Important Articles of the Indian Constitution: Complete List for UPSC & State PCS
The Indian Constitution has hundreds of Articles, but UPSC and State PCS examinations do not give equal importance to all of them. Some Articles appear again and again because they are connected with Fundamental Rights, Parliament, President, Supreme Court, federalism, elections, constitutional bodies and Emergency provisions.
So, instead of trying to memorise every Article mechanically, it is better to first understand the broad structure of the Constitution and then learn the Articles that have the highest examination value.
This chapter follows that approach.
A small clarification before we begin
Students often read that the Indian Constitution has 395 Articles.
This was true of the Constitution as originally enacted. Even today, the final numbered Article is Article 395, but several new Articles have been inserted between the original numbers through constitutional amendments.
For example:
- Article 21A
- Article 39A
- Article 51A
- Article 239AA
- Article 243G
- Article 246A
- Article 300A
- Article 338B
- Article 342A
At the same time, some older Articles have been omitted.
So, do not treat “Article 1 to Article 395” as a simple count of all currently operative provisions.
The Constitution at a Glance
Before learning individual Articles, keep this broad map in mind:
| Part | Main Subject |
|---|---|
| Part I | Union and its Territory |
| Part II | Citizenship |
| Part III | Fundamental Rights |
| Part IV | Directive Principles of State Policy |
| Part IVA | Fundamental Duties |
| Part V | Union Government |
| Part VI | State Governments |
| Part VIII | Union Territories |
| Part IX | Panchayats |
| Part IXA | Municipalities |
| Part IXB | Cooperative Societies |
| Part X | Scheduled and Tribal Areas |
| Part XI | Union–State Relations |
| Part XII | Finance and Property |
| Part XIII | Trade and Commerce |
| Part XIV | Services under Union and States |
| Part XIVA | Tribunals |
| Part XV | Elections |
| Part XVI | Special Provisions for Certain Classes |
| Part XVII | Official Language |
| Part XVIII | Emergency Provisions |
| Part XX | Amendment of Constitution |
| Part XXI | Temporary, Transitional and Special Provisions |
| Part XXII | Final Provisions |
Once this basic map is clear, Article numbers become much easier to remember.
Articles 1–4: Union and its Territory
Article 1 – India, that is Bharat
Article 1 describes India as a “Union of States.”
This expression is important. India has a federal structure, but the Union is not the result of an agreement among sovereign States. States do not have a constitutional right to secede from India.
For UPSC, Article 1 is therefore not just a factual Article number. It is linked with the nature of Indian federalism.
Article 2 – Admission or establishment of new States
Parliament can admit into the Union, or establish, new States on terms and conditions it considers appropriate.
Article 3 – Formation and alteration of States
Article 3 gives Parliament wide power to:
- form a new State,
- increase or reduce the area of a State,
- alter State boundaries,
- change the name of a State.
A Bill under Article 3 can be introduced only on the recommendation of the President.
The President refers the proposal to the concerned State Legislature for its views. However, Parliament is not constitutionally bound to accept those views.
That last point is often important in objective questions.
Article 4 – Supplemental changes
A law made under Articles 2 or 3 may make necessary changes in the First and Fourth Schedules.
Such a law is not treated as a constitutional amendment under Article 368 merely because it makes these consequential changes.
Articles 5–11: Citizenship
Articles 5 to 10 mainly dealt with citizenship at the commencement of the Constitution.
For present-day examinations, Article 11 is especially important.
Article 11 – Parliament and citizenship
Article 11 gives Parliament the power to make laws relating to citizenship.
This is why matters such as acquisition and termination of citizenship are mainly governed by parliamentary legislation, particularly the Citizenship Act, 1955.
Articles 12–35: Fundamental Rights
This is one of the most important portions of the Constitution for both Prelims and Mains.
Article 12 – Meaning of “State”
Article 12 explains what “State” means for the purpose of Fundamental Rights.
It broadly includes the Union Government, State Governments, Parliament, State Legislatures, local authorities and other authorities falling within the constitutional definition.
Article 13 – Laws inconsistent with Fundamental Rights
Article 13 provides the constitutional basis for examining laws that violate Fundamental Rights.
It is closely connected with the idea of judicial review.
Right to Equality
Article 14 – Equality before law
Article 14 guarantees equality before law and equal protection of laws.
