Article 14 – Equality before Law & Equal Protection of Laws

Bare Text (simplified)

Explanation (short)

No one is above the law (equality before law) and people in similar situations must be treated alike (equal protection). Different situations can be treated differently if the classification is reasonable and fair—e.g., juveniles have a separate justice system.

Case ideas: E.P. Royappa v. State of TN (1974) equated equality with the end of arbitrariness; Indira Gandhi v. Raj Narain (1975) reaffirmed that even high offices are under the law.

• Nobody is above the law; like cases treated alike.
• Reasonable classifications allowed (e.g., children vs adults).
• Purpose: prevent arbitrary State action.

Article 15 – Prohibition of Discrimination

Bare Text (simplified)

Explanation (detailed)

Article 15 blocks exclusion from schools, services or public places merely because of identity. To achieve real equality, it permits affirmative action (reservations, hostels for girls, scholarships for historically deprived groups). The aim is not favoritism but to bring everyone to a fair starting line after generations of disadvantage.

Important cases: Champakam Dorairajan (1951) led to the First Amendment protecting reservations; Indra Sawhney (1992) upheld 27% OBC reservation and generally kept the 50% cap.

• Bans discrimination on five grounds.
• Affirmative action for women, children, SEBCs, SCs, STs is valid.
• Targets substantive (real) equality.

Article 16 – Equality of Opportunity in Public Employment

Bare Text (simplified)

Explanation (detailed)

Government jobs should be open and merit-based, while acknowledging historical exclusion. Hence reservations in appointments for SCs/STs/OBCs and carefully tailored domicile rules for certain local posts are allowed. Equality here means equality among equals—so relaxations (like for persons with disabilities or maternity benefits) extend, not violate, equality.

Important cases: Indra Sawhney (1992) framed core principles; later amendments and M.N. Nagaraj (2006) permitted reservation in promotions for SC/ST with conditions.

• Open competition + merit with fairness.
• Reservations allowed; must be reasonable and reviewable.
• Domicile preference valid for limited local posts.

Article 17 – Abolition of Untouchability

Bare Text (simplified)

Explanation (detailed)

This Article outlaws caste-based exclusion from temples, wells, schools or public spaces. It is enforced through the Protection of Civil Rights Act, 1955 and the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989. The message: equal social dignity is non-negotiable.

• Untouchability completely abolished; punishable offence.
• Backed by strong special laws.
• Guarantees equal participation in social and religious life.

Article 18 – Abolition of Titles

Bare Text (simplified)

Explanation (detailed)

Colonial honorifics like “Rai Bahadur” or “Sir” created hierarchy. Article 18 bans such titles to preserve a society of equals. Academic and military designations (Doctor, Professor, General) are allowed. Balaji Raghavan v. Union of India (1996) clarified that Bharat Ratna and Padma awards are honours, not “titles”, and must not be used as official prefixes.

• No titles of nobility; equal civic status.
• Academic/military distinctions permitted.
• National awards are honours, not titles.