The Indian Constitution…

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 THE CONSTITUTION OF INDIA

T HE P REAMBLE

WE, T HE PEOP LE O F IND IA, h avi n g s olemn l y res o l ved t o

con s t it u t e In d i a i nt o a SOVER E IG N SOC IA LIS T SECU LAR
DEMOCRA T IC REPUB LIC an d t o s ecu re t o all i t s ci t i zen s :

J USTIC E, s oci al, econ omi c an d p oli t i cal;

LIB ERT Y o f t h ou gh t , exp res si on , b eli ef, fai t h and wors h ip ;

EQU A LITY o f s t at u s an d of op p ort u n it y;

an d t o p romot e amon g t h em all

FRA TER N ITY as s u rin g t h e di gni t y o f t h e i nd i vi du al an d th e un it y

an d i n t egrit y o f t h e Nat i on ;

IN O UR CO NST ITU ENT ASS EMB LY t h i s t wen t y -s i x t h d ay o f

Novemb er, 1 9 4 9, d o HEREBY ADOP T, EN ACT A ND G IV E T O
OURSE LVES TH IS CO NST ITU TION.

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 PART I
THE UNION AND ITS TERRITORY

1 . Na m e a nd terri tory of the Uni on. —(1 ) In d i a, t h at i s Bh arat , s h all

b e a Un i on of St at es .
(2 ) Th e St at es an d th e t erri t ories t h ereof s h al l b e as s p eci fi ed i n t h e
Fi rs t Sch edu le.
(3 ) Th e t errit ory o f In d i a sh all comp ri s e —
(a ) t h e t errit ori es of t h e St at es ;
(b ) t h e Un i on terri t ori es s p eci fi ed in th e Fi rs t Sch ed u le; an d
(c) s u ch ot h er t erri t ori es as may b e acqu i red.
2 . Adm is s i on or e s ta bli s hm ent of new Sta tes. —Parli ament may b y
law ad mi t i n t o t h e Un i on , or es t ab lis h , n ew St at es on s u ch t erms an d
con d i ti on s as it th i n ks fi t .
2 A. [S i kki m t o b e as so cia t ed wi th t h e Un io n .] Rep . b y t h e Con s tit u ti on
(Th i rt y - s i xt h Amend men t ) Act , 19 7 5, s . 5 (w.e.f . 26 -4 -1 9 7 5 ).
3 . F orm a ti on of new Sta tes a nd a l tera ti on of a rea s , bounda ri es or
na m es of exi s ti ng Sta tes . —Parli amen t may b y la w —
(a ) form a n ew St at e b y s ep arati on o f t erri t or y from an y St at e or
b y u n i t i n g t wo or more St at es or p art s of St at es or b y u n i t in g an y
t erri t ory t o a p art of an y St at e;
(b ) i n creas e th e area of an y St at e;
(c) d i min is h t h e area of an y St at e;
(d ) alt er t h e b ou nd ari es of an y S t at e;
(e) alt er t h e n ame of an y St at e:
Provi d ed t h at n o Bi ll for t h e p u rp os e sh all b e i n t rod u ced in ei t h er
Hou s e o f Par li amen t ex cept on t h e recommen d at i on of t h e Pres i d ent an d
u n les s , wh ere th e p rop os al con t ai n ed in t h e Bi ll affect s t h e area,
b ou n d ari es or n ame of an y o f t h e St at es , th e Bi ll h as b een referred b y t h e
Pres i d en t t o t h e Legi s lat u re o f t h at St at e for ex p res s in g i t s vi ews t h ereon
wi t h in su ch p eri od as may b e s p eci fi ed i n t h e referen ce or wi t h i n s u ch
fu rt h er p eri od as th e Pres id ent may al lo w an d t h e p eri od s o s peci fi ed or
all owed h as exp i red.
Exp l a na ti on I. —In t hi s art i cle, in clau s es (a ) t o (e), “St at e‟‟ i n clu d es a
Un i on t erri t ory, b u t i n th e p rovi s o, “St at e‟‟ d oes n ot i n clu d e a Un i on
t erri t ory.
Exp l a na ti on II. —Th e p ower con ferred on Parli amen t b y clau s e (a )
i n clu d es t h e p ower t o form a n ew St at e or Un i on t erri t or y b y u n it in g a
p art of an y St at e or Un i on t erri tor y t o an y ot h er St at e or Un i on terri t ory.
4 . Law s m a de under a rti cl es 2 a nd 3 to provi de f or the a m endm ent
of the Fi rs t a nd the F ourth Schedul es a nd s uppl em enta l , i nci denta l
a nd cons equenti al m a tters . —(1 ) An y la w re ferred t o i n art icle 2 or
art i cle 3 s h all con t ain su ch p rovi s i on s for t h e amen d men t of t h e Fi rs t

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Sch ed u le and th e Fou rt h Sch ed ule as may b e n eces s ary t o gi ve effect t o
t h e p rovi s i ons of t h e law an d ma y a ls o con t ai n s u ch s up p lemen t al,
i n cid ent al an d con s eq u en ti al p rovi s i on s (in clu di n g p rovi s i on s as t o
rep res ent at i on i n Parli ament an d i n t h e Legi s lat u re or Le gi s lat u res of t h e
St at e or St at es affect ed b y s u ch law) as Parli amen t may d eem n eces s ary.
(2 ) No s u ch law as afores ai d s hall b e d eemed t o b e an amend men t of
t h is Con st i tu ti on for t h e p u rp os es of art i cle 3 6 8 .

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 PART II

CITIZENSHIP
5 . Ci ti zens hi p a t the comm encem ent of the Cons ti tuti on. —At t h e
commen cemen t of t h is Con s ti tut i on , every p ers on wh o h as h is d omi ci le
i n th e t erri t ory o f In d i a an d —
(a ) wh o was b orn in th e t erri t ory of In d i a; or
(b ) ei th er of wh os e p aren t s was b orn i n t h e t errit ory o f In d i a; or
(c) wh o h as b een ordi n ari ly res i d ent in th e t erri t ory o f In d i a for
n ot les s th an fi ve years i mmed i at el y p reced i n g su ch commen cemen t ,
s h all b e a ci ti zen of In d i a.
6 . Ri g hts of ci ti zens h i p of certa i n pers ons w ho ha ve m ig rated to
I ndi a f rom P a ki s ta n. —Not wi t hs t and in g an yt h i n g i n arti cle 5 , a p ers on
wh o h as mi grat ed t o th e t erri t ory o f In d i a from t h e t erri tor y n ow
i n clu d ed in Pakis t an sh all b e d eemed t o b e a ci ti zen of In d i a at t he
commen cem en t of t h is Con st i tu ti on i f —
(a ) h e or ei t h er o f h i s p aren ts or an y o f h i s gran d p aren t s was b orn
i n In d i a as d efi n ed i n t h e G overn men t of In d i a Act , 1 93 5 (as
ori gi n all y en act ed ); an d
(b )(i ) i n th e cas e wh ere s u ch pers on h as s o mi grat ed b efore t h e
n i n et eent h d ay o f J u l y, 1 9 48 , he h as b een ord in ari ly res i d ent in th e
t erri t ory o f In d i a s i n ce t h e d at e o f h i s mi grati on , or
(i i ) in th e cas e wh ere s u ch p erson h as s o mi grat ed on or aft er th e
n i n et eent h d ay o f J u l y, 1 9 4 8 , he h as b een regi s t ered as a ci t i zen o f
In d i a b y an offi cer ap p oi n t ed i n t h at b eh alf b y t h e G overn men t o f t h e
Domi n i on of In d i a on an app li cat i on mad e b y h i m t h erefor t o s u ch
o ffi cer b efore t h e commen cemen t of t h i s Cons ti t ut i on i n t h e form an d
man n er p res crib ed b y t h at G overn ment :

Provi d ed t h at n o p ers on sh all b e s o regi s t ered u n les s h e h as b een

res i d en t in th e t errit ory o f In d i a for at leas t s i x mont hs i mmed i at ely
p reced in g t h e d at e of h i s ap p li cat i on .

7 . Rig hts of ci ti zens hi p of certa i n mi g ra nts to Pa ki s ta n. —

Not wi t h s t an di n g an yt h i n g i n arti cles 5 an d 6 , a p ers on wh o h as aft er t h e
fi rs t d ay o f March , 1 9 47 , mi grat ed from t h e t erri t ory o f In d i a t o t h e

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t erri t ory n o w i n clu d ed i n Paki s tan s h all n ot b e d eemed t o b e a ci t i zen of
In d i a:
Provi d ed t h at n ot h in g i n th is arti cle s h all ap p l y t o a p ers on wh o, af t er
h avi n g s o mi grat ed t o t h e t erri t ory n ow i n clu d ed i n Paki st an , h as
ret u rn ed t o t h e t errit ory o f In d i a un d er a p ermi t for res et t l emen t or
p erman en t retu rn i ss u ed b y or u n d er t h e au th ori t y o f an y la w a n d every
s u ch p ers on s h all for t h e p u rp oses of clau s e (b ) of art i cle 6 b e deemed t o
h ave mi grat ed t o t h e t erri t ory o f In d i a a ft er t h e n i n et een th d ay o f J u l y,
1 9 48 .
8 . Rig hts of ci ti zens hi p of certa i n pers ons of I ndi a n ori gi n res i di ng
outs i de I ndia . — Not wi t hs t an din g an yt h i n g i n art i cle 5 , an y p ers on wh o
or ei t h er of wh os e p aren t s or an y o f wh os e gran d p arent s was b orn in
In d i a as d efi n ed in th e G overn men t of In d i a Act , 1 93 5 (as ori gi n all y
en act ed ), an d wh o i s ord in ari ly res i d in g i n an y cou n t ry ou t s i d e In d i a as
s o d efi n ed s h all b e d eemed t o b e a ci t i zen of In d i a i f h e h as b een
regi s t ered as a ci ti zen of In d i a b y t h e d ip lomat i c or con s u lar
rep res ent at i ve of In d i a i n t h e cou n t ry wh ere h e i s for t h e time b ein g
res i di n g on an ap p li cati on made b y h i m th erefor t o s u ch d ip lomat i c or
con s u lar rep res en t at i ve, wh eth er b efor e or a ft er t h e commen cemen t of
t h is Con s ti tu t i on , i n th e form a n d mann er p res cri b ed b y t h e G overn men t
o f t h e Domi n i on of In d i a or t h e G overn men t of In d i a.
9 . P ers ons vol unta ri ly a cqui ring ci ti zens hi p of a f oreig n Sta te not
to be ci ti zens . — No p ers on s h all b e a ci t i zen of In d i a b y vi rt u e o f art i cle
5 , or b e d eemed t o b e a ci ti zen of In d i a b y vi rt u e of art i cle 6 or art i cle 8 ,
i f h e h as volu n t ari ly acq u i red t he ci t i zen sh ip of an y forei gn St at e.
1 0 . Conti nua nce of the rig hts of ci ti zens hi p. —Every p ers on wh o i s
or i s d eemed t o b e a ci ti zen of In d i a u nd er an y o f t h e foreg oi n g
p rovi s i on s of t h i s Part s h all, s u b j ect t o t h e p rovi s i on s of an y law t h at
may b e mad e b y Parli amen t , con t i nu e t o b e s u ch cit i zen .
1 1 . P a rl ia m ent to reg ul a te the ri g ht of ci ti zens hi p by l aw . —Not h i n g
i n t h e foreg oi n g p ro vi s i on s of t h i s Part sh all d ero gat e from t h e p ower o f
Parli amen t t o make an y p rovi s i on wi th resp ect t o th e acqu is it i on an d
t ermi n at i on of ci t i zens hi p an d all ot h er mat t ers relat in g t o ci ti zen s hi p .

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 PART III
FUNDAMENTAL RIGHTS
General
1 2 . Def i ni ti on. —In t hi s Part , u n les s t h e con t ext ot h erwis e req u i res ,
“t h e St at e‟‟ i n clud es t h e G overn men t an d Parli amen t of In d i a an d th e
G overn men t and t h e Legi s lat u re o f each o f t h e St at es and all loca l or
ot h er au t h orit i es wi t hi n th e t erri t ory o f In d i a or u n d er t h e con trol o f t h e
G overn men t of In d i a.
1 3 . Law s i nconsi s tent w i th or i n derog a ti on of the f undam ental
ri g hts .—(1 ) All laws i n force i n t h e t errit ory o f In d i a i mmedi at el y b e fore
t h e commen cemen t of t h is Con s ti t ut i on , i n s o far as t h ey are i n con s i st ent
wi t h th e p rovi s i on s of t h i s Part , s h all, t o t h e ex t en t o f s u ch
i n con si s ten cy, b e voi d .
(2 ) Th e St at e s h all n ot make an y law wh i ch t akes away or ab ri d ges th e
ri gh t s con ferred b y t h i s Part and an y law mad e i n con t raven t i on o f t h i s
clau s e s h all, t o t h e ex t en t of t h e con t raven t i on , b e voi d .
(3 ) In t h is arti cle, u n les s t h e cont ex t oth erwi s e req ui res , —
(a ) “law” i n clu d es an y Ord i n an ce, ord er, b ye -law, ru le, regu lat i on ,
n ot i fi cat i on , cu s t om or us age h avi n g i n th e t erri t ory o f In d i a th e fo rce
o f law ;
(b ) “laws i n force” i n clu d es laws p as s ed or mad e b y a Le gi s lat ure
or ot h er comp et en t aut h ori t y i n th e t erri t ory o f In d i a b efo re t h e
commen cemen t of t h is Con st it u ti on and n ot p revi ou s ly rep ealed ,
n ot wi t hs t an d in g t h at an y s u ch law or an y p art t h ereof ma y n ot b e t h en
i n op erati on eit h er at all or i n p art i cu lar areas .
(4 ) Not h i n g i n th is art i cle s h all ap p l y t o an y amen d men t of t h i s
Con s t it ut i on mad e un d er art i cle 3 6 8.

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 Right to Equality
1 4 . Equal i ty bef ore l aw . —Th e St at e s h all n ot d en y t o an y p ers on
eq u ali t y b efore t h e la w or t h e eq u al p rot ect i on of t h e laws w i t hi n th e
t erri t ory o f In d i a.
1 5 . P rohi bi ti on of di s cri mi na ti on on g rounds of rel i g i on, ra ce,
ca s te, s ex or pl a ce of bi rth. —(1 ) Th e St at e sh all n ot d i scri mi n at e
agai n s t an y ci t i zen on grou n d s on l y o f reli gi on , ra ce, cas t e, s ex , p lace o f
b i rth or an y o f t h em.
(2 ) No ci t i zen s h all, on grou n d s on ly o f reli gi on , race, cas te, s ex ,
p lace o f b i rt h or an y o f t h em, b e s u bj ect t o an y d i s ab i lit y, li ab i li t y,
res t ri cti on or con d it i on wit h regard t o —
(a ) acces s t o s h ops , pu b li c rest au ran ts , h ot els an d p laces of p u b li c
en t ert ai n men t ; or
(b ) th e us e of wel ls , t an ks , b at h in g gh at s, road s and p laces o f
p u b li c res ort mai nt ai ned wh oll y or p art l y ou t o f St at e fu n d s or
d ed i cat ed t o t h e u s e of t h e gen eral p u b li c.
(3 ) Not h in g i n th is arti cle s h all p reven t th e St at e from maki n g an y
s p eci al p rovi s i on for w omen an d ch i ld ren .
(4 ) Not h in g i n t hi s art i cle or in clau s e (2 ) of art i cle 2 9 s h all preven t
t h e St at e from maki n g an y s p eci al p rovi s i on for t h e ad van cemen t of an y
s oci all y an d ed u cat i on all y b ackward clas s es of ci t i zens or for t h e
Sch ed u led Cas t es and th e Sch edu led Tri b es .
1 6 . Equal i ty of opportuni ty i n m a tters of publi c em pl oym ent. —(1 )
Th ere s h all b e eq u ali t y o f op p ort u ni t y for a ll ci t i zen s in mat t ers relat i n g
t o emp lo ymen t or ap p oi n tmen t to an y o ffi ce u n d er t h e St at e.
(2 ) No ci t i zen s h all, on grou n d s on ly o f reli gi on , race, cas te, s ex ,
d es cent , p lace of b i rt h , res i d ence or an y o f t h em, b e i neli gi b le for, or
d i s cri min at ed agai n st i n res p ect o f, an y emp lo ymen t or o ffi ce u n d er t h e
St at e.
(3 ) Not h i n g in th i s art i cle sh all p reven t Parli ament from maki n g an y
law p res cri b in g, in regard t o a clas s or clas s es of emp lo ymen t or
ap p oi nt ment t o an offi ce u nd er t h e G overn men t of, or an y l ocal or ot h er
au t h orit y wi t h i n , a St at e or Un i on t errit ory, an y req u i remen t as t o
res i d en ce wi t hi n th at St at e or Un i on t erri t ory p ri or t o s u ch emp lo ymen t
or ap p oi n t men t .
(4 ) Not h in g i n th is arti cle s h all p reven t th e St at e from maki n g an y
p rovi s i on for t h e res ervati on of ap p oin t men ts or p ost s i n favo u r of an y

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b ackward clas s o f ci t i zen s wh ich , i n th e op i ni on of t h e St at e, i s n ot
ad equ at ely rep res en t ed i n t h e s ervi ces u nd er th e St at e.
(4 A) Not h i n g i n t hi s art i cle s hall p reven t t h e St at e from maki n g an y
p rovi s i on for res ervat i on i n mat t ers of p rom ot i on , wi t h con seq u en t i al
s en i orit y, t o an y c las s or c las s es of p os t s i n t h e s ervi ces un d er t h e St at e
i n favou r o f t h e Sch ed u led Cas tes an d th e Sch edu led Tri b es which , i n th e
op i n i on of t h e St at e, are n ot ad eq u at ely rep res en t ed in t h e s ervi ces un d er
t h e St at e.
(4 B) Not h in g i n t hi s art i c le shall p reven t t h e St at e from con si d erin g
an y u n fi lled vacan ci es of a yea r wh i ch are res erved for b ei n g fi lled u p in
t h at year i n accord an ce wi t h an y p ro vi s i on fo r res ervat i on mad e u nd er
clau s e (4 ) or clau s e (4 A) as a sep arat e clas s of vacan ci es t o b e fi l led u p
i n an y s u cceed i n g year or years an d s u ch clas s of vacan ci es s hall n ot b e
con s i d ered t oget h er wi t h th e vacan ci es of t h e year i n wh i ch t h ey are
b ei n g fi lled u p for d et ermi n in g t h e cei li n g of fi ft y p er cen t . re s ervat i on
on t ot al n u mb er of vacan ci es of t h at year.
(5 ) Not h in g i n t hi s art i cle sh all affect t h e op erati on of an y law wh i ch
p rovi d es t h at th e i n cu mb en t of a n offi ce i n con n ecti on wit h t h e affai rs of
an y reli gi ou s or d en omi n at i on al i n st it u ti on or an y memb er of t h e
go vern i n g b od y t h ereof s h all b e a p ers on p rofes s i n g a p art i cu lar reli gi on
or b elon gi n g t o a p art i cu lar d enomi n at i on .
1 7 . Abol i ti on of Untoucha bi l i ty . —“Un t ou ch abi li t y‟‟ i s ab oli s hed and
i t s p racti ce i n an y form i s forb i d d en. Th e en forcemen t of an y d i s abi li t y
ari s in g ou t o f “Un t ou ch ab i li ty ‟‟ s h all b e an o ffen ce p u n is h ab le in
accord an ce wi t h law.
1 8 . Abol i ti on of ti tl es . —(1 ) No t i t le, n ot b ei n g a mi li t ary or ac ad emi c
d i st in ct i on , sh all b e con ferred b y t h e St at e.
(2 ) No ci t i zen of In d i a s h all accep t an y t i t le fr om an y forei gn St at e.
(3 ) No p e rs on wh o is n ot a ci tizen of In d i a sh all, wh i le h e h old s an y
o ffi ce o f p ro fi t or t ru s t un d er t he St at e, accept wi th ou t th e con sen t of t h e
Pres i d en t an y t i t le fr om an y fore i gn St at e.
(4 ) No p ers on h old i n g an y o ff i ce of p ro fi t or t ru s t u n d er the St at e
s h all, wi t h ou t t h e con s en t of t h e Pres i d en t , accep t an y p res ent ,
emolu men t , or offi ce o f an y ki n d from or u n d er an y forei gn St at e.