It is available to persons, not only citizens.
Article 15 – Prohibition of discrimination
The State cannot discriminate against citizens only on grounds of:
- religion,
- race,
- caste,
- sex,
- place of birth.
At the same time, the Constitution allows affirmative measures for disadvantaged groups, women, children and other constitutionally recognised categories.
Article 16 – Equality of opportunity in public employment
Article 16 deals specifically with equality in government employment.
This is the Article you should connect with questions on reservation in public services.
Article 17 – Abolition of untouchability
Article 17 abolishes untouchability and forbids its practice in any form.
It is one of the clearest examples of the Constitution acting not only as a political document, but also as an instrument of social reform.
Article 18 – Abolition of titles
The State cannot confer titles, except military and academic distinctions.
Articles 19–22: Right to Freedom
Article 19 – Six freedoms
Article 19 currently protects six major freedoms of citizens:
- speech and expression,
- peaceful assembly,
- association,
- movement,
- residence,
- profession, occupation, trade or business.
These freedoms are not absolute. The Constitution permits reasonable restrictions on specified grounds.
For examination purposes, remember that Article 19 is available only to citizens.
Article 20 – Protection in criminal cases
Article 20 protects against:
- retrospective criminal punishment,
- double jeopardy,
- compelled self-incrimination.
Article 21 – Life and personal liberty
Article 21 is one of the most important Articles in the entire Constitution.
It says that no person shall be deprived of life or personal liberty except according to procedure established by law.
Over time, the Supreme Court has interpreted Article 21 broadly to include different aspects of human dignity and meaningful life.
Questions involving privacy, dignity, fair procedure, legal aid, speedy trial and environmental rights often have an Article 21 connection.
Article 21A – Right to Education
Article 21A provides free and compulsory education for children between 6 and 14 years of age.
This was inserted by the 86th Constitutional Amendment.
Do not confuse this with early childhood care under Article 45.
Article 22 – Arrest and detention
Article 22 contains safeguards relating to arrest and detention and also deals with preventive detention.
Articles 23–24: Right against Exploitation
Article 23
Article 23 prohibits trafficking in human beings, begar and other forms of forced labour.
Article 24
Article 24 prohibits the employment of children below 14 years in factories, mines and other hazardous employment covered by the constitutional provision.
Articles 25–28: Freedom of Religion
Article 25
Freedom of conscience and the right to profess, practise and propagate religion, subject to constitutional limitations such as public order, morality and health.
Article 26
Freedom of religious denominations to manage religious affairs, again subject to constitutional conditions.
Article 27
Protection against being compelled to pay taxes specifically appropriated for the promotion or maintenance of a particular religion.
Article 28
Deals with religious instruction in educational institutions.
Articles 29–30: Cultural and Educational Rights
Article 29
Protects the right of sections of citizens having a distinct language, script or culture to conserve it.
A common mistake is to think Article 29 applies only to minorities. Its wording is wider.
Article 30
Protects the right of religious and linguistic minorities to establish and administer educational institutions of their choice.
Article 32 – Constitutional Remedies
Article 32 allows a person to approach the Supreme Court for enforcement of Fundamental Rights.
It gives real meaning to the rights listed in Part III because a constitutional right without an effective remedy would have limited value.
The Supreme Court can issue constitutional writs such as:
- Habeas Corpus
- Mandamus
- Prohibition
- Certiorari
- Quo Warranto
For exams, compare Article 32 with Article 226.
Article 32 → Supreme Court → Fundamental Rights
Article 226 → High Courts → Fundamental Rights + other legal rights
Directive Principles: Articles 36–51
Directive Principles are not enforceable in court in the same way as Fundamental Rights, but they guide the State in building a welfare-oriented social order.
Some Articles deserve special attention.
Article 38
The State should promote a social order based on justice—social, economic and political.
Article 39
Contains several important socio-economic principles, including distribution of resources for the common good and prevention of concentration of wealth.
Article 39A
Equal justice and free legal aid.
This Article is useful in questions on access to justice.
Article 40
Organisation of village panchayats.
It provides an important constitutional background to the later 73rd Constitutional Amendment.
Article 42
Just and humane conditions of work and maternity relief.
Article 44
Uniform Civil Code.
