Constitution of India (2020)


This edition of the Constitution of India reproduces the text of the Constitution of India as amended by Parliament from time to time. All amendments made by Parliament up to and including the Constitution (One Hundred and Fourth Amendment) Act, 2019 are incorporated in this edition. The foot notes below the text indicate the Constitution Amendment Acts by which such amendments have been made. The Constitution (Application to Jammu and Kashmir) Order, 2019 has been provided in APPENDIX - I for reference. The text of the constitutional amendments relating to the Constitution (Forty-fourth Amendment) Act, 1978 and the Constitution (Eighty-eighth Amendment) Act, 2003, which have not yet come into force, have been provided in the text at the appropriate places or otherwise in the footnote. The text of these amendments have been provided in APPENDIX - II and APPENDIX - III for reference. The Constitution (One Hundredth Amendment) Act, 2015 containing details of acquired and transferred territories between the Governments of India and Bangladesh has been provided in APPENDIX - IV.

9th September, 2020. Dr. G. Narayana Raju, Secretary to the Government of India. THE CONSTITUTION OF INDIA THE UNION AND ITS TERRITORY

1. Name and territory of the Union.
2. Admission or establishment of new States.
2A. [Omitted.]
3. Formation of new States and alteration of areas, boundaries or names of existing States.
4. Laws made under articles 2 and 3 to provide for the amendment of the First and the Fourth Schedules and supplemental, incidental and consequential matters.

CITIZENSHIP

5. Citizenship at the commencement of the Constitution.
6. Rights of citizenship of certain persons who have migrated to India from Pakistan.
7. Rights of citizenship of certain migrants to Pakistan.
8. Rights of citizenship of certain persons of Indian origin residing outside India.
9. Persons voluntarily acquiring citizenship of a foreign State not to be citizens.
10. Continuance of the rights of citizenship.
11. Parliament to regulate the right of citizenship by law.

FUNDAMENTAL RIGHTS General 12. Definition.
13. Laws inconsistent with or in derogation of the fundamental rights. Right to Equality

14. Equality before law.
15. Prohibition of discrimination on grounds of religion, race, caste, sex or place of birth.
16. Equality of opportunity in matters of public employment.
17. Abolition of Untouchability.
18. Abolition of titles.

Right to Freedom

19. Protection of certain rights regarding freedom of speech, etc.
20. Protection in respect of conviction for offences.
21. Protection of life and personal liberty.

21A. Right to education.
22. Protection against arrest and detention in certain cases. Right against Exploitation

23. Prohibition of traffic in human beings and forced labour.
24. Prohibition of employment of children in factories, etc.

Right to Freedom of Religion

25. Freedom of conscience and free profession, practice and propagation of religion.
26. Freedom to manage religious affairs.
27. Freedom as to payment of taxes for promotion of any particular religion.
28. Freedom as to attendance at religious instruction or religious worship in certain educational institutions.

Cultural and Educational Rights

29. Protection of interests of minorities.
30. Right of minorities to establish and administer educational institutions.
31. [Omitted.]

Saving of Certain Laws

31A. Saving of Laws providing for acquisition of estates, etc.
31B. Validation of certain Acts and Regulations.
31C. Saving of laws giving effect to certain directive principles.
31D. [Omitted.]

Right to Constitutional Remedies

32. Remedies for enforcement of rights conferred by this Part.
32A. [Omitted.]
33. Power of Parliament to modify the rights conferred by this Part in their application to Forces, etc.
34. Restriction on rights conferred by this Part while martial law is in force in any area.
35. Legislation to give effect to the provisions of this Part.

DIRECTIVE PRINCIPLES OF STATE POLICY

36. Definition.
37. Application of the principles contained in this Part.
38. State to secure a social order for the promotion of welfare of the people.
39. Certain principles of policy to be followed by the State.
39A. Equal justice and free legal aid.
40. Organisation of village panchayats.
41. Right to work, to education and to public assistance in certain cases.
42. Provision for just and humane conditions of work and maternity relief.
43. Living wage, etc., for workers.
43A. Participation of workers in management of industries.
43B. Promotion of co-operative societies.

