Which of the following Articles of the Indian Constitution guarantees 'Equality before the Law' and 'Equal protection of the law'?

The correct answer is Article 14.

Key Points

• Article 14 of the Indian Constitution ensures 'Equality before the Law' and 'Equal protection of the law' to all individuals within the territory of India.
• The principle of equality before the law is derived from the British system, whereas the equal protection of the law is borrowed from the American Constitution.
• Article 14 forms the foundation for prohibiting discrimination on the grounds of religion, race, caste, sex, or place of birth.
• This article is a part of the Fundamental Rights enshrined in Part III of the Indian Constitution, emphasizing the importance of equality in the country's governance.
• Judicial interpretations of Article 14 have expanded its scope to include the concept of 'reasonable classification' for legislation to be valid under this provision.

Additional Information

• Fundamental Rights
  • Fundamental Rights are a set of rights that are guaranteed to all citizens of India under Part III of the Indian Constitution.
  • They include rights such as the Right to Equality, Right to Freedom, Right against Exploitation, Right to Freedom of Religion, Cultural and Educational Rights, and Right to Constitutional Remedies.
  • These rights are enforceable by the courts, ensuring that the government cannot arbitrarily interfere with the rights of individuals.
• Reasonable Classification
  • Reasonable classification allows the state to classify individuals into groups for the purpose of legislation, provided the classification is rational and not arbitrary.
  • The classification must be based on an intelligible differentia that distinguishes persons or things grouped together from others left out of the group.
  • There must be a reasonable nexus between the classification and the objective sought to be achieved by the law.
• Judicial Review
  • Judicial Review is the power of the judiciary to review and determine the validity of laws and executive actions.
  • This power ensures that the laws and actions of the government comply with the Constitution.
  • Article 14 has been a significant ground for judicial review in cases involving discrimination and inequality.
• Equality before Law vs. Equal Protection of the Law
  • Equality before the law is a negative concept implying the absence of any special privileges in favor of any individual.
  • Equal protection of the law is a positive concept, ensuring equal treatment under equal circumstances.
  • Both concepts together aim to establish a rule of law where every individual is treated equally before the law and has equal access to the law's protection.