Article 44 regularly appears in both objective and analytical questions.
Article 45
Early childhood care and education for children below six years.
Do not confuse it with Article 21A, which covers the 6–14 age group.
Article 46
Promotion of the educational and economic interests of Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and weaker sections.
Article 47
Nutrition, standard of living and public health.
Article 48A
Protection and improvement of the environment and safeguarding forests and wildlife.
Article 50
Separation of judiciary from executive.
Article 51
Promotion of international peace and security.
Article 51A – Fundamental Duties
All Fundamental Duties are contained in Article 51A.
Ten duties were originally added by the 42nd Constitutional Amendment Act, 1976. A later amendment added the duty of a parent or guardian to provide educational opportunities to a child between six and fourteen years of age.
A very simple distinction helps:
Article 51 → Directive Principle
Article 51A → Fundamental Duties
The Union Executive
Article 52 – President of India
Article 52 provides that there shall be a President of India.
Article 53 – Executive power of the Union
The executive power of the Union is vested in the President, to be exercised according to the Constitution.
Article 54 – Election of President
Deals with the electoral college for the President.
Article 61 – Impeachment of President
Provides the procedure for impeachment for violation of the Constitution.
Article 72 – Pardoning power of President
The President can grant pardons and other forms of clemency in constitutionally specified cases.
Article 74 – Council of Ministers
There shall be a Council of Ministers with the Prime Minister at its head to aid and advise the President.
Article 75 – Prime Minister and Ministers
Deals with important matters relating to the Council of Ministers.
Article 76 – Attorney-General for India
Provides for the office of the Attorney-General.
Parliament
Article 79
Parliament consists of:
- the President,
- Rajya Sabha,
- Lok Sabha.
Students sometimes forget that the President is constitutionally a part of Parliament.
Article 80
Composition of Rajya Sabha.
Article 81
Composition of Lok Sabha.
Article 83
Duration of the Houses.
Article 85
Sessions of Parliament, prorogation and dissolution.
Article 93
Speaker and Deputy Speaker of Lok Sabha.
Article 105
Powers, privileges and immunities of Parliament and its members.
Article 108
Joint sitting of both Houses.
Joint sitting is not available for every kind of Bill, so study Article 108 together with the procedures for ordinary and Money Bills.
Articles 109 and 110
These are frequently confused.
Article 109 explains the special procedure for Money Bills.
Article 110 defines what a Money Bill is.
Article 111
President's assent to Bills.
Article 112
Annual Financial Statement, commonly known as the Union Budget.
Article 123
Ordinance-making power of the President when Parliament is not in session under constitutional conditions.
Supreme Court
Article 124
Establishment and constitution of the Supreme Court.
Article 129
Supreme Court as a Court of Record.
Article 131
Original jurisdiction in specified Centre–State and inter-State disputes.
Article 136
Special Leave to Appeal.
Article 137
Power of the Supreme Court to review its judgments or orders.
Article 141
Law declared by the Supreme Court is binding on all courts within India.
This is an extremely useful Article in Mains answers dealing with precedent and the role of the judiciary.
Article 142
Allows the Supreme Court to pass orders necessary for doing complete justice in matters before it.
Article 143
President may seek the advisory opinion of the Supreme Court on constitutionally permitted questions.
Article 148 – Comptroller and Auditor General
Article 148 provides for the office of the Comptroller and Auditor General of India.
The CAG plays an important role in ensuring legislative control over public finances.
A simple memory link:
148 → CAG
State Executive
Article 153 – Governor
Provides for a Governor for each State, subject to constitutional arrangements.
Article 154
Executive power of the State.
Article 161
Pardoning power of the Governor.
Remember the pair:
Article 72 → President
Article 161 → Governor
Article 163
Council of Ministers to aid and advise the Governor.
Article 164
Chief Minister and other Ministers.
Article 165
Advocate-General for the State.
State Legislature
Article 168
Constitution of State Legislatures.
Article 169
Parliament may provide for creation or abolition of a Legislative Council in a State, following the constitutional procedure.
Article 170
Composition of Legislative Assemblies.
Article 171
Composition of Legislative Councils.
Article 174
Sessions, prorogation and dissolution.
Article 194
Privileges of State Legislatures and their members.
Article 200
Governor's assent to State Bills.
