Updated: October 2026 · Indian Polity
Important Articles of the
Indian Constitution for UPSC:
Part-wise List & Exam Strategy
You don't need to memorise all the articles of the Constitution. You need to know the right ones, deeply. This guide covers the important articles of the Indian Constitution for UPSC part by part, shows how Prelims tests them, and gives you a revision method that works for Prelims and Mains 2027.
Original Articles
395 in 22 Parts
Schedules Today
12 Schedules
Polity Qs / Year
~14 (Avg)
Useful For
GS2 + Prelims
In UPSC Prelims 2026, one question gave aspirants three statements. Each claimed the Constitution has no article for something: its own name, its commencement date, and the repeal of earlier Acts. Most aspirants marked at least one as true. All three were false. Articles 393, 394 and 395 cover them, on the very last pages of the Constitution that hardly anyone reads.
That question captures the problem perfectly. Aspirants memorise Article 21 and Article 356 from lists, but never read the Constitution as a document. Knowing the important articles of the Indian Constitution for UPSC means more than knowing their numbers. It means knowing what each article says, why it exists, and how UPSC twists it into a statement.
At Legacy IAS Academy, our Polity faculty has organised this guide the way UPSC thinks: part by part, with the articles that keep coming back. Polity has averaged about 14 Prelims questions a year since 2015, ranging from 5 to 22 (see our UPSC Prelims Trend Analysis 2015–2026). That makes this one of the highest-return pages you can revise.
The Indian Constitution at a Glance
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Adopted | 26 November 1949 (celebrated as Constitution Day) |
| Came into force | 26 January 1950 (Article 394) |
| Original structure | 395 articles, 22 parts, 8 schedules |
| Present structure | Over 450 articles (inserted articles keep the original numbering, e.g. 21A, 243A), 25 parts, 12 schedules |
| Amendment procedure | Article 368 |
Important Articles of the Indian Constitution: Part-wise List
Part I & II: The Union and Citizenship (Articles 1–11)
| Article | Provision | Why UPSC Cares |
|---|---|---|
| Art. 1 | India, that is Bharat, shall be a Union of States | "Union" vs "federation" debates; indestructible Union |
| Art. 2 | Admission or establishment of new States | Applies to territories outside India (e.g. Sikkim) |
| Art. 3 | Formation of new States, alteration of areas, boundaries or names | Parliament's power; State views not binding |
| Art. 5–11 | Citizenship at commencement; Parliament to regulate citizenship by law (Art. 11) | Citizenship Act, CAA debates |
Part III: Fundamental Rights (Articles 12–35)
| Article | Provision | Why UPSC Cares |
|---|---|---|
| Art. 12 | Definition of "State" | Which bodies Fundamental Rights can be enforced against |
| Art. 13 | Laws inconsistent with Fundamental Rights are void; "law" includes ordinances, custom and usage having the force of law | Basis of judicial review; asked in Prelims 2026 |
| Art. 14 | Equality before law and equal protection of laws | Reasonable classification, arbitrariness doctrine |
| Art. 15 | No discrimination on grounds of religion, race, caste, sex or place of birth | Special provisions for women, children, backward classes, EWS |
| Art. 16 | Equality of opportunity in public employment | Reservation jurisprudence |
| Art. 17 | Abolition of untouchability | Absolute right; enforceable against private persons |
| Art. 19 | Six freedoms: speech, assembly, association, movement, residence, profession | Reasonable restrictions; available only to citizens |
| Art. 20 | Protection in respect of conviction for offences | Ex post facto law, double jeopardy, self-incrimination |
| Art. 21 | Protection of life and personal liberty | Widest interpretation: privacy, dignity, environment, livelihood |
| Art. 21A | Free and compulsory education for children aged 6–14 (86th Amendment, 2002) | RTE Act linkage |
| Art. 22 | Protection against arrest and detention | Preventive detention safeguards |
| Art. 23–24 | Prohibition of trafficking and forced labour; no child labour in hazardous work below 14 | Enforceable against private persons |
| Art. 25–28 | Freedom of religion | Essential religious practices test |
| Art. 29–30 | Cultural and educational rights; minorities' right to establish educational institutions | Minority institutions debates |
| Art. 32 | Right to constitutional remedies (writs by Supreme Court) | Called the "heart and soul" of the Constitution by Dr Ambedkar |