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Right to Freedom

1 9 . P rotecti on of certai n rig hts rega rdi ng f reedom of s peech, etc. —

(1 ) All ci t i zen s s h all h ave t h e righ t —
(a ) t o freed om o f s p eech and exp res si on ;
(b ) t o as s emb le p eaceab l y an d wi t h out arms ;
(c) t o form as s oci at i ons or u ni ons ;
(d ) t o move free l y t h rou gh ou t t he t erri t ory o f In d i a;
(e) t o res i d e an d s ett le i n an y p art of t h e t erri t ory o f In d i a; an d
* * * * *
(g ) t o p ract is e an y p rofes s i on , or t o carr y on an y occu p at i on , t rad e
or b u s in ess .
(2 ) Not h i n g i n s ub -clau s e ( a ) o f clau s e (1 ) s h all a ffect t h e op erat i on o f
an y ex i s t i n g law, or p reven t t h e St at e fr om maki n g an y la w, i n s o far as
s u ch law i mp os es reas on ab le res t ri ct i on s on t h e ex erci s e of t h e ri gh t
con ferred b y t h e s ai d s ub -clau s e i n th e in t erest s of t h e s overei gn t y an d
i n t egri t y of In d i a, t h e s ecu ri ty o f t h e St at e, fri en d ly re lat i on s wi th
forei gn St at es , pu b li c ord er , d ecen cy or m orali t y, or i n relat i on t o
con t emp t of cou rt , d efamat i on or i n cit ement t o an offen ce.
(3 ) Not h i n g i n su b -clau s e ( b ) o f t h e s ai d clau s e sh all a ffe ct t h e
op erat i on of an y ex i s t i n g law i n s o far as i t i mp os es , or p reven t t h e St at e
fr om maki n g an y law i mp os i n g, i n t h e i n t eres ts of t h e s overei gn t y an d
i n t egri t y of In d i a or p ub li c ord er, reas on ab le res t ri ct i ons on t h e ex ercis e
o f t h e ri gh t con ferred b y t h e s aid su b -clau s e.
(4 ) Not h in g i n su b -clau s e ( c) of t h e s aid claus e s h all affect th e
op erat i on of an y ex i s t i n g law i n s o far as i t i mp os es , or p reven t t h e St at e
fr om maki n g an y law i mp os i n g, i n t h e i n t eres ts of t h e s overei gn t y an d
i n t egri t y of In d i a or p u b li c order or morali t y, reas on ab le res t rict i on s on
t h e ex erci s e of t h e ri ght con ferred b y t h e s ai d s ub -clau s e.
(5 ) Not h i n g i n s ub -clau s es ( d ) an d ( e) o f t h e s ai d clau s e s h all affect
t h e op erati on of an y ex i s t i n g law i n s o far as i t i mp os es , or p reven t t he
St at e from maki n g an y law i mp os i n g, reas on ab le res t ri ct i ons on t he
ex erci s e of an y o f t h e ri gh t s con ferred b y t h e s ai d s ub -clau s es ei t h er in
t h e in t erest s of t h e gen eral p u b li c or fo r t h e p rot ect i on of t h e i n teres t s of
an y Sch ed u led Tri b e.

10
 (6 ) Not h i n g i n su b -clau s e ( g ) o f t h e s ai d clau s e sh all a ffe ct t h e
op erat i on of an y ex i s t i n g law i n s o far as i t i mp os es , or p reven t t h e St at e
fr om maki n g an y law i mp os i n g, i n th e i n t eres ts of t h e gen eral p u b li c,
reas on ab le res t ri cti on s on t h e ex erci s e of t h e ri gh t con ferred b y t h e s ai d
s u b -clau s e, and , i n p art i cu lar, not h i n g i n t h e s ai d su b -clau s e s hall a ffect
t h e op erat i on of an y ex i s t in g law i n s o far as i t relat es t o, or p reven t th e
St at e from maki n g an y law re lat i n g t o, —
(i ) t h e p rofes s i on al or t ech nical q u ali fi cat i on s n eces s ary for
p ract is in g an y p ro fes s i on or c arr yi n g on an y occu p at i on , t rad e or
b u si n es s , or
(i i ) th e carryi n g on b y t h e St at e, or b y a corp orat i on own ed or
con t rolled b y t h e St at e, of an y t rad e, bu s in ess , i nd us t ry or s ervi ce,
wh et h er t o th e ex clu s i on , comp let e or p art i al, of ci t i zens or ot h erwi s e.
2 0 . P rotecti on i n res pect of convi cti on f or of f ences .—(1 ) No p ers on
s h all b e con vi ct ed of an y o ffen c e ex cept for vi olat i on o f a law i n force at
t h e ti me of t h e commi s s i on of t h e Act ch arged as an offen c e, n or b e
s u bj ect ed t o a p en alt y great er t h an t h at whi ch mi ght h ave b een i n fli ct ed
u n d er t h e law i n force at t h e t ime of t h e commi s s i on of t h e offen ce.
(2 ) No p ers on s h all b e p ros ecuted and p un is h ed for t h e s ame offen ce
more t h an on ce.
(3 ) No p ers on accu s ed o f an y o ffen ce s h all b e comp el led t o b e a
wi t n ess agai ns t h i ms elf.
2 1 . P rotecti on of l if e a nd pers ona l l i berty . —No p ers on shall b e
d ep ri ved of h i s li fe or p ers on al li b ert y ex cep t accord i n g t o proced u re
es t ab lis h ed b y law.
1
2 2 . P rotecti on a ga i ns t a rres t a nd detenti on i n certa i n cas es . —(1 )
No p ers on wh o i s arres t ed s h all b e d et ai n ed i n cus t od y wi t h ou t b ei n g
i n formed , as s oon as ma y b e, o f t h e grou n d s for s u ch arres t n or s h all h e
b e d eni ed th e ri gh t t o con s u lt , an d t o b e d efen d ed b y, a le gal p ract i ti on er
o f h i s ch oi ce.
(2 ) Ever y p ers on wh o is arrest ed an d d et ai n ed i n cus t od y s h all b e
p rod u ced b efore t h e n earest magi s t rat e wit h in a p eri od of t wen t y -fou r
h ou rs of s u ch arres t ex clu di n g t h e t i me n eces s ary fo r t h e j ou rn ey from
t h e p lace of arres t t o t h e cou rt of t h e magi s t rat e and n o s u ch p ers on s h all
b e d et ain ed i n cus t od y b e yon d t h e s aid p eri od wi th ou t th e au thori t y o f a
magi s t rat e.
(3 ) Not h i n g in clau s es (1 ) an d (2) s h all ap p ly —
(a ) t o an y p ers on wh o for t h e t ime b ein g i s an en emy ali en ; or
(b ) t o an y p ers on wh o i s arres t ed or d et ain ed u nd er an y l aw
p rovi d i n g for p reven t i ve d et en t ion .
(4 ) No law p ro vi d i n g for p reve n t i ve d et en ti on sh all au t h oris e t h e
d et ent i on of a p ers on for a l on ge r p eri od th an t h ree mon t hs u n less —
(a ) an Ad vi s ory B oard con s i s ti n g of p ers on s wh o are, or h a ve
b een , or are q u ali fi ed t o b e ap poi n t ed as , Ju d ges of a Hi gh Cou rt h as
11
 rep ort ed b efore t h e e x pi rat i on of t h e s ai d p eri od of t h ree mon t hs t h at
t h ere is in it s opi n i on su ffi ci en t cau s e for s u ch d et ent i on :
Provi d ed t h at n oth in g i n t hi s s u b -clau s e s h all au t h ori s e th e
d et ent i on of an y p ers on b eyon d t h e maxi mu m p eri od p res cri b ed b y an y
law mad e b y Par l i amen t un d er su b -clau s e ( b ) of clau s e (7 ); or
(b ) s u ch p ers on i s d et ain ed in accord an ce wi t h th e p rovi s i on s o f
an y law mad e b y Par li amen t und er s ub -clau s es ( a ) an d (b ) of clau s e
(7 ).
(5 ) Wh en an y p ers on is d et ain ed in pu rsu an ce of an ord er made u nd er
an y law p rovi d i n g for p reven t i ve d et en t i on , th e au th ori t y ma ki n g t h e
ord er s h all, as s oon as may b e, commu n i cat e t o su ch p ers on th e grou n d s
on wh i ch t h e ord er h as b een mad e an d sh all a fford h i m t h e earli es t
op p ort u ni t y o f maki n g a rep res en t ati on agai ns t th e ord er.
(6 ) Not h i n g i n clau s e (5 ) s h all req u i re th e au th ori t y maki n g an y s u ch
ord er as is referred t o in th at clau s e t o d is clos e fact s wh ich su ch
au t h orit y con s i d ers t o b e agai n st t h e p ub li c i nt erest t o di s clos e.
(7 ) Parli amen t may b y la w p res cri b e —
(a ) t h e ci rcums t an ces un d er wh i ch, an d th e clas s or clas s es o f
cas es i n wh i ch, a p ers on may b e d et ain ed for a p eri od lon ger t h an
t h ree mon th s u nd er an y law p ro v i d in g for p reven t i ve d et en ti on wi t h out
ob t ai ni n g th e op in i on of an Ad vi s or y Board i n accord an ce wi th th e
p rovi s i on s of s u b -clau s e ( a ) of clau s e (4 );
(b ) t h e maxi mu m p eri od for wh i ch an y p ers on ma y i n an y c las s or
clas s es of cas es b e d et ain ed u nd er an y la w p rovi d i n g for p rev en t i ve
d et ent i on ; and
(c) t h e p roced u re t o b e foll o wed b y an Ad vi s ory Boa rd i n an
i n qu i r y u n d er s ub -clau s e ( a ) of clau s e (4 ).

12
 Right against Exploitation

2 3 . P rohi bi ti on of traffi c i n hum a n bei ngs a nd f orced l a bour. —(1 )

Tra ffi c i n hu man b ein gs and beg a r an d oth er si mi lar forms o f forced
lab ou r are p roh i b i t ed an d an y con t raven t i on of t h i s p rovi s i on sh all b e an
o ffen ce p u ni sh ab le in accord an ce wi t h law.
(2 ) Not h i n g i n th is art i cle s hall p re ven t t h e St at e from i mp os i n g
comp u ls or y s ervi ce for p u b li c pu rp os es , an d in i mp os i n g su ch servi ce t h e
St at e sh all n ot make an y d i s cri mi n at i on on grou nd s on ly o f reli gi on ,
race, cas t e or clas s or an y o f t h em.
2 4 . P rohi bi ti on of em pl oym ent of chi l dren i n fa ctori es , etc. —No
ch i ld b elow t h e age o f fou rt een years s h all b e emp lo yed t o w o rk i n an y
fact or y or mi n e or en gaged i n any ot h er h azard ou s emp loymen t .

13
 Right to Freedom of Religion

2 5 . F reedom of cons ci ence a nd f ree prof ess i on, pra cti ce a nd

propa g a ti on of rel ig i on. —(1 ) Su b j ect t o pu b li c ord er, morali t y an d
h ealt h and t o t h e oth er p rovi s ion s of t h i s Part, all p ers on s are eq u all y
en t it led t o freed om o f con s c i en ce an d t h e ri gh t freel y t o p r o fes s , p ract i se
an d p rop agat e reli gi on .
(2 ) Not h i n g i n th is art i cle s h all a ffect t h e op erat i on of an y e x i st in g
law or p reven t t h e St at e from ma ki n g an y la w —
(a ) regu lat i n g or res t ri ct i n g any ec on omi c, fi n an ci al, p oli t i cal or
ot h er s ecu lar acti vi t y wh i ch may b e ass oci at ed wi t h reli gi ou s p ract i ce;
(b ) p rovi d i n g for s oci a l we l fare an d reform or t h e t h rowi n g op en
o f Hi n d u reli gi ou s in st i tu ti on s of a p u b li c ch aract er t o all clas s es and
s ect i ons of Hi n d u s .
Exp l a na ti on I. —Th e weari n g and carryi n g o f ki r p an s sh all b e deemed
t o b e in clu d ed i n t h e p rofes s i on o f t h e Si kh reli gi on .
Exp l a na ti on II. —In s u b -clau s e ( b ) o f c lau s e (2 ), t h e refere n ce t o
Hi n d us sh all b e con s t ru ed as i nclu d i n g a referen ce t o p ers on s pro fes s i n g
t h e Si kh , J ain a or B u dd h is t reli gi on , and t h e referen ce t o Hi nd u reli gi ou s
i n st i tu ti on s s h all b e con st ru ed accord i n gl y.
2 6 . F reedom to m a na g e reli gious a ffa i rs. —Sub j ect t o p ub li c ord er,
morali t y an d h ealt h , ever y re li g i ou s d en omi n ati on or an y s ect i on t h ereof
s h all h ave t h e ri ght —
(a ) t o est ab li sh and mai nt ain in s ti tu t i ons for reli gi ou s an d
ch ari t ab le p u rp os es ;
(b ) t o man age it s own affai rs i n mat t ers of reli gi on ;
(c) t o own an d acqu i re movab le an d i mmovab le p rop ert y; an d
(d ) t o ad mi n is t er s u ch p rop ert y i n accord an ce wit h law.
2 7 . F reedom a s to pa ym ent of ta xes f or prom oti on of a ny pa rti cul a r
rel i gi on. —No p ers on s h all b e c omp elled t o p a y an y t ax es , t h e p roceed s
o f wh i ch are s p eci fi call y ap p ro p ri at ed i n p aymen t of ex p en s es for t h e
p romot i on or mai n t en an ce of an y p art i cu lar reli gi on or reli gi ou s
d en omin at i on .
14
 2 8 . F reedom a s to a ttenda nce a t reli gi ous i ns tructi on or rel i gi ous
w ors hi p i n certai n educa tiona l i ns ti tuti ons. —(1 ) No reli gi ou s
i n st ru ct i on sh all b e p rovi d ed i n an y ed u cat i on al in s ti tu t i on wh oll y
mai n t ai n ed ou t of St at e fu n ds .
(2 ) Not h i n g i n clau s e (1 ) s h all ap p l y t o an ed u cati on al i n s tit u ti on
wh i ch is ad mi ni st ered b y t h e St at e bu t h as b een es t ab lis h ed un d er an y
en d owmen t or t ru st whi ch requ i res t h at reli gi ou s i ns t ru ct i on s h all b e
i mp art ed in su ch i ns ti t ut i on .
(3 ) No p ers on at t en d in g an y ed u cat i on al i ns t it ut i on recogn i s ed b y t h e
St at e or recei vi n g ai d ou t of St at e fu n d s sh all b e req u i red t o t ake p art in
an y re li gi ou s i n st ru ct i on th at may b e i mp art ed in su ch i ns t it ut ion or t o
at t end an y reli gi ou s wors h i p t h at may b e con d u ct ed i n s u ch in st it u ti on or
i n an y p remi s es att ach ed th eret o u n less su ch p ers on or, i f s u ch p ers on i s
a mi n or, hi s gu ard i an h as gi ven h i s cons ent th eret o.

Cultural and Educational Rights

2 9 . P rotecti on of i nteres ts of m i nori ti es . —(1 ) An y s ect i on o f t h e

ci t i zen s res i di n g in th e t erri t ory o f In d i a or an y p art t h ereof h avi n g a
d i st in ct lan gu age, s cri p t or cu lt u re of i t s own sh all h ave t h e ri gh t t o
con s erve t h e s ame.
(2 ) No ci t i zen s h all b e d eni ed ad mi s si on i nt o an y ed u cat i on al
i n st i tu ti on mai n t ai n ed b y t h e Stat e o r recei vi n g aid out of St at e fu n d s on
grou n d s on ly o f reli gi on , race, cas t e, lan gu age or an y o f t h em.
3 0 . Rig ht of m i nori ti es to esta bl is h a nd a dmi nis ter educati ona l
i ns ti tuti ons . — (1 ) All mi nori t i es , wh et h er b as ed on reli gi on or
lan gu age, s h all h ave t h e ri gh t t o es t ab li sh an d ad min i st er edu cat i on al
i n st i tu ti on s of t h ei r ch oi ce.

15
 (1 A) In maki n g an y law p rovi d i n g for t h e comp u ls ory acq u i s i ti on of
an y p rop ert y o f an ed u cat i on al i n s ti tu t i on est ab lis h ed an d admi n is t ered
b y a mi n ori t y, referred t o i n clau s e (1 ), t h e St at e sh all en su re t h at t h e
amou n t fi x ed b y or d et ermi n ed un d er s u ch law for t h e acq ui si t i on of s u ch
p rop ert y i s su ch as wou ld n ot res t ri ct or ab rogat e t h e ri gh t gu aran t eed
u n d er t h at clau s e.
(2 ) Th e St at e s h all n ot , in gran t in g ai d t o ed u cat i on al i ns ti tu t i ons ,
d i s cri min at e agai ns t an y ed u cati on al i n s ti tu t i on on t h e grou nd t h at i t is
u n d er t h e man agement of a mi n ori t y, wh et h er b as ed on reli gi on or
lan gu age.

* * *
3 1 . [ Co mpu ls or y a cq ui s it io n o f p ro p er t y.] Rep . b y th e Con st it u ti on
(Fo r t y -fo ur t h Amen d men t ) Act , 19 7 8, s . 6 ( w.e.f . 20 -6 -1 9 7 9 ).

