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REET Level 2 · Social Studies

Fundamental Rights — REET Notes (Social Studies)

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Fundamental Rights are laid out in Part III (Articles 12–35) of the Constitution and guarantee every citizen's liberty and dignity. REET asks not only about the classification of the six rights but also about recent laws connected to them, such as the Domestic Violence Act.

  • 2 questions in REET 2024
  • Class 8 level
  • 11 min read
Verified 17 September 2026 · Source: NCERT Class 8 Social Science Part II — Chapter 5: Citizenship: Rights and Duties

How REET asks this topic

Both REET 2024 questions centred on a practical law tied to Fundamental Rights — the 'Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act' — deliberately testing the gap between when the Act was passed (2005) and when it came into force (2006). In other words, REET doesn't stop at classifying Fundamental Rights by article — you also need to remember the exact dates of the practical laws (on women's and children's protection) linked to them.

The Six Fundamental Rights and Their Articles

Fundamental RightArticleMain provision
Right to Equality14–18Equality before law, prohibition of discrimination, equality of opportunity in public employment, abolition of untouchability and titles
Right to Freedom19–22Six freedoms including speech-expression, association, movement; protection of life and personal liberty; protection in case of arrest
Right against Exploitation23–24Prohibition of human trafficking and forced labour; prohibition of employing children below 14 years in hazardous work
Right to Freedom of Religion25–28Freedom of conscience; right to profess, practise and propagate religion; right to manage religious institutions
Cultural and Educational Rights29–30Protection of minorities' interests; right to establish and administer educational institutions
Right to Constitutional Remedies32Right to approach the Supreme Court directly and seek writs when Fundamental Rights are violated

Dr. Ambedkar called Article 32 (the Right to Constitutional Remedies) the 'heart and soul' of the Constitution.

The Seventh Right That Was Removed — The Right to Property

The right to property was also a Fundamental Right in the original Constitution, but the 44th Constitutional Amendment Act, 1978 removed it from the list of Fundamental Rights. It is now only a legal right under Article 300A, meaning it can no longer be directly challenged in the Supreme Court as a violation of a fundamental right.

Right to Education — Article 21A

The 86th Constitutional Amendment Act, 2002 added Article 21A, which gives all children aged 6 to 14 the fundamental right to free and compulsory education. This right was implemented through the 'Right to Education Act, 2009' (RTE Act), which came into effect on 1 April 2010. Since this article was added right after Article 21 (the right to life and personal liberty), it falls under the category of the Right to Freedom.

Important Facts about Fundamental Rights

The five writs
Habeas corpus, mandamus, prohibition, certiorari and quo warranto — the Supreme Court and High Courts can issue these under Articles 32 and 226.
Who they're available to
Some Fundamental Rights (such as Articles 15, 16, 19, 29, 30) are available only to Indian citizens, while some (such as Articles 14, 20, 21, 21A, 23) are available to all 'persons', citizens and non-citizens alike.
Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act
Passed by Parliament in 2005, in force from 26 October 2006 — it covers physical, emotional, sexual and economic abuse under the definition of domestic violence.[Source 2]
Suspension during Emergency
Under Article 359, the enforcement of Fundamental Rights other than Articles 20 and 21 can be suspended during a National Emergency.

Amendment Power over Fundamental Rights: Some Historical Milestones

Golaknath case (1967)
The Supreme Court ruled that Parliament could not amend Fundamental Rights.
24th Constitutional Amendment (1971)
This clarified that Parliament can amend any part of the Constitution, including Fundamental Rights, under Article 368.
Kesavananda Bharati case (1973)
The Supreme Court laid down the 'Basic Structure Doctrine' — Parliament can amend the Constitution, but cannot alter its basic structure.

Limits on Fundamental Rights and Judicial Review

Fundamental Rights are not absolute — the state can impose 'reasonable restrictions', such as reasonable restrictions on the Article 19 freedoms on grounds of public order, morality and national security. Under Article 13, any law that is against Fundamental Rights is void to that extent — this very provision gives the judiciary its power of 'judicial review'.

