The Constitution of India
The supreme law of India — the standard every government act is measured against. This is the full official text, updated to the 105th Amendment. Read the full Constitution (PDF) →
Preamble
WE, THE PEOPLE OF INDIA, having solemnly resolved to constitute India into a SOVEREIGN SOCIALIST SECULAR DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC and to secure to all its citizens:
JUSTICE, social, economic and political;
LIBERTY of thought, expression, belief, faith and worship;
EQUALITY of status and of opportunity;
and to promote among them all
FRATERNITY assuring the dignity of the individual and the unity and integrity of the Nation;
IN OUR CONSTITUENT ASSEMBLY this twenty-sixth day of November, 1949, do HEREBY ADOPT, ENACT AND GIVE TO OURSELVES THIS CONSTITUTION.
Parts
I
The Union and its Territory
Articles 1–4
II
Citizenship
Articles 5–11
III
Fundamental Rights
Articles 12–35
IV
Directive Principles of State Policy
Articles 36–51
IVA
Fundamental Duties
Article 51A
V
The Union
Articles 52–151
VI
The States
Articles 152–237
VII
The States in Part B of the First Schedule
Repealed
VIII
The Union Territories
Articles 239–242
IX
The Panchayats
Articles 243–243O
IXA
The Municipalities
Articles 243P–243ZG
IXB
The Co-operative Societies
Articles 243ZH–243ZT
X
The Scheduled and Tribal Areas
Articles 244–244A
XI
Relations between the Union and the States
Articles 245–263
XII
Finance, Property, Contracts and Suits
Articles 264–300A
XIII
Trade, Commerce and Intercourse within India
Articles 301–307
XIV
Services under the Union and the States
Articles 308–323
XIVA
Tribunals
Articles 323A–323B
XV
Elections
Articles 324–329A
XVI
Special Provisions Relating to Certain Classes
Articles 330–342A
XVII
Official Language
Articles 343–351
XVIII
Emergency Provisions
Articles 352–360
XIX
Miscellaneous
Articles 361–367
XX
Amendment of the Constitution
Article 368
XXI
Temporary, Transitional and Special Provisions
Articles 369–392
XXII
Short Title, Commencement, Authoritative Hindi Text and Repeals
Articles 393–395
Schedules
First
The States and Union Territories
Second
Salaries and emoluments of the President, Governors, judges, and other officials
Third
Forms of oaths and affirmations
Fourth
Allocation of seats in the Rajya Sabha, by State and Union Territory
Fifth
Administration and control of Scheduled Areas and Scheduled Tribes
Sixth
Administration of tribal areas in Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura and Mizoram
Seventh
The Union, State and Concurrent Lists — the division of powers
Eighth
The 22 official languages
Ninth
Laws placed beyond challenge in the courts (validation of certain Acts)
Tenth
Anti-defection — disqualification on grounds of defection
Eleventh
Powers and responsibilities of Panchayats (29 subjects)
Twelfth
Powers and responsibilities of Municipalities (18 subjects)
When a court finds a law or action contrary to the Constitution, that ruling appears in our Supreme Court judgments. Article-by-article browsing is coming next.