Home The Constitution Part III Article 14

Art. 14 Part III: Fundamental Rights

Equality Before Law

Exact text — Constitution of India

The State shall not deny to any person equality before the law or the equal protection of the laws within the territory of India.

In Plain English

What this Article actually means

One sentence, two distinct ideas. 'Equality before the law' (borrowed from British law) means no one — however powerful — is above the law; everyone is subject to the same legal system, with no special immunity. 'Equal protection of the laws' (borrowed from the American 14th Amendment) is more positive — it means people in similar situations must be treated similarly, though the State CAN treat genuinely different groups differently, as long as the classification is reasonable and connected to a legitimate purpose (this is called the 'reasonable classification' test). Over time, courts have added a second test: whether State action is simply arbitrary, regardless of any classification at all.

Why This Matters To You

How it shows up in everyday life

Article 14 is probably the most frequently invoked right in Indian litigation — used to challenge everything from an unfair tender process, to arbitrary denial of a licence or benefit, to discriminatory service rules, to a law that treats similarly-placed people differently without good reason. If you've ever heard a policy criticized as 'arbitrary' or 'discriminatory' in a legal sense, this is usually the Article behind that challenge.

How This Is Enforced

Laws and mechanisms that put this Article into practice

Applies to 'any person'

Unlike some other rights in this Part, Article 14 protects everyone in India — citizens and non-citizens alike.

Landmark Cases

How courts have interpreted this Article

E.P. Royappa v. State of Tamil NaduAIR 1974 SC 555 — Held that arbitrariness is the very antithesis of equality — an arbitrary act or law is automatically unequal under Article 14, even without comparing it to how others were treated. Verify this case

Maneka Gandhi v. Union of IndiaAIR 1978 SC 597 — Linked Article 14 with Articles 19 and 21 — a law depriving someone of liberty must also meet the fairness standard of Article 14, not just follow some formal procedure. Verify this case

Read alongside this one

Art. 15 — Prohibition of Discrimination Art. 16 — Equality of Opportunity in Public Employment Art. 21 — Protection of Life and Personal Liberty

Frequently Asked

Quick answers about Article 14

Does Article 14 mean everyone must be treated exactly the same?

No — it allows 'reasonable classification': treating genuinely different groups differently is fine (e.g. different age limits for different job categories), as long as the classification has a rational basis connected to what the law is trying to achieve.

Can I challenge a government tender or licence decision under Article 14?

Yes, if you can show the process was arbitrary, discriminatory, or lacked a rational basis — this is a common ground for challenging government contracts and licensing decisions in writ petitions.

← PreviousArticle 13: Laws Inconsistent With Fundamental Rights Next →Article 15: Prohibition of Discrimination

The text above reproduces Article 14 of the Constitution of India as amended to date, for general educational reference. It is public-domain legislative text, but we recommend cross-checking the authoritative version at legislative.gov.in or india.gov.in before relying on it for a legal matter. The explanation, examples and FAQs are general information, not legal advice — consult a qualified advocate for guidance on your specific situation.