Important Articles & Schedules – Indian Constitution
Delhi Police Exams – GK Section
Introduction
The Constitution of India is the world’s longest written constitution — a living document
that defines the political, legal, and administrative system of the nation.
It originally had 395 Articles and 8 Schedules (1950), but after many amendments, now has:
Articles: ~470
Schedules: 12
Parts: 25
Memory Trick: 4-7-0 → Four pillars, Seven colours, Zero
discrimination.
Total Articles, Parts & Schedules (At a Glance)
| Feature | Count (2025) | Remark |
|---|---|---|
| Parts | 25 | Each covers a key theme |
| Articles | ~470 | Expanded from original 395 |
| Schedules | 12 | Added from 8 to 12 over time |
| Amendments | 106 | Most recent – 106th (Women’s Reservation) |
Memory Trick: 395 born → 470 grown.
12 Schedules of the Indian Constitution
| Schedule | Subject / Content | Key Focus Areas / Examples |
|---|---|---|
| 1st | Names of States & UTs | States’ reorganization; New states (e.g., Telangana – 2014) |
| 2nd | Salaries of High Officials | President, Governors, Judges, CAG, etc. |
| 3rd | Forms of Oaths | For MPs, MLAs, Ministers, Judges |
| 4th | Rajya Sabha Seats | State-wise representation |
| 5th | Scheduled Areas & Tribes | Tribes in states (non-NE) |
| 6th | NE Tribal Areas | Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura, Mizoram |
| 7th | Division of Powers | Union, State, Concurrent Lists (97/66/47) |
| 8th | Recognized Languages | 22 languages (last added – Bodo, etc.) |
| 9th | Laws protected from review | 1st Amendment (Land Reforms), etc. |
| 10th | Anti-Defection Law | 52nd Amendment (1985) |
| 11th | Panchayati Raj Powers | 73rd Amendment (1992), 29 subjects |
| 12th | Municipal Powers | 74th Amendment (1992), 18 subjects |
Memory Trick: 1–4 Structure, 5–6 Tribes, 7 Power, 8 Language, 9 Law,
10 Party, 11–12 Local Govt.
Quick Mnemonic: “STPLT-PLLL”
S = States, T = Tribals, P = Powers, L = Languages, L = Laws, L = Local bodies.
S = States, T = Tribals, P = Powers, L = Languages, L = Laws, L = Local bodies.
Important Articles (Most Asked in Delhi Police & SSC Exams)
| Article No. | Subject | Key Point / Description |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Name & Territory of India | “India, that is Bharat…” |
| 3 | Formation of new States | Parliament can reorganize boundaries |
| 12–35 | Fundamental Rights | Six Rights, incl. Equality, Freedom, etc. |
| 14 | Equality before Law | Universal equality principle |
| 15 | Prohibition of Discrimination | Based on religion, race, caste, sex, etc. |
| 16 | Equality of Opportunity in Public Employment | Reservation provisions |
| 19 | Six Freedoms of Citizens | Speech, Movement, Assembly, etc. |
| 21 | Right to Life & Liberty | Includes Right to Privacy & Education |
| 21A | Right to Education (6–14 years) | Added by 86th Amendment |
| 25–28 | Right to Freedom of Religion | Secular values |
| 32 | Right to Constitutional Remedies | “Heart & Soul of the Constitution” (Dr. Ambedkar) |
| 36–51 | Directive Principles of State Policy | Socio-economic goals |
| 51A | Fundamental Duties | Added by 42nd Amendment |
| 74 | Council of Ministers headed by PM | Real executive authority |
| 76 | Attorney General of India | Chief legal advisor |
| 79 | Parliament of India | Lok Sabha + Rajya Sabha + President |
| 80 | Composition of Rajya Sabha | Representation of States |
| 93 | Speaker & Deputy Speaker | Presides Lok Sabha |
| 100 | Voting in Parliament | Simple majority |
| 110 | Money Bills | Introduced only in Lok Sabha |
| 112 | Union Budget | Annual Financial Statement |
| 123 | Ordinance Power of President | Temporary laws |
| 148 | CAG of India | Audits government accounts |
| 153 | Governor in States | Nominal head |
| 168 | State Legislature | Structure defined |
| 213 | Ordinance Power of Governor | Similar to President’s power |
| 243–243O | Panchayati Raj (73rd Amendment) | Rural local governance |
| 243P–243ZG | Municipalities (74th Amendment) | Urban local governance |
| 280 | Finance Commission | Distribution of financial resources |
| 300A | Right to Property | Legal right (44th Amendment) |
| 324 | Election Commission | Conducts elections |
| 352 | National Emergency | War / Aggression / Rebellion |
| 356 | State Emergency | President’s Rule |
| 360 | Financial Emergency | Economic instability |
| 368 | Constitutional Amendment Procedure | Power of Parliament |
| 370 | Special Status of J&K (now abrogated) | Article nullified in 2019 |
| 395 | Repeal of India Act, 1935 | Final article of original Constitution |
Trick to Remember Key Milestones: 1–35 Rights, 36–51 DPSP, 51A Duties,
352–360 Emergencies, 368 Amendments, 395 End.
