Part III · Fundamental Rights · Saving of Certain Laws
Article 31C: Saving of laws giving effect to certain directive principles
Text of Article 31C
Notwithstanding anything contained in article 13, no law giving effect to the policy of the State towards securing [all or any of the principles laid down in Part IV] shall be deemed to be void on the ground that it is inconsistent with, or takes away or abridges any of the rights conferred by [article 14 or article 19;] [and no law containing a declaration that it is for giving effect to such policy shall be called in question in any court on the ground that it does not give effect to such policy]:
Provided that where such law is made by the Legislature of a State, the provisions of this article shall not apply thereto unless such law, having been reserved for the consideration of the President, has received his assent.]
731D. [Saving of laws in respect of anti-national activities.].—Omitted by the Constitution (Forty-third Amendment) Act,1977, s. 2 (w.e.f.13-4-1978).
Words in [square brackets] were inserted or substituted by later amendments (see below). Source: Legislative Department, Ministry of Law and Justice, Government of India
A plain-English explanation of Article 31C, landmark judgments and exam facts are being added to this page.
Amendment history
Changed by: 25th Amendment Act, 1971, 42nd Amendment Act, 1976, 44th Amendment Act, 1978
- Ins. by the Constitution (Twenty-fifth Amendment) Act, 1971, s. 3 (w.e.f. 20-4-1972).
- Subs. by the Constitution (Forty-second Amendment) Act, 1976, s. 4, for "the principles specified in clause (b) or clause (c) of article 39" (w.e.f. 3-1-1977). Section 4 has been declared invalid by the Supreme Court in Minerva Mills Ltd. and Others Vs Union of India and Others, AIR 1980 SC 1789.
- Subs. by the Constitution (Forty-fourth Amendment) Act, 1978, s. 8, for "article 14, article 19 or article 31" (w.e.f. 20-6-1979).
- The words in italics struck down by the Supreme Court in Kesavananda Bharati vs. State of Kerala, AIR 1973, SC 1461.