Over time, the Supreme Court has expanded the interpretation of Fundamental Rights — for instance, the interpretation of Article 21 (the right to life and personal liberty) has added several new dimensions, such as the right to live with dignity, a clean environment, and privacy, which were not directly spelled out in the original text.

How to teach this to children

Classroom activity (Class 8)

Have children write down six everyday situations (like 'everyone getting equal admission to school', 'letting someone practise their own religion') and match each to the correct Fundamental Right.

Teaching aid

A colour-coded chart of the six rights — showing each right in a different colour with a simple symbol (like scales = equality), making them easier to remember.

Common misconception

Children often think the right to property is still a Fundamental Right today — whereas since 1978 it has only been a legal right (Article 300A), and this needs to be made clear.

Assessment idea

Run a quick matching quiz on the six rights and their articles, then orally ask for one real-life example of each right.

Trick to remember / exam tip

Remember the articles for the six rights with this formula: 'Equality-14 to 18, Freedom-19 to 22, Exploitation-23-24, Religion-25 to 28, Culture-29-30, Remedies-32' — each right starts right after the previous one's articles end (19 after 18, 23 after 22, and so on), except that 29 follows 28, and after 30 it jumps straight to 32 (31 has since been repealed).

REET 2024 Questions (with solutions)

Question 128

When did the ‘Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act’ come into force ?

  1. A2002
  2. B2004
  3. C2006
  4. D2008

Explanation

'घरेलू हिंसा से महिलाओं का संरक्षण अधिनियम' संसद ने 2005 में पारित किया था और यह 26 अक्टूबर 2006 से लागू हुआ। इसलिए प्रश्न 'कब लागू हुआ' का उत्तर 2006 है। (पारित होने का वर्ष 2005 विकल्प में नहीं है।)

Question 130

When did the ‘Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act’ pass by Parliament of India ?

  1. A2002
  2. B2004
  3. C2005
  4. D2008

Explanation

‘घरेलू हिंसा से महिलाओं का संरक्षण अधिनियम’ (Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act) भारतीय संसद द्वारा 2005 में पारित किया गया और यह 26 अक्टूबर 2006 से लागू हुआ। इसमें शारीरिक, भावनात्मक, यौन और आर्थिक दुर्व्यवहार को घरेलू हिंसा में शामिल किया गया है।

Practice Questions

Question 1

Article 17 is part of which fundamental right of the Indian Constitution?

  1. Aस्वतंत्रता का अधिकार
  2. Bसमानता का अधिकार
  3. Cशोषण के विरुद्ध अधिकार
  4. Dधार्मिक स्वतंत्रता का अधिकार

Explanation

Article 17 provides for the abolition of untouchability and is part of the Right to Equality (Articles 14–18).

Question 2

By which Constitutional Amendment was the Right to Property removed from the list of Fundamental Rights?

  1. A42वाँ संशोधन
  2. B44वाँ संशोधन
  3. C73वाँ संशोधन
  4. D86वाँ संशोधन

Explanation

The 44th Constitutional Amendment Act, 1978 removed the right to property from the list of Fundamental Rights, turning it into a legal right under Article 300A.

Question 3

By which Constitutional Amendment was the Right to Education (Article 21A) added?

  1. A42वाँ संशोधन (1976)
  2. B44वाँ संशोधन (1978)
  3. C86वाँ संशोधन (2002)
  4. D73वाँ संशोधन (1992)

Explanation

Article 21A (Right to Education) was added by the 86th Constitutional Amendment Act, 2002, giving children aged 6–14 the fundamental right to free and compulsory education.

Question 4

From which Article does the Supreme Court derive the power to issue writs such as habeas corpus, mandamus, and prohibition?

  1. Aअनुच्छेद 19
  2. Bअनुच्छेद 21
  3. Cअनुच्छेद 32
  4. Dअनुच्छेद 300A

Explanation

Under Article 32 (Right to Constitutional Remedies), the Supreme Court can issue writs such as habeas corpus, mandamus and prohibition to enforce Fundamental Rights. High Courts get this power from Article 226.

Question 5

In which year was the 'Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act' passed by Parliament?