Fast Recall – Articles by Theme
| Theme | Articles | Quick Note |
|---|---|---|
| Preamble & Territory | 1–4 | Name & Reorganization |
| Citizenship | 5–11 | Defined for initial citizens |
| Fundamental Rights | 12–35 | Heart of the Constitution |
| DPSP | 36–51 | Non-justiciable goals |
| Fundamental Duties | 51A | Added by 42nd Amendment |
| Union Executive | 52–78 | President, VP, PM, Ministers |
| Parliament | 79–122 | Lok Sabha, Rajya Sabha |
| Judiciary | 124–147 | Supreme Court |
| State Executive | 153–167 | Governor & CM |
| State Legislature | 168–212 | Vidhan Sabha/Parishad |
| Emergency | 352–360 | Three types |
| Amendment | 368 | Procedure for change |
| Finance Commission | 280 | Revenue distribution |
| Election Commission | 324 | Conducts elections |
Memory Trick: Rights 12–35 → Rules 36–51 → Rulers 52–78 → Review
352–368.
PYQs (Delhi Police, SSC & State Exams)
Q1. How many Articles are there in the Indian Constitution (approx.)?
A) 395 B) 448 C) 470 D) 480
Answer
C) 470
Q2. How many Schedules are there in the Indian Constitution?
A) 8 B) 10 C) 11 D) 12
Answer
D) 12
Q3. The Anti-Defection Law is included in which Schedule?
A) 8th B) 9th C) 10th D) 12th
Answer
C) 10th
Q4. Which Schedule contains the languages of India?
A) 6th B) 8th C) 10th D) 11th
Answer
B) 8th
Q5. How many official languages are recognized in the Eighth Schedule?
A) 14 B) 18 C) 21 D) 22
Answer
D) 22
Q6. Article 21A provides for —
A) Right to Property B) Right to Education C) Right to Equality D) Right to Vote
Answer
B) Right to Education
Q7. Which Article gives the power to amend the Constitution?
A) 356 B) 368 C) 370 D) 395
Answer
B) 368
Q8. The Eleventh and Twelfth Schedules deal with —
A) Fundamental Rights B) Local Government C) Judiciary D) Finance
Answer
B) Local Government
Q9. Which Article is known as the “Heart and Soul of the Constitution”?
A) 21 B) 32 C) 19 D) 51A
Answer
B) 32
Q10. The term “Union of States” is mentioned in —
A) Article 1 B) Article 3 C) Article 4 D) Preamble
Answer
A) Article 1
Summary Table – 12 Schedules Simplified
| Schedule | Topic | Added / Amended By |
|---|---|---|
| 1st | States & UTs | Original |
| 2nd | Salaries & Allowances | Original |
| 3rd | Oaths & Affirmations | Original |
| 4th | Rajya Sabha Seats | Original |
| 5th | Scheduled Areas (non-NE) | Original |
| 6th | NE Tribal Areas | Original |
| 7th | Union-State Power Division | Original |
| 8th | Languages (22 total) | Original (14 → 22) |
| 9th | Laws beyond judicial review | 1st Amendment (1951) |
| 10th | Anti-Defection Law | 52nd Amendment (1985) |
| 11th | Panchayati Raj | 73rd Amendment (1992) |
| 12th | Municipalities | 74th Amendment (1992) |
Final Concept Recap
- 470 Articles, 12 Schedules, 25 Parts
- 7th Schedule: Power Distribution (Union, State, Concurrent)
- 8th Schedule: 22 Languages
- 9th Schedule: Land Reforms (1st Amendment)
- 10th Schedule: Anti-Defection (52nd Amendment)
- 11th & 12th Schedules: Local Governments
- Most Asked Articles: 1, 14, 19, 21, 32, 51A, 280, 324, 352, 368
One-Line Memory: From Article 1 to 395 – India’s story in every line, every Schedule divine.
Developed By Jan Mohammad
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