Saving of Certain Laws

3 1 A. Sa vi ng of l aw s provi di ng f or a cqui si ti on of es ta tes , etc. —
(1 ) Not wi t h st and in g an yt h i n g con t ai n ed in arti cle 1 3 , n o law p rovi d i n g
for—
(a ) t h e acq ui si t i on b y t h e St at e o f an y es t at e or o f an y ri gh t s
t h erein or t h e ex ti n gui s hmen t or mod i fi cat i on of an y s u ch ri ght s , or
(b ) t h e t aki n g over o f t h e man agemen t of an y p rop ert y b y t h e St at e
for a li mi t ed p eri od ei th er i n t he p u b li c in t eres t or i n ord er t o s ecu re
t h e p rop er man agement of t h e p rop ert y, o r
(c) the amalgamation of two or more corporations either in the public interest or in order to secure the proper
management of any of the corporations, or
(d ) t h e ex ti n gui sh ment or mod i fi cat i on of an y ri gh t s of man agi n g
agen t s , s ecret ar i es an d t reasu rers , man agi n g di rect ors , d i rectors or
man agers of corp orat i on s , or o f an y v ot i n g ri gh ts of s h areh old ers
t h ereof, or
(e) t h e ext i n gui sh ment or mod ifi cat i on o f an y ri gh t s accru in g b y
vi rt u e of an y ag reemen t , leas e or li cen ce for t h e pu rp os e of s earch i n g
for, or wi n n in g, an y mi n eral or mi n eral oi l, or t h e p remat u re
t ermi n at i on or can cellat i on of an y s u ch agreemen t , leas e or li cence,

16
s h all b e d eemed t o b e voi d on th e grou n d t h at i t i s i n cons is t en t wi t h , or
t akes away or ab ri d ges an y o f t he ri gh t s con ferred b y art i cle 1 4 or art i cle
19:
Provi d ed th at wh ere s u ch law i s a law mad e b y t h e Legi s lat u re of a
St at e, th e p rovi s i ons of t h i s arti cle s h all n ot ap p l y t h eret o u n les s su ch
law, h avi n g b een res erved for t h e cons id erat i on of t h e Pres id en t, h as
recei ved h is ass ent :
Provi d ed fu rt h er t h at wh ere an y law makes an y p rovi s i on for t h e
acq u is it i on b y t h e St at e of any es t at e and wh ere an y lan d comp ri s ed
t h erein i s h eld b y a p ers on u n d er h i s p ers on al cu lt i vat i on, i t sh all n ot b e
law fu l fo r t h e St at e t o a cq ui re an y p ort i on of s u ch lan d as is wi t h in th e
cei li n g li mi t app li cab le t o hi m u n d er an y law for t h e t i me b ei ng i n force
or an y b u i ld i n g or st ru ctu re st an di n g th ereon or app u rt en an t t h eret o,
u n les s th e law re lat i n g t o t h e acq u i si t i on of s u ch lan d , b u ild i n g or
s t ru ct u re, p rovi d es for p a ymen t o f comp en s at i on at a rat e wh i ch s h all n ot
b e les s th an t h e market valu e t h ereo f.
(2 ) In t hi s arti cle, —
(a ) th e exp ress i on „„es t at e‟‟ shall, i n relat i on t o an y l ocal ar ea,
h ave t h e s ame meani n g as t h at ex p ress i on or i ts local eq u i valen t h as in
t h e ex i st in g law relat i n g t o lan d t enu res i n force i n th at area and sh all
als o i n clu d e —
(i ) an y j a g ir , in a m or mu af i or ot h er s i mi lar gran t and in th e
St at es of Tami l Nad u an d Kerala, an y j a n ma m ri gh t ;
(i i ) an y lan d h eld un d er ryot wari s et t lement ;
(i i i ) an y lan d h eld or let for p u rp os es of agri cu lt u re or for
p u rp os es an ci llar y t h eret o, i n clu d i n g was t e land , fores t lan d , lan d
for p as t u re or s it es of b ui ld i n gs an d ot h er s t ru ct u res occup i ed by
cu lt i vat ors of lan d , agri cu lt u ral lab ou r ers an d vi llage art i s ans ;
(b ) t h e exp res si on „„ri ght s ‟‟, i n relat i on t o an est at e, s h all i n clud e
an y ri gh t s ves ti n g in a p rop ri et or, s ub -p rop ri et or, un d er -p rop ri et or,
t en u re-h old er, r a i ya t , un d er -r ai ya t or ot h er i n t ermed i ary an d an y
ri gh t s or p ri vi leges i n resp ect of lan d reven u e.
3 1B . Val i da ti on of certai n Acts a nd Reg ula ti ons . —Wit h out p rej u di ce
t o t h e gen eralit y o f t h e p rovi s i on s cont ain ed i n art i cle 31 A, n on e of t h e
Act s an d Regu lat i ons s p eci fi ed i n t h e Nin t h Sch edu le n or an y o f t h e
p rovi s i on s t h ereof s h all b e d eemed t o b e voi d , or ever t o h ave b ecome
voi d , on t h e grou n d t h at s u ch Act , Regu lat i on or p rovi s i on i s i n con s i st ent
wi t h , or t akes awa y o r ab ri d ges an y o f t h e ri gh t s con ferred b y, an y
p rovi s i on s of t h i s Part, and not wi t h st and i n g an y j u d gment , d ecre e or
ord er o f an y c ou rt or Tri b u n al to t h e con t rary, each of t h e s ai d Act s and
Regu lat i on s s h all, s u b j ect t o t he p ower o f an y comp et en t Legi s lat u re t o
rep eal or amen d it , con ti nu e in force.
3 1 C. Sa vi ng of l aw s g i vi ng effect to certa i n di recti ve pri ncipl es . —
Not wi t h s t an di n g an yt h i n g con t ain ed in arti cle 1 3 , n o law gi vi n g effect t o
1
t h e p oli cy o f t h e St at e t oward s secu ri n g [all or an y o f t h e p ri n cip les lai d
17
d own i n Part IV] s h all b e d ee med t o b e voi d on t h e gr ou n d t h at it i s
i n con si s ten t wi th , or t akes away or ab ri d ges an y o f t h e ri gh ts con ferred
2
b y art i cle 1 4 or art i cle 1 9 ; a n d n o l aw co nt a in in g a d ecl ar at io n t h at i t is
f o r g i vin g ef f ect t o s u ch po l i cy s h al l b e ca ll ed in qu est io n in a n y cou rt
o n t h e g ro un d t ha t it do es n ot give ef f ect t o s u ch po li cy:
Provi d ed t h at wh ere s u ch law i s mad e b y t h e Le gi s lat u re of a St a t e, t he
p rovi s i on s of t h i s art i cle s h all n ot ap p ly t h eret o u n les s su ch law, h avi n g
b een res erved for t h e con s i d erat i on of t h e Pres i d en t , h as recei ved h i s
as s ent .
3 1 D. [ S a vi ng o f la ws in r esp ect o f a n t i -n at i on al a cti vi ti es . ] Rep . b y
t h e Con st i tu ti on (Fo r t y -t hi r d Amen d men t ) Act , 19 77 , s .2 (w.e.f . 13 -4 -
1 9 78 ).

Right to Constitutional Remedies

3 2 . Rem edi es f or enf orcem ent of ri g hts conf erred by this Pa rt .—(1 )
Th e ri gh t t o move t h e Su p reme Cou rt b y ap p rop ri at e p roceed in gs for t h e
en forcemen t o f t h e ri gh ts con ferred b y t h i s Part is gu arant eed .
(2 ) Th e Su p reme Cou rt sh all h ave p ower t o i s s u e d i rect i on s or ord ers
or wri t s , i n clu di n g writ s i n the n atu re of h ab eas co r pu s , ma n da mus ,
p roh i bi t i on, qu o wa r ra nt o an d cer t io ra r i, wh i ch ever may b e ap prop ri at e,
for t h e en forcemen t of an y o f t h e ri gh t s con ferred b y t h is Part .
(3 ) Wi t h out p reju di ce t o t h e p owers con ferred on t h e Sup reme Cou rt
b y c lau s es (1 ) an d (2 ), Parli amen t may b y la w emp ower an y ot h er cou rt
t o ex erci s e wit hi n t h e local li mi t s of i t s j u ris di cti on all or a n y o f t h e
p owers ex erci s ab le b y t h e Su p reme Cou rt un d er claus e (2 ).
(4 ) Th e ri gh t gu aran t eed b y t h i s art i cle s h all n ot b e s u s p en d ed ex cep t
as ot h erwi s e p rovi d ed for b y t h i s Con s ti tu t i on.
3 2 A. [ Co ns t it ut i on al va l id it y of St at e la ws no t t o b e con s id er ed i n
p r o ceed in gs un d er a r ti cl e 3 2 .] Rep . b y t h e Co ns ti tu t io n (For t y -th i rd
Amen d men t ) Act , 19 77 , s . 3 (w.e.f . 13 -4 -1 9 7 8 ).

18
 3 3 . P ow er of Pa rli am ent to m odi fy the ri g hts conf erred by thi s P a rt
i n thei r a ppli ca ti on to F orces , etc. —Parli amen t may, b y la w, d et ermi n e
t o wh at ex t en t an y o f t h e ri ght s con ferred b y t h i s Part s h all, i n th ei r
ap p li cati on t o, —
(a ) t he memb ers of t h e Armed Forces ; or
(b ) t h e memb ers of t h e Forces ch arged wi t h t h e mai nt en an ce o f
p u b li c ord er; or
(c) p ers on s emp lo yed i n any b u reau or ot h er or gan i s at ion
es t ab lis h ed b y t h e St at e for p u rp os es of i n t elli gen ce or c ou n t er
i n t elli gen ce; or
(d ) p ers on s emp lo yed i n , or i n con n ect i on wi t h , t h e
t elecommu n i cati on s ys t ems s et u p for t h e p u rp os es of an y Forc e,
b u reau or organ i s at i on referred to i n clau s es (a ) t o (c),
b e rest ri ct ed or ab rogat ed s o as t o en su re t h e p rop er d i s ch arge of t h ei r
d u ti es an d t h e mai nt en an ce of d i s ci p lin e amon g t h em
3 4 . Res tri cti on on ri g hts conferred by thi s Pa rt w hi l e m a rtia l law
i s i n f orce i n a ny a rea . —Notwi t h st and in g an yt h i n g i n t h e foreg oi n g
p rovi s i on s of t h is Part , Parli amen t may b y la w i n d emni fy an y p ers on in
t h e s ervi ce of t h e Un i on or of a St at e or an y ot h er p ers on in res p ect of
an y act d on e b y h i m i n con n ect ion wi t h t h e mai nt en an ce or res t orat i on o f
ord er i n an y area wi t h i n t h e t erri t ory o f In d i a wh ere mart i al la w was i n
force or va li d at e an y s en t en ce p ass ed , p un is h men t i n fli ct ed , for fei t u re
ord ered or ot h er act d on e un d er mart i al law i n s u ch area.
3 5 . Legi sl a ti on to g i ve ef f ect to the pr ovi s i ons of thi s P a rt. —Not
wi t h st and in g an yt h i n g i n t hi s Con s ti tu t i on , —
(a ) Parli ament sh all h ave, and th e Legi s lat u re of a St at e sh all not
h ave, p ower t o make laws —
(i ) wi th resp ect t o an y o f t h e mat t ers wh i ch u nd er clau s e (3 )
o f art i cle 1 6 , clau s e (3 ) of art icle 3 2 , art i cle 33 an d art i cle 34
may b e p rovi d ed for b y law mad e b y Parli amen t ; an d
(i i ) for p res cri b i n g pu ni sh ment for t h os e act s wh i ch are
d eclared t o b e offen ces un d er thi s Part ;
an d Parli amen t s h all, as s oon as may b e aft er t h e c ommen cemen t of
t h is Con s ti t ut i on , make laws fo r p res cri bi n g p un is h men t for t h e act s
referred t o i n s ub -clau s e ( i i );
(b ) an y law i n force i mmed i at ely b efore t h e commen cemen t of t h i s
Con s t it ut i on i n th e t errit ory o f In d i a wi th res p ect t o an y o f t h e mat t ers
referred t o i n s ub -clau s e ( i ) of c lau s e ( a ) or p rovi d i n g for p u n ish ment
for an y act re ferred t o i n s u b -clau s e ( i i ) of t h at clau s e sh all, s u b ject t o
t h e t erms th ereof an d t o an y ad ap t ati on s an d mod i fi cati on s th at may
b e mad e t h erein un d er art i cle 37 2 , cont i n u e in force u n t i l alt ered or
rep ealed or amen d ed b y Parli amen t .
Exp l a na ti on . —In t hi s art i cle, th e ex p res s i on "la w i n force '' h as t h e
s ame meani n g as i n art i cle 37 2 .

19
 PART I V

DIRECTIVE PRINCIPLES OF STATE POLICY

3 6 . Def i ni ti on. —In t hi s Part , u n l es s t h e con t ext ot h erwis e req u i res ,

„„t h e St at e‟‟ h as th e s ame mean in g as in Part III.
3 7 . Appl i ca ti on of the pri nci pl es conta i ned i n thi s Pa rt. —Th e
p rovi s i on s cont ai n ed in th is Part s h all n ot b e en forceab le b y an y cou rt ,
b u t t h e p rin cip les t h erei n laid do wn are n evert h eles s fu n d amen tal i n t he
go vern an ce o f t h e cou n t ry an d i t s h all b e t h e d u t y o f t h e St at e t o ap p l y
t h es e p rin cip les i n maki n g laws .
3 8 . Sta te to s ecure a s oci al order f or the prom oti on of w elfa re of
the peopl e. —(1 ) Th e St at e sh all s t ri ve t o p r omot e t h e welfar e of t h e
p eop le b y s ecu ri n g an d p rot ectin g as effect i vel y as i t may a s o ci al ord er
i n wh i ch ju s ti ce, s oci al, econ omi c an d p oli t i cal, s h all i n form all t h e
i n st i tu ti on s of t h e n at i on al li fe.
(2 ) Th e St at e s h all, i n p arti cu lar, s t ri ve t o min i m is e t h e i n eq u alit i es in
i n come, an d en d eavou r t o eli min at e i n eq u ali ti es i n st at us , faci li t i es and
op p ort u ni t i es , n ot on ly amon gs t i nd i vi du als b u t als o amon gs t grou p s of
p eop le res i di n g in di ffe ren t areas or en gaged i n d i fferen t vocat i o n s .
3 9 . Certai n pri nci pl es of pol i cy to be f ol l ow ed by the Sta te. —Th e
St at e sh all, i n p art i cu lar, d i rect i t s p oli cy t o ward s s ecu rin g —
(a ) t h at th e ci ti zens , men and women eq u all y, h ave t h e ri gh t t o an
ad equ at e mean s of li ve li h ood ;
(b ) th at t h e own ers hi p and cont rol o f t h e mat e ri al res ou rces of t h e
commu n it y are s o d i s t rib ut ed as b es t t o s ub s erve th e common good ;
(c) t h at th e op erat i on of t h e econ omi c s ys t em d oes n ot res u lt i n
t h e con cent rat i on of wea lt h an d mean s of p rod u ct i on t o t h e common
d et ri men t ;
(d ) t h at t h ere i s equ al p a y fo r eq u al work for b ot h men an d
women ;
(e) t h at t h e h ealt h and s t ren gth o f wor kers , men an d women , an d
t h e t end er age of ch i ld ren are n ot abu s ed an d t h at ci t i zen s are n ot
forced b y econ omi c n eces si t y t o en t er avocat i on s u ns u it ed t o th ei r age
or s t ren gt h ;
(f ) t h at ch i ld ren are gi ven op p ort u ni t i es and faci li t i es t o d evelop
i n a h ealt h y man n er an d i n con di t i ons of freed om an d d i gn i t y an d t h at
ch i ld h ood and you t h are p rot ect ed agai ns t ex p loi t ati on and agai n s t
moral an d mat eri al ab an d on men t.
3 9 A. Equal jus ti ce a nd f ree leg a l a i d. —Th e St at e sh all s ecure t h at
t h e op erat i on of t h e legal s ys t em p romot es j us t i ce, on a b as i s o f eq u al
op p ort u ni t y, an d s h all, i n p art icu lar, p rovi d e free lega l ai d , b y s u i t ab le
legi s lat i on or s ch emes or i n any ot h er wa y, t o en s u re th at o pport u n it i es
20
for s ecu ri n g j us t i ce are n ot d en ied t o an y ci t i zen b y reas on o f e con omi c
or ot h er d i s ab i li ti es .
4 0 . Orga ni sa ti on of vi l la g e pancha y a ts . —Th e St at e sh all t ake s t ep s
t o organ i s e vi l lage p an ch ayat s an d end ow t h em wi th s u ch p owers an d
au t h orit y as ma y b e n eces s ary t o en ab le t h em t o fu n ct i on as u ni ts of s el f -
go vern men t .
4 1 . Ri g ht to w or k, t o educa ti o n a nd to publ i c a s s is ta nce i n certa i n
ca s es .—Th e St at e sh all, wi t h i n t h e li mi t s of i t s econ omi c capaci t y an d
d evelop men t , make effect i ve p r ovi s i on for s e cu ri n g t h e ri ght t o wor k, t o
ed u cati on an d t o pu b li c as si st an ce in cas es of u n emp lo ymen t , old age,
s i ckn ess and di s ab lemen t , an d i n ot h er cas es of u n d es erved want .
4 2 . P rovi s i on f or jus t a nd hum a ne condi ti ons of w ork a nd
m a terni ty rel i ef . —Th e St at e s hall m ake p ro vi s i on for s ecu ri n g j us t and
h u man e con di t i ons of wor k an d for mat ern i t y reli ef.
4 3 . Li vi ng w ag e, etc., f or w or kers . —Th e St at e sh all en d eavou r t o
s ecu re, b y s u i t ab le legi s lat i on o r econ omi c o rgan i s at i on or i n an y ot h er
wa y, t o a l l w orkers , agri cu lt u ral, i n d us t ri al or ot h erwi s e, work, a li vi n g
wage, c on d i t i ons of w ork en s uri n g a d ecen t s t an d ard of li fe an d fu l l
en j oymen t o f lei s u re an d s oci al an d cu lt u ral op p ort un i ti es an d , in
p art i cu lar, t h e St at e s h all en d eavou r t o p romot e cot t age i n du st ri es on an
i n di vi du al or co -op erat i ve b as i s i n ru ral areas .
4 3 A. Pa rti ci pa ti on of w orkers i n ma nag em ent of i ndus tri es. —Th e
St at e s h all t ake s t ep s , b y s u i t ab le le gi s lat i on or i n an y ot h er wa y, t o
s ecu re t h e p art i ci p at i on of wor kers i n t h e man agement of u n dert aki n gs ,
es t ab lis h men t s or ot h er organ i s at i on s en gaged i n an y i n d us t ry.
4 4 . Unif orm ci vi l code f or the ci ti zens . —Th e St at e sh all en d eavou r t o
s ecu re for t h e ci t i zen s a un i for m ci vi l cod e t h rou gh ou t t h e t erri t ory o f
In d i a.
4 5 . P rovi s i on f or f ree a nd compul s ory educa ti on f or chi l dren. —Th e
St at e s h all en d eavou r t o p ro vi d e, wi t h i n a p eri od of t en years fr om t h e
commen cemen t of t h i s Cons t it ut i on , for free an d comp u ls ory e d u cati on
for al l ch i ld ren un t i l th ey comp l et e t h e age of fou rt een years .
4 6 . P rom oti on of educa ti onal a nd econom i c i nteres ts of Schedul ed
Ca s tes , Schedul ed Tri bes a nd other w ea ker s ecti ons . —Th e St at e s h all
p romot e wi t h sp eci al care t h e ed u cati on al and econ omi c i nt erest s of t h e
weaker s ect i on s of t h e p eop le, an d , i n p arti cu lar, of t h e Sch ed u led Cast es
an d t h e Sch ed u led Tri b es , an d s h all p rot ect t h em fr om s oci al i n ju st i ce
an d all forms of ex p loi t at i on .
4 7 . Duty of the Sta te to rai s e the l evel of nutri ti on a nd the
s ta nda rd of li vi ng a nd to i mprove publ i c hea l th. —Th e Stat e s h all
regard t h e rai si n g of t h e leve l o f n u t ri ti on and th e s t an d ard of li vi n g o f
i t s p eop le and t h e i mp rovement of p u b li c h ealt h as amon g i t s p ri mary
d u ti es and , i n p art i cu lar, t h e St at e s h all en d eavou r t o b ri n g ab ou t
p roh i bi t i on of t h e cons u mp t ion ex cept for med i cin al pu rp os es of
i n t oxi cat in g d rin ks and of d ru gs wh i ch are i n ju ri ous t o h ealth .

