Fundamental Rights

A government school, hospital, panchayat office or any state-run body denies you admission, treatment or service — or treats you differently — because of your caste, religion, sex, or place of birth.

Article 15 bars the State from discriminating on these grounds. Article 17 abolishes untouchability in any form; practising it is a criminal offence under the Protection of Civil Rights Act, 1955 and the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989, which also has fast-track special courts.

1. Note the date, time, names of officials involved, and any witnesses.
2. File a written complaint with the head of that office/department and keep a copy with acknowledgment.
3. If it involves caste-based discrimination or untouchability, file an FIR at the local police station under the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act — the police are legally bound to register it.
4. If police don't act, approach the National or State Human Rights Commission, or the National Commission for Scheduled Castes / Scheduled Tribes.
5. You can also file a writ petition directly in the High Court under Article 226.

You planned a peaceful protest, public speech, or article, and were denied permission or shut down without clear legal reason.

Article 19(1)(a) guarantees freedom of speech and expression; 19(1)(b) guarantees the right to assemble peacefully without arms. The State can only impose 'reasonable restrictions' under Article 19(2)/(3) — for public order, defamation, decency, or security of the state — not an arbitrary or blanket ban.

1. Apply in writing to the local police / District Magistrate for permission to assemble, well in advance.
2. If refused, ask for the refusal in writing with reasons — arbitrary refusals can be challenged.
3. Document any disproportionate use of force with photos/video.
4. Challenge an unreasonable restriction via a writ petition in the High Court under Article 226.

You believe a Fundamental Right (equality, speech, life & liberty, religion, etc.) has been violated by a government action or law.

Article 32 lets you approach the Supreme Court directly; Article 226 lets you approach a High Court, which has even wider writ powers. Courts can issue five kinds of writs — Habeas Corpus (unlawful detention), Mandamus (compel a public duty), Prohibition, Certiorari (quash an illegal order), and Quo Warranto (challenge an illegal appointment).

1. Consult an advocate to draft a writ petition — or apply for free legal aid if you can't afford one.
2. Public Interest Litigations (PILs) can, in some High Courts and the Supreme Court, even start from a simple letter on a matter of public importance.
3. Approach the National/State Legal Services Authority for free representation if you're eligible (most citizens with income below a state-set threshold, and all women, children, SC/ST persons, and disaster victims qualify regardless of income).

You're a foreign national, refugee, or migrant in India and want to know which rights apply to you.

Some rights use the word 'person' and apply to everyone in India, citizen or not — including Article 14 (equality before law), Article 20 (protection from retrospective punishment/double jeopardy/self-incrimination), Article 21 (life and personal liberty), Article 22 (protection on arrest), and Article 25 (freedom of conscience and religion). Rights that specifically say 'citizen' — like Articles 15, 16, 19, and 29 — are reserved for Indian citizens only.

1. Know that due process (Article 21) and protection on arrest (Article 22) apply to you regardless of citizenship.
2. For citizen-only rights, immigration and foreigner-specific rules (Foreigners Act, Passport Act) apply instead.