Article 201
Bills reserved for consideration of the President.
Article 213
Ordinance-making power of the Governor.
Remember:
123 → President's Ordinance
213 → Governor's Ordinance
High Courts
Article 214
High Courts for States.
Article 217
Appointment and conditions of office of High Court judges.
Article 226
Power of High Courts to issue writs.
Article 226 is broader in subject matter than Article 32 because High Courts can issue writs not only for Fundamental Rights, but also for other legal rights.
Article 227
High Court's power of superintendence over subordinate courts and tribunals within its jurisdiction, subject to constitutional limits.
Union Territories
Article 239
Administration of Union Territories.
Article 239AA
Contains special provisions for the National Capital Territory of Delhi.
This Article has become particularly important because questions involving the division of powers between the Delhi government, Lieutenant Governor and Union frequently reach the Supreme Court.
Panchayats
The 73rd Constitutional Amendment gave constitutional status to Panchayati Raj institutions.
Important provisions include:
Article 243B
Constitution of Panchayats.
Article 243D
Reservation of seats.
Article 243G
Powers, authority and responsibilities of Panchayats.
Article 243G should be linked with the Eleventh Schedule.
Article 243I
State Finance Commission.
Article 243K
State Election Commission in relation to Panchayat elections.
Municipalities
The 74th Constitutional Amendment deals with urban local government.
Article 243Q
Constitution of Municipalities.
Article 243T
Reservation of seats.
Article 243W
Powers and responsibilities of Municipalities.
Article 243W is linked with the Twelfth Schedule.
The easiest pair to remember is:
243G → Panchayats → Eleventh Schedule
243W → Municipalities → Twelfth Schedule
Scheduled and Tribal Areas
Article 244
Article 244 deals with Scheduled Areas and Tribal Areas.
It is closely connected with the Fifth and Sixth Schedules.
The Sixth Schedule contains special arrangements for tribal areas in Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura and Mizoram.
Union–State Legislative Relations
This is one of the most important areas for Mains.
Article 245
Territorial extent of laws made by Parliament and State Legislatures.
Article 246
Distribution of legislative subjects between Union and States.
Article 246 should always remind you of the Seventh Schedule:
- Union List
- State List
- Concurrent List
Article 246A
Special legislative power relating to GST.
Article 248
Residuary legislative powers of Parliament.
Article 249
Parliament can legislate on a State List subject in the national interest when Rajya Sabha passes the required resolution.
Article 250
Parliament can legislate on State List matters during a National Emergency.
Article 252
Parliament can legislate for two or more States when those States consent in the manner provided by the Constitution.
A useful comparison is:
Article 249 → National interest
Article 250 → National Emergency
Article 252 → States request/consent
Article 253
Parliament's power to make laws for implementing international agreements and obligations.
Article 254
Repugnancy between Union and State laws on Concurrent List matters.
Article 262
Inter-State river-water disputes.
Article 263
Inter-State Council.
Finance and Fiscal Federalism
Article 265
“No tax shall be levied or collected except by authority of law.”
This is a basic constitutional principle of taxation.
Article 266
Consolidated Funds and Public Accounts.
Article 267
Contingency Funds.
Article 279A
GST Council.
Article 279A is now one of the most important Articles for understanding cooperative fiscal federalism.
Article 280
Finance Commission.
The Finance Commission makes recommendations on the distribution of financial resources between the Union and States.
In Mains, Article 280 is useful whenever the question deals with fiscal federalism.
Article 300A – Right to Property
Article 300A provides that no person shall be deprived of property except by authority of law.
The Right to Property is not a Fundamental Right today.
It is a constitutional right protected under Article 300A.
Remember:
Article 31 → former Fundamental Right to Property
Article 300A → present constitutional protection
Civil Services
Article 309
Recruitment and conditions of service.
Article 310
Doctrine of Pleasure.
Article 311
Safeguards available to civil servants in matters of dismissal, removal or reduction in rank.
Article 312
All India Services.
Public Service Commissions
Article 315
Provides for the UPSC and State Public Service Commissions.
Article 320
Functions of Public Service Commissions.
For exam purposes, the broad range Articles 315–323 should be associated with Public Service Commissions.
Tribunals
Article 323A
Administrative tribunals.