21
 4 8 . Org a ni sa ti on of ag ri cul ture a nd a nim al hus ba ndry . —Th e St at e
s h all en d eavou r t o organ i s e agri cu lt u re and ani mal h us b an d ry o n mod ern
an d s ci en t i fi c li n es an d sh all, i n p arti cu lar, t ake s t ep s for p res ervi n g an d
i mp rovi n g th e b reeds , an d p roh ib i ti n g t h e s lau gh t er, of cows an d calves
an d oth er mi lch an d d rau ght cat tle.
4 8 A. P rotecti on a nd i m provement of envi ronm ent a nd s a f eg ua rdi ng
of f ores ts a nd w il d lif e. —The St at e sh all en d eavou r t o p rot ect an d
i mp rove t h e en vi ron ment and t o s afegu ard t h e fores t s an d wi ld li fe o f t h e
cou n t ry.
4 9 . P rotecti on of m onum ents a nd pl a ces a nd objects of na ti onal
i m porta nce. —It s h all b e t h e ob li gat i on of t h e St at e t o p rot ect ever y
mon u ment or p lace or ob j ect of art i st i c or h is t ori c in t erest , d eclared b y
or u n d er law mad e b y Par li amen t t o b e of n at i on al i mp ort ance, fr om
s p oli at i on , d is fi gu remen t , d es t ruct i on , removal, d i s p os al or ex p ort , as t h e
cas e may b e.
5 0 . Sepa ra ti on of judi ci a ry from executi ve. —Th e St at e s h all t ake
s t eps t o s ep arat e t h e ju d i ci ary from t h e ex ecut i ve i n t h e pu b li c s ervi ces
o f t h e St at e.
5 1 . P rom oti on of i nterna ti ona l pea ce a nd s ecuri ty. —Th e St ate s h all
en d eavou r t o—
(a ) p romot e i nt ern at i on al p eace an d s ecu rit y;
(b ) main t ain ju st and h on orab le relat i on s b et ween n at i on s ;
(c) fos t er res p ect for i n t ern ati on al law an d t reat y ob li gat i on s i n
t h e d eali n gs of or gan i zed p eop les wi t h on e an oth er; an d
(d ) en cou rage s ett lemen t of i n t ern at i on al di sp u t es b y arb i t rat i on .

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 PART I VA

FUNDAMENTAL DUTIES

5 1 A. F undam ental duti es . —It s h all b e t h e du t y o f ever y ci t i zen of

In d i a—
(a ) t o ab i d e b y t h e Con s t i t ut i on an d resp ect i ts i d eals an d
i n st i tu ti on s , t h e Nati on al Fla g a n d t h e Nati on al An t h em;
(b ) t o ch eri sh an d fol lo w t h e n ob le id eals wh i ch i ns pi red ou r
n at i on al st ru ggle fo r freed om ;
(c) t o u p h old an d p rot ect th e soverei gn t y, u n i t y an d i n t egri t y o f
In d i a;
(d ) t o d efen d t h e cou n t ry an d ren d er n at i on al s ervi ce wh en called
u p on t o d o s o;
(e) t o p romot e h armon y an d th e sp i ri t of common b rot h erh ood
amon gs t all t h e p eop le o f In d i a t ran s cen di n g reli gi ou s , li n gu is ti c and
regi on al or s ect i on al d i vers i t i es; t o ren ou n ce p ract i ces d erogator y t o
t h e d i gn it y o f women ;
(f ) t o va lu e an d p res erve t h e ri ch h eri t age of ou r comp os i t e
cu lt u re;
(g ) t o p rot ect an d i mp rove t he n at u ral en vi ron men t i n clu din g
fores t s , lakes , ri vers an d wi ld life, an d t o h ave comp as si on for li vi n g
creat u res ;
(h ) t o d evelop t h e s ci ent i fi c t emp er, hu mani s m an d t h e s pi rit o f
i n qu i ry an d reform;
(i ) t o s afegu ard p ub li c p rop ert y an d t o ab ju re vi olen ce;
(j ) t o s t ri ve t oward s e x cellen ce i n all s p h eres of i n d i vi du al an d
col lect i ve act i vi t y s o t h at t h e nat i on con s t an t ly ri s es t o h i gh er leve ls
o f en d eavou r an d ach i evement .

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 PART V
THE UNION
C HAPTER I.—T HE E XECUTIVE

The President and Vice-President

5 2 . The P resi dent of I ndia . —Th ere s h all b e a Pres i d en t of In d i a.

5 3 . Executi ve pow er of the Uni on. —(1 ) Th e ex ecut i ve p ower of t h e
Un i on s h all b e ves t ed in t h e Pres i d en t and sh all b e ex erci s ed b y h i m
ei t h er di rect ly or t h rou gh offi ce rs su b ordi n at e t o h i m in accord an ce wi th
t h is Con st i tu ti on .
(2 ) Wi t h ou t p rej ud i ce t o t h e generali t y o f t h e foreg oi n g p ro vi s i on , t h e
s u p reme comman d of t h e Defen ce Forces o f t h e Un i on s h all b e ves t ed in
t h e Presi d en t an d t h e ex ercis e thereo f s h all b e regu lat ed b y la w.
(3 ) Not h i n g in th is arti cle s h al l—
(a ) b e d eemed t o t ran s fer t o t h e Pres i d ent an y fu n ct i ons con ferr ed
b y an y ex i s t in g law on t h e G overn men t of an y St at e or ot h er au th ori t y;
or
(b ) p reven t Parli amen t from con ferri n g b y la w fu n ct i on s on
au t h orit i es ot h er th an t h e Pres iden t .
5 4 . El ecti on of P resi dent. —Th e Pres i d en t sh all b e e lect ed b y t h e
memb ers of an elect oral co l lege con s i st i n g of —
(a ) t h e elect ed memb ers of b ot h Hou s es of Par li amen t ; an d
(b ) t h e elect ed memb ers of t h e Legi s lat i ve As s emb li es of t h e
St at es .
Exp l a na ti on . —In t hi s arti cle and i n art i cle 5 5 , „„St at e‟‟ in clu des t h e
Nat i on al Cap i t al Terri t ory o f De lh i an d t h e Uni on t erri t ory o f
Pon d i ch erry.
5 5 . Ma nner of el ecti on of P res i dent. —(1 ) As far as p racti cab le,
t h ere sh all b e u n i formi t y i n t h e s cale o f rep res en t ati on of t h e d i fferen t
St at es at th e elect i on of t h e Presi d ent .
(2 ) For t h e p u rp os e of s ecu ri n g s u ch un i formi t y am on g t h e St at es i n t er
s e as well as p ari t y b et ween t he St at es as a wh ole an d th e Un i on , th e
n u mb er of v ot es wh i ch each elect ed memb er of Par li amen t and of t h e
Le gi s lat i ve As s emb ly o f each St at e is en t it led t o cast at su ch elect i on
s h all b e d et ermi n ed in th e fol lo wi n g man n er: —

24
 (a ) ever y e lect ed memb er of t h e Legi s lat i ve As s emb l y o f a St at e
s h all h ave as man y vot es as t h ere are mu lt i p les of on e t h ou s an d i n th e
q u ot i en t ob t ai n ed b y d i vi d i n g t h e p op u lat i on of t h e St at e b y t h e t ot al
n u mb er of t h e elect ed memb ers o f t h e As s emb ly;
(b ) i f, aft er t aki n g t h e s ai d mu lt i p les of on e t h ou s an d, t h e
remai n d er is n ot les s t h an fi ve hu n d red , t h en t h e vot e of each memb er
referred t o i n s ub -clau s e (a ) sh all b e fu rt h er i n creas ed b y on e;
(c) each elect ed member of either House of Parliament shall have such number
of votes as may be obtained by dividing the total number of votes assigned to the
members of the Legislative Assemblies of the States under sub-clauses (a) and (b) by
the total number of the elected members of both Houses of Parliament, fractions
exceeding one-half being counted as one and other fractions being disregarded.
(3) The election of the President shall be held in accordance with the system of
proportional representation by means of the single transferable vote and the voting at such
election shall be by secret ballot.
Explanation.— In this article, the expression „„population‟‟ means the population as
ascertained at the last preceding census of which the relevant figures have been published:
Provided that the reference in this Explanation to the last preceding census of which the
relevant figures have been published shall, until the relevant figures for the first census
taken after the year 2026 have been published, be construed as a reference to the 1971
census.
56. Term of office of President.—(1) The President shall hold office for a term of five
years from the date on which he enters upon his office:
Provided that—
(a ) th e P resi d en t may, b y wri t i ng u n d er h is han d add ress ed t o th e
Vi ce-Pres i d en t , res i gn h i s offi ce ;
(b ) t h e Pres id ent may, for v i olat i on of t h e Con s t it ut i on , b e
removed from o ffi ce b y i mp eachmen t in th e mann er p rovi d ed i n art i cle
61;
(c) t h e Pres i d en t sh all, n ot wi t h st an di n g t h e exp i rat i on of h i s t erm,
con t i nu e t o h old offi ce u n ti l h i s s u ccess or en t ers up on hi s offi ce.
(2) Any resignation addressed to the Vice-President under clause (a) of the proviso to
clause (1) shall forthwith be communicated by him to the Speaker of the House of the
People.
57. Eligibility for re-election.—A person who holds, or who has held, office as
President shall, subject to the other provisions of this Constitution, be eligible for re-
election to that office.
58. Qualifications for election as President.—(1) No person shall be eligible for
election as President unless he—
(a ) i s a ci ti zen of In d i a,
(b ) h as comp let ed th e age of t h i rt y -fi ve years , an d
(c) i s q u ali fi ed for elect i on as a memb er of t h e Hou s e of t h e
Peop le.

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 (2 ) A p ers on sh all n o t b e eli gi b le for e lect i on as Pres i d en t i f h e h old s
an y o ffi ce o f p ro fi t u n d er t h e Govern men t of In d i a or t h e G overn ment of
an y St at e or u n d er an y l ocal or ot h er au th ori t y s u b j ect t o t h e con t rol o f
an y o f t h e s ai d G overn men ts .
Exp l a na ti on . —For t h e p u rp os es o f t h i s arti cle, a p ers on s h all n ot b e
d eemed t o h old an y o ffi ce o f p rofi t b y reas on on l y t h at he i s th e
Pres i d en t or Vi ce - Pres id ent of t h e Un i on or t h e G overn or of an y St at e or
i s a Mi n is t er ei th er for t h e Un i on or for an y St at e.
5 9 . Condi ti ons of P resi dent' s off i ce.—(1 ) Th e Pres id ent s h all n ot b e a
memb er of ei t h er Hou s e of Parli amen t or of a Hou s e of t h e Legi s lat u re of
an y St at e, an d i f a member of e i t h er Hou s e of Parli amen t or of a Hou s e
o f t h e Legi s lat u re of an y St at e b e elect ed Pres id ent , h e sh all b e d eemed
t o h ave vacat ed h i s s eat in th at Hou s e on t h e d at e on wh i ch h e ent ers
u p on h i s offi ce as Pres i d en t .
(2 ) Th e Pres id ent sh all n ot h old an y ot h er o ffi ce o f p ro fi t .
(3 ) Th e Pres i d en t sh all b e en t i t led wi t h out p aymen t of ren t t o t h e u s e
o f h i s offi ci al res i d en ces and sh all b e als o en t it led t o su ch emolu men t s ,
all owan ces an d p ri vi leges as may b e d et ermin ed b y Parli amen t b y law
an d , un ti l p rovi s i on i n t h at b eh alf i s s o mad e, s u ch emolu men t s ,
all owan ces an d p ri vi leges as are s p eci fi ed i n t h e Second Sch edu l e.
(4 ) Th e emolu men ts an d allowan ces of t h e Pres id ent sh all n ot b e
d i min is h ed du rin g h is t erm of o ffi ce.
6 0 . Oa th or affi rma ti on by the P resi dent. —Ever y Pres i d en t an d
ever y p ers on act i n g as Pres id en t or d i s ch argi n g t h e fu n ct i ons of t h e
Pres i d en t s h all, b ef ore en t erin g u p on hi s offi ce, make an d su bs cri b e in
t h e p res en ce of t h e Ch i ef J us t i ce o f In d i a or, i n h i s ab s en ce, the s en i or -
mos t Ju d ge of t h e Sup reme Cou rt avai lab le, an oat h or affi rmat i on i n t he
fol lo wi n g form, t h at is t o s ay —
"I, A.B., d o s w e a r i n t h e n a m e o f G o d t h a t I wi ll fai t h fu ll y e x ecu t e
solemnly affirm
t h e offi ce o f President (or discharge the functions of the President) of India and will to the best of my ability
preserve, protect and defend the Constitution and the law and that I will devote myself to the service and well-
being of the people of India.".
6 1 . P rocedure f or i m pea chment of the P res i dent. —(1 ) Wh en a
Pres i d en t i s t o b e i mp each ed for vi olat i on of t h e Con s t it ut i on , th e ch arge
s h all b e p referred b y ei t h er Hou s e of Par li amen t .
(2 ) No s u ch ch arge s h all b e p referred u n less —
(a ) t h e p rop os al t o p refer s u ch ch arge i s cont ai n ed i n a res olu t ion
wh i ch h as b een moved aft er at leas t fou rt een d ays ' n ot i ce i n wri t in g
s i gn ed b y n ot les s t h an on e-fou rt h of t h e t ot al n u mb er of mem b ers of
t h e Hou s e h as b een gi ven of t h ei r in t en t i on t o move t h e res olu t i on ,
an d
(b ) s u ch res olu t i on h as b een p ass ed b y a maj ori t y o f n ot les s t han
t wo -t h i rds of t h e t ot al memb ershi p of t h e Hou s e.

