Parts of Constitution

The Indian Constitution is divided into 25 Parts which organize the fundamental structure of the State.

• These parts deal with topics like citizenship, fundamental rights, union & state governments, judiciary, emergency, and more.
• Originally, the Constitution had 22 Parts. Later, more were added by amendments.

📝 PYQ (BPSC 65th): How many parts does the Indian Constitution currently have? → 25

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Overview of All 25 Parts

Part I – Union and Its Territory (Articles 1–4)

• Defines the name “India”, its territory, and provisions for formation or reorganization of states.

Part II – Citizenship (Articles 5–11)

• Deals with citizenship at the commencement of the Constitution and subsequent provisions.

Part III – Fundamental Rights (Articles 12–35)

• Guarantees six fundamental rights like equality, freedom, right to life, etc.

📝 PYQ (BPSC 66th): Article related to Right to Equality? → Article 14

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Part IV – Directive Principles of State Policy (Articles 36–51)

• Non-justiciable principles to guide state policy for socio-economic justice.

Part IVA – Fundamental Duties (Article 51A)

• Lists 11 duties of every citizen (added by 42nd Amendment in 1976).

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Part V – Union Government (Articles 52–151)

• Structure and functions of:
  • President
  • Vice-President
  • Parliament
  • Union Judiciary (Supreme Court)
  • Comptroller & Auditor General (CAG)

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Part VI – State Government (Articles 152–237)

• Mirrors Part V for States:
  • Governor
  • State Legislature
  • High Courts

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Part VII – Deleted (Originally dealt with Part B states, repealed by 7th Amendment, 1956)

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Part VIII – Union Territories (Articles 239–242)

• Administration of UTs like Delhi, Andaman & Nicobar, Chandigarh etc.

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Part IX – Panchayats (Articles 243–243O)

• Added by 73rd Amendment (1992)
• Deals with rural local governance

📝 PYQ (BPSC 67th): Panchayati Raj was introduced under which Part? → Part IX

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Part IXA – Municipalities (Articles 243P–243ZG)

• Added by 74th Amendment (1992)
• Deals with urban local bodies

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Part IXB – Co-operative Societies (Articles 243ZH–243ZT)

• Added by 97th Amendment (2011)
• Focus on democratic functioning and regulation of co-operatives

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Part X – Scheduled and Tribal Areas (Articles 244–244A)

• Special provisions for governance in tribal and scheduled areas.

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Part XI – Relations Between the Union and States (Articles 245–263)

• Division of legislative and administrative powers between Union and States.

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Part XII – Finance, Property, Contracts and Suits (Articles 264–300A)

• Distribution of revenue, taxation, property, borrowing, etc.

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Part XIII – Trade and Commerce (Articles 301–307)

• Freedom and regulation of inter-state trade and commerce.

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Part XIV – Services Under the Union and States (Articles 308–323)

• Rules regarding public service commissions (UPSC, SPSC) and government employees.

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Part XIVA – Tribunals (Articles 323A–323B)

• Creation of administrative and other tribunals.

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Part XV – Elections (Articles 324–329)

• Election Commission and conduct of elections.

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Part XVI – Special Provisions for SCs, STs and Minorities (Articles 330–342)

• Reservation and safeguards in legislature, services, and education.

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Part XVII – Official Language (Articles 343–351)

• Declares Hindi as the official language and promotes development of Indian languages.

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Part XVIII – Emergency Provisions (Articles 352–360)

• Provisions related to:
  • National Emergency
  • President’s Rule
  • Financial Emergency

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Part XIX – Miscellaneous (Articles 361–367)

• Miscellaneous provisions like protection of President, interpretation of the Constitution, etc.

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Part XX – Constitutional Amendments (Article 368)

• Procedure for amending the Constitution.

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Part XXI – Temporary, Transitional and Special Provisions (Articles 369–392)

• Deals with special provisions for some states (e.g., Article 370 for J&K before 2019).

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Part XXII – Short Title, Commencement, and Repeals (Articles 393–395)

• Formal clauses about the enactment and naming of the Constitution.

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Quick Revision Points

• Total Parts: 25
• Fundamental Rights: Part III
• DPSP: Part IV
• Duties: Part IVA
• Panchayati Raj: Part IX
• Urban Local Bodies: Part IXA
• Tribunals: Part XIVA
• Elections: Part XV
• Emergency: Part XVIII
• Amendments: Part XX

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Sources Used

• NCERT Class 11 – Indian Constitution at Work
• Laxmikanth – Indian Polity (6th Edition)
• Lucent GK – Polity Section
• Ghatna Chakra BPSC PYQs
• India Code Portal – Ministry of Law & Justice