Part IV & IVA: Directive Principles and Fundamental Duties (Articles 36–51A)
| Article | Provision | Why UPSC Cares |
|---|---|---|
| Art. 37 | DPSPs are not enforceable by courts but fundamental in governance | FR vs DPSP conflict (Minerva Mills) |
| Art. 39A | Equal justice and free legal aid | NALSA, Legal Services Authorities Act |
| Art. 40 | Organisation of village panchayats | Precursor to the 73rd Amendment |
| Art. 44 | Uniform Civil Code | Recurring Mains and current affairs theme |
| Art. 45 | Early childhood care and education below age 6 | Changed by the 86th Amendment |
| Art. 48A | Protection of environment, forests and wildlife | Links to Art. 51A(g) and environmental jurisprudence |
| Art. 50 | Separation of judiciary from executive | Judicial independence |
| Art. 51 | Promotion of international peace and security | Foreign policy principles |
| Art. 51A | Fundamental Duties (added by 42nd Amendment, 1976; 11th duty by 86th Amendment) | Swaran Singh Committee; not directly enforceable |
Part V: The Union Executive and Parliament (Articles 52–123)
| Article | Provision | Why UPSC Cares |
|---|---|---|
| Art. 52–54 | The President; executive power of the Union; election of President | Electoral college composition |
| Art. 61 | Impeachment of the President | "Violation of the Constitution" as the only ground |
| Art. 72 | Pardoning powers of the President | Compare with Governor's power under Art. 161 |
| Art. 74 | Council of Ministers to aid and advise the President | Binding advice after 42nd and 44th Amendments |
| Art. 75–76 | Appointment of ministers; Attorney General of India | Collective responsibility to Lok Sabha |
| Art. 78 | Duties of the Prime Minister to inform the President | Communication link between President and Cabinet |
| Art. 79–81 | Parliament; composition of Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha | Nominated members, seat allocation |
| Art. 108 | Joint sitting of both Houses | Not for Money Bills or constitutional amendments |
| Art. 110 | Definition of Money Bill | Speaker's certification; Rajya Sabha's limited role |
| Art. 112 | Annual Financial Statement (Union Budget) | "Budget" is not a constitutional term |
| Art. 123 | Ordinance-making power of the President | Re-promulgation limits (Krishna Kumar Singh case) |
Part V (contd.): The Union Judiciary and CAG (Articles 124–151)
| Article | Provision | Why UPSC Cares |
|---|---|---|
| Art. 124 | Establishment and constitution of the Supreme Court | Appointment and removal of judges; collegium debate |
| Art. 129 | Supreme Court as a court of record | Power to punish for contempt |
| Art. 131 | Original jurisdiction (Centre-State and inter-State disputes) | Federal disputes |
| Art. 137 | Review of its own judgments | Review and curative petitions |
| Art. 142 | Enforcement of decrees to do "complete justice" | Judicial activism debates |
| Art. 143 | Advisory jurisdiction of the Supreme Court | Presidential references; advice not binding |
| Art. 148 | Comptroller and Auditor General of India | Independence and removal process |
Part VI: The States (Articles 152–237)
| Article | Provision | Why UPSC Cares |
|---|---|---|
| Art. 153–155 | Governor of a State; appointment by the President | Role and discretion of the Governor |
| Art. 161 | Pardoning power of the Governor | Cannot pardon death sentences, unlike the President |
| Art. 163 | Council of Ministers to aid and advise the Governor | Scope of the Governor's discretion |
| Art. 165 | Advocate General of the State | State counterpart of the Attorney General |
| Art. 169 | Creation or abolition of Legislative Councils | Requires a special resolution by the State Assembly |
| Art. 200 | Assent to Bills; reservation for the President's consideration | Governor–State government friction |
| Art. 213 | Ordinance-making power of the Governor | Compare with Art. 123 |
| Art. 214 | High Courts for States | Structure of the judiciary |
| Art. 226 | Power of High Courts to issue writs | Wider than Art. 32: covers "any other purpose" too |
Parts VIII–IXB: Union Territories and Local Government
| Article | Provision | Why UPSC Cares |
|---|---|---|
| Art. 239 | Administration of Union Territories | Role of the Administrator |
| Art. 239AA | Special provisions for Delhi (69th Amendment, 1991) | Delhi government vs Lieutenant Governor disputes |
| Art. 243–243O | Panchayats, Part IX (73rd Amendment, 1992) | Gram Sabha, reservation, State Election Commission |