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 (3 ) Wh en a ch arge h as b ee n s o p referred b y ei t h er Ho u s e of
Parli amen t , th e ot h er Hou s e s hall i n ves t i gat e t h e ch arge or cau s e th e
ch arge t o b e i n ves ti gat ed and the Pres i d en t sh all h ave t h e ri gh t t o ap p ear
an d t o b e rep res en t ed at su ch i nves t i gat i on .
(4) If as a result of the investigation a resolution is passed by a majority of not less than
two-thirds of the total membership of the House by which the charge was investigated or
caused to be investigated, declaring that the charge preferred against the President has been
sustained, such resolution shall have the effect of removing the President from his office as
from the date on which the resolution is so passed.
62. Time of holding election to fill vacancy in the office of President and the term of office of person elected to
fill casual vacancy. —(1) An election to fill a vacancy caused by the expiration of the term of office of President shall be
completed before the expiration of the term.
(2) An election to fill a vacancy in the office of President occurring by reason of his
death, resignation or removal, or otherwise shall be held as soon as possible after, and in
no case later than six months from, the date of occurrence of the vacancy; and the person
elected to fill the vacancy shall, subject to the provisions of article 56, be entitled to hold
office for the full term of five years from the date on which he enters upon his office.
63. The Vice-President of India.—There shall be a Vice-President of India.
64. The Vice-President to be ex officio Chairman of the Council of States.—The
Vice-President shall be ex officio Chairman of the Council of States and shall not hold any
other office of profit:
Provided that during any period when the Vice-President acts as President or discharges
the functions of the President under article 65, he shall not perform the duties of the office
of Chairman of the Council of States and shall not be entitled to any salary or allowance
payable to the Chairman of the Council of States under article 97.
65. The Vice-President to act as President or to discharge his functions during casual vacancies in the
office, or during the absence, of President.— (1) In the event of the occurrence of any vacancy in the office of the
President by reason of his death, resignation or removal, or otherwise, the Vice-President shall act as President until the
date on which a new President elected in accordance with the provisions of this Chapter to fill such vacancy enters upon
his office.
(2) When the President is unable to discharge his functions owing to absence, illness or
any other cause, the Vice-President shall discharge his functions until the date on which the
President resumes his duties.
(3) The Vice-President shall, during, and in respect of, the period while he is so acting
as, or discharging the functions of, President, have all the powers and immunities of the
President and be entitled to such emoluments, allowances and privileges as may be
determined by Parliament by law and, until provision in that behalf is so made, such
emoluments, allowances and privileges as are specified in the Second Schedule.
66. Election of Vice-President.—(1) The Vice-President shall be elected by the
members of an electoral college consisting of the members of both Houses of Parliament in
accordance with the system of proportional representation by means of the single
transferable vote and the voting at such election shall be by secret ballot.
(2 ) Th e Vi ce -Pres i d en t s h all not b e a memb er of ei t h er Hou s e of
Parli amen t or o f a H ou s e o f t h e Le gi s lat u re o f an y St at e, an d i f a memb er
o f ei t h er Hou s e of Parli amen t or o f a H ou s e of t h e Legi s lat u re o f an y
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St at e b e elect ed Vi ce -Pres i d en t , h e s h all b e d eemed t o h ave vacat ed h is
s eat in th at Hou s e on t h e d at e on wh i ch h e ent ers up on h i s offi ce as Vi ce -
Pres i d en t .
(3 ) No p ers on s h all b e eli gi b le for elect i on as Vi ce -Pres i d en t u n les s
h e—
(a ) i s a ci ti zen of In d i a;
(b ) h as comp let ed th e age of t h i rt y -fi ve years ; an d
(c) i s qu ali fi ed for elect i on as a memb er of t h e Cou n ci l of St at es.
(4 ) A p ers on s h all n ot be eli gi ble for elect i on as Vi ce-Pres i d ent i f h e
h old s an y o ffi ce o f p ro fi t u n d er th e G overn men t of In d i a or t h e
G overn men t of an y St at e or u n der an y loca l or ot h er au t h ori t y s u b j ect t o
t h e con t rol of an y o f t h e s ai d G overn men t s.
Exp l a na ti on . — For t h e p u rp os es o f t h i s arti cle, a p ers on s h all n ot b e
d eemed t o h old an y o ffi ce o f p rofi t b y reas on on l y t h at he i s th e
Pres i d en t or Vi ce - Pres id ent of t h e Un i on or t h e G overn or of an y St at e or
i s a Mi n is t er ei th er for t h e Un i on or for an y St at e.
6 7 . Term of offi ce of Vi ce -P res i dent. —Th e Vi ce -Pres id en t sh all h o ld
o ffi ce fo r a t erm of fi ve years from t h e d at e on wh i ch h e ent ers u p on hi s
o ffi ce:
Provi d ed t h at —
(a ) a Vi ce -Pres i d en t may, b y w ri t in g u nd er h is h an d ad d res s ed t o
t h e Presi d en t , res i gn h is offi ce;
(b ) a Vi ce -Pres i d en t may b e removed fr o m h i s offi ce b y a
res olu t i on of t h e Cou n ci l of St at es p as s ed b y a maj ori t y of a ll t h e t h en
memb ers of t h e Coun ci l and agreed t o b y t h e Hou s e of t h e People; b u t
n o res olu t i on for t h e pu rp os e of t h i s clau s e sh all b e moved u nles s at
leas t fou rt een d ays ' n ot i c e h as been gi ven of t h e i nt en ti on t o move t h e
res olu t i on ;
(c) a Vi ce -Pres i d ent s h all, n ot wi t h st and in g t h e ex pi rati on of h is
t erm, con t in u e t o h old offi ce u n ti l h is su cces s or en t ers u pon h is
o ffi ce.
6 8 . Tim e of hol di ng el ecti on to f i ll va ca ncy i n the of f i ce of Vi ce -
P res i dent a nd the term of off i ce of pers on el ected to f i ll ca s ual
va ca ncy . —(1 ) An elect i on t o fi ll a vacan c y cau s ed b y t h e ex p irat i on of
t h e t erm of o ffi ce o f Vi ce -Pr es i d en t sh all b e comp let ed b efore t h e
ex p i rat i on of t h e t erm.
(2 ) An elect i o n t o fi ll a vac an cy i n t h e o ffi ce o f Vi ce -Pre s i d ent
occu rri n g b y reas on of h i s d eat h , res i gn ati on or removal, or ot h erwi s e
s h all b e h eld as s oon as p os si b le aft er t h e occu rren ce o f t h e vaca n cy, an d
t h e p ers on elect ed t o fi ll t h e vacan cy s h al l, s u b j ect t o t h e p rovi s i ons o f
art i cle 6 7 , b e ent it led t o h old offi ce for t h e fu ll t erm o f fi ve y ears from
t h e d at e on whi ch h e ent ers u p on h i s offi ce.

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 69. Oath or affirmation by the Vice-President.—Every Vice-President shall, before
entering upon his office, make and subscribe before the President, or some person
appointed
in that behalf by him, an oath or affirmation in the following form, that is to say—
"I, A.B., d o s w e a r i n t h e n a m e o f G o d t h at I wi ll b ear t ru e fai t h
an d
s o l e mn l y a f f i r m
alle gi an ce t o th e Con st it u ti on of In d i a as b y law es t ab li s h ed an d t h at I
wi ll fai t h fu l l y d i s ch arge t h e d uty u p on wh i ch I am ab ou t t o en t e r. "
70. Discharge of President's functions in other contingencies.—Parliament may
make such provisions as it thinks fit for the discharge of the functions of the President in
any contingency not provided for in this Chapter.
7 1 . Ma tters rel a ti ng to, or c onnected w i th, the el ecti on of a
P res i dent or Vi ce -P res i dent.—(1 ) Al l d ou b t s an d di sp u t es ari sin g ou t o f
or i n con n ecti on wi th th e elect ion o f a Pres i d ent or Vi ce -Pres i d en t s h all
b e i n qu i red i nt o an d d ecid ed b y t h e Su p reme Cou rt wh os e d ecisi on s h all
b e fi n al.
(2) If the election of a person as President or Vice-President is declared void by the
Supreme Court, acts done by him in the exercise and performance of the powers and duties
of the office of President or Vice-President, as the case may be, on or before the date of the
decision of the Supreme Court shall not be invalidated by reason of that declaration.
(3) Subject to the provisions of this Constitution, Parliament may by law regulate any
matter relating to or connected with the election of a President or Vice-President.
(4) The election of a person as President or Vice-President shall not be called in
question on the ground of the existence of any vacancy for whatever reason among the
members of the electoral college electing him.
72. Power of President to grant pardons, etc., and to suspend, remit or commute
sentences in certain cases.— (1) The President shall have the power to grant pardons,
reprieves, respites or remissions of punishment or to suspend, remit or commute the
sentence of any person convicted of any offence—
(a) in all cases where the punishment or sentence is by a Court Martial;
(b) in all cases where the punishment or sentence is for an offence against any law
relating to a matter to which the executive power of the Union extends;
(c) in all cases where the sentence is a sentence of death.
(2) Nothing in sub-clause (a) of clause (1) shall affect the power conferred by law on
any officer of the Armed Forces of the Union to suspend, remit or commute a sentence
passed by a Court Martial.
(3) Nothing in sub-clause (c) of clause (1) shall affect the power to suspend, remit or
commute a sentence of death exercisable by the Governor of a State under any law for the
time being in force.
73. Extent of executive power of the Union.— (1) Subject to the provisions of this
Constitution, the executive power of the Union shall extend—

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 (a ) t o th e mat t ers wi th resp ect t o wh i ch Parli amen t h as p ower t o
make laws ; an d
(b ) t o t h e ex erci s e of s u ch righ t s , aut h ori t y an d ju ri sd i ct i on as
are ex erci s ab le b y t h e G overn men t of In d i a b y vi rt u e o f an y t reat y
or agreemen t :
Provi d ed th at t h e ex ecu ti ve p ower referred t o i n su b -clau s e (a) s h all
n ot , s ave as exp ress ly p ro vi d ed i n th is Con s ti tu t i on or i n an y l aw mad e
b y Par li amen t , ex t en d in an y St at e t o mat t ers wi th res p ect t o wh i ch th e
Le gi s lat u re of t h e St at e h as als o p ower t o make laws .
(2 ) Un t i l ot h erwi s e p rovi d ed b y Parli amen t , a St at e an d an y o ffi cer
or au t h orit y o f a St at e may, not wi t h st and i n g an yt h i n g i n t hi s art i cle,
con t i nu e t o ex ercis e in m at t ers wi t h resp ect t o wh i ch Parli amen t h as
p ower t o make laws for t h at Stat e su ch ex ecu ti ve p ower or fu n ct i ons as
t h e St at e or offi cer or au t h ori t y t h ereo f c ou ld ex erci s e i mmed i at ely
b efore t h e commen cemen t of t h is Con s ti tu t i on.

Council of Ministers

7 4 . Counci l of M i nis ters to ai d a nd a dvis e P resi dent. —(1 ) Th ere

s h all b e a Cou n ci l of Mi n i s t ers wi t h th e Prime Min is t er at th e head t o aid
an d ad vi s e th e Pres id ent wh o s h all, i n t h e ex erci s e of h i s fu n ct i on s , act
i n accord an ce wi t h su ch ad vi ce:
Provi d ed th at t h e Presi d en t may req u i re t h e Cou n ci l of Mi n i st ers t o
recon s i d er su ch ad vi ce, ei th er gen erall y or ot h erwi s e, an d th e Pres i d en t
s h all act i n accord an ce wi t h t h e ad vi ce t en d ered aft er s u ch
recon s i d erat i on .
(2 ) Th e q u es ti on wh et h er an y, an d i f s o wh at , ad vi ce was t end ered b y
Mi n is t ers t o th e Pres id ent sh all n ot b e i nq u i red in t o in an y cou rt .
7 5 . Other provi s i ons a s to M ini s ters . —(1 ) Th e Pri me Mi ni st er s h all
b e app oi n t ed b y t h e Presi d en t an d th e ot h er Mi ni st ers s h all b e ap p oi nt ed
b y t h e Pres i d en t on t h e ad vi ce of t h e Pri me Min i st er.

30
 (1 A) Th e t ot al n u mb er of Mi n i st ers , in clu di n g th e Pri me Mi ni st er, in
t h e Coun ci l of Mi n i st ers s h all n ot ex ceed fi ft een p er cent . of t h e t ot al
n u mb er of memb ers of t h e Hou s e of t h e Peop le.
(1 B) A memb er of ei t h er H ou s e of Parli amen t b elon gi n g to an y
p oli t i cal p art y wh o i s di sq u alifi ed for b ei n g a memb er of t hat Hou s e
u n d er p aragrap h 2 of t h e Ten t h Sch ed u le s h all als o b e d i s q u ali fi ed t o b e
ap p oi nt ed as a Min is t er u nd er clau s e (1 ) for d u rat i on of t he p eri od
commen ci n g from t h e d at e of h i s di sq u ali fi cat i on ti ll t h e d at e on wh i ch
t h e t erm of h i s offi ce as s u ch memb er wou ld ex p i re or wh ere h e con t es ts
an y e lect i on t o ei t h er Hou s e of Par li amen t b efore t h e ex pi ry o f s u ch
p eri od , ti ll t h e d at e on wh i ch h e i s d eclared elect ed , wh i ch ever i s earli er.
(2 ) Th e Mi ni st ers s h all h old offi ce d u ri n g t h e p leas u re o f t h e
Pres i d en t .
(3 ) Th e Cou n ci l of Mi ni st ers sh all b e collect i vel y res p on s i b le t o th e
Hou s e of t h e Peop le.
(4 ) Before a Mi n is t er en t ers u p on h is offi ce, t h e Pres id ent s h al l
ad min i st er t o h i m t h e oat hs of o ffi ce an d o f s ecrec y acco rd i n g t o t h e
forms s et ou t for t h e pu rp os e i n t h e Th i rd Sch edu le.
(5 ) A Mi n is t er wh o for an y p er i od of s i x con s ecut i ve mon t hs is n ot a
memb er of ei t h er Hou s e o f Pa rli amen t s h all at t h e ex pi rati on of t h at
p eri od ceas e t o b e a Mi ni st er.
(6 ) Th e s alari es an d allowa n ces of Mi n i s t ers s h all b e s u ch as
Parli amen t may from t i me t o t i me b y law d et ermi n e an d , u nt i l Parli amen t
s o d et ermin es , s h all b e as s p eci fi ed in th e Second Sch ed u le.

The Attorney-General for India

76. Attorney-General for India.—(1) The President shall appoint a person who is
qualified to be appointed a Judge of the Supreme Court to be Attorney- General for India.
(2) It shall be the duty of the Attorney-General to give advice to the Government of
India upon such legal matters, and to perform such other duties of a legal character, as may
from time to time be referred or assigned to him by the President, and to discharge the
functions conferred on him by or under this Constitution or any other law for the time
being in force.
(3) In the performance of his duties the Attorney-General shall have right of audience
in all courts in the territory of India.
(4) The Attorney-General shall hold office during the pleasure of the President, and
shall receive such remuneration as the President may determine.

31
 Conduct of Government Business

77. Conduct of business of the Government of India.—(1) All executive action of the
Government of India shall be expressed to be taken in the name of the President.
(2) Orders and other instruments made and executed in the name of the President shall
be authenticated in such manner as may be specified in rules to be made by the President,
and the validity of an order or instrument which is so authenticated shall not be called in
question on the ground that it is not an order or instrument made or executed by the
President.
(3) The President shall make rules for the more convenient transaction of the business
of the Government of India, and for the allocation among Ministers of the said business.
* * * *
*
78. Duties of Prime Minister as respects the furnishing of information to the
President, etc.—It shall be the duty of the Prime Minister—
(a ) t o commu ni cat e t o t h e Pres i d en t all d eci si on s of t h e Cou nci l
o f Mi n i st ers relat in g t o th e ad mi n is t rati on of t h e affai rs of t h e Un i on
an d p rop os als for legi s lat i on ;
(b ) t o fu rni sh su ch in format i on relat in g t o th e ad min i st r ati on o f
t h e affai rs o f t h e Un i on an d p rop os als for le gi s lat i on as t h e Pres i d en t
may ca ll for ; an d
(c) i f t h e Pres id en t s o req ui res , t o s u b mi t for t h e con s id erat i on o f
t h e Cou n ci l of Mi n i st ers an y mat t er on wh i ch a d eci si on h as b een
t aken b y a Mi n is t er b u t wh i ch h as n ot b een cons i d ered b y t h e Cou n ci l.

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 CHAPTER II.—PARLIAMENT

General

79. Constitution of Parliament.—There shall be a Parliament for the Union which

shall consist of the President and two Houses to be known respectively as the Council of
States and the House of the People.
80. Composition of the Council of States.—(1) The Council of States shall consist
of—
(a) twelve members to be nominated by the President in accordance with the
provisions of clause (3); and
(b) not more than two hundred and thirty-eight representatives of the States and
of the Union territories.
(2) The allocation of seats in the Council of States to be filled by representatives of the
States and of the Union territories shall be in accordance with the provisions in that behalf
contained in the Fourth Schedule.
(3) The members to be nominated by the President under sub-clause (a) of clause (1)
shall consist of persons having special knowledge or practical experience in respect of such
matters as the following, namely:—
Literature, science, art and social service.
(4) The representatives of each State in the Council of States shall be elected by the
elected members of the Legislative Assembly of the State in accordance with the system of
proportional representation by means of the single transferable vote.
(5) The representatives of the Union territories in the Council of States shall be chosen
in such manner as Parliament may by law prescribe.
81. Composition of the House of the People.—(1) Subject to the provisions of article
331, the House of the People shall consist of—
(a) not more than five hundred and thirty members chosen by direct election from
territorial constituencies in the States, and
(b) not more than twenty members to represent the Union territories, chosen in
such manner as Parliament may by law provide.
(2) For the purposes of sub-clause (a) of clause (1),—
(a) there shall be allotted to each State a number of seats in the House of the
People in such manner that the ratio between that number and the population of the
State is, so far as practicable, the same for all States; and
(b) each State shall be divided into territorial constituencies in such manner that
the ratio between the population of each constituency and the number of seats allotted
to it is, so far as practicable, the same throughout the State:

33
 Provided that the provisions of sub-clause (a) of this clause shall not be applicable for
the purpose of allotment of seats in the House of the People to any State so long as the
population of that State does not exceed six millions.
(3) In this article, the expression “population” means the population as ascertained at the
last preceding census of which the relevant figures have been published:
Provided that the reference in this clause to the last preceding census of which the
relevant figures have been published shall, until the relevant figures for the first census
taken after the year 2026 have been published, be construed, —
(i) for the purposes of sub-clause (a) of clause (2) and the proviso to that clause, as
a reference to the 1971 census; and
(ii) for the purposes of sub-clause (b) of clause (2) as a reference to the 2001
census.
82. Readjustment after each census.—Upon the completion of each census, the
allocation of seats in the House of the People to the States and the division of each State
into territorial constituencies shall be readjusted by such authority and in such manner as
Parliament may by law determine:
Provided that such readjustment shall not affect representation in the House of the
People until the dissolution of the then existing House:
Provided further that such readjustment shall take effect from such date as the
President may, by order, specify and until such readjustment takes effect, any election to
the House may be held on the basis of the territorial constituencies existing before such
readjustment:
Provided also that until the relevant figures for the first census taken after the year
2026 have been published, it shall not be necessary to readjust—
(i) the allocation of seats in the House of People to the States as readjusted on
the basis of the 1971 census; and
(ii) the division of each State into territorial constituencies as may be
readjusted on the basis of the 2001 census,
under this article.
8 3 . Dura ti on of Hous es of Pa rl ia m ent. —(1 ) Th e Cou n ci l of St at es
s h all n ot b e s u b j ect t o d is s olu t ion , b u t as n early as p os s i b le on e -t h i rd of
t h e memb ers t h ereof s h all ret i re as s oon as ma y b e on t h e ex p i rat i on o f
ever y s econ d year i n accord an ce wi t h th e p rovi s i on s mad e in th at b eh alf
b y Par li amen t b y law.
(2 ) Th e Hou s e of t h e Peop le, u n les s s oon er di s s olved , s h all con t i nu e
for fi ve years from t h e d at e appoi n t ed for i t s fi rs t meet in g and n o lon ger
an d th e exp i ra ti on of t h e s ai d p eri od of fi ve years s h all op erat e as a
d i ss olu t i on of t h e Hou s e:
Provi d ed th at th e s ai d p eriod may, wh i le a Proc lamat i on of
Emergen c y i s i n op erat i on , b e ex t end ed b y Par li amen t b y law fo r a p eri od
n ot ex ceedi n g on e year at a t i me an d n o t ext end in g i n an y cas e b eyon d a
p eri od of s i x mon th s aft er th e Proclamat i on h as ceas ed t o op erat e.
8 4 . Qua l ifi ca ti on f or m em bershi p of Pa rl iam ent. —A p ers on sh all n ot
b e qu ali fi ed t o b e ch os en t o fi ll a s eat in Parli ament un les s h e —

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 (a ) i s a ci ti zen of In d i a, an d makes an d s ub s cri b es b efore s o me
p ers on au th ori s ed in th at b eh alf b y t h e Elect i on Commis s i on an oat h
or affi rmat i on accord i n g t o th e form s et ou t for t h e pu rp os e i n t h e
Th i rd Sched u le;
(b ) i s , i n t h e cas e of a s eat i n th e Cou n ci l of St at es , n ot les s t han
t h i rt y years o f age an d , i n th e cas e of a s eat i n th e Hou s e o f t h e
Peop le, n ot les s t h an t went y - fi v e years o f a ge; an d
(c) p os s ess es s u ch oth er qu ali fi cat i ons as may b e p res crib ed i n
t h at b eh alf b y or u n d er an y la w mad e b y Parli amen t .
8 5 . Ses si ons of P a rl i am ent, prorog a ti on a nd di ss ol uti on. —(1 ) Th e
Pres i d en t s h all from t i me t o t ime s u mmon each Hou s e of Parl i amen t t o
meet at su ch ti me and p lace as h e t h in ks fi t , b ut si x mon th s s h all n ot
i n t erven e b et ween it s last si tt i ng i n on e s ess i on an d th e d at e a p p oi nt ed
for i t s fi rs t si tt i n g in th e n ex t s es s i on .
(2 ) Th e Pres id ent may fr om t i me t o t i me —
(a ) p rorogu e t h e Hou s es or ei t h er Hou s e;
(b ) d is s olve t h e Hou s e of t h e Peop le.
8 6 . Rig ht of P res i dent to a ddres s a nd s end m es sa g es to Hous es . —(1 )
Th e Pres i d ent may ad d res s ei ther Hou s e o f Par li amen t or b ot h Hou s es
as s emb led t oget h er, an d for t h at pu rp os e requ i re th e at t end an ce of
memb ers .
(2 ) Th e Pres id ent may s en d mes s ages t o ei th er Hou s e of Parli amen t ,
wh et h er wi t h resp ect t o a Bi ll t h en p en d in g i n Parli amen t or o t h erwi s e,
an d a Hou s e t o wh i ch an y mes s age i s s o s en t sh all wi t h all c on ven i ent
d es p at ch con si d er an y mat t er req u i red b y t h e mes s age t o b e t aken i n t o
con s i d erat i on .
8 7 . Specia l a ddres s by the P res i dent. —(1 ) At t h e commen cemen t of
t h e fi rs t s es si on aft er ea ch general elect i on t o t h e Hou s e of t h e Peop le
an d at t h e commen cemen t of t h e fi rs t s es s i on of each year t h e Pres i d en t
s h all ad d res s b ot h Hou s es of P arli amen t as s emb led t oget h er an d i n form
Parli amen t of t h e cau s es of i t s su mmon s .
(2 ) Provi s i on s h all b e mad e b y t h e ru les regu lat i n g th e p roced u re of
ei t h er Hou s e for t h e allot men t of t i me for d i s cus si on of t h e mat t ers
referred t o i n s u ch add ress .
8 8 . Rig hts of M i ni s ters a nd Attorney -Genera l a s res pects Hous es . —
Ever y Mi n i s ter an d th e At t orn ey -G en eral o f In d i a s h all h ave t h e ri gh t t o
s p eak i n , and ot h erwi s e t o t ake p art i n t h e p roceedi n gs of, ei t h er Hou s e,
an y j oi n t s i tt in g of t h e Hou s es , and an y commi t t ee of Par li amen t of
wh i ch h e may b e n amed a member, b u t s h all n ot b y vi rt u e of t h i s art i cle
b e ent i t led t o vot e .