Article 323B
Tribunals for certain other specified matters.
Do not treat the two Articles as identical. Article 323A has a narrower focus on administrative tribunals.
Elections
Article 324 – Election Commission
Article 324 vests the superintendence, direction and control of elections in the Election Commission.
Remember:
324 → Election Commission
Article 325
Deals with electoral rolls and prohibits exclusion from them on certain specified grounds.
Article 326
Adult suffrage for elections to the Lok Sabha and State Legislative Assemblies.
Articles 327 and 328
Deal with legislative powers of Parliament and State Legislatures respectively regarding elections.
Article 329
Limits judicial interference in electoral matters in the manner laid down by the Constitution.
Constitutional Commissions
These three Articles are frequently confused:
Article 338
National Commission for Scheduled Castes.
Article 338A
National Commission for Scheduled Tribes.
Article 338B
National Commission for Backward Classes.
Remember the progression:
338 → SC
338A → ST
338B → Backward Classes
Articles 341, 342 and 342A
Another useful sequence:
Article 341 → Scheduled Castes
Article 342 → Scheduled Tribes
Article 342A → Socially and Educationally Backward Classes
Women's Reservation in Legislatures
The 106th Constitutional Amendment introduced important new provisions relating to reservation for women.
Among them:
- Article 330A – reservation of seats for women in Lok Sabha
- Article 332A – reservation of seats for women in State Legislative Assemblies
- Article 334A – provisions concerning when the reservation takes effect and related arrangements
For examination purposes, Article 334A deserves attention because the implementation is connected with a future delimitation exercise following the relevant census process.
Official Language
Article 343
Official language of the Union.
Article 345
Official language or languages of a State.
Article 348
Language of the Supreme Court, High Courts and authoritative texts of specified laws.
Article 350A
Facilities for instruction in the mother tongue at the primary stage.
Article 350B
Special Officer for linguistic minorities.
Article 351
Directive for development of the Hindi language.
Emergency Provisions
Three Article numbers should be remembered together:
Article 352 – National Emergency
Can be proclaimed on the grounds constitutionally specified as:
- war,
- external aggression,
- armed rebellion.
Article 356 – President's Rule
Deals with failure of constitutional machinery in a State.
Article 360 – Financial Emergency
Deals with Financial Emergency.
The easiest memory sequence is:
352 → Nation
356 → State
360 → Finance
Article 355
Places a duty on the Union to protect States against external aggression and internal disturbance and to ensure that State governments function according to the Constitution.
Articles 358 and 359
Deal with the effect of a National Emergency on Fundamental Rights and their enforcement.
Articles 20 and 21 enjoy special protection under the present constitutional framework.
Article 361 – President and Governors
Article 361 gives specified constitutional protections to the President and Governors while they hold office.
These protections should not be misunderstood as a general licence to act outside the Constitution.
Article 368 – Amendment of the Constitution
Article 368 deals with Parliament's power and procedure to amend the Constitution.
However, the power is not unlimited.
In Kesavananda Bharati v. State of Kerala (1973), the Supreme Court held that Parliament cannot alter the basic structure of the Constitution.
That is why Article 368 should always be studied together with the Basic Structure Doctrine.
Article 370 and the 371 Series
Article 370
Article 370 historically contained temporary provisions relating to Jammu and Kashmir.
Its practical constitutional operation changed fundamentally after the measures taken in 2019.
For examination purposes, avoid writing simply that Article 370 was “deleted”. The constitutional and judicial position is more nuanced.
Articles 371 to 371J
These Articles contain special provisions for different States.
They are particularly useful for State PCS examinations and questions on asymmetric federalism.
Final Articles
Article 393
Short title of the Constitution.
Article 394
Commencement.
Article 394A
Authoritative text in Hindi.
Article 395
Repeals.
Article 395 remains the last numbered Article of the Constitution.
Article–Schedule Connections You Should Know
Instead of memorising Articles and Schedules separately, learn the important connections.
| Article | Schedule | Connection |
|---|---|---|
| Article 4 | First & Fourth | State reorganisation |
| Article 31B | Ninth | Certain protected laws |
| Article 244 | Fifth & Sixth | Scheduled/Tribal Areas |
| Article 246 | Seventh | Legislative Lists |
| Article 243G | Eleventh | Panchayat subjects |
| Article 243W | Twelfth | Municipal subjects |
These combinations are highly useful in statement-based Prelims questions.
