Important Articles of the Indian Constitution: Detailed List, 25 Parts, and 12 Schedules

The Indian Constitution is the bedrock of the world’s largest democracy. Adopted on November 26, 1949, and enacted on January 26, 1950, it is a dynamic and comprehensive document that has evolved from its original 395 Articles and 8 Schedules to a robust framework comprising 448 Articles, 25 Parts, and 12 Schedules.

With 106 amendments as of late 2024, the Constitution remains a living document, balancing the fundamental rights of citizens with the administrative responsibilities of the Union and State governments. This guide provides a deep dive into the essential articles and structures that define India’s governance.

The 25 Parts of the Indian Constitution:

Each part represents a specific functional domain of the Indian state. Here is an expanded look at all the parts currently in force.

Part	Subject Matter	Articles	Key Significance
I	The Union & its Territory	1–4	Deals with the naming of India and the power of Parliament to create new states.
II	Citizenship	5–11	Outlines who was a citizen at commencement and empowers Parliament to regulate citizenship.
III	Fundamental Rights	12–35	The “Magna Carta” of India; protects individual liberties against state overreach.
IV	Directive Principles (DPSP)	36–51	Guidelines for the government to ensure social and economic justice.
IV-A	Fundamental Duties	51A	Added by the 42nd Amendment (1976); lists moral obligations of citizens.
V	The Union	52–151	Covers the President, PM, Parliament, Supreme Court, and the CAG.
VI	The States	152–237	Covers Governors, Chief Ministers, State Legislatures, and High Courts.
VII	Repealed	238	Removed by the 7th Amendment Act (1956).
VIII	Union Territories	239–242	Administration of UTs by the President through an administrator.
IX	The Panchayats	243–243O	Rural local self-government (added by 73rd Amendment).
IX-A	The Municipalities	243P–243ZG	Urban local self-government (added by 74th Amendment).
IX-B	Co-operative Societies	243ZH–243ZT	Added by the 97th Amendment (2011).
X	Scheduled & Tribal Areas	244–244A	Special administration for designated tribal regions.
XI	Union-State Relations	245–263	Legislative and administrative relations between Centre and States.
XII	Finance, Property & Suits	264–300A	Taxes, GST Council, Finance Commission, and Right to Property (300A).
XIII	Trade & Commerce	301–307	Freedom of trade and commerce within Indian territory.
XIV	Services under Union/States	308–323	Covers All-India Services (IAS/IPS) and Public Service Commissions (UPSC).
XIV-A	Tribunals	323A–323B	Administrative and other specialized tribunals.
XV	Elections	324–329A	Powers of the Election Commission and Adult Suffrage.
XVI	Special Provisions	330–342	Reservations for SC/ST and provisions for Backward Classes.
XVII	Official Languages	343–351	Language of the Union, Regional languages, and language of the Courts.
XVIII	Emergency Provisions	352–360	National, State (President’s Rule), and Financial Emergencies.
XIX	Miscellaneous	361–367	Protection of President/Governors and definitions.
XX	Amendment of Constitution	368	Power of Parliament to amend the Constitution.
XXI	Temporary & Special	369–392	Special status for various states (like 371 for Maharashtra/Gujarat).
XXII	Short Title & Repeals	393–395	Short title, commencement, and authoritative text in Hindi.

The 12 Schedules:

Schedules provide the “fine print” or lists that would otherwise make the articles too bulky.

1. First Schedule: Lists the names of States and Union Territories along with their territorial extent.
2. Second Schedule: Contains provisions for the salaries, allowances, and privileges of the President, Governors, Speaker, Judges, and the CAG.
3. Third Schedule: Contains the forms of Oaths and Affirmations for ministers, judges, and candidates for election.
4. Fourth Schedule: Details the allocation of seats in the Rajya Sabha (Council of States) to each State and Union Territory.
5. Fifth Schedule: Deals with the administration and control of Scheduled Areas and Scheduled Tribes.
6. Sixth Schedule: Provides special provisions for the administration of tribal areas in Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura, and Mizoram (the “ATM-M” states).
7. Seventh Schedule: Defines the division of powers between the Union and States via three lists:
   • Union List: 100 subjects.
   • State List: 61 subjects.
   • Concurrent List: 52 subjects.

1. Eighth Schedule: Lists the 22 recognized languages of India (e.g., Hindi, Bengali, Sanskrit, Tamil, Bodo, Santhali).
2. Ninth Schedule: Created to protect laws (originally land reforms) from judicial review on the grounds of violating fundamental rights.

10. Tenth Schedule: The Anti-Defection Law, providing for the disqualification of MPs/MLAs on the grounds of defection.
11. Eleventh Schedule: Specifies 29 functional items for Panchayats (Rural local bodies).
12. Twelfth Schedule: Specifies 18 functional items for Municipalities (Urban local bodies).

Most Important Articles of the Indian Constitution

Part III: Fundamental Rights (Articles 12 to 35)

Regarded as the “Magna Carta” of India, these articles are the most high-yield for Prelims.