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 Officers of Parliament
8 9 . The Chai rm a n a nd Deputy Cha i rma n of the Counci l of Sta tes . —
(1 ) Th e Vi ce - Pres i d en t of In d i a sh all b e ex o f f i cio Ch ai rman of t h e
Cou n ci l of St at es .
(2 ) Th e Cou n ci l o f St at es s h all, as s oon as ma y b e, ch oos e a m emb er
o f t h e Cou n ci l t o b e Dep u t y Chai rman th ereof an d , s o oft en as t h e offi ce
o f Dep u t y Ch ai rman b ecomes vacan t , t h e Cou n ci l s h all ch oos e an ot h er
memb er t o b e Dep u t y Ch ai rman t h ereof.
9 0 . Va ca ti on a nd res i g na ti on of , a nd rem ova l f rom , the offi ce of
Deputy Cha i rma n. —A memb er h old i n g offi ce as Dep u t y Ch ai rman of t h e
Cou n ci l of St at es —
(a ) s h all vacat e h i s o ffi ce i f h e ceas es t o b e a memb er o f t h e
Cou n ci l;
(b ) may at an y t i me, b y wri t i n g u n d er h i s h an d ad d res s ed t o th e
Ch ai rman , resi gn hi s offi ce; an d
(c) may b e remov ed fr om h i s offi ce b y a res olu t i on of t h e Cou nci l
p as s ed b y a maj ori t y o f al l t h e t h en memb ers of t h e Cou nci l:
Provi d ed t h at n o res olu t i on fo r t h e p u rp os e of c lau s e (c) s h all b e
moved u n les s at leas t fou rt ee n d ays ‟ n ot i ce h as b een gi ven of t h e
i n t en ti on t o move t h e res olu t i on.
9 1 . P ow er of the Deputy Chai rm a n or other pers on to perf orm the
duti es of the off i ce of , or to a ct a s , Cha i rma n. —(1 )Wh i le th e o ffi ce of
Ch ai rman i s vacan t , or d u ri n g an y p eri od wh en t h e Vi ce -Pr es i d en t is
act i n g as , or di s ch argi n g t h e fu n cti on s of, Pres i d en t , th e du ties of t h e
o ffi ce s h all b e p er formed b y t h e Dep u t y Ch ai rman , or, i f t h e o ffi ce o f
Dep u t y Ch ai rman i s als o vacan t , b y s u ch memb er of t h e Cou n ci l o f St at es
as t h e Pres id ent may ap p oi n t for t h e p u rp os e.
(2 ) Du ri n g th e abs en ce o f t h e Chai rman from an y s i t t in g of t h e Cou n ci l
o f St at es t h e Dep u t y Ch ai rman , or, i f h e i s a ls o ab s en t , s u ch p ers on as
may b e d et ermi n ed b y t h e ru les of p roced u re o f t h e Cou n ci l, or, i f n o
s u ch p ers on is p res en t , s u ch ot h er p ers on as may b e d et ermined b y t h e
Cou n ci l, s hall act as Ch ai rman .
9 2 . The Cha i rma n or the Deputy Cha i rm a n not to pres i de w hi l e a
res ol uti on f or his rem ova l f rom offi ce i s under cons i dera ti on. — (1 ) At
an y s i t t i n g of t h e Cou n ci l of St at es , wh i le an y res olu t i on for t h e remova l
o f t h e Vi ce -Pres i d en t from h i s offi ce i s u nd er con s id erati on , t he
Ch ai rman , or wh i le an y res ol u t i on for t h e removal o f t h e Dep u t y
Ch ai rman from h i s offi ce i s und er con s id erati on , th e Depu t y Ch ai rman ,

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s h all n ot , t h ou gh h e i s p res ent , p res id e, an d t h e p rovi s i on s of cla u s e (2 )
o f art i cle 9 1 s h all ap p ly i n relat i on t o ever y s u ch s i tt in g as t h ey ap p ly i n
relat i on t o a s i t t in g from wh i ch t h e Ch ai rman , or, as th e cas e may b e, t h e
Dep u t y Ch ai rman , i s ab s en t .
(2 ) Th e Ch ai rman sh all h ave t he ri gh t t o s p eak i n , and ot h erwi s e t o
t ake p art i n t h e p roceed in gs o f, t h e Cou n ci l o f St at es wh i le an y
res olu t i on for t h e removal o f t h e Vi ce -Pres i d en t from h i s offi ce i s u nd er
con s i d erat i on in t h e Coun ci l, b u t, n ot wi th s t an di n g an yt h i n g i n art i cle
1 0 0, sh all n ot b e ent i t led t o vot e at all on s u ch res olu t i on or on an y ot h er
mat t er du rin g s u ch p roceedi n gs .
9 3 . The Spea ker a nd Deputy S pea ker of the H ous e of the P eo pl e. —
Th e Hou s e o f t h e Peop le s h all, as s oon as may b e, ch oos e t wo memb ers
o f t h e Hou s e t o b e res p ecti vel y Sp eaker an d Dep ut y Sp eaker t h ereo f an d ,
s o oft en as th e offi ce o f Sp eake r or Dep u t y Sp eaker b ecomes vacan t , t he
Hou s e s h all ch oos e an ot h er memb er t o b e Sp eaker or Dep u t y S p eaker, as
t h e cas e may b e.
9 4 . Va ca ti on a nd resi g na ti on of , a nd rem ova l f rom , the offi ces of
Spea ker a nd Deputy Spea ker. — A memb er h old i n g offi ce as Sp eaker or
Dep u t y Sp eaker o f t h e Hou s e of t h e Peop le —
(a ) s h all vacat e h is offi ce i f h e ceas es t o b e a memb er of t h e
Hou s e of t h e Peop le ;
(b ) may at an y t i me, b y wri t i n g u n d er h is h an d add ress ed , i f s uch
memb er is th e Sp eaker, t o t h e Dep u t y Sp eaker, an d i f s u ch memb er is
t h e Depu t y Sp eaker, t o t h e Sp eaker, res i gn h is offi ce; an d
(c) may b e remo ved from h i s offi ce b y a res o lu t i on o f t h e H ou s e
o f t h e Peop le p as s ed b y a maj ori t y o f al l t h e t h en memb ers o f t h e
Hou s e:
Provi d ed t h at n o res olu t i on fo r t h e p u rp os e of c lau s e (c) s h all b e
moved u n les s at leas t fou rt ee n d ays ‟ n ot i ce h as b een gi ven of t h e
i n t en ti on t o move t h e res olu t i on :
Provi d ed fu rt h er t h at , wh en ever t h e Hou s e of t h e Peop le i s di s sol ved ,
t h e Sp eaker sh all n ot vac at e h i s o ffi ce u n t i l i mmed i at ely b efore t h e fi rs t
meet i n g of t h e Hou s e of t h e Peop le aft er t h e d is s olu t i on .
9 5 . P ow er of the Deputy Spea ker or other pers on to perf or m the
duti es of the off i ce of , or to act a s , Spea ker. —(1 ) Wh i le t h e o ffi ce o f
Sp eaker i s va can t , t h e d ut i es o f t h e offi ce s h all b e p erform ed b y t h e
Dep u t y Sp eaker or, i f t h e offi c e o f Dep u t y Sp eaker i s als o va can t , b y
s u ch memb er of t h e Hou s e o f t h e Peop le as t h e Pres i d en t may ap p oi nt for
t h e p u rp os e.
(2 ) Du ri n g t h e ab s en ce of t h e Sp eaker fr om a n y s i t t i n g of t h e H o u s e of
t h e Peop le t h e Dep ut y Sp eaker or, i f h e i s als o ab s en t, s u ch p ers on as
may b e d et ermin ed b y t h e ru les o f p roced u re o f t h e Hou s e, or, i f n o s u ch
p ers on is p res en t , s u ch ot h er p ers on as may b e d et ermi n ed b y t h e Hou s e,
s h all act as Sp eaker.

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 9 6 . The Spea ker or the Depu ty Spea ker not t o pres i de w hi l e a
res ol uti on f or his rem ova l f rom offi ce i s under cons i dera ti on. — (1 ) At
an y s i t t i n g of t h e H ou s e of t h e Peop le, wh i le an y res olu t i on for t h e
remova l o f t h e Sp eaker from h i s offi ce i s u n d e r con si d erat i on , th e
Sp eaker, or wh i le an y res olu t i o n for t h e remo val o f t h e Dep u ty Sp eaker
fr om h i s offi ce i s u nd er con sid erat i on , th e Depu t y Sp eaker, s h all n ot ,
t h ou gh h e is p res en t , p res id e, an d th e p rovi s i on s of clau s e (2 ) o f art i cle
9 5 s h all ap p ly i n relat i on t o ever y s u ch s i tt in g as th ey ap p l y i n relat i on
t o a s i t t in g fr om wh i ch t h e Sp eaker, or, as t h e cas e ma y b e, t h e Dep u t y
Sp eaker, i s ab s en t .
(2 ) Th e Sp eaker s h all h ave t h e r i gh t t o s p eak i n , an d ot h erwis e to t ake
p art i n th e p roceed in gs o f, t h e Ho u s e o f t h e Pe op le wh i le an y r es olu t i on
for h i s removal from o ffi ce i s und er con s id erati on i n t h e Hou s e an d sh all,
n ot wi t hs t an d in g an yt h i n g i n arti cle 1 0 0 , b e en ti t led t o vot e on l y i n t h e
fi rs t i n st an ce on su ch res olu t ion or on an y ot h er mat t er d u ri n g s u ch
p roceed i n gs b ut n ot i n t h e cas e o f an eq u ali t y o f vot es .
9 7 . Sa la ri es a nd a ll ow a nces of the Cha i rm a n a nd Deputy Chai rma n
a nd the Spea ker a nd Deputy Spea ker. — Th ere s h all b e p ai d t o t he
Ch ai rman an d th e Dep u t y Ch ai rman of t h e Cou n ci l o f St at es , an d t o t h e
Sp eaker an d th e Dep u t y Sp eaker o f t h e Hou s e o f t h e Peop le, s u ch s alari es
an d allowan ces as may b e resp ect i vel y fi x ed b y Parli amen t b y law an d ,
u n ti l p rovi s i on i n th at b eh alf i s s o mad e, s u ch s alari es and allo wan ces as
are s p eci fi ed i n t h e Second Sch ed u le.
9 8 . Secreta ria t of P a rli am ent. — (1 ) Each Hou s e of Parli amen t s h all
h ave a s ep arat e s ecret ari al s t aff:
Provi d ed th at n ot hi n g in th is clau s e s h all b e cons t ru ed as p reven t in g
t h e creati on of p os t s common t o b ot h Hou s es of Par li amen t .
(2 ) Parli amen t may b y law regu l at e t h e recru it ment , an d th e con d i ti ons
o f s ervi ce o f p ers on s ap p oi nt ed , t o t h e s ecret ari al s t aff o f ei t h er Hou s e o f
Parli amen t .
(3 ) Un t i l p rovi s i on is mad e by Par li amen t un d er clau s e (2), t h e
Pres i d en t may, aft er con s u lt at i on wi th th e Sp eaker of t h e Hou se of t h e
Peop le or t h e Ch ai rman of t h e Cou n ci l o f St at es , as t h e cas e ma y b e,
make ru les regu lat i n g t h e recrui t ment , an d t h e cond it i on s of s ervi ce o f
p ers on s app oi n t ed , t o t h e s ecretari al s t aff o f t h e Hou s e of t h e Peop le or
t h e Coun ci l of St at es , and a n y r u les s o mad e sh all h ave effect s u b j ect t o
t h e p rovi s i on s of an y law mad e u n d er t h e s aid clau s e.

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 Conduct of Business

9 9 . Oa th or aff i rm a ti on by m em bers . — Every memb er of ei th er

Hou s e o f Parli amen t s h all, b efore t aki n g h i s s eat , make and s u bs crib e
b efore t h e Pres id en t, or s ome pers on app oi n t ed i n t h at b eh alf b y h i m, an
oat h or affi rmat i on accord i n g to t h e form s et ou t for t h e pu rpos e i n t he
Th i rd Sched u le.
1 0 0. Voti ng i n Hous es , pow er of Hous es to a ct notw i ths tandi ng
va ca nci es a nd quorum . — (1 ) Save as ot h erwis e p rovi d ed i n th i s
Con s t it ut i on , all q u es t i ons at any s i t t i n g of ei t h er Hou s e or j oin t si tt in g
o f t h e Hou s es sh all b e d et ermi ned b y a maj ori t y o f vot es o f t h e memb ers
p res ent an d vot in g, ot h er t h an th e Sp eaker or p ers on acti n g as Ch ai rman
or Sp eake r.
Th e Ch ai rman or Sp eaker, or p ers on act in g as s u ch , s hall n ot vot e i n
t h e fi rs t in st an ce, b ut sh all h ave an d ex erci s e a cas ti n g vot e i n t h e cas e
o f an eq u ali t y o f vot es .
(2 ) Ei t h er Hou s e of Parli amen t sh all h ave p ower t o act n ot wi t h stan d in g
an y vacan c y i n t h e memb ersh i p t h ereof, an d an y p rocee d i n gs in
Parli amen t s h all b e vali d n ot wi t h st and i n g th at it i s dis covered
s u bs equ ent ly t h at s ome p ers on wh o was n ot en t it led s o t o d o s at or vot ed
or ot h erwi s e t ook p art i n t h e p roceed i n gs .
(3 ) Un t i l Parli ament b y law ot h erwi s e p rovi d es , th e qu oru m t o
con s t it u t e a meet in g of ei t h er Hou s e of Parli amen t sh all b e on e -t en t h of
t h e t ot al nu mb er of memb ers of t h e Hou s e.
(4 ) If at an y t i me d u rin g a meeti n g of a H ou s e t h ere is n o q u oru m, i t
s h all b e th e du t y o f t h e Ch ai rman or Sp eaker, or p ers on act in g as su ch,
ei t h er t o ad j ou rn th e Hou s e or t o s u s p end t h e meeti n g u nt i l t h ere i s a
q u oru m.

Disqualifications of Members

1 0 1. Va ca ti on of s ea ts . — (1 ) No p ers on s h all b e a memb er of b ot h

Hou s es of Parli amen t and p rovi s i on s h all b e m ad e b y Parli ame n t b y law
for t h e vacat i on b y a p ers on wh o i s ch os en a memb er of b ot h H ou s es of
h i s s eat i n on e Hou s e or t h e oth er.
(2 ) No p ers on s h all b e a memb er b ot h of Parli amen t and of a Hou s e of
t h e Legi s lat u re o f a St at e, an d i f a p ers on i s ch os en a memb er b ot h of
Parli amen t an d of a Hou s e o f t h e Legi s lat u re o f a St at e, t h en , at t he
ex p i rat i on of s u ch p eri od as may b e s p eci fi ed i n ru les mad e b y t h e
Pres i d en t , th at p ers on ‟s s eat in Parli amen t sh all b ecome vacan t , u n les s h e
h as p revi ou s ly res i gn ed h i s s eat i n th e Legi s lat u re of t h e St at e.

