Parts of the Indian Constitution Explained: Initially, the Indian Constitution comprised 395 articles, structured into 22 parts and 8 schedules. Presently, it contains 448 articles, organized into 25 distinct parts and accompanied by 12 schedules. While article numbering remains consistent, amendments introduce new articles with suffixes (e.g., Article 21A for the Right to Education). This guide provides a detailed breakdown of each part of the Indian Constitution, its subject matter, and the relevant articles.
Parts of the Indian Constitution
The Constitution designates India as a 'Union of States,' emphasizing its indivisible unity. It meticulously outlines the structure of both the Union Government and state governments. Part I of the Indian Constitution, encompassing Articles 1 to 4, addresses the Union and its territories. Part II, covering Articles 5 to 11, pertains to Citizenship. Delve deeper into the intricacies of each part of the Indian Constitution on this page.
| Parts of the Indian Constitution | ||
| Part | Subject | Articles |
| Part I | The Union and its territory | Art. 1 to 4 |
| Part II | Citizenship | Art. 5 to 11 |
| Part III | Fundamental Rights | Art. 12 to 35 |
| Part IV | Directive Principles | Art. 36 to 51 |
| Part IVA | Fundamental Duties | Art. 51A |
| Part V | The Union Government Chapter I - The Executive (Articles 52 to 78) | Art. 52 to 151 |
| Part VI | The State Governments Chapter I - General (Article 152) | Art. 152 to 237 |
| Part VII | States in the B part of the First Schedule Repealed by Const. (7th Amendment) Act, 1956 | Art. 238 (Repealed) |
| Part VIII | The Union Territories | Art. 239 to 242 |
| Part IX | The Panchayats | Art. 243 to 243O |
| Part IXA | The Municipalities | Art. 243P to 243ZG |
| Part IXB | Co-operative Societies | Art. 243H to 243ZT |
| Part X | The Scheduled and Tribal Areas | Art. 244 to 244A |
| Part XI | Relations between the Union and the States Chapter I - Legislative Relations (Articles 245 to 255) | Art. 245 to 263 |
| Part XII | Funds, Property, Contracts, and Legal Proceedings Chapter I - Finance (Articles 264 to 291) | Art. 264 to 300A |
| Part XIII | Trade, Commerce and Intercourse within the Territory of India | Art. 301 to 307 |
| Part XIV | Services under the Union and the States | Art. 308 to 323 |
| Part XIVA | Tribunals | Art. 323A to 323B |
| Part XV | Elections | Art. 324 to 329A |
| Part XVI | Special provisions relation to certain classes | Art. 330 to 342 |
| Part XVII | Official Language Chapter I - Language of the Union (Articles 343 to 344) | Art. 343 to 351 |
| Part XVIII | Emergency Provisions | Art. 352 to 360 |
| Part XIX | Miscellaneous | Art. 361 to 367 |
| Part XX | Amendment of the Constitution | Art. 368 |
| Part XXI | Temporary, Transitional and Special Provisions | Art. 369 to 392 |
| Part XXII | Short title, commencement, authoritative text in Hindi and repeals | Art. 393 to 395 |
Parts of the Indian Constitution in Detail
Discover the comprehensive details of all Parts of the Indian Constitution as explained below.
Part I: The Union and its Territory (Articles 1 to 4)
India is composed of 28 States and 8 Union Territories, each administered by a President-appointed administrator for Union Territories. Every state and UT possesses unique demographics, history, culture, language, and traditions. Part I of the Constitution outlines the fundamental framework for the Union and its territories, including Articles 1 to 4.
- Article 1: Name and Territory of the Union.
- Article 2: Establishment of New States.
- Article 3: Formation of new States and alteration of areas, boundaries, or names of existing States.
- Article 4: Laws were constructed under Articles 2 and 3 to provide for the amendment of the First and the Fourth Schedules and supplemental, incidental, and consequential matters.
