Introduction to Constitution — Quick Revision

Module 1: Preamble

• Authority: "We, the People of India."
• Keywords: Sovereign, Socialist, Secular, Democratic, Republic.
• Objectives: Justice, Liberty, Equality, Fraternity.
• Adopted: 26 November 1949; in force: 26 January 1950.
• Socialist and Secular added by 42nd Amendment (1976).
• Part of the Constitution (Kesavananda Bharati, 1973).

Module 2: Fundamental Rights

• FRs: justiciable, Articles 12–35.
• Right to Equality: Arts 14–18.
• Right to Freedom: Arts 19–22.
• Right against Exploitation: Arts 23–24.
• Right to Freedom of Religion: Arts 25–28.
• Cultural and Educational Rights: Arts 29–30.
• Right to Constitutional Remedies: Arts 32–35.
• Art 32 = five writs (heart and soul): habeas corpus, mandamus, prohibition, quo warranto, certiorari.
• Art 21 = life and personal liberty (judicially expanded).
• Art 21A = right to education (6–14 years).
• Art 24 = no child labour below 14 in factories/mines/hazardous employment.
• Art 30 = minorities establish and administer educational institutions.

Module 3: Directive Principles

• DP: non-justiciable, Part IV, Articles 36–51.
• Art 38 = social order; Art 39 = policy principles (a–f).
• Art 39A = equal justice and free legal aid.
• Art 40 = village panchayats.
• Art 44 = Uniform Civil Code (not yet implemented).
• Art 46 = SC/ST/weaker sections.
• Art 48 = agriculture and animal husbandry; Art 48A = environment.
• Art 50 = separation of judiciary from executive.
• Art 51 = international peace and security.

Module 4: Fundamental Duties

• Art 51A = 11 Fundamental Duties, Part IVA.
• Added by 42nd Amendment (1976) — 10 duties.
• 11th duty added by 86th Amendment (2002) — parent/guardian to provide education to children aged 6–14 years.
• Non-justiciable (moral obligations).

Ten memory lines

1. Preamble = identity card; authority = We, the People.
2. Sovereign + Socialist + Secular + Democratic + Republic.
3. Justice + Liberty + Equality + Fraternity = four objectives.
4. FRs are justiciable (Articles 12–35).
5. Art 32 = five writs (heart and soul of Constitution).
6. Art 21 = life and personal liberty; Art 21A = education.
7. Art 24 = no child labour below 14 in hazardous work.
8. DP are non-justiciable (Articles 36–51).
9. Art 51A = Fundamental Duties (42nd Amendment, 1976).
10. Art 44 = Uniform Civil Code (yet to be implemented).