Indian Polity Basics: Preamble, Fundamental Rights and DPSP

Indian Polity is one of the highest-scoring areas in BPSC and other Bihar exams because questions are factual and repeat often. This note covers the Preamble, Fundamental Rights, Directive Principles and Fundamental Duties in an exam-ready format.

The Preamble

The Preamble declares India a Sovereign, Socialist, Secular, Democratic and Republic. The words Socialist and Secular (and Integrity) were added by the 42nd Amendment Act, 1976. It secures Justice, Liberty, Equality and Fraternity to all citizens.

Fundamental Rights (Part III, Articles 12–35)

• Right to Equality (Articles 14–18): equality before law, no discrimination, equal opportunity in public employment, abolition of untouchability and titles.
• Right to Freedom (Articles 19–22): speech and expression, assembly, association, movement, residence and profession; protection of life and personal liberty (Article 21); protection against arbitrary arrest (Article 22).
• Right against Exploitation (Articles 23–24): ban on forced labour, trafficking and child labour in hazardous work.
• Right to Freedom of Religion (Articles 25–28).
• Cultural and Educational Rights (Articles 29–30).
• Right to Constitutional Remedies (Article 32): right to move the Supreme Court; Dr. B. R. Ambedkar called it the "heart and soul" of the Constitution.

The Right to Property was removed from Fundamental Rights by the 44th Amendment (1978) and is now a legal right under Article 300A. The Right to Education (Article 21A) was added by the 86th Amendment, 2002.

Directive Principles of State Policy (Part IV, Articles 36–51)

DPSPs guide the State in making laws and are non-justiciable. Important ones include equal pay for equal work (Article 39), organisation of village panchayats (Article 40), uniform civil code (Article 44), separation of judiciary from executive (Article 50) and promotion of international peace (Article 51).

Fundamental Duties (Part IV-A, Article 51A)

Added by the 42nd Amendment on the recommendation of the Swaran Singh Committee. Originally ten, a Duty to provide education to children aged 6–14 was added by the 86th Amendment, making them eleven.

Quick revision points

• Fundamental Rights are enforceable in courts; DPSPs are not.
• Article 32 is itself a Fundamental Right.
• Writs: Habeas Corpus, Mandamus, Prohibition, Certiorari and Quo Warranto.

Test yourself with the free quizzes and read the next chapter, Indian National Movement – important dates.