Home The Constitution Part III Article 31D

Art. 31D Part III: Fundamental Rights

(Repealed) Saving of Laws Respecting Anti-National Activities

Exact text — Constitution of India

[This Article, inserted by the 42nd Amendment, 1976 during the Emergency to protect laws against 'anti-national activities' from Part III challenges, was repealed by the 43rd Amendment, 1977, after the Emergency ended.]

In Plain English

What this Article actually means

A short-lived, Emergency-era provision that would have given Parliament sweeping power to pass laws against loosely-defined 'anti-national activities' immune from Fundamental Rights challenges. It was repealed within a year of being added, once the political climate that produced the 1975-77 Emergency's excesses had passed, and is now a historical footnote illustrating how far constitutional protections were rolled back during that period — and how quickly they were restored once democratic government resumed.

Why This Matters To You

How it shows up in everyday life

This Article's brief life and swift repeal is a useful reminder of how the post-Emergency amendments (43rd and 44th) deliberately reversed several rights-restricting changes made during 1975-77 — including this one and the changes to Articles 358-359 covered in our Constitution's Part XVIII (Emergency Provisions).

Read alongside this one

Art. 352 — Proclamation of National Emergency Art. 358 — Suspension of Article 19 During Emergency

Frequently Asked

Quick answers about Article 31D

Is there any modern equivalent to this repealed Article?

Not as a Part III exemption — 'anti-national activity' type conduct today is addressed through ordinary criminal law (like sedition-adjacent and terrorism-related provisions in BNS and the UAPA), which remains subject to full Fundamental Rights review, unlike this repealed immunity provision.

← PreviousArticle 31C: Saving of Laws Giving Effect to Certain Directive Principles Next →Article 32: Right to Constitutional Remedies

The text above reproduces Article 31D 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.