 (protection in conviction & right to life) cannot be suspended even during Emergency.
हिंदी: Emergency में कई अधिकार रोक सकते हैं,
लेकिन Art 20 और 21 – ये दो rights सबसे ज़्यादा सुरक्षित हैं, इन्हें suspend नहीं कर सकते।
📘 Practice Questions (NDA Style)
1. Fundamental Rights are mainly given in which Part of the Constitution?
a) Part II b) Part III c) Part IV d) Part V
2. Which Article is known as the "heart and soul of the Constitution" (according to Dr. Ambedkar)?
a) Article 14 b) Article 19 c) Article 21 d) Article 32
3. Which of the following is NOT a Fundamental Right now?
a) Right to Equality b) Right to Property c) Right to Freedom d) Right against Exploitation
4. The Right against Exploitation is covered under:
a) Articles 14–18 b) Articles 19–22 c) Articles 23–24 d) Articles 25–28
5. The number of groups of Fundamental Rights at present is:
a) 5 b) 6 c) 7 d) 8
a) Part II b) Part III c) Part IV d) Part V
2. Which Article is known as the "heart and soul of the Constitution" (according to Dr. Ambedkar)?
a) Article 14 b) Article 19 c) Article 21 d) Article 32
3. Which of the following is NOT a Fundamental Right now?
a) Right to Equality b) Right to Property c) Right to Freedom d) Right against Exploitation
4. The Right against Exploitation is covered under:
a) Articles 14–18 b) Articles 19–22 c) Articles 23–24 d) Articles 25–28
5. The number of groups of Fundamental Rights at present is:
a) 5 b) 6 c) 7 d) 8
Answers:
1 – b) Part III
2 – d) Article 32
3 – b) Right to Property
4 – c) Articles 23–24
5 – b) 6
1 – b) Part III
2 – d) Article 32
3 – b) Right to Property
4 – c) Articles 23–24
5 – b) 6
Quick Recap | सार
Now you should be able to:
- Recall the most important ideas of this topic.
- Solve typical NDA-style questions from this chapter.
- Spot and avoid common traps used in competitive exams.
Self-check: 3–4 random questions उठा कर देखिए – अगर आसानी से हो रहे हैं, तो chapter strong है।
Common Exam Mistakes | आम गलतियाँ
- Concept ठीक से clear न करना और सीधे रटने की कोशिश करना।
- Question पूरी तरह पढ़े बिना answer mark कर देना।
- Figures, dates, या formulas को last step में verify न करना।
NDA में smart strategy यह है कि आसान वाले सवाल पहले, doubtful बाद में – और silly mistakes से बचना सबसे ज़रूरी है।