Frequently Confused Articles
Article 14 and Article 15
Article 14 deals with equality before law and equal protection of laws.
Article 15 specifically prohibits discrimination on certain grounds.
Article 21 and Article 21A
Article 21 protects life and personal liberty.
Article 21A provides the Right to Education for children aged 6–14.
Article 32 and Article 226
Article 32 → Supreme Court → Fundamental Rights.
Article 226 → High Courts → Fundamental Rights plus other legal rights.
Article 51 and Article 51A
Article 51 → Directive Principle relating to international peace.
Article 51A → Fundamental Duties.
Article 72 and Article 161
Article 72 → President's pardoning power.
Article 161 → Governor's pardoning power.
Article 123 and Article 213
Article 123 → President's Ordinance power.
Article 213 → Governor's Ordinance power.
Article 148 and Article 280
Article 148 → CAG.
Article 280 → Finance Commission.
Article 315 and Article 324
Article 315 → Public Service Commissions.
Article 324 → Election Commission.
Articles 352, 356 and 360
352 → National Emergency.
356 → President's Rule.
360 → Financial Emergency.
What UPSC Actually Tests
UPSC usually does not ask constitutional Articles like a school memory test.
Instead of asking:
Which Article deals with the Finance Commission?
it may ask about the composition, role or recommendations of the Finance Commission.
Instead of asking directly about Article 324, it may ask about the powers of the Election Commission.
Article 21 may appear through a question on privacy.
Article 110 may appear through the difference between a Money Bill and a Finance Bill.
Article 249 may appear through Parliament's power to legislate on the State List.
So Article numbers should be used as anchors for concepts, not memorised as disconnected facts.
UPSC PYQ Connection
UPSC Prelims has repeatedly linked constitutional Articles with amendments, institutions and judicial interpretation rather than asking only direct Article-number questions.
For example, UPSC Prelims 2023 asked which Constitutional Amendment was widely believed to have been enacted to overcome judicial interpretations of Fundamental Rights.
The correct answer was the First Constitutional Amendment.
The lesson is important: while preparing Fundamental Rights, a student must also understand the Supreme Court cases and constitutional amendments connected with them.
That is how Polity questions are increasingly framed.
Practice MCQs
Q1. Which Article provides for the Finance Commission?
A. Article 148
B. Article 263
C. Article 280
D. Article 324
Answer: C. Article 280
Article 148 deals with the CAG, Article 263 with the Inter-State Council and Article 324 with the Election Commission.
Q2. Consider the following pairs:
- Article 243G — Panchayats
- Article 243W — Municipalities
- Article 280 — Election Commission
- Article 315 — Public Service Commissions
Which of the pairs given above are correctly matched?
A. 1 and 2 only
B. 1, 2 and 4 only
C. 3 and 4 only
D. 1, 2, 3 and 4
Answer: B. 1, 2 and 4 only
Article 280 provides for the Finance Commission. The Election Commission is under Article 324.
Q3. Parliament may legislate on a State List subject in the national interest under:
A. Article 248
B. Article 249
C. Article 252
D. Article 254
Answer: B. Article 249
Article 249 operates through a Rajya Sabha resolution declaring it necessary in the national interest.
Q4. Which of the following is incorrectly matched?
A. Article 72 — President's pardoning power
B. Article 123 — President's Ordinance power
C. Article 161 — Governor's pardoning power
D. Article 213 — President's assent to State Bills
Answer: D. Article 213
Article 213 deals with the Governor's ordinance-making power. Article 200 deals with the Governor's assent to State Bills.
Q5. Consider the following:
- Article 352 — National Emergency
- Article 356 — Failure of constitutional machinery in a State
- Article 360 — Financial Emergency
Which of the statements given above are correct?
A. 1 only
B. 1 and 2 only
C. 2 and 3 only
D. 1, 2 and 3
Answer: D. 1, 2 and 3
These three provisions should always be revised together.
How to Use Articles in a Mains Answer
Knowing Article numbers can improve a Mains answer, but only when they are used naturally.
Suppose the question is on cooperative federalism.
A basic answer may say:
India has several institutions for Centre–State cooperation.