Part II: Citizenship (Articles 5 to 11)
Part II of the Indian Constitution, comprising Articles 5 to 11, exclusively addresses Citizenship. Articles 5 to 8 delineate eligibility for citizenship at the Constitution's commencement, while Articles 9 to 11 detail the acquisition and loss of citizenship.
- Article 5-Citizenship at the inception of the Constitution.
- Article 6- Rights of the citizenship of certain individuals who have migrated from Pakistan to India.
- Article 7- Rights of the citizenship of certain migrants to Pakistan.
- Article 8- The individual of India, residing in a foreign country is granted to be called as Indian citizenship.
- Article 9- Persons freely acquiring citizenship of a foreign State aren't considered to be citizens.
- Article 10- Continuance of the rights of citizenship.
- Article 11- The rights of citizenship are regulated by the Parliament under the law.
Part III: Fundamental Rights (Articles 12 to 35)
Part III of the Indian Constitution (Articles 12 to 35) enshrines Fundamental Rights and their remedies. These rights are crucial for individual protection against potential infringements. Fundamental Rights, categorized from Article 14 to 35, are further divided into six principal groups.
- Right to Equality (Articles 14 to 18)
- Right to Freedom (Articles 19 to 22)
- Right against Exploitation (Articles 23-24)
- Right of Freedom of Religion (Articles 25 to 28)
- Cultural and Educational Rights (Articles 29-30)
- Right to Constitutional Remedies (Articles 32 to 35)
Part IV: Directive Principles (Articles 36 to 51)
Part IV, covering Directive Principles of State Policy (Articles 36-51), focuses on the significance and historical context of these principles, including their interplay with Fundamental Rights. It addresses crucial aspects like the uniform civil code, abolition of untouchability, and women's rights. The specific articles related to these principles are listed below.
- Article 36- Defining the “State”.
- Article 37- Part IV of the Indian Constitution shall not be enforceable in any court of law, as the operation of the principle contained in this Article.
- Article 38- Social, Political, and Economic Justice for the welfare of the people.
- Article 39- The State should follow certain Principles of the Policy.
- Article 39A- Free Legal Aid and Equal Justice.
- Article 40- Organization of the village Panchayats.
- Article 41- Welfare Government (Right to education, work, and to public assistance in certain cases).
- Article 42- Provision of Securing just and humane work and maternity relief.
- Article 43- Fair living wages and a decent standard of life for the workers.
- Article 43 A- Workers’ participation in the management of industries.
- Article 43 B- Promotion of Cooperatives.
- Article 44- Uniform Civil Code for the citizens.
- Article 45- Provision for Infant, Early Childhood Care, and Education to Children below 6 years.
- Article 46- Promotion of educational and profitable interests of SCs, STs, and other weaker sections from exploitation.
- Article 47- Duty of State to raise the level of Nutrition, Standard of living and to improve public health.
- Article 48- Organisation of Scientific agriculture and animal husbandry.
- Article 48 A- Protection and Improvement of Environment and Safeguarding Wildlife.
- Article 49- Protection of monuments and places and objects which have national importance.
- Article 50- The judiciary should be separate from the Executive.
- Article 51- The state shall promote international peace and security.
Part IV A: Fundamental Duties (Article 51 A)
Article 51 A enumerates 11 fundamental duties incumbent upon every citizen of India.
- To abide by the Constitution and respect its ideals and institutions, the National Flag, and the National Anthem.
- To follow and cherish the noble ideals which inspired our national struggle for freedom.
- To uphold and protect the sovereignty, unity, and integrity of India.
- To defend the country and render national service when called upon to do so.
- To promote harmony and the spirit of common brotherhood amongst all the people of India transcending religious, linguistic, and regional or sectional diversities; to renounce practices to the dignity of women.
- To value and preserve the rich heritage of our prestigious culture.
- To protect and improve the natural environment including forests, lakes, rivers, and wildlife, and to have compassion for living creatures.
- To develop the scientific temper, humanism, and the spirit of inquiry and reform.