| Art. 243P–243ZG | Municipalities, Part IXA (74th Amendment, 1992) | Urban local bodies; ward committees |
| Art. 243ZH–243ZT | Co-operative Societies, Part IXB (97th Amendment, 2011) | Co-operative federalism debates |
Parts XI–XIII: Centre-State Relations, Finance and Trade
| Article | Provision | Why UPSC Cares |
|---|---|---|
| Art. 246 | Subject matter of laws by Parliament and States (Seventh Schedule) | Union, State and Concurrent Lists |
| Art. 249 | Parliament's power to legislate on a State subject in the national interest | Rajya Sabha resolution by two-thirds majority |
| Art. 262 | Adjudication of inter-State water disputes | Cauvery, Krishna, Mahadayi tribunals |
| Art. 263 | Inter-State Council | Cooperative federalism |
| Art. 265 | No tax except by authority of law | Basis of taxation |
| Art. 266–267 | Consolidated Fund, Public Account, Contingency Fund | Classic Prelims statement trap |
| Art. 275 | Grants-in-aid to States | Fiscal federalism |
| Art. 279A | GST Council (101st Amendment, 2016) | Composition and voting weightage |
| Art. 280 | Finance Commission | Tax devolution to States |
| Art. 300A | Right to property as a constitutional, not fundamental, right (44th Amendment, 1978) | Land acquisition debates |
| Art. 301 | Freedom of trade, commerce and intercourse | Single national market |
Parts XIV–XVII: Services, Elections, Special Provisions and Language
| Article | Provision | Why UPSC Cares |
|---|---|---|
| Art. 312 | All India Services | Rajya Sabha resolution needed to create new services |
| Art. 315–320 | Public Service Commissions and their functions | UPSC as a constitutional body |
| Art. 323A–323B | Administrative and other tribunals (42nd Amendment) | Tribunalisation of justice |
| Art. 324 | Election Commission of India | Superintendence of elections; appointment debates |
| Art. 326 | Elections on the basis of adult suffrage | Voting age 18 (61st Amendment) |
| Art. 330 & 332 | Reservation of seats for SCs and STs in Lok Sabha and State Assemblies | Delimitation linkage |
| Art. 338, 338A, 338B | National Commissions for SCs, STs and Backward Classes (338B by 102nd Amendment) | Constitutional vs statutory bodies |
| Art. 343 | Hindi in Devanagari as the official language of the Union | Official language debates |
| Art. 350A | Instruction in mother tongue at primary stage | NEP 2020 linkage |
Parts XVIII–XXII: Emergency, Amendment and Final Provisions
| Article | Provision | Why UPSC Cares |
|---|---|---|
| Art. 352 | National Emergency | "Armed rebellion" replaced "internal disturbance" (44th Amendment) |
| Art. 356 | President's Rule in States | Misuse limited by the S.R. Bommai judgment (1994) |
| Art. 360 | Financial Emergency | Never declared so far |
| Art. 361 | Protection of the President and Governors | Immunity from court proceedings |
| Art. 368 | Power of Parliament to amend the Constitution | Basic structure doctrine (Kesavananda Bharati, 1973) |
| Art. 370 | Temporary provisions for Jammu and Kashmir | Rendered inoperative in 2019; upheld by the Supreme Court in December 2023 |
| Art. 371–371J | Special provisions for certain States | North-East and other regional safeguards |
| Art. 393–395 | Short title; commencement; repeals | Asked directly in Prelims 2026 |
📌 Legacy IAS Insight: Learn Articles in Pairs
UPSC loves comparisons, so memorise articles in matched pairs: 32 vs 226 (writs), 72 vs 161 (pardon), 74 vs 163 (aid and advice), 123 vs 213 (ordinances), 352 vs 356 vs 360 (emergencies), and 48A vs 51A(g) (environment). Pairs halve your memory load and prepare you for the exact statement traps UPSC sets.
Important Schedules of the Indian Constitution
| Schedule | Subject |
|---|---|
| Fifth | Administration of Scheduled Areas and Scheduled Tribes |
| Sixth | Tribal areas in Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura and Mizoram |
| Seventh | Union, State and Concurrent Lists |
| Eighth | 22 recognised languages |
| Ninth | Laws protected from judicial review (subject to the basic structure, per the I.R. Coelho case) |
| Tenth | Anti-defection law (52nd Amendment, 1985) |
| Eleventh | 29 subjects for Panchayats |
| Twelfth | 18 subjects for Municipalities |
How UPSC Tests Constitutional Articles
UPSC rarely asks "What does Article X say?" anymore. Instead, it hides articles inside statements, scenarios and comparisons. Here is what to expect:
- Statement traps: "Article 19 rights are available to all persons" (false: only citizens). Small word changes decide the answer.