  1. A2002
  2. B2005
  3. C2006
  4. D2009

Explanation

This Act was passed by Parliament in 2005 and came into force on 26 October 2006. The gap between the year it was passed (2005) and the year it took effect (2006) is a common source of confusion in the exam.

Question 6

Which Article prohibits employing children below 14 years of age in hazardous work?

  1. Aअनुच्छेद 21A
  2. Bअनुच्छेद 23
  3. Cअनुच्छेद 24
  4. Dअनुच्छेद 29

Explanation

Article 24 prohibits employing children under 14 years of age in hazardous work. Article 23 prohibits human trafficking and forced labour.

Question 7

Which of the following fundamental rights is available only to Indian citizens, not to foreign nationals?

  1. Aअनुच्छेद 14
  2. Bअनुच्छेद 19 (छह स्वतंत्रताएँ)
  3. Cअनुच्छेद 21
  4. Dअनुच्छेद 23

Explanation

The six freedoms under Article 19 (speech, association, movement, etc.) are available only to Indian citizens. Articles 14, 21 and 23 are available to all 'persons' living in India.

Question 8

Which fundamental rights cannot be suspended even during a National Emergency?

  1. Aअनुच्छेद 19 व 21
  2. Bअनुच्छेद 20 व 21
  3. Cअनुच्छेद 14 व 19
  4. Dअनुच्छेद 25 व 26

Explanation

Under Article 359, during a National Emergency, all Fundamental Rights can be suspended except for the enforcement of Article 20 (protection in respect of conviction for offences) and Article 21 (life and personal liberty).

Question 9

As a teacher, what is the most effective way to teach fundamental rights in class?

  1. Aकेवल अनुच्छेद संख्या रटवाना
  2. Bरोज़मर्रा की घटनाओं को अधिकारों से जोड़कर समझाना
  3. Cकेवल पाठ्यपुस्तक की परिभाषा पढ़वाना
  4. Dबिना उदाहरण के सीधे परीक्षा प्रश्न हल करवाना

Explanation

Connecting everyday situations (like equal admission at school, practising one's own religion) to the relevant right helps students understand rights practically — simply memorising article numbers doesn't build deep understanding.

Question 10

Which Article gives minorities the right to establish and administer their own educational institutions?

  1. Aअनुच्छेद 25
  2. Bअनुच्छेद 28
  3. Cअनुच्छेद 29
  4. Dअनुच्छेद 30

Explanation

Article 30 gives minorities the right to establish and administer educational institutions of their choice. Article 29 relates to the protection of minorities' language, script and culture.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many REET questions come from Fundamental Rights?+

REET 2024 had 2 direct questions from this topic, both tied to the Domestic Violence Act. Within the civics section, Fundamental Rights is a topic asked regularly every year.

How many Fundamental Rights does the Indian Constitution have in total?+

There are currently 6 Fundamental Rights — equality, freedom, right against exploitation, freedom of religion, cultural-educational rights, and the right to constitutional remedies. The right to property (the seventh) was removed in 1978.

Why is Article 32 called the soul of the Constitution?+

Dr. Ambedkar called Article 32 the 'heart and soul' of the Constitution because it gives citizens the right to go directly to the Supreme Court and get justice through a writ when a Fundamental Right is violated.

Which article covers the Right to Education?+

Article 21A (added by the 86th Constitutional Amendment, 2002) gives children aged 6 to 14 the fundamental right to free and compulsory education.

Are all Fundamental Rights available only to Indian citizens?+

No, some Fundamental Rights (such as Articles 14, 21, 21A, 23) are available to all persons living in India, while some (such as Articles 15, 16, 19) are restricted to Indian citizens.

What's the difference between Fundamental Rights and Directive Principles of State Policy (DPSP)?+

Fundamental Rights (Part III) are enforceable in court, meaning you can go directly to court if they're violated, while Directive Principles (Part IV) are only guiding principles for the government's policy-making and can't be directly enforced in court.

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Official Sources

  1. NCERT Class 8 Social Science Part II — Chapter 5: Citizenship: Rights and Duties
  2. Ministry of Women and Child Development — Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, 2005

Change Log

  • 17 September 2026 — English page published — mirrors the fact-checked Hindi page, independently bilingual-accuracy checked