1. Article 12: Defines the “State” (includes Parliament, State Legislatures, and local authorities).
2. Article 13: Laws inconsistent with or in derogation of Fundamental Rights (doctrine of Judicial Review).
3. Article 14: Equality before the law and equal protection of laws.
4. Article 15: Prohibition of discrimination on grounds only of religion, race, caste, sex, or place of birth.
5. Article 16: Equality of opportunity in public employment.
6. Article 17: Abolition of Untouchability.
7. Article 19: Protection of six rights (Speech, Assembly, Association, Movement, Residence, and Profession).
8. Article 21: Protection of Life and Personal Liberty (The most interpreted article; includes Right to Privacy).
9. Article 21A: Right to Education (86th Amendment).
10. Article 25–28: Freedom of Religion.
11. Article 32: Right to Constitutional Remedies (Writs: Habeas Corpus, Mandamus, Prohibition, Quo-Warranto, and Certiorari).

Part IV & IV-A: DPSP and Fundamental Duties

These provide the “Conscience of the Constitution” and are frequently used in “Statement-based” questions.

1. Article 39A: Equal justice and free legal aid.

2. Article 40: Organization of village panchayats.
3. Article 44: Uniform Civil Code.
4. Article 50: Separation of judiciary from executive.
5. Article 51: Promotion of international peace and security.
6. Article 51A: Fundamental Duties (11 duties; 86th Amendment added the 11th).

The Union and State Executives (Parts V & VI)

Crucial for understanding the “Heads of State” and their functional differences.

1. Article 52 & 153: The President and Governors of States.

2. Article 61: Procedure for Impeachment of the President.
3. Article 72 & 161: Pardoning Powers of the President and Governor.
4. Article 74 & 163: Council of Ministers to aid and advise the President/Governor.
5. Article 75 & 164: Other provisions as to Ministers (Collective Responsibility).
6. Article 76 & 165: Attorney-General and Advocate-General.
7. Article 78 & 167: Duties of PM and CM regarding furnishing of information to the President/Governor.

The Union and State Legislatures

Focus on financial procedures and special powers.

1. Article 102 & 191: Disqualifications for membership (including Office of Profit).

2. Article 105 & 194: Parliamentary Privileges.
3. Article 108: Joint Sitting of both Houses (Not for Money or Constitutional Amendment Bills).
4. Article 110 & 199: Definition of Money Bills.
5. Article 112 & 202: Annual Financial Statement (Budget).
6. Article 123 & 213: Power of President/Governor to promulgate Ordinances.

The Judiciary (Supreme Court and High Courts)

Articles defining the “Integrated Judicial System.”

1. Article 124 & 214: Establishment of SC and High Courts.
2. Article 129 & 215: Courts of Record (Power to punish for contempt).
3. Article 131: Original Jurisdiction of the SC (Federal disputes).
4. Article 136: Special Leave Petition (SLP).
5. Article 141: Law declared by SC is binding on all courts.
6. Article 142: Complete Justice (SC’s discretionary power).
7. Article 143: Power of President to consult SC (Advisory Jurisdiction).
8. Article 226: Power of High Courts to issue Writs (Wider than Article 32).

Relations Between the Union and the States (Part XI)

The core of “Federalism” questions.

1. Article 246A: Special provision for GST.

2. Article 248: Residuary powers of legislation (Vested in Parliament).
3. Article 249: Parliament’s power to legislate on State List in national interest.
4. Article 262: Adjudication of disputes relating to Inter-state Rivers.
5. Article 263: Inter-State Council.
6. Article 280: Finance Commission.
7. Article 300A: Right to Property (Legal right).

Constitutional Bodies and Miscellaneous

1. Article 312: All-India Services.
2. Article 315: Public Service Commissions (UPSC/SPSC).
3. Article 324: Election Commission.

1. Article 338, 338A, 338B: National Commissions for SC, ST, and OBC.

5. Article 343: Official language of the Union.
6. Article 352, 356, 360: Emergency Provisions (National, State/President’s Rule, Financial).
7. Article 368: Power of Parliament to Amend the Constitution.

1. Article 371 (A to J): Special provisions for various states (e.g., Nagaland, Karnataka).

FAQs: Important Articles of the Indian Constitution

Q1 What is Article 21 of the Indian Constitution?

Article 21 guarantees the protection of life and personal liberty, stating that no person shall be deprived of their life except according to procedure established by law.

Q2 How many articles are currently in the Indian Constitution?

As of late 2024/early 2025, there are approximately 448 Articles (originally 395).

Q3 What do Articles 12 to 35 cover?

These articles constitute Part III of the Constitution, which enshrines the Fundamental Rights of citizens.

Q4 What is Article 395?

Article 395 was the final article of the original Constitution which repealed the Indian Independence Act, 1947, and the Government of India Act, 1935.

Q5 Who is considered the Father of the Indian Constitution?

Dr. B.R. Ambedkar is considered the Father of the Indian Constitution as the Chairman of the Drafting Committee.

Q6 What is the 10th Schedule?

The Tenth Schedule contains the Anti-Defection Law, added to prevent political instability caused by legislators changing parties.

Q7 Under which article can the Parliament amend the Constitution?

The Parliament derives its power to amend the Constitution from Article 368.

Q8 What is the significance of Article 324?

Article 324 vests the superintendence, direction, and control of all elections in India to the Election Commission.

Q9 Which article defines the Uniform Civil Code?

Article 44, a Directive Principle of State Policy, advocates for a Uniform Civil Code for all citizens.

Q10 What is Article 142?

Article 142 gives the Supreme Court the unique power to pass any decree or order necessary for doing “complete justice” in any cause or matter pending before it.