A stronger answer can write:
- Article 263 provides for the Inter-State Council.
- Article 280 provides for the Finance Commission.
- Article 279A creates the GST Council.
- Article 262 deals with inter-State river-water disputes.
- Articles 245–254 structure legislative relations.
The second answer is stronger because constitutional provisions are being used as evidence.
That is the right way to use Article numbers in Mains.
Mains Practice Question
“The Indian Constitution combines a strong Union with institutions designed to encourage cooperative federalism.” Discuss with reference to relevant constitutional provisions.
Approach
Begin by briefly explaining why India is often described as a federation with a strong Centre.
Then use relevant constitutional provisions:
- Articles 245–254 — legislative relations
- Article 263 — Inter-State Council
- Article 280 — Finance Commission
- Article 279A — GST Council
- Article 262 — inter-State water disputes
Also mention that Indian federalism depends not only on constitutional text but on political consultation, institutional cooperation and fiscal trust.
Conclude by showing that the Constitution combines Union strength with mechanisms of negotiation and cooperation.
Last-Minute Revision List
If you are revising just before the examination, these are the Article numbers worth knowing first:
Article 1 — India as Union of States
Article 3 — Formation/alteration of States
Article 11 — Citizenship laws by Parliament
Article 14 — Equality
Article 15 — Non-discrimination
Article 16 — Public employment
Article 17 — Untouchability
Article 19 — Six freedoms
Article 21 — Life and liberty
Article 21A — Education
Article 32 — Constitutional remedies
Article 39A — Free legal aid
Article 44 — Uniform Civil Code
Article 48A — Environment
Article 51A — Fundamental Duties
Article 52 — President
Article 72 — President's pardon
Article 74 — Council of Ministers
Article 79 — Parliament
Article 110 — Money Bill
Article 112 — Union Budget
Article 123 — President's Ordinance
Article 124 — Supreme Court
Article 141 — Supreme Court law binding
Article 148 — CAG
Article 153 — Governor
Article 161 — Governor's pardon
Article 168 — State Legislature
Article 213 — Governor's Ordinance
Article 226 — High Court writs
Article 239AA — Delhi
Article 243G — Panchayat powers
Article 243W — Municipal powers
Article 246 — Legislative Lists
Article 249 — State List in national interest
Article 253 — International agreements
Article 262 — Water disputes
Article 263 — Inter-State Council
Article 265 — Tax only by authority of law
Article 279A — GST Council
Article 280 — Finance Commission
Article 300A — Right to Property
Article 315 — Public Service Commissions
Article 324 — Election Commission
Article 326 — Adult suffrage
Article 338 — NCSC
Article 338A — NCST
Article 338B — NCBC
Article 343 — Official language of Union
Article 352 — National Emergency
Article 356 — President's Rule
Article 360 — Financial Emergency
Article 368 — Constitutional Amendment
Article 370 — Jammu and Kashmir provision
Articles 371–371J — Special provisions for States
Final Takeaway
Do not try to remember the Constitution as a collection of hundreds of unrelated numbers.
Think of it as a map.
Articles 12–35 take you to Fundamental Rights.
Articles 36–51 take you to Directive Principles.
Article 51A means Fundamental Duties.
Article 52 onwards brings you into the Union Government.
Article 153 onwards takes you to State Government.
The 243-series means local government.
Articles 245–263 are central to federal relations.
Article 280 means Finance Commission.
Article 300A means Right to Property.
Article 315 takes you to Public Service Commissions.
Article 324 means Election Commission.
Articles 352, 356 and 360 are the three Emergency provisions.
Article 368 deals with constitutional amendment.
Once this structure becomes familiar, individual Article numbers stop looking random.
For UPSC and State PCS, that is the real goal. You do not need to become a dictionary of Article numbers. You need to know which constitutional provision becomes relevant when a real issue of governance, rights or federalism is placed before you.
Sources and Standard References
- The Constitution of India — Legislative Department, Ministry of Law & Justice
Read the official Constitution of India - M. Laxmikanth — Indian Polity, McGraw Hill
Official McGraw Hill page - Union Public Service Commission — Previous Year Question Papers
UPSC Official Previous Question Papers - Supreme Court of India — Jurisdiction and Constitutional Role
Supreme Court of India
