Official text as on 1 May 2024
The Constitution of India
We, the People of India…
Every article with its official text and a simple explanation, the Preamble, all Parts and Schedules, and every amendment. Free, for students and exam aspirants.
468 articles in force25 Parts12 Schedules106 amendments
The Preamble
WE, THE PEOPLE OF INDIA, having solemnly resolved to constitute India into a [SOVEREIGN SOCIALIST SECULAR DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC] and to secure to all its citizens:
JUSTICE, social, economic and political;
LIBERTY of thought, expression, belief, faith and worship;
EQUALITY of status and of opportunity;
and to promote among them all FRATERNITY assuring the dignity of the individual and the [unity and integrity of the Nation];
IN OUR CONSTITUENT ASSEMBLY this twenty-sixth day of November, 1949, do HEREBY ADOPT, ENACT AND GIVE TO OURSELVES THIS CONSTITUTION.
Most-read articles
- Art. 14Equality before law
- Art. 19Protection of certain rights regarding freedom of speech, etc
- Art. 21Protection of life and personal liberty
- Art. 21ARight to education
- Art. 32Remedies for enforcement of rights conferred by this Part
- Art. 44Uniform civil code for the citizens
- Art. 51AFundamental duties
- Art. 72Power of President to grant pardons, etc., and to suspend, remit or commute sentences in certain cases
- Art. 110Definition of "Money Bills"
- Art. 123Power of President to promulgate Ordinances during recess of Parliament
- Art. 226Power of High Courts to issue certain writs
- Art. 280Finance Commission
- Art. 324Superintendence, direction and control of elections to be vested in an Election Commission
- Art. 352Proclamation of Emergency
- Art. 356Provisions in case of failure of constitutional machinery in States
- Art. 360Provisions as to financial emergency
- Art. 368Power of Parliament to amend the Constitution and procedure therefor
- Art. 370Temporary provisions with respect to the State of Jammu and Kashmir
Parts of the Constitution
- PART IThe Union and its TerritoryArt. 1–4
- PART IICitizenshipArt. 5–11
- PART IIIFundamental RightsArt. 12–35
- PART IVDirective Principles of State PolicyArt. 36–51
- PART IVAFundamental DutiesArt. 51A–51A
- PART VThe UnionArt. 52–151
- PART VIThe StatesArt. 152–238
- PART VIIThe States in Part B of the First Schedule (repealed)Repealed
- PART VIIIThe Union TerritoriesArt. 239–242
- PART IXThe PanchayatsArt. 243–243O
- PART IXAThe MunicipalitiesArt. 243P–243ZG
- PART IXBThe Co-Operative SocietiesArt. 243ZH–243ZT
- PART XThe Scheduled and Tribal AreasArt. 244–244A
- PART XIRelations between the Union and the StatesArt. 245–263
- PART XIIFinance, Property, Contracts and SuitsArt. 264–300A
- PART XIIITrade, Commerce and Intercourse within the Territory of IndiaArt. 301–307
- PART XIVServices under the Union and the StatesArt. 308–323
- PART XIVATribunalsArt. 323A–323B
- PART XVElectionsArt. 324–329A
- PART XVISpecial Provisions relating to Certain ClassesArt. 330–342A
- PART XVIIOfficial LanguageArt. 343–351
- PART XVIIIEmergency ProvisionsArt. 352–360
- PART XIXMiscellaneousArt. 361–367
- PART XXAmendment of the ConstitutionArt. 368–368
- PART XXITemporary, Transitional and Special ProvisionsArt. 369–392
- PART XXIIShort Title, Commencement, Authoritative Text in Hindi and RepealsArt. 393–395
The 12 Schedules
- First ScheduleNames of the States and Union Territories and their territories.
- Second ScheduleSalaries, allowances and privileges of the President, Governors, Speakers, judges, the Comptroller and Auditor-General and others.
- Third ScheduleForms of oaths and affirmations for ministers, members of legislatures, judges and others.
- Fourth ScheduleAllocation of seats in the Rajya Sabha to the States and Union Territories.
- Fifth ScheduleAdministration and control of Scheduled Areas and Scheduled Tribes.
- Sixth ScheduleAdministration of tribal areas in Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura and Mizoram.
- Seventh ScheduleDivision of powers between the Union and the States: Union List, State List and Concurrent List.
- Eighth ScheduleThe 22 languages recognised by the Constitution.
- Ninth ScheduleLaws placed beyond challenge in courts (mainly land reform laws), added by the 1st Amendment.
- Tenth ScheduleAnti-defection law: disqualification on the ground of defection, added by the 52nd Amendment.
- Eleventh SchedulePowers and responsibilities of Panchayats (29 subjects), added by the 73rd Amendment.
- Twelfth SchedulePowers and responsibilities of Municipalities (18 subjects), added by the 74th Amendment.
Quick answers
- How many articles are there in the Indian Constitution?
- The articles are numbered up to 395, but many were added later with letters (such as 21A or 243ZH). Today the Constitution has 468 articles in force, arranged in 25 Parts and 12 Schedules (as on 1 May 2024).
- When did the Constitution of India come into force?
- It was adopted by the Constituent Assembly on 26 November 1949 and came into force on 26 January 1950, celebrated as Republic Day.
- How many times has the Constitution of India been amended?
- The Constitution has been amended 106 times; the latest in the official text is the 106th Amendment Act, 2023, which reserves one-third of seats for women in the Lok Sabha, the State Legislative Assemblies and the Delhi Assembly.