Home The Constitution Part XIII Article 302

Art. 302 Part XIII: Trade, Commerce and Intercourse within India

Power of Parliament to Impose Restrictions on Trade, Commerce and Intercourse

Exact text — Constitution of India

Parliament may by law impose such restrictions on the freedom of trade, commerce or intercourse between one State and another or within any part of the territory of India as may be required in the public interest.

In Plain English

What this Article actually means

This Article gives Parliament — and only Parliament, not State Legislatures — power to restrict Article 301's trade freedom when genuinely required in the public interest, such as during a national emergency, to manage scarce resources, or for public health/safety reasons.

Why This Matters To You

How it shows up in everyday life

This is why certain nationwide trade restrictions (like temporary bans on exporting a scarce commodity, or regulations during a public health crisis) can be validly imposed by the central government, even though they technically restrict the general freedom of trade guaranteed by Article 301.

Read alongside this one

Art. 301 — Freedom of Trade, Commerce and Intercourse Art. 303 — Restrictions on Discriminatory Trade Laws

Frequently Asked

Quick answers about Article 302

Can a State government impose a similar restriction under this Article?

No — Article 302 specifically empowers Parliament, not State Legislatures; a state's own power to restrict trade comes from the separate, more limited Article 304 instead.

← PreviousArticle 301: Freedom of Trade, Commerce and Intercourse Next →Article 303: Restrictions on the Legislative Powers of the Union and States With Regard to Trade and Commerce

The text above reproduces Article 302 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.