44. Uniform civil code for the citizens.
45. Provision for early childhood care and education to children below the age of six years.
46. Promotion of educational and economic interests of Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and other weaker sections.
47. Duty of the State to raise the level of nutrition and the standard of living and to improve public health.
48. Organisation of agriculture and animal husbandry.
48A. Protection and improvement of environment and safeguarding of forests and wild life.
49. Protection of monuments and places and objects of national importance.
50. Separation of judiciary from executive.
51. Promotion of international peace and security.

FUNDAMENTAL DUTIES 51A. Fundamental duties. CHAPTER I.—THE EXECUTIVE The President and Vice-President

52. The President of India.
53. Executive power of the Union.
54. Election of President.
55. Manner of election of President.
56. Term of office of President.
57. Eligibility for re-election.
58. Qualifications for election as President.
59. Conditions of President’s office.
60. Oath or affirmation by the President.
61. Procedure for impeachment of the President.
62. Time of holding election to fill vacancy in the office of President and the term of office of person elected to fill casual vacancy.
63. The Vice-President of India.
64. The Vice-President to be ex officio Chairman of the Council of States.
65. The Vice-President to act as President or to discharge his functions during casual vacancies in the office, or during the absence, of President.
66. Election of Vice-President. 67. Term of office of Vice-President.
68. Time of holding election to fill vacancy in the office of Vice-President and the term of office of person elected to fill casual vacancy. 69. Oath or affirmation by the Vice-President.
70. Discharge of President’s functions in other contingencies.
71. Matters relating to, or connected with, the election of a President or Vice-President.

72. Power of President to grant pardons, etc., and to suspend, remit or commute sentences in certain cases.
73. Extent of executive power of the Union.

Council of Ministers 74. Council of Ministers to aid and advise President.
75. Other provisions as to Ministers. The Attorney-General for India 76. Attorney-General for India. Conduct of Government Business

77. Conduct of business of the Government of India.
78. Duties of Prime Minister as respects the furnishing of information to the President, etc.

CHAPTER II.—PARLIAMENT General

79. Constitution of Parliament.
80. Composition of the Council of States.
81. Composition of the House of the People.
82. Readjustment after each census.
83. Duration of Houses of Parliament.
84. Qualification for membership of Parliament.
85. Sessions of Parliament, prorogation and dissolution.
86. Right of President to address and send messages to Houses.
87. Special address by the President.
88. Rights of Ministers and Attorney-General as respects Houses.

Officers of Parliament

89. The Chairman and Deputy Chairman of the Council of States.
90. Vacation and resignation of, and removal from, the office of Deputy Chairman.
91. Power of the Deputy Chairman or other person to perform the duties of the office of, or to act as, Chairman.
92. The Chairman or the Deputy Chairman not to preside while a resolution for his removal from office is under consideration.
93. The Speaker and Deputy Speaker of the House of the People.
94. Vacation and resignation of, and removal from, the offices of Speaker and Deputy Speaker.
95. Power of the Deputy Speaker or other person to perform the duties of the office of, or to act as, Speaker.
96. The Speaker or the Deputy Speaker not to preside while a resolution for his removal from office is under consideration.
97. Salaries and allowances of the Chairman and Deputy Chairman and the Speaker and Deputy Speaker.
98. Secretariat of Parliament.

Conduct of Business

99. Oath or affirmation by members.
100. Voting in Houses, power of Houses to act notwithstanding vacancies and quorum.

Disqualifications of Members

101. Vacation of seats.
102. Disqualifications for membership.
103. Decision on questions as to disqualifications of members.
104. Penalty for sitting and voting before making oath or affirmation under article 99 or when not qualified or when disqualified.

Powers, Privileges and Immunities of Parliament and its Members

105. Powers, privileges, etc., of the Houses of Parliament and of the members and committees thereof.
106. Salaries and allowances of members.

Legislative Procedure

107. Provisions as to introduction and passing of Bills.
108. Joint sitting of both Houses in certain cases.
109. Special procedure in respect of Money Bills.
110. Definition of “Money Bills”.
111. Assent to Bills.

