Which of the following Fundamental Rights is available only to citizens of India and not to foreigners?
- A.Equality before law (Article 14)
- B.Protection of life and personal liberty (Article 21)
- C.The six freedoms of speech, assembly, movement and others (Article 19)
- D.Freedom of religion (Article 25)
Correct answer
Explanation
The correct answer is the six freedoms of Article 19. Article 19 opens with the words "All citizens shall have the right", so its freedoms of speech and expression, assembly, association, movement, residence and profession belong only to citizens of India. The other rights available only to citizens are Article 15 (no discrimination on grounds of religion, race, caste, sex or place of birth), Article 16 (equality of opportunity in public employment), Article 29 (protection of language, script and culture) and Article 30 (minority educational institutions).
The other three options are available to every person, including foreigners, except enemy aliens. Article 14 speaks of equality before law for "any person", Article 21 protects the life and personal liberty of "any person", and Article 25 gives freedom of religion to "all persons". A quick check in the exam is to look at the wording: Articles that say "citizen" are for citizens only, while those that say "person" cover foreigners too. The full list of citizens-only rights is 15, 16, 19, 29 and 30.
Read the full article: Fundamental Rights (Articles 12–35): Notes, Writs and PYQs
Practice Questions
View allThe Fundamental Rights in the Indian Constitution are inspired by the ‘Bill of Rights’ of which of the following countries?
- A.Australia
- B.Japan
- C.The USSR
- D.The USA
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The Bill of Rights is the name given to the first ten amendments to the Constitution of the United States, adopted in 1791, which protect freedoms such as speech and religion against the government.
Read the full explanation →Which of the following is NOT a fundamental right after the 44th Amendment Act, 1978 of Indian Constitution?
- A.Right to property
- B.Right to equality
- C.Right against exploitation
- D.Right to religion
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When the Constitution came into force, property was protected as a Fundamental Right in two places: Article 19(1)(f), the freedom to acquire, hold and dispose of property, and Article 31, protection against being deprived of property.
Read the full explanation →The Fundamental Rights have been guaranteed to protect the public from repressive state actions; judicial decisions tend to expand the scope of the word 'State' as defined by _______ of the Indian Constitution.
- A.Article 12
- B.Article 14
- C.Article 15
- D.Article 13
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Most Fundamental Rights are claims against the State, so whoever counts as the "State" is bound by them.
Read the full explanation →Which article of the Constitution of India abolishes the concept of ‘untouchability’ and prohibits its practice in any shape or form?
- A.16
- B.15
- C.17
- D.14
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Article 17 abolishes untouchability, forbids its practice in any form, and makes the enforcement of any disability arising out of untouchability an offence punishable in accordance with law.
Read the full explanation →Article 19 of the Indian Constitution provides for how many types of freedoms?
- A.13
- B.44
- C.30
- D.6
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Article 19(1) gives every citizen six freedoms: speech and expression; to assemble peaceably and without arms; to form associations, unions or co-operative societies; to move freely throughout India; to reside and settle in any part of India; and to practise any profession or carry on any occupation, trade or business.
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