Source: NCERT Official Textbook
The chapter systematically explains each category of Fundamental Rights. The Right to Equality includes equality before law, prohibition of discrimination on grounds of religion, race, caste, sex, or place of birth, equality of opportunity in public employment, abolition of untouchability, and abolition of titles. The Right to Freedom encompasses freedom of speech, assembly, association, movement, residence, and profession, along with the crucial right to life and personal liberty under Article 21, which courts have expanded to include right to live with dignity, shelter, and livelihood. The Right against Exploitation prohibits forced labour (begar), human trafficking, and employment of children in hazardous jobs. The Right to Freedom of Religion guarantees freedom of conscience and practice, while allowing government intervention to protect public order, morality, and health. The Cultural and Educational Rights protect minorities’ right to conserve their language and culture and establish educational institutions. Finally, the Right to Constitutional Remedies, described by Dr. Ambedkar as the “heart and soul of the Constitution,” enables citizens to approach High Courts or Supreme Court through writs (habeas corpus, mandamus, prohibition, quo warranto, certiorari) for enforcement of rights.
The chapter concludes by examining the Directive Principles of State Policy—non-justiciable guidelines that exhort the government to ensure the well-being of society, including goals like adequate livelihood, equal pay, right to work, education, and public assistance. Unlike Fundamental Rights which restrain government, Directive Principles instruct government to take positive action. The relationship between them has been debated, particularly regarding the now-removed right to property. The Kesavananda Bharati case established that while Parliament can amend the Constitution, it cannot alter its basic structure. The chapter also mentions the Fundamental Duties added by the 42nd Amendment, though these are not enforceable and do not condition the enjoyment of rights. Together, these constitutional provisions create a framework where rights enforce limitations on government and ensure democratic governance, with institutions like the National Human Rights Commission and various national commissions working alongside the judiciary to protect citizens’ rights.
What is a ‘bill of rights’? (Pg. 28)
Fundamental Rights are protected and guaranteed by: (Pg. 29)
The practice of untouchability has been abolished under which right? (Pg. 32)
Article 21 of the Constitution deals with: (Pg. 34)
Preventive detention can be extended only for three months, after which it must be reviewed by: (Pg. 35)
Which of the following is NOT a right of accused persons? (Pg. 36)
The Constitution forbids employment of children below the age of ______ years in dangerous jobs. (Pg. 38)
The government can impose restrictions on the practice of freedom of religion to protect: (Pg. 38)
Minorities, religious or linguistic, have the right to: (Pg. 40)
The Right to Constitutional Remedies gives citizens the right to approach which courts to restore fundamental rights? (Pg. 41)
Which writ is issued when a person is holding office but is not entitled to hold that office? (Pg. 41)
Directive Principles of State Policy are: (Pg. 43)
The 42nd amendment to the Constitution inserted which of the following? (Pg. 44)
The Kesavananda Bharati case established that: (Pg. 47)
A bill of rights prohibits government from acting against the rights of individuals and ensures a ______ in case of violation. (Pg. 28) Page 53
Fundamental Rights may only be changed by ______ the Constitution itself. (Pg. 29) Page 54
Article 16(4) of the Constitution clarifies that a policy like ______ will not be seen as a violation of right to equality. (Pg. 33) Page 58
If arrested, the person has the right to defend himself by a ______ of his choice. (Pg. 34) Page 59
There is a clear tension between right to life and personal liberty and the provision for ______ detention. (Pg. 35) Page 60
No one is guilty unless the court has found that person ______ of an offence. (Pg. 36) Page 61
Forced labour without payment, imposed by landlords and moneylenders, is known as ______. (Pg. 37) Page 62
India does not have any official ______. (Pg. 39) Page 64
Minorities are groups that have common language or religion and are outnumbered by some other social ______. (Pg. 40) Page 65
A writ of ______ means the court orders that the arrested person should be presented before it. (Pg. 41) Page 66
The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) was established in the year ______. (Pg. 42) Page 67
Directive Principles are guidelines that are ‘non-justiciable’, meaning they cannot be enforced by the ______. (Pg. 43) Page 68
The right to property was removed from the list of Fundamental Rights by the ______ amendment. (Pg. 45) Page 70
Fundamental Rights mainly protect the rights of individuals while directive principles ensure the well-being of the entire ______. (Pg. 45) Page 70
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