- To safeguard public property and to abjure violence;
- To strive towards excellence in all spheres of individual and collective activity so that the nation constantly rises to higher levels of endeavor and achievement;
- Parents or guardians should provide opportunities for education to their children between the age of six and fourteen years.
Part V: The Union (Articles 52 to 151)
Chapter I - The Executive (Articles 52 to 78)
This chapter details the executive powers concerning the President, Vice-President of India, the Council of Ministers, and the Attorney General, including their elections, qualifications, oaths, and duties.
Chapter II - Parliament (Articles 79 to 122)
- (Articles 79 to 88) - Includes the General information of the Parliament and the houses of the Parliament. It also tells the rights and duties of Ministers and Attorney-General.
- (Articles 89 to 98)- Officers of the Parliament.
- (Articles 99 & 100)- Conduct of Business (Oath by the members and voting).
- (Articles 101 to 106)- Disqualifications of the members.
- (Articles 107 to 111)- Legislative Procedures.
- (Articles 112 to 117)- Procedures in the Financial Matters (Bills).
- (Articles 118 to 122)- Procedure Generally.
Chapter III - Legislative Powers of the President (Article 123)
Article 123 grants the President the power to promulgate Ordinances during the recess of Parliament.
Chapter IV - The Union Judiciary (Articles 124 to 147)
Articles 124 to 147 comprehensively cover the Union Judiciary, specifically the Supreme Court, detailing its establishment, powers, and functions.
Chapter V - Comptroller and Auditor-General of India (Articles 148 to 151)
These articles define the role and responsibilities of the Comptroller and Auditor-General of India.
- The duties and powers of the Comptroller and Auditor-General of India.
- Form of accounts of the Union and the State.
- Audit Reports.
Part VI: The States (Articles 152 to 237)
Chapter I - General (Article 152)
Article 152 provides the definition of 'State' for the purpose of Part VI.
Chapter II - The Executive (Articles 153 to 167)
This section outlines the executive powers vested in the states, including the Governor and Council of Ministers.
- Governor
- Council of Ministers
- Advocate General
- (Articles 153 to 161) - Describes all the powers of the Governor.
- (Articles 162 & 163)- Executive Power of the state (Council of Ministers).
- (Articles 164 & 165)- Other provisions to the Advocate General of the State.
- (Articles 166 & 167)- Conduct of Government Business.
Chapter III - The State Legislature (Articles 168 to 212)
- (Articles 168 to 177)- This Article constitutes the Constitution, Abolition, Composition of the Legislative Assemblies and the Legislative Councils, Duration of the State Legislature, Rights of the Ministers and Advocate-General.
- (Articles 178 to 187)- Officers of the State Legislature
- The Speaker and the Deputy Speaker of the Legislative Assembly (Their powers).
- The Chairman and the Deputy Chairman Of the Legislative Council (Their Powers, Salary).
- Secretariat of the State Legislature.
- (Articles 188 & 189)- Conduct of Business.
- (Articles 190 to 193)- Disqualifications of the Members
- (Articles 194 & 195)- Powers, privileges, and immunities of the State Legislature and their Members.
- (Articles 196 to 200)- Legislative Procedures. (Bills)
- (Article 201)- Bills reserved for consideration.
- (Articles 202 to 207)- Procedure in Financial Matters.
- (Articles 208 to 212)- Procedure Generally (Rules and Regulations).
Chapter IV - Legislative Powers of the Governor (Article 213)
Article 213 grants the Governor the authority to promulgate Ordinances when the State Legislature is not in session.
Chapter V - The High Courts (Articles 214 to 232)
These articles detail the composition, jurisdiction, and powers of the High Courts within the states.
Chapter VI - Subordinate Courts (Articles 233 to 237)
This section governs the appointment, qualification, and functioning of District Judges and other subordinate judicial officers.
Part VII- State in the B part of the First Schedule Repealed by Const. (7th Amendment) Act, 1956 [Article- 238 (Repealed)]
Part VII of the Indian Constitution, which dealt with Part B States, was repealed by the Constitution (7th Amendment) Act, 1956, and therefore stands omitted. This amendment effectively removed this part from the Constitution.