Procedure in Financial Matters

112. Annual financial statement.
113. Procedure in Parliament with respect to estimates.
114. Appropriation Bills.
115. Supplementary, additional or excess grants.
116. Votes on account, votes of credit and exceptional grants.
117. Special provisions as to financial Bills.

Procedure Generally

118. Rules of procedure.
119. Regulation by law of procedure in Parliament in relation to financial business.
120. Language to be used in Parliament.
121. Restriction on discussion in Parliament.
122. Courts not to inquire into proceedings of Parliament.

CHAPTER III.—LEGISLATIVE POWERS OF THE PRESIDENT 123.Power of President to promulgate Ordinances during recess of Parliament. CHAPTER IV.—THE UNION JUDICIARY

124. Establishment and constitution of Supreme Court.
124A. National Judicial Appointments Commission.
124B. Functions of Commission.
124C. Power of Parliament to make law.
125. Salaries, etc., of Judges.
126. Appointment of acting Chief Justice.
127. Appointment of ad hoc judges.

128. Attendance of retired Judges at sittings of the Supreme Court.
129. Supreme Court to be a court of record.
130. Seat of Supreme Court.
131. Original jurisdiction of the Supreme Court.
131A. [Omitted.]
132. Appellate jurisdiction of Supreme Court in appeals from High Courts in certain cases.
133. Appellate jurisdiction of Supreme Court in appeals from High Courts in regard to civil matters.
134. Appellate jurisdiction of Supreme Court in regard to criminal matters.
134A. Certificate for appeal to the Supreme Court.
135. Jurisdiction and powers of the Federal Court under existing law to be exercisable by the Supreme Court.
136. Special leave to appeal by the Supreme Court.
137. Review of judgments or orders by the Supreme Court.
138. Enlargement of the jurisdiction of the Supreme Court.
139. Conferment on the Supreme Court of powers to issue certain writs.
139A. Transfer of certain cases.
140. Ancillary powers of Supreme Court.
141. Law declared by Supreme Court to be binding on all courts.
142. Enforcement of decrees and orders of Supreme Court and orders as to discovery, etc.
143. Power of President to consult Supreme Court.
144. Civil and judicial authorities to act in aid of the Supreme Court.
144A. [Omitted.]
145. Rules of Court, etc.
146. Officers and servants and the expenses of the Supreme Court.
147. Interpretation.

CHAPTER V.—COMPTROLLER AND AUDITOR-GENERAL OF INDIA

148. Comptroller and Auditor-General of India.
149. Duties and powers of the Comptroller and Auditor-General.
150. Form of accounts of the Union and of the States.
151. Audit reports.

THE STATES CHAPTER I.—GENERAL 152. Definition. CHAPTER II.—THE EXECUTIVE The Governor

153. Governors of States.
154. Executive power of State.
155. Appointment of Governor.
156. Term of office of Governor.
157. Qualifications for appointment as Governor.
158. Conditions of Governor’s office.

159. Oath or affirmation by the Governor.
160. Discharge of the functions of the Governor in certain contingencies.
161. Power of Governor to grant pardons, etc., and to suspend, remit or commute sentences in certain cases.
162. Extent of executive power of State.

Council of Ministers 163. Council of Ministers to aid and advise Governor.
164. Other provisions as to Ministers. The Advocate-General for the State 165. Advocate-General for the State. Conduct of Government Business

166. Conduct of business of the Government of a State.
167. Duties of Chief Minister as respects the furnishing of information to Governor, etc.

CHAPTER III.—THE STATE LEGISLATURE General

168. Constitution of Legislatures in States.
169. Abolition or creation of Legislative Councils in States.
170. Composition of the Legislative Assemblies.
171. Composition of the Legislative Councils.
172. Duration of State Legislatures.
173. Qualification for membership of the State Legislature.
174. Sessions of the State Legislature, prorogation and dissolution.
175. Right of Governor to address and send messages to the House or Houses.
176. Special address by the Governor.
177. Rights of Ministers and Advocate-General as respects the Houses.