- "No such provision" questions: As 2026 showed, UPSC tests whether a provision exists at all, not just its number.
- Comparisons: President vs Governor, Supreme Court vs High Court, Money Bill vs Financial Bill.
- Amendment linkages: Which amendment inserted 21A, 51A, 243, 279A or 338B.
- Mains application: GS2 questions on federalism, judicial overreach, Governor's role, or ordinances expect you to cite the relevant article naturally. Practise with our UPSC Mains Practice Questions.
Don't memorise articles like a phone directory. Read each one as a story: what problem the framers were solving, how courts have interpreted it, and where it shows up in today's news. When you understand why Article 356 needed the Bommai judgment, you will never forget the number again.
— Legacy IAS Faculty
How to Study Important Articles for UPSC: A 5-Step Method
- Build the base first: Read the Polity chapters in the standard references from our best books for UPSC list, along with the Class XI NCERT "Indian Constitution at Work."
- Read the Bare Act once: Go through the actual text of the Constitution at least once, especially Parts III, IV, V, VI and the final parts. This is what caught aspirants out in 2026.
- Make part-wise tables: Use the format in this guide: article, provision and why UPSC cares. Add landmark cases in a fourth column.
- Link articles to the news: Every Governor dispute, ordinance or Supreme Court verdict is a revision trigger. Our Polity and Constitution current affairs section connects news to articles daily, and our guide on how to read The Hindu for UPSC in 1 hour shows you how to spot these links yourself.
- Test, don't just revise: Solve Polity questions from the UPSC Prelims previous year question papers and attempt the Daily Static Quiz regularly.
Common Mistakes Aspirants Make with Constitutional Articles
- Memorising numbers without meaning: Knowing "Article 21 = life" is useless if you don't know its expanded interpretation.
- Ignoring the "boring" parts: Finance (Parts XII), services (Part XIV) and final provisions (Part XXII) are exactly where UPSC finds surprise questions.
- Mixing up similar articles: Confusing 72 with 161, or 323A with 323B, costs easy marks. Learn in pairs.
- Skipping amendments: Many articles only make sense alongside the amendment that created or changed them.
- Never reading the original text: Summaries simplify. UPSC tests the exact wording.
FAQs on Important Articles of the Indian Constitution
Do I need to memorise all the articles of the Constitution for UPSC?
No. Focus on the 100 or so frequently tested articles covered in this guide, and know the broad scheme of every part. For the rest, understanding what a part deals with is usually enough.
Which part of the Constitution is most important for Prelims?
Part III (Fundamental Rights) is asked most consistently, followed by Part V (Union executive, Parliament and judiciary). However, recent papers have also tested Parts IX, XII and XXII, so no part is safe to skip.
Are article numbers asked directly in UPSC Prelims?
Direct "which article" questions are rarer than before, but they still appear. More often, UPSC tests the content of an article through statements. Knowing both the number and the substance gives you the safest margin.
How are constitutional articles useful in UPSC Mains?
In GS2, quoting the right article adds authority to your answer. A line like "Article 163 limits the Governor's discretion" instantly shows conceptual depth. Our Indian Polity notes and Governance notes show how to use articles in answers.
📚 Related Reads from Legacy IAS
UPSC Prelims Syllabus 2027 · UPSC Mains Syllabus 2027 · Subject-wise Prelims & Mains PYQs · UPSC Prelims Test Series 2027 · Free UPSC Readiness Test
Key Takeaways
- Prioritise Parts III, IV, V and VI, but read the full Constitution at least once; Prelims 2026 tested Articles 393–395.
- Learn articles in comparison pairs (32/226, 72/161, 123/213, 352/356/360) to beat statement traps.
- Pair every key article with its amendment and landmark case, such as 368 with Kesavananda Bharati and 356 with S.R. Bommai.
- Revise the schedules as carefully as the articles, especially the Fifth, Sixth, Seventh and Tenth.
- Use daily news on courts, Governors and ordinances as revision triggers for the relevant articles.
- Test yourself with Polity PYQs regularly; recognition is not the same as recall.