Part VIII- The Union Territories (Articles 239 to 242)
The Constitution (69th Amendment) Act, 1991, introduced Articles 239 AA and 239 AB, providing special provisions for Delhi. Concurrently, Article 242 concerning the administration of certain Union Territories was repealed.
Part IX- The Panchayats (Articles 243 to 243O)
Articles 243 to 243O, introduced by the Constitution (73rd Amendment) Act, 1992, lay down provisions for the definition, constitution, composition, reservation, and duration of Panchayats. It also clarifies their powers, elections, audit, and electoral dispute resolution, establishing a five-year term for every Panchayat.
Part IX A- The Municipalities (Articles 243P to 243ZG)
The Constitution (74th Amendment) Act of 1992 established Part IX-A, outlining the structure, composition, powers, and functions of urban local bodies. This part includes five categories of urban governance.
- Nagar Panchayats
- Municipal Councils
- Municipal Corporations
- Metropolitan Areas
- Industrial Township
Part IX B- Co-operative Societies (Articles 243ZH to 243ZT)
Part IX-B, incorporated by the Constitution (97th Amendment) Act of 2011, addresses Cooperative Societies (Articles 243ZH to 243ZT). This part recognizes their importance in achieving social and economic justice and protecting citizens from exploitation, functioning as a vital self-help mechanism.
Part X- The Scheduled and Tribal Areas (Articles 244 to 244A)
- (Article 244) is for the administration of the Scheduled Areas and Tribal Areas.
- (Article 244A) deals with the formation of an autonomous State comprising certain tribal areas in Assam.
Part XI- Relations between the Union and the States (Article 245 to 263)
Chapter I - Legislative Relations (Article 245 to 255)
Article 245 defines the territorial extent of laws made by Parliament and State Legislatures. The Constitution adopts the legislative distribution framework from the Government of India Act, 1935, as reflected in the Seventh Schedule. List I (Union List) has 97 items, List II (State List) has 66 items, and List III (Concurrent List) has 47 items, indicating the legislative powers of the Union and States.
Chapter II - Administrative Relations (Articles 256 to 263)
These articles delineate the administrative obligations of States and the Union. Articles 257A and 259 were repealed. Article 262 provides for the adjudication of inter-state river water disputes, and Article 263 outlines provisions for establishing an Inter-State Council.
Part XII- Finance, Property, Contracts, and Suits (Article 264 to 300A)
Chapter I - Finance (Articles 264 to 291)
- These articles deal with the Indian states’ properties, assets, rights, liabilities, taxes, and duties.
- Miscellaneous financial Provisions are also imposed.
- (Article 272, Article 278, and Article 291) were omitted or repealed.
Chapter II - Borrowing (Articles 292 to 293)
- (Article 292) covers borrowing by the Central Government of India.
- (Article 293) covers borrowing by the States.
Chapter III - Property, Contracts, Rights, Liabilities, Obligations, and Suits (Articles 294 to 300)
Articles 294 to 300 address succession to property, rights, liabilities, and obligations of the Union and States, along with provisions for suits and proceedings.
Chapter IV - Right to Property (Article 300A)
The Constitution (44th Amendment) Act, 1978, removed the Right to Property from the list of Fundamental Rights. It is now recognized as a constitutional right under Article 300A, stipulating that no person shall be deprived of their property except by authority of law.
Part XIII- Trade, Commerce, and Intercourse within the Territory of India (Articles 301 to 307)
Part XIII of the Indian Constitution (Articles 301 to 307) guarantees freedom of trade, commerce, and intercourse throughout India. Article 301 establishes this principle, while Articles 302 to 305 outline restrictions. Trade refers to organized commercial activities, Commerce to the movement of goods, and Intercourse to the broader flow of trade and communication.
Part XIV- Services under the Union and the States (Articles 308 to 323)
Part XIV (Articles 308 to 314) governs the recruitment and conditions of service for persons serving the Union or the States. It addresses tenure, removal, transitional provisions, and the establishment of All-India Services.
