List of Important Articles in Indian Constitution for 2025 Competitive Exams

Author at PW
May 06, 2025
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The Indian Constitution is the backbone of our democracy. It contains many important articles that shape how our country works. For students preparing for competitive exams in 2025, knowing these articles is very important. This guide will help you understand the most important articles of the Indian Constitution that you need to focus on.

Important Articles of Indian Constitution

The Indian Constitution is the longest written constitution in the world. It was adopted on November 26, 1949 and came into effect on January 26, 1950. The Constitution has 395 articles divided into 25 parts and 12 schedules. The Constitution lays down the basic structure of government and defines the rights and duties of citizens.

Understanding the important articles of the Indian Constitution is essential for success in exams like UPSC, state PSCs, and other competitive exams. These articles form the core of how many articles in Indian constitution work together to create our governance system.

Fundamental Rights (Articles 12-35)

The Fundamental Rights are among the most important articles in the Indian Constitution. They protect our basic rights and freedoms.

  • Article 14: Ensures equality before law and equal protection of laws for all persons
  • Article 15: Prohibits discrimination on grounds of religion, race, caste, sex, or place of birth
  • Article 16: Provides equal opportunity in public employment
  • Article 17: Abolishes untouchability
  • Article 19: Protects six fundamental freedoms:

  - Freedom of speech and expression

  - Freedom to assemble peacefully

  - Freedom to form associations

  - Freedom to move freely throughout India

  - Freedom to live and settle in any part of India

  - Freedom to practice any profession or business

  •  Article 21: Protects life and personal liberty
  • Article 21A: Ensures free and compulsory education for children aged 6-14
  • Article 32: Right to constitutional remedies through Supreme Court

These important articles of the Indian Constitution guarantee basic rights to all citizens and form the heart of our democracy.

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Directive Principles of State Policy (Articles 36-51)

These principles guide the government in making laws and policies. Though not enforceable in courts, they are fundamental to governance.

  • Article 39: Directs the state to ensure equal pay for equal work and protect children
  • Article 40: Organization of village panchayats
  • Article 44: Uniform Civil Code for citizens across India
  • Article 45: Early childhood care and education for children below six years
  • Article 48A: Protection of environment and wildlife
  • Article 50: Separation of judiciary from executive
  • Article 51: Promotion of international peace and security

Fundamental Duties (Article 51A)

Added by the 42nd Amendment in 1976, Fundamental Duties outline the moral obligations of citizens. All articles of Indian constitution work together to balance rights with responsibilities.

The duties include:

- Respect the Constitution and national symbols

- Cherish and follow the noble ideals of our freedom struggle

- Protect the sovereignty and integrity of India

- Defend the country when called upon

- Promote harmony and brotherhood

- Preserve the rich heritage of our culture

- Protect the natural environment

- Develop scientific temper and spirit of inquiry

- Safeguard public property

Union Government (Articles 52-151)

These important articles of Indian Constitution outline the structure and powers of the central government.

Check out: UPSC Current Affairs Magazine

The President and Vice President

  • Article 52: Establishes the office of President
  • Article 54: Election of President
  • Article 61: Procedure for impeachment of President
  • Article 63: Office of Vice-President
  • Article 72: President's power to grant pardons and reduce sentences

The Union Council of Ministers

  • Article 74: Council of Ministers to aid and advise President
  • Article 75: Appointment, tenure, and responsibility of ministers
  • Article 78: Duties of Prime Minister regarding information to President

Parliament

  • Article 79: Constitution of Parliament (President, Lok Sabha, Rajya Sabha)
  • Article 81: Composition of Lok Sabha
  • Article 83: Duration of Houses of Parliament
  • Article 108: Joint sitting of both Houses
  • Article 110: Definition of Money Bills
  • Article 112: Annual Financial Statement (Budget)
  • Article 123: Power of President to issue Ordinances

State Government (Articles 152-237)

These articles establish the structure of government at the state level.

 Governor

  • Article 153: Governors of States
  • Article 155: Appointment of Governor
  • Article 156: Term of office of Governor
  • Article 161: Power of Governor to grant pardons

State Legislature

  • Article 168: Constitution of Legislatures in States
  • Article 170: Composition of Legislative Assemblies
  • Article 174: Sessions of State Legislature
  • Article 213: Power of Governor to issue Ordinances

Emergency Provisions (Articles 352-360)

These are critical articles that deal with exceptional situations.

  • Article 352: National Emergency (due to war, external aggression, or armed rebellion)
  • Article 356: President's Rule (State Emergency)
  • Article 360: Financial Emergency

How many articles in  Indian Constitution deal with emergencies? 

Only these three main articles cover different types of emergencies.

Constitutional Amendment (Article 368)

Article 368 outlines the procedure for amending the Constitution. The Parliament can amend the Constitution through a special majority vote (two-thirds of members present and voting, which must be more than half the total membership).