Officers of the State Legislature

178. The Speaker and Deputy Speaker of the Legislative Assembly.
179. Vacation and resignation of, and removal from, the offices of Speaker and Deputy Speaker.
180. Power of the Deputy Speaker or other person to perform the duties of the office of, or to act as, Speaker.
181. The Speaker or the Deputy Speaker not to preside while a resolution for his removal from office is under consideration.
182. The Chairman and Deputy Chairman of the Legislative Council.
183. Vacation and resignation of, and removal from, the offices of Chairman and Deputy Chairman.
184. Power of the Deputy Chairman or other person to perform the duties of the office of, or to act as, Chairman.
185. The Chairman or the Deputy Chairman not to preside while a resolution for his removal from office is under consideration.

186. Salaries and allowances of the Speaker and Deputy Speaker and the Chairman and Deputy Chairman.
187. Secretariat of State Legislature.

Conduct of Business

188. Oath or affirmation by members.
189. Voting in Houses, power of Houses to act notwithstanding vacancies and quorum.

Disqualifications of Members

190. Vacation of seats.
191. Disqualifications for membership.
192. Decision on questions as to disqualifications of members.
193. Penalty for sitting and voting before making oath or affirmation under article 188 or when not qualified or when disqualified.

Powers, privileges and immunities of State Legislatures and their Members

194. Powers, privileges, etc., of the Houses of Legislatures and of the members and committees thereof.
195. Salaries and allowances of members.

Legislative Procedure

196. Provisions as to introduction and passing of Bills.
197. Restriction on powers of Legislative Council as to Bills other than Money Bills.
198. Special procedure in respect of Money Bills.
199. Definition of “Money Bills”.
200. Assent to Bills.
201. Bills reserved for consideration.

Procedure in Financial Matters

202. Annual financial statement.
203. Procedure in Legislature with respect to estimates.
204. Appropriation Bills.
205. Supplementary, additional or excess grants.
206. Votes on account, votes of credit and exceptional grants.
207. Special provisions as to financial Bills.

Procedure Generally

208. Rules of procedure.
209. Regulation by law of procedure in the Legislature of the State in relation to financial business.
210. Language to be used in the Legislature.
211. Restriction on discussion in the Legislature.
212. Courts not to inquire into proceedings of the Legislature.

CHAPTER IV.—LEGISLATIVE POWER OF THE GOVERNOR 213. Power of Governor to promulgate Ordinances during recess of Legislature. CHAPTER V.—THE HIGH COURTS IN THE STATES

214. High Courts for States.
215. High Courts to be courts of record.
216. Constitution of High Courts.

217. Appointment and conditions of the office of a Judge of a High Court.
218. Application of certain provisions relating to Supreme Court to High Courts.
219. Oath or affirmation by Judges of High Courts.
220. Restriction on practice after being a permanent Judge.
221. Salaries, etc., of Judges.
222. Transfer of a Judge from one High Court to another.
223. Appointment of acting Chief Justice.
224. Appointment of additional and acting Judges.
224A. Appointment of retired Judges at sittings of High Courts.
225. Jurisdiction of existing High Courts.
226. Power of High Courts to issue certain writs.
226A. [Omitted.]
227. Power of superintendence over all courts by the High Court.
228. Transfer of certain cases to High Court.
228A. [Omitted.]
229. Officers and servants and the expenses of High Courts.
230. Extension of jurisdiction of High Courts to Union territories.
231. Establishment of a common High Court for two or more States.
232. [Omitted.]

CHAPTER VI.—SUBORDINATE COURTS

233. Appointment of district judges.
233A. Validation of appointments of, and judgments, etc., delivered by, certain district judges.
234. Recruitment of persons other than district judges to the judicial service.
235. Control over subordinate courts.
236. Interpretation.
237. Application of the provisions of this Chapter to certain class or classes of magistrates.