Part XIV-A (Articles 315 to 323) establishes the Public Service Commissions for the Union and the States, outlining their appointments, tenure, removal, functions, and reporting mechanisms.
Part XIV A - Tribunal (Articles 323A to 323B)
Tribunals, introduced by the 42nd Amendment Act, 1976, are quasi-judicial bodies established to adjudicate specific disputes, such as administrative or tax-related matters. They play a crucial role in resolving conflicts between parties and making authoritative decisions.
- (Article 323A)- It deals with the Administrative Tribunals.
- (Article 323B)- It deals with Tribunals of other matters.
Part XV - Elections (Articles 324 to 329A)
Part XV (Articles 324 to 329) deals with Elections, overseeing their superintendence, direction, and control. It also empowers Parliament to legislate on election-related matters. Article 329A was subsequently omitted.
Part XVI- Special Provisions Relating to Certain Classes (Article 300-342)
Articles 330 to 342 in Part XVI provide for special provisions concerning the reservation of seats for Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, Anglo-Indians, and Backward Classes in legislatures and public services, based on their population. It also includes special provisions for educational grants to the Anglo-Indian community.
Part XVII- Official Language (Article 343 to 351)
Chapter I - Language of the Union (Articles 343 to 344)
- (Article 343)- This article deals with the Official Language of the Union.
- (Article 344)- This article deals with the Commission and Committee of Parliament on Official Language.
Chapter II - Regional Languages (Articles 345 to 347)
These articles define the official language(s) that may be adopted by a State Legislature.
Chapter III-Language of the Supreme Court, High Courts, and Other Official Purposes (Articles 348 to 349)
This section specifies the language to be used in the Supreme Court, High Courts, and for official texts of Bills and Acts.
Chapter IV-Special Directives (Articles 350 to 351)
Articles 350 to 351 ensure facilities for instruction in mother tongue at the primary level and promote the development of the Hindi language. A special officer for linguistic minorities is also appointed.
Part XVIII - Emergency Provisions (Article 352 to 360)
The Indian Constitution outlines three types of emergencies: National Emergency, State Emergency (President's Rule), and Financial Emergency.
- National emergency
- State emergency
- Financial emergency
The proclamation of emergency can be issued on grounds of war, external aggression, or armed rebellion (National Emergency), or failure of constitutional machinery in states (State Emergency).
- War
- External aggression
- Armed rebellion
Part XIX- Miscellaneous (Article 361 to 367)
- Protection of the President and governors.
- Bar to hindrance by courts in controversies arising out of certain covenants, agreements, etc.
- Special provinces as to major ports and airdromes.
- Effect of failure to misbehave with or to give effect to directions given by the Union.
- Some definitions come under Article 366
- Interpretation
Part XX- Amendment of the Constitution (Article 368)
Article 368 empowers Parliament to amend the Constitution and prescribes the procedure for such amendments.
Part XXI- Temporary, Transitional, and Special Provinces (Article 369 to 392)
- In this article, it deals with the temporary power of the parliament to make laws with respect to some matters in the State List and in the Concurrent List.
- Special provinces are there with respect to the state of Maharastra, Gujrat, Nagaland, Assam, Manipur, Andra Pradesh, Sikkim, Mizoram, Arunachal Pradesh, and Goa.
- Some Provisions are there for Judges of the High Court, Comptroller and Auditor General Of India, and Public Service Commissions.
Part XXII- Short title, Commencement, Authoritative Text in Hindi, and Repeals (Articles 393 to 395)
Part XXII comprises miscellaneous provisions including short title, commencement, authoritative text in Hindi, and repeals.
Parts of Indian Constitution- FAQs
A. The Indian Constitution currently consists of 448 articles organized into 25 parts.
A. Part II of the Indian Constitution, covering Articles 5 to 11, deals with the topic of Citizenship.
A. Part IV of the Indian Constitution, encompassing Articles 36 to 51, addresses the Directive Principles of State Policy.
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