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 (3 ) If a memb er of ei t h er Hou s e o f Parli amen t —
(a ) b ecomes s ub j ect t o an y o f t h e di sq u ali fi cat i on s men t i on ed i n
clau s e (1 ) or clau s e (2 ) of art i cle 1 02 , or
(b ) res i gns hi s s eat b y wri t i n g u nd er h is h an d ad d res s ed t o th e
Ch ai rman or t h e Sp eaker, as t he cas e may b e, an d hi s res i gn ati on is
accep t ed b y t h e Ch ai rman or th e Sp eaker, as th e cas e may b e,
h i s s eat s h all t h ereu p on b ecome vacan t :
Provi d ed t h at i n th e cas e of an y res i gn at i on referred t o i n s ub -c lau s e
(b ), i f fr om i n format i on recei ved or ot h erwi s e an d aft er maki n g s u ch
i n qu i ry as h e th in ks fi t , t h e Ch airman or t h e Sp eaker, as th e cas e may b e,
i s s ati s fi ed th at su ch resi gn ati on i s n ot volu n t ary or gen u i n e, h e s h all n ot
accep t su ch res i gn at i on .
(4 ) If fo r a p eri od of s i x t y d ays a memb er of ei th er Hou s e of
Parli amen t is wi th ou t p ermis si on of t h e Hou s e abs ent from al l meet i n gs
t h ereof, t h e Hou s e may d eclare h i s s eat vacant :
Provi d ed t h at i n compu ti n g t h e s ai d p eri od of s i x t y d a ys n o accou n t
s h all b e t aken o f an y p eri od d u r i n g wh i ch t h e Hou s e i s p rorogu ed or i s
ad j ou rn ed for more t h an fou r co n s ecut i ve d ays .
1 0 2. Di s qua l ifi ca ti ons f or mem bers hi p. — (1 ) A p ers on shall b e
d i sq u ali fi ed for b ei n g ch os en as , an d for b ei n g, a memb er of ei t her Hou s e
o f Parli amen t —
(a ) i f h e h old s an y o ffi ce o f p ro fi t u nd er t h e G overn men t of In d i a
or t h e G overn ment of an y St a t e, ot h er t h an an offi ce d eclar ed b y
Parli amen t b y law n ot t o d i s qu ali fy i t s h old er;
(b ) i f h e i s of u n s ou n d min d an d s t and s s o d eclared b y a comp et en t
cou rt ;
(c) i f h e i s an un di s ch arged i ns olven t ;
(d ) i f h e i s n ot a ci t i zen of In d i a, or h as vo lu n t ari ly acq u i red th e
ci t i zen sh i p of a forei gn St at e, or i s u nd er an y ackn owled gm en t of
alle gi an ce or ad h eren ce t o a fore i gn St at e;
(e) i f h e i s s o d i s qu ali fi ed b y or u n d er an y law mad e b y
Parli amen t .
Exp l a na ti on . —For t h e pu rp os es of t h i s clau s e a p ers on s h all n ot be
d eemed t o h old an offi ce of p ro fi t u nd er th e G overn men t of In d i a or th e
G overn men t of an y St at e b y rea s on on l y t h at h e i s a Mi ni s t er ei t h er for
t h e Uni on or for s u ch St at e.
(2 ) A p ers on sh all b e d is qu ali fi ed for b ei n g a memb er of ei t h er Hou s e
o f Parli amen t i f h e i s s o d is qu alifi ed u n d er t h e Ten t h Sch ed u le.
1 03 . Deci si on on ques ti ons a s to di s qua l ifi ca ti ons of m em bers . —
(1 ) If an y q u es t i on aris es as to wh et h er a memb er of ei t h er Hou s e o f
Parli amen t h as b ecome s ub j ect to an y o f t h e di sq u ali fi cat i on s men t i on ed
i n clau s e (1 ) of art i cle 1 0 2 , t h e qu est i on sh all b e referred for t h e
d eci si on of t h e Pres id ent and hi s d eci si on sh all b e fi n al.

40
 (2 ) Before gi vi n g an y d eci s i on on an y s u ch q u es ti on , t h e Pres i d ent
s h all ob t ai n t h e opi n i on of t h e Elect i on Commi ss i on an d s h all act
accord i n g t o s u ch op in i on .
1 04 . P ena l ty f or s i tti ng a nd voti ng bef ore m a ki ng oa th or
a ffi rma ti on under a rti cl e 99 or w hen not qua lif i ed or w hen
di s qual if i ed.—If a p er s on s i t s or v ot es as a memb er of ei t h er Hou s e o f
Parli amen t b efore h e h as comp lied wi t h t h e req ui rement s of art i cle 9 9 , or
wh en h e kn ows th at h e is n ot q u ali fi ed or t h at h e i s d is qu ali fi ed for
memb ersh ip t h ereof, or t h at h e i s p roh ib i t ed from s o d oi n g b y t h e
p rovi s i on s of an y la w mad e b y P arli amen t , h e s h all b e li ab le i n res p ect of
each d ay on wh i ch h e s o s it s or vot es t o a p en alt y o f fi ve h u n d red rup ees
t o b e recovered as a d eb t d u e t o t h e Uni on .

Powers, Privileges and Immunities of Parliament

and its Members

1 0 5. P ow ers , pri vi l eg es , etc., of the Hous es of P a rl iam ent a nd of the

m em bers a nd comm i ttees thereof . — (1 ) Su bj ect t o th e p rovi s i ons of
t h is Cons t it ut i on and t o t h e ru les and s t an d in g ord ers regu lat i n g t h e
p roced u re of Parli amen t , t h ere sh all b e freed om o f s p eech i n Parli amen t .
(2 ) No memb er o f Parli amen t s hall b e li ab le t o an y p roceed i n gs i n an y
cou rt i n res p ect of an y t h i n g s aid or an y vot e gi ven b y h i m i n Parli amen t
or an y c ommi t t ee th ereof, an d no p ers on sh all b e s o li ab le i n res p ect of
t h e pu b li cati on b y or u n d er t h e au t h orit y o f ei t h er Hou s e of Par li amen t of
an y rep ort , p ap er, vot es or p roceed i n gs .
(3 ) In ot h er res p ects , th e p owers , p ri vi leges an d i mmu n it i es of each
Hou s e o f Par li amen t , and of t h e memb ers and t h e commit t ees o f each
Hou s e, s h a ll b e s u ch as may fro m t i me t o t i me b e d efi n ed b y P arli amen t
b y la w, an d , u nt i l s o d efi n ed , s h all b e th os e of t h at Hou s e an d of i t s
memb ers an d commi tt ees i mmed i at ely b efore t h e comin g i nt o force o f
s ect i on 1 5 of t h e Con st it ut i on (Fort y -fou rt h Amen d ment ) A ct , 1 97 8 .
(4 ) Th e p rovi s i on s of clau s es (1), (2 ) an d (3 ) sh all ap p l y i n rela t i on t o
p ers on s wh o b y vi rt u e of t h i s Con s ti tu t i on h ave t h e ri ght t o s p eak i n , an d
ot h erwi s e t o t ake p art in t h e proceed i n gs of, a H ou s e o f Par li amen t or
an y c ommi t t ee th ereof as t h ey ap p l y i n relat i on t o memb ers of
Parli amen t .
1 0 6. Sal a ries a nd al l ow a nces of m em bers . — Memb ers of ei th er
Hou s e o f Parli amen t s h all b e en t it led t o recei ve s u ch s alari es and
all owan ces as ma y fr om t i me t o t i me b e d et ermin ed b y Parli ame n t b y la w
41
an d , u n ti l p rovi s i on i n t h at res pect i s s o mad e, allo wan ces at su ch rat es
an d u p on su ch con d it i ons as were i mmed i at ely b efo re t h e commen cement
o f t h i s Con st i tu ti on app li cab le in th e cas e of memb ers of t h e Con s ti tu ent
As s emb ly o f t h e Domi n i on of In d i a.

Legislative Procedure
1 0 7. P rovi si ons as to i ntroducti on a nd pas s i ng of Bi l ls . —
(1 ) Sub j ect t o t h e p rovi s i ons o f art i cles 1 09 and 1 17 wi th res p ect t o
Mon ey Bi l ls an d ot h er fi n an cial Bi lls , a Bi ll ma y ori gi n at e i n eit h er
Hou s e of Par li amen t .
(2 ) Su bj ect t o t h e p rovi s i on s of art i cles 1 08 an d 1 09 , a Bi ll s h all n ot
b e d eemed t o h ave b een p as s ed b y t h e Hou s es of Par li amen t un les s it h as
b een agreed t o b y b ot h Hou s es , ei t h er wi th ou t amend ment or wi t h su ch
amen d men ts on ly as are agreed t o b y b ot h Hou s es .
(3 ) A Bi ll p e nd in g i n Parli amen t s h all n ot lap s e b y reas on o f t h e
p rorogat i on o f t h e Hou s es .
(4 ) A Bi ll p en d in g in t h e Cou n ci l of St at es wh i ch h as n ot b een p as s ed
b y t h e Hou s e of t h e Peop le sh all n ot lap s e on a di s s olu ti on of t h e Hou s e
o f t h e Peop le.
(5 ) A Bi ll wh i ch i s p end in g in th e Hou s e of t h e Peop le, or wh i ch
h avi n g b een p ass ed b y t h e Hou s e o f t h e Pe op le i s p en d in g i n t he Cou n ci l
o f St at es , sh all, s u bj ect t o the p rovi s i ons of art i cle 10 8 , lap s e on a
d i ss olu t i on of t h e Hou s e of t h e Peop le.
1 0 8. J oi nt si tti ng of both Hous es i n certa i n cas es . — (1 ) If a ft er a
Bi ll h as b een p ass ed b y on e Hou s e and t ran s mit t ed t o th e ot h er Hou s e —
(a ) t h e Bi ll i s rej ect ed b y t h e ot h er Hou s e; or
(b ) t h e Hou s es h ave fi n all y d i s agreed as t o t h e amen d men ts t o b e
mad e in th e Bi ll; or
(c) more t h an s i x mont hs elap s e from t h e d at e o f t h e recep t i on o f
t h e Bi ll b y t h e ot h er Hou s e wi thou t t h e Bi ll b ei n g p as s ed b y i t ,
42
t h e Pres i d en t may, u n les s t h e Bill h as elap s ed b y reas on of a d is s olu t i on
o f t h e H ou s e o f t h e Peop le, n ot i fy t o t h e H ou s es b y mes s age i f t h ey are
s i tt i n g or b y p u b li c n oti fi cat i on i f t h ey are n ot s i t t in g, h is in ten t i on t o
s u mmon t h em t o meet in a j oi nt si t ti n g for t h e pu rp os e of d el i b erati n g
an d vot i n g on t h e Bi ll:
Provi d ed t h at n oth in g i n t h is clau s e sh all ap p ly t o a Mon e y Bi l l.
(2 ) In r eck on i n g an y s u ch p eriod o f s i x mon t h s as i s referred t o i n
clau s e (1 ), n o accou nt s h all be t aken of an y p eri od d u ri n g wh i ch t h e
Hou s e referred t o i n s ub -clau s e ( c) of t h at clau s e is p rorogu ed or
ad j ou rn ed for more t h an fou r co n s ecut i ve d ays .
(3 ) Wh ere th e Presi d en t h as u nd er clau s e (1 ) n ot i fi ed h is in t ent i on of
s u mmoni n g th e Hou s es t o meet i n a j oi n t si t ti n g, n eit h er Hou s e s h all
p roceed fu rt h er wi t h t h e Bi ll, b u t t h e Presi d en t may at an y t i me a ft er t h e
d at e of h i s n ot i fi cat i on su mmon t h e Hou s es t o meet in a j oi nt si t ti n g for
t h e pu rp os e s p eci fi ed i n th e n ot i fi cat i on and , i f h e d oes s o, the Hou s es
s h all meet accord i n gly.
(4 ) If at t h e j oin t s i tt in g of t h e t wo Hou s es t h e Bi ll, wi t h s u ch
amen d men ts , i f an y, as are ag reed t o i n j oin t si tt i n g, is p ass ed b y a
maj ori t y o f t h e t ot al n u mb er of memb ers of b ot h Hou s es p res en t and
vot i n g, i t s h all b e d eemed for t h e p u rp os es of t h i s Con s t it ut i on t o h ave
b een p as s ed b y b ot h Hou s es :
Provi d ed t h at at a j oi nt si t ti n g —
(a ) i f t h e Bi ll, h avi n g b een p as s ed b y on e Hou s e, h as n ot b een
p as s ed b y t h e ot h er Hou s e wi t h amen d men ts an d ret u rn ed t o th e Hou s e
i n whi ch it ori gi n at ed , n o amen d men t s h all b e p rop os ed t o t he Bi ll
ot h er t h an su ch amend ment s (if an y) as are mad e n ecess ary b y t h e
d ela y i n t h e p ass age of t h e Bi ll;
(b ) i f t h e Bi ll h as b een s o p as s ed and retu rn ed , on ly s u ch
amen d men ts as afores ai d sh all b e p rop os ed t o th e Bi ll an d su ch ot h er
amen d men ts as are relevan t t o t h e mat t ers wi th resp ect t o wh ich th e
Hou s es h ave n ot agreed ;
an d t h e d eci si on of t h e p ers on pres i di n g as t o t h e amen dmen ts wh i ch are
ad mi ss ib le u nd er th is clau s e s h all b e fi n al.
(5 ) A j oi n t s i tt in g ma y b e h el d u nd er t hi s art i cle an d a Bi ll p as s ed
t h ereat , n ot wi th st and in g t h at a di s s olu t i on of t h e Hou s e of t h e Peop le h as
i n t erven ed si n ce t h e Presi d en t n ot i fi ed hi s in t en ti on t o s ummon t h e
Hou s es t o meet t h erein .
1 0 9. Specia l procedure i n res pect of M oney Bi ll s . —(1 ) A Mon ey Bi l l
s h all n ot b e in t rodu ced i n t h e Cou n ci l of St at es .
(2 ) Aft er a Mon e y Bi ll h as b een p ass ed b y t h e Hou s e o f t h e Peop le i t
s h all b e t rans mit t ed t o th e Counci l o f St at es for i t s recommend at i on s an d
t h e Cou n ci l of St at es s h all wi t h in a p eri od of fou rt een d ays fr om t h e d at e
o f i t s recei p t of t h e Bi ll ret u rn t h e Bi ll t o t h e H ou s e o f t h e Peop le wi t h
i t s recommen d at i on s and th e Hou s e of t h e Peop le may t h er eu pon ei th er
accep t or rej ect all or an y o f t h e recommend ati on s of t h e Cou n ci l of
St at es .
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 (3 ) If t h e Hou s e of t h e Peop le accep t s an y o f t h e recommen d ation s of
t h e Coun ci l of St at es , t h e Mon ey Bi l l s h all b e d eemed t o have b een
p as s ed b y b ot h Hou s es wit h t h e amen d men ts recommen d ed b y t h e
Cou n ci l of St at es an d accep t ed by t h e Hou s e o f t h e Peop le.
(4 ) If t h e Hou s e of t h e Peop le d oes n ot accept an y o f t h e
recommen d at i ons of t h e Cou n ci l o f St at es , t h e Mon ey Bi l l s h all b e
d eemed t o h ave b een p as s ed b y b ot h Hou s es i n th e form i n which it was
p as s ed b y t h e Hou s e of t h e Peop le wi t h ou t an y o f t h e amen d men ts
recommen d ed b y t h e Cou n ci l of St at es .
(5 ) If a Mon ey Bi l l p as s ed b y t he Hou s e of t h e Peop le an d t ran smi t t ed
t o t h e Cou n ci l of St at es for i t s recommen d at i ons i s n ot ret u rned t o t h e
Hou s e of t h e Peop le wi t h in t h e s ai d p eri od of fou rt een d ays , i t s h all b e
d eemed t o h ave b een p as s ed b y b ot h Hou s es at th e exp i rati on of t h e s aid
p eri od in th e form i n wh i ch i t was p ass ed b y t h e Hou s e of t h e Peop le.
1 1 0. Defi ni ti on of "M oney B il l s' ' . —(1 ) For t h e pu rp os es of t h is
Ch ap t er, a Bi ll s h all b e d eemed t o b e a Mon ey Bi ll i f i t con tai n s on ly
p rovi s i on s d eali n g wi t h all or an y o f t h e fo l lo wi n g mat t ers , n amel y: —
(a ) t h e i mp os it i on , ab oli t i on , remi s si on , alt erat i on or regu lat i on o f
an y t a x ;
(b ) t h e regu lat i on of t h e b orrow i n g of m on e y or t h e gi vi n g o f a n y
gu aran t ee b y t h e G overn ment of In d i a, or t h e amend ment of t h e law
wi t h resp ect t o an y fi n an ci al ob li gat i on s u n d ert aken or t o b e
u n d ert aken b y t h e G overn men t of In d i a;
(c) t h e cu st od y o f t h e Con s oli d at ed Fu nd or th e Con ti n gen cy Fu n d
o f In d i a, t h e p aymen t of mon e ys i n t o or t h e wi t h d rawal o f mon eys
fr om an y s u ch Fu n d ;
(d ) th e ap p rop ri at i on of mon e ys ou t of t h e Con s oli d at ed Fu nd o f
In d i a;
(e) t h e d eclari n g of an y ex p end it u re t o b e ex p en di tu re ch arged on
t h e Con s oli d at ed Fu n d of In d i a or t h e i n creas in g o f t h e amou n t o f an y
s u ch exp end i tu re;
(f ) t h e recei pt of mon e y on accou n t of t h e Con s oli d at ed Fu n d o f
In d i a or th e p ub li c accou nt of In d i a or th e cu s t od y or i s su e of s u ch
mon ey or t h e au di t of t h e accou nt s of t h e Un i on or of a St at e; or
(g ) an y mat t er i n ci d en t al t o any o f t h e matt ers s p eci fi ed in su b -
clau s es ( a ) t o ( f ).
(2 ) A Bi ll sh all n ot b e d eemed to b e a Mon ey Bi ll b y reas on on ly t h at
i t p rovi d es for t h e i mp os i t i on of fi n es or ot h er p ecu n i ary p en alt ies , or fo r
t h e d emand or p aymen t of fees for li cen ces or fees for s er vi ces ren d ered,
or b y reas on t h at i t p rovi d es for t h e imp os it i on , ab oli t i on , remi s si on ,
alt erat i on or re gu lat i on o f an y t ax b y an y loca l au t h ori t y or b od y for
loca l p u rp os es .
(3 ) If an y q u es t i on ari s es wh eth er a Bi ll i s a Mon ey Bi ll or n ot , t he
d eci si on of t h e Sp eaker of t h e Hou s e of t h e Peop le t h ereon s h all b e fi n al.

44
 (4 ) Th ere s h all b e en d ors ed on ever y Mon e y Bi ll wh en i t i s t ransmi t t ed
t o t h e Coun ci l of St at es u nd er art i cle 1 09 , a n d wh en i t i s p res en ted t o th e
Pres i d en t for as s en t u nd er art i cle 1 1 1 , th e certi fi cat e of t h e Sp eaker of
t h e Hou s e of t h e Peop le s i gn ed by h i m t h at i t is a Mon ey Bi ll.
1 1 1. As s ent to B il l s. —Wh en a Bi ll h as b een p as s ed b y t h e Ho u s es of
Parli amen t , i t s h all b e p res en t ed t o th e Pres i d en t , and t h e Pres iden t s h all
d eclare ei th er th at h e ass en ts to t h e Bi ll, or t h at h e wi th h olds ass ent
t h erefrom:
Provi d ed th at t h e Presi d en t may, as s oon as p os si b le aft er t he
p res ent ati on t o h i m of a Bi ll for as s ent , retu rn th e Bi ll i f i t i s n ot a
Mon ey Bi l l t o t h e Hou s es wi th a mess age req u es ti n g th at th ey wi l l
recon s i d er t h e Bi ll or an y s p eci fi ed p rovi s i on s th ereof an d , in part i cu lar,
wi ll c on s i d er t h e d esi rabi li t y o f i n t rodu cin g an y s u ch amen d men t s as h e
may recommen d i n h is mes s age, an d wh en a Bi ll i s s o ret urn ed , th e
Hou s es s h all recon s id er th e Bi ll accord i n gl y, an d i f t h e Bi ll i s p ass ed
agai n b y t h e Hou s es wi th or wi t h ou t amen dmen t an d p res ent ed t o th e
Pres i d en t for as s en t, th e Pres id en t sh all n ot wi t hh old as s en t th erefr om.