PART VII- [Omitted] THE STATES IN PART B OF THE FIRST SCHEDULE 238. [Omitted.] THE UNION TERRITORIES

239. Administration of Union territories.
239A. Creation of local Legislatures or Council of Ministers or both for certain Union territories.
239AA. Special provisions with respect to Delhi.
239AB. Provision in case of failure of constitutional machinery.
239B. Power of administrator to promulgate Ordinances during recess of Legislature.
240. Power of President to make regulations for certain Union territories.
241. High Courts for Union territories.
242. [Omitted.]

THE PANCHAYATS 243. Definitions.
243A. Gram Sabha.
243B. Constitution of Panchayats.

243C. Composition of Panchayats.
243D. Reservation of seats.
243E. Duration of Panchayats, etc.
243F. Disqualifications for membership.
243G. Powers, authority and responsibilities of Panchayats.
243H. Powers to impose taxes by, and Funds of, the Panchayats.
243-I. Constitution of Finance Commission to review financial position.
243J. Audit of accounts of Panchayats.
243K. Elections to the Panchayats.
243L. Application to Union territories.
243M. Part not to apply to certain areas.
243N. Continuance of existing laws and Panchayats.
243-O. Bar to interference by courts in electoral matters.

THE MUNICIPALITIES

243P. Definitions.
243Q. Constitution of Municipalities.
243R. Composition of Municipalities.
243S. Constitution and composition of Wards Committees, etc.
243T. Reservation of seats.
243U. Duration of Municipalities, etc.
243V. Disqualifications for membership.
243W.Powers, authority and responsibilities of Municipalities, etc.
243X. Power to impose taxes by, and Funds of, the Municipalities.
243Y. Finance Commission.
243Z. Audit of accounts of Municipalities.
243ZA. Elections to the Municipalities.
243ZB. Application to Union territories.
243ZC. Part not to apply to certain areas.
243ZD. Committee for district planning.
243ZE. Committee for Metropolitan planning.
243ZF. Continuance of existing laws and Municipalities.
243ZG. Bar to interference by courts in electoral matters.

THE CO-OPERATIVE SOCIETIES

243ZH. Definitions.
243Z-I. Incorporation of co-operative societies.
243ZJ. Number and term of members of board and its office bearers.

243ZK. Election of members of board.
243ZL. Supersession and suspension of board and interim management.
243ZM. Audit of accounts of co-operative societies.
243ZN. Convening of general body meetings.
243Z-O. Right of a member to get information.
243ZP. Returns.
243ZQ. Offences and penalties.
243ZR. Application to multi-State co-operative societies.
243ZS. Application to Union territories.
243ZT. Continuance of existing laws.

THE SCHEDULED AND TRIBAL AREAS

244. Administration of Scheduled Areas and Tribal Areas.
244A. Formation of an autonomous State comprising certain tribal areas in Assam and creation of local Legislature or Council of Ministers or both therefor.

RELATIONS BETWEEN THE UNION AND THE STATES CHAPTER I.—LEGISLATIVE RELATIONS Distribution of Legislative Powers

245. Extent of laws made by Parliament and by the Legislatures of States.
246. Subject-matter of laws made by Parliament and by the Legislatures of States.
247. Power of Parliament to provide for the establishment of certain additional courts.
248. Residuary powers of legislation.
249. Power of Parliament to legislate with respect to a matter in the State List in the national interest.
250. Power of Parliament to legislate with respect to any matter in the State List if a Proclamation of Emergency is in operation.
251. Inconsistency between laws made by Parliament under articles 249 and 250 and laws made by the Legislatures of States.
252. Power of Parliament to legislate for two or more States by consent and adoption of such legislation by any other State.
253. Legislation for giving effect to international agreements.
254. Inconsistency between laws made by Parliament and laws made by the Legislatures of States.
255. Requirements as to recommendations and previous sanctions to be regarded as matters of procedure only.

CHAPTER II.—ADMINISTRATIVE RELATIONS General 256. Obligation of States and the Union.
257. Control of the Union over States in certain cases.

257A. [Omitted.]
258. Power of the Union to confer powers, etc., on States in certain cases.
258A. Power of the States to entrust functions to the Union.
259. [Omitted.]
260. Jurisdiction of the Union in relation to territories outside India.
261. Public acts, records and judicial proceedings.