The Judiciary (Articles 124-147)

  • Article 124: Establishment and constitution of Supreme Court
  • Article 131: Original jurisdiction of Supreme Court
  • Article 132-134: Appellate jurisdiction of Supreme Court
  • Article 143: Power of President to consult Supreme Court
  • Article 226: Power of High Courts to issue writs

Special Provisions for Certain Classes (Articles 330-342)

  • Article 330: Reservation of seats for SC/ST in the House of People
  • Article 335: Claims of SC/ST to services and posts
  • Article 338: National Commission for Scheduled Castes
  • Article 338A: National Commission for Scheduled Tribes
  • Article 340: Commission to investigate conditions of backward classes

Check Out: SSC Previous year Papers

Important Articles for Competitive Exams

For competitive exams in 2025, focus on these must-know articles:

1. Article 1: Name and territory of India

2. Article 3: Formation of new states

3. Article 13: Laws inconsistent with Fundamental Rights

4. Article 32: Right to Constitutional remedies

5. Article 51A: Fundamental Duties

6. Article 74: Council of Ministers

7. Article 76: Attorney General of India

8. Article 112: Union Budget

9. Article 148: Comptroller and Auditor General

10. Article 280: Finance Commission

11. Article 300A: Right to Property

12. Article 312: All-India Services

13. Article 324: Elections and Election Commission

14. Article 356: President's Rule

15. Article 368: Procedure for Constitutional Amendment

16. Article 370: Special status of Jammu & Kashmir (historical importance)

Check Out: UPSC Revision Books

Memory Tricks for Important Articles

Remembering all articles of Indian constitution can be challenging. Here are some tricks to help:

1. Emergency Provisions: Add 4 to each article number

   - Article 352 (National Emergency)

   - Article 356 (President's Rule)

   - Article 360 (Financial Emergency)

2. For Union vs State provisions: Add 90 to Union article numbers to get their State counterparts

   - Article 112 (Union Budget) → Article 202 (State Budget)

   - Article 123 (President's Ordinance) → Article 213 (Governor's Ordinance)

3. President vs Governor: Add 89 to President-related articles to get Governor-related articles

   - Article 72 (President's pardoning power) → Article 161 (Governor's pardoning power)

   - Article 74 (Union Council of Ministers) → Article 163 (State Council of Ministers)

Special Articles and Schedules

The Indian Constitution contains important articles that refer to its schedules:

1. First Schedule: Lists states and territories (Articles 1, 4)

2. Second Schedule: Salaries of officials (Articles 59, 65, 75, etc.)

3. Third Schedule: Oaths and affirmations (Articles 75, 84, 99, etc.)

4. Fourth Schedule: Rajya Sabha seat allocation (Article 80)

5. Fifth Schedule: Administration of Scheduled Areas (Article 244)

6. Sixth Schedule: Administration of tribal areas (Article 244)

7. Seventh Schedule: Division of powers (Union, State, Concurrent Lists) (Article 246)

8. Eighth Schedule: Official languages (Articles 343, 344)

9. Ninth Schedule: Laws protected from judicial review (Article 31B)

10. Tenth Schedule: Anti-defection provisions (Articles 102, 191)

11. Eleventh Schedule: Panchayat powers (Article 243G)

12. Twelfth Schedule: Municipality powers (Article 243W)

The important articles of Indian constitution form the foundation of our governance system. For 2025 competitive exams, understanding these articles is crucial. Focus on memorizing the key articles that appear frequently in exams.

Remember that the Constitution is a living document that continues to evolve through amendments and judicial interpretations. Stay updated with recent developments in constitutional law to excel in your examinations.

By mastering these important articles of the Indian Constitution, you'll be well-prepared to tackle questions on Indian polity in any competitive exam. The Indian constitution articles are not just exam topics but essential knowledge for every informed citizen.

Read More: List of Mughal Emperors (1526 -1857)

Articles of Indian Constitution FAQs

1.How many articles are there in the Indian Constitution?

The Indian Constitution originally contained 395 articles. After amendments over the years, it now has 448 articles divided into 25 parts and 12 schedules. The articles are grouped according to different aspects of governance, rights, and duties.

2. Which are the most important fundamental rights in the Indian Constitution?

The most important fundamental rights include Article 14 (Right to Equality), Article 19 (Six Freedoms), Article 21 (Right to Life and Personal Liberty), and Article 32 (Right to Constitutional Remedies). These rights form the core of individual freedoms protected by the Constitution.

3.What is Article 370 and its current status?

Article 370 provided special status to Jammu and Kashmir, allowing it to have its own constitution and autonomy in internal administration. In August 2019, this article was effectively nullified through a Presidential Order, followed by the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganization Act. This is an important historical article to understand for competitive exams.

4. What is the difference between Fundamental Rights and Directive Principles?

Fundamental Rights (Articles 12-35) are justiciable and can be enforced by courts, while Directive Principles of State Policy (Articles 36-51) are non-justiciable guidelines for the government. Fundamental Rights protect individual liberties, while Directive Principles aim to establish social and economic democracy.

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