Procedure in Financial Matters

1 1 2. Annua l f i na ncia l s ta tem ent. —(1 ) Th e Pres id en t s h all i n res p ect
o f ever y fi n an ci al year cau s e t o b e lai d b efore b ot h t h e Hou s es of
Parli amen t a s t at emen t of t h e es t i mat ed receip ts an d ex p en d it ure o f t h e
G overn men t of In d i a for t h at ye ar, i n t hi s Part referred t o as t he "an n u al
fi n an ci al s t at emen t ''.
(2 ) Th e es t i mat es of ex p en di tu re emb od i ed i n t h e an nu al fi n an ci al
s t at emen t s h all s h ow s ep arat el y —
(a ) t h e s u ms requ i red t o meet ex p en di tu re d es cri b ed b y t hi s
Con s t it ut i on as exp end it u re charged u p on t h e Con s oli d at ed Fu n d of
In d i a; an d
(b ) th e su ms requ i red t o meet ot h er exp end i tu re p rop os ed t o b e
mad e from t h e Con s oli d at ed Fu nd of In d i a,
an d sh all d i s ti n gui sh exp end it u re on reven u e accoun t from ot h er
ex p en d it u re.
(3) The following expenditure shall be expenditure charged on the Consolidated Fund of
India—
(a) the emoluments and allowances of the President and other expenditure relating
to his office;
(b) the salaries and allowances of the Chairman and the Deputy Chairman of the
Council of States and the Speaker and the Deputy Speaker of the House of the People;

45
 (c) debt charges for which the Government of India is liable including interest,
sinking fund charges and redemption charges, and other expenditure relating to the
raising of loans and the service and redemption of debt;
(d) (i) the salaries, allowances and pensions payable to or in respect of Judges of
the Supreme Court;
(ii) the pensions payable to or in respect of Judges of the Federal Court;
(iii) the pensions payable to or in respect of Judges of any High Court which
exercises jurisdiction in relation to any area included in the territory of India or which at
any time before the commencement of this Constitution exercised jurisdiction in
relation to any area included in a Governor's Province of the Dominion of India;
(e) the salary, allowances and pension payable to or in respect of the Comptroller
and Auditor-General of India;
(f) any sums required to satisfy any judgment, decree or award of any court or
arbitral tribunal;
(g) any other expenditure declared by this Constitution or by Parliament by law to
be so charged.
113. Procedure in Parliament with respect to estimates.—(1) So much of the
estimates as relates to expenditure charged upon the Consolidated Fund of India shall not
be submitted to the vote of Parliament, but nothing in this clause shall be construed as
preventing the discussion in either House of Parliament of any of those estimates.
(2) So much of the said estimates as relates to other expenditure shall be submitted in
the form of demands for grants to the House of the People, and the House of the People
shall have power to assent, or to refuse to assent, to any demand, or to assent to any
demand subject to a reduction of the amount specified therein.
(3) No demand for a grant shall be made except on the recommendation of the
President.
114. Appropriation Bills.— (1) As soon as may be after the grants under article 113
have been made by the House of the People, there shall be introduced a Bill to provide for
the appropriation out of the Consolidated Fund of India of all moneys required to meet—
(a) the grants so made by the House of t h e Peop le; an d
(b) the expenditure charged on the Consolidated Fund of India but not exceeding in
any case the amount shown in the statement previously laid before Parliament.
(2) No amendment shall be proposed to any such Bill in either House of Parliament
which will have the effect of varying the amount or altering the destination of any grant so
made or of varying the amount of any expenditure charged on the Consolidated Fund of
India, and the decision of the person presiding as to whether an amendment is inadmissible
under this clause shall be final.
(3) Subject to the provisions of articles 115 and 116, no money shall be withdrawn from
the Consolidated Fund of India except under appropriation made by law passed in
accordance with the provisions of this article.
115. Supplementary, additional or excess grants.— (1) The President shall—
(a) if the amount authorised by any law made in accordance with the provisions
of article 114 to be expended for a particular service for the current financial year is
found to be insufficient for the purposes of that year or when a need has arisen during

46
 the current financial year for supplementary or additional expenditure upon some new
service not contemplated in the annual financial statement for that year, or
(b) if any money has been spent on any service during a financial year in excess
of the amount granted for that service and for that year,
cause to be laid before both the Houses of Parliament another statement showing the
estimated amount of that expenditure or cause to be presented to the House of the People a
demand for such excess, as the case may be.
(2) The provisions of articles 112, 113 and 114 shall have effect in relation to any such
statement and expenditure or demand and also to any law to be made authorizing the
appropriation of moneys out of the Consolidated Fund of India to meet such expenditure or
the grant in respect of such demand as they have effect in relation to the annual financial
statement and the expenditure mentioned therein or to a demand for a grant and the law to
be made for the authorization of appropriation of moneys out of the Consolidated Fund of
India to meet such expenditure or grant.
116. Votes on account, votes of credit and exceptional grants.—(1) Notwithstanding
anything in the foregoing provisions of this Chapter, the House of the People shall have
power—
(a) to make any grant in advance in res p ect of t h e es t i mat ed exp end itu re
for a p art of an y fi n an ci al yea r p en di n g th e comp let i on o f t h e
p roced u re p res crib ed in arti cle 1 1 3 for t h e vot i n g of s u ch gran t an d
t h e p as si n g of t h e law i n accord an ce wi t h t h e p rovi si on s of art i cle 1 1 4
i n relat i on t o t h a t exp end i tu re;
(b ) t o make a gran t for meet i ng an u n ex p ect ed d eman d up on th e
res ou rces of In d i a wh en on accou n t of t h e magn i tu d e or t h e in d efi n i t e
ch aract er of t h e s ervi ce th e d eman d cann ot b e s t at ed wi th th e d et ai ls
ord i n ari ly gi ven i n an ann u al fi nan ci al s t at ement ;
(c) t o make an ex cep ti on al gran t wh i ch forms n o p art of t h e
cu rren t s ervi ce of an y fi n an ci al yea r;
an d Parli ament s h all h ave p ower t o au t h ori s e b y law t h e wi t h drawal o f
mon eys fr om t h e Con s oli d at ed Fu n d of In d i a for t h e p u rp os es for wh i ch
t h e s ai d grant s are mad e.
(2 ) Th e p rovi s i ons of art i cles 1 13 and 11 4 s h all h ave effect i n relat i on
t o t h e maki n g of an y gran t u nder clau s e (1 ) and t o an y law t o b e mad e
u n d er t h at clau s e as t h ey h ave effect i n relat i on t o t h e maki n g of a gran t
wi t h regard t o an y ex p en di ture men t i oned i n t h e an nu al fi n an ci al
s t at emen t an d t h e law t o b e mad e for t h e au t h ori s at i on of ap p rop ri at i on
o f mon e ys ou t of t h e Con soli d at ed Fu n d of In d i a t o meet su ch
ex p en d it u re.
1 1 7. Specia l provi s i ons a s to f i na nci al B i ll s . —(1 ) A Bi ll or
amen d men t makin g p rovi s i on for an y o f t h e mat t ers s p eci fi ed i n s ub -
clau s es ( a ) t o ( f ) of clau s e (1 ) o f art i cle 1 1 0 sh all n ot b e in t rod u ced or
moved ex cep t on th e recommend at i on of t h e Pres id en t and a Bill maki n g
s u ch p rovi s i on s h all n ot b e i n t rod u ced in th e Cou n ci l of St at es :
Provi d ed t h at n o recommen d at ion s h all b e req u i red un d er th is clau s e
for t h e movi n g of an amen d men t makin g p rovi s i on for t h e redu ct i on or
ab oli t i on of an y t ax .

47
 (2 ) A Bi l l or amen d men t sh all n ot b e d eemed t o make p rovi s i on for
an y o f t h e matt ers afores ai d by reas on on l y t h at it p rovi d es for t h e
i mp os it i on of fi n es or ot h er p ecu n i ary p en alt i es , or for t h e d eman d or
p aymen t of fees for li cen ces or fees for s ervi ces ren d ered , or b y reas on
t h at it p rovi d es for t h e i mp os it i on , ab oli t i on , remi s s i on , alt erat i on or
regu lat i on of an y t ax b y an y l oc al au t h ori t y or b od y for loca l p u rp os es .
(3 ) A Bi ll wh i ch , i f en act ed and b rou gh t in t o op erat i on , wou ld in vol ve
ex p en d it u re from t h e Con s oli d at ed Fu n d of In d i a s h all n ot b e p as s ed b y
ei t h er Hou s e of Parli a men t un les s t h e Pres id en t h as recommended t o th at
Hou s e t h e cons i d erat i on of t h e Bi ll.

Procedure Generally

1 1 8. Rul es of procedure. — (1 ) Each Hou s e o f Par li amen t may make

ru les for regu lat i n g, s ub j ect t o t h e p rovi s i on s of t h i s Con st itu t i on , i t s
p roced u re an d t h e cond u ct of i t s b us i n es s .
(2 ) Un t i l ru les are mad e u n d er clau s e (1 ), t h e ru les of p roced u re an d
s t and in g ord ers i n force i mmedi at ely b e fo re t h e commen cement of t h i s
Con s t it ut i on wi t h resp ect t o t he Legi s lat u re o f t h e Domi n i on o f In d i a
s h all h ave e ffect i n relat i on t o Parli amen t s ub j ect t o s u ch mod ifi cat i on s
an d ad ap t ati on s as may b e mad e t h erei n b y t h e Ch ai rman of t h e Cou n ci l
o f St at es or t h e Sp eaker of t h e Hou s e of t h e Peop le, as t h e cas e may b e.
(3 ) Th e Presi d en t , aft er con s u lt at i on wi th t h e Ch ai rman of t h e Cou n ci l
o f St at es an d th e Sp eaker of t h e Hou s e o f t h e Peop le, ma y make ru les as
t o t h e p rocedu re wi th res p ect to j oi n t s it ti n gs of, and commun i cati on s
b et ween , t h e t wo Hou s es .
(4 ) At a j oi nt s it ti n g of t h e t wo Hou s es t h e Sp eaker of t h e H ou s e o f t h e
Peop le, or i n h i s ab s en ce s u ch p ers on as may b e d et ermi n ed by ru les o f
p roced u re mad e un d er claus e (3 ), s h all p res id e.

48
 119. Regulation by law of procedure in Parliament in relation to financial
business.— Parliament may, for the purpose of the timely completion of financial business,
regulate by law the procedure of, and the conduct of business in, each House of Parliament
in relation to any financial matter or to any Bill for the appropriation of moneys out of the
Consolidated Fund of India, and, if and so far as any provision of any law so made is
inconsistent with any rule made by a House of Parliament under clause (1) of article 118 or
with any rule or standing order having effect in relation to Parliament under clause (2) of
that article, such provision shall prevail.
120. Language to be used in Parliament.— (1) Notwithstanding anything in Part
XVII, but subject to the provisions of article 348, business in Parliament shall be transacted
in Hindi or in English:
Provided that the Chairman of the Council of States or Speaker of the House of the
People, or person acting as such, as the case may be, may permit any member who cannot
adequately express himself in Hindi or in English to address the House in his mother-
tongue.
(2) Unless Parliament by law otherwise provides, this article shall, after the expiration of
a period of fifteen years from the commencement of this Constitution, have effect as if the
words “or in English” were omitted therefrom.
121. Restriction on discussion in Parliament.— No discussion shall take place in
Parliament with respect to the conduct of any Judge of the Supreme Court or of a High
Court in the discharge of his duties except upon a motion for presenting an address to the
President praying for the removal of the Judge as hereinafter provided.
122. Courts not to inquire into proceedings of Parliament.— (1) The validity of any
proceedings in Parliament shall not be called in question on the ground of any alleged
irregularity of procedure.
(2) No officer or member of Parliament in whom powers are vested by or under this
Constitution for regulating procedure or the conduct of business, or for maintaining order,
in Parliament shall be subject to the jurisdiction of any court in respect of the exercise by
him of those powers.

CHAPTER III—LEGISLATIVE POWERS OF THE PRESIDENT

123. Power of President to promulgate Ordinances during recess of Parliament.—

(1) If at any time, except when both Houses of Parliament are in session, the President is
satisfied that circumstances exist which render it necessary for him to take immediate
action, he may promulgate such Ordinances as the circumstances appear to him to require.
(2) An Ordinance promulgated under this article shall have the same force and effect as
an Act of Parliament, but every such Ordinance—
49
 (a) shall be laid before both Houses of Parliament and shall cease to operate at the
expiration of six weeks from the reassembly of Parliament, or, if before the expiration of
that period resolutions disapproving it are passed by both Houses, upon the passing of
the second of those resolutions; and
(b ) may b e wi t h d rawn at an y t i me b y t h e Pres i den t.
Exp l a na ti on . —Wh ere t h e Hou ses of Parli amen t are s u mmoned t o
reas s emb le on d i fferen t d at es , th e p eri od of s i x weeks sh all b e reckon ed
fr om t h e lat er of t h os e d at es for t h e p u rp os es of t h i s claus e.
(3 ) If an d s o far as an Ord i n an ce un d er th i s arti cle makes an y
p rovi s i on wh i ch Parli ament wou ld n ot u n d er th i s Cons t it u ti on b e
comp et en t t o en act, i t s hall b e voi d .
* * * * *

50
 C HAPTER IV.—T HE U NION J UDICIARY
1 2 4. Es ta bl is hm ent a nd cons tituti on of Suprem e Court. —(1 ) Th ere
s h all b e a Su p reme Cou rt o f In d i a con s is t in g o f a Ch i e f J u s t i ce o f In d i a
an d , u nt i l Parli ament b y law p re s cri b es a lar ger nu mb er, of n ot more t h an
1
s even ot h er J ud ges .
(2 ) Ever y J u d ge o f t h e Su p reme Cou rt s h all b e ap p oi n t ed b y t h e
Pres i d en t b y warran t u nd er h is han d and s eal aft er con s u lt at i on wi t h su ch
o f t h e J ud ges of t h e Su p reme Cou rt an d of t h e Hi gh Cou rt s in th e St at es
as t h e Pres i d en t may d eem n eces s ary for t h e p u rp os e and sh all h old
o ffi ce u n ti l h e att ai ns th e age of s i xt y -fi ve years :
Provi d ed th at i n t h e cas e of ap p oi nt ment of a J ud ge ot h er than th e
Ch i ef J u st i ce, t h e Ch i ef J us ti ce o f In d i a sh all alwa ys b e con s u lt e d :
Provi d ed fu rt h er th at —
(a ) a Ju d ge may, b y wri t in g u nd er h is h and ad d res s ed t o t h e
Pres i d en t , res i gn h is offi ce;
(b ) a Ju d ge may b e removed fr om h i s offi ce i n t h e mann er p rovi d ed
i n clau s e (4 ).
(2 A) Th e age o f a J u d ge o f t h e Su p rem e Cou rt sh all b e d et ermin ed b y
s u ch au th ori t y an d in su ch manner as Parli amen t may b y la w p ro vi d e.
(3 ) A p ers on s h all n ot b e q u ali fi ed for ap p oi n t ment as a J ud ge o f t h e
Su p reme Cou rt un les s h e i s a citi zen of In d i a an d —
(a ) h as b een for at leas t fi ve y ears a J u d ge o f a Hi gh Cou rt or o f
t wo or more s u ch Cou rt s i n s u cces s i on ; or
(b ) h as b een for at leas t t en years an ad vocat e of a Hi gh Cou r t or o f
t wo or more s u ch Cou rt s i n s u cces s i on ; or
(c) i s , i n t h e op i ni on of t h e Pres i d en t , a d is ti n gu is h ed ju ris t .
Exp l a na ti on I .—In t h is clau s e "Hi gh Cou rt '' mean s a Hi gh Cou rt wh i ch
ex erci s es , or wh i ch at an y t ime b efore t h e commen cemen t of t h i s
Con s t it ut i on ex erci s ed , ju ris di cti on i n an y p art of t h e t erri t ory o f In d i a.
Exp l a na ti on II .—In comp u t in g for t h e p u r p os e of t h i s clau s e t he
p eri od d u rin g wh i ch a p ers on has b een an ad vocat e, an y p eri od du rin g
wh i ch a p ers on h as h eld j u di ci al o ffi ce n ot i n feri or t o t h at o f a d i s t ri ct
j u d ge aft er h e b ecame an ad vocat e s h all b e in clu d ed .
(4 ) A J ud ge of t h e Su p reme Court s h all n ot b e removed from h i s offi ce
ex cep t b y an ord er o f t h e Pres i d en t p as s ed aft er an ad d res s b y each
Hou s e o f Parli amen t s u pp ort ed b y a maj ori t y o f t h e t ot al members h ip of
t h at Hou s e and b y a maj ori t y o f n ot les s t h an t wo -t h i rd s of t h e memb ers
o f t h at Hou s e p res en t an d vot i ng h as b een p res ent ed t o t h e Pres i d en t in
t h e s ame s ess i on for s u ch removal on t h e grou n d of p roved mi s beh avi ou r
or i n cap acit y.

51
 (5 ) Parli ament may b y law regu lat e t h e p rocedu re for t h e p res en t ati on
o f an ad d res s and for t h e i n ves t i gat i o n an d p roo f o f t h e mi s b ehavi ou r or
i n cap aci t y o f a J u d ge un d er claus e (4 ).
(6 ) Ever y p ers on ap p oi nt ed t o be a J u d ge of t h e Su p reme Cou rt s h all,
b efore h e en t ers u p on hi s offi ce, make an d s u b s cri b e b efore t h e
Pres i d en t , or s ome p ers on app oi n t ed in t h at b eh a lf b y h i m, an oat h or
affi rmat i on accord i n g t o t h e fo rm s et ou t for t h e p u rp os e i n th e Th i rd
Sch ed u le.
(7 ) No p ers on wh o h as h eld offi ce as a J u d ge of t h e Su p reme Cou rt
s h all p lead or act i n an y c ou rt or b efore an y au t h ori t y wi t h i n th e t erri t ory
o f In d i a.
1 2 5. Sa la ri es, etc., of J udg es . —(1 ) Th ere s h all b e p ai d t o t h e J u d ges
o f t h e Su p reme Cou rt su ch s alari es as may b e d et ermi n ed b y Parli amen t
b y la w an d , u nt i l p rovi s i on in t hat b eh alf i s s o mad e, s u ch s alari es as are
s p eci fi ed i n t h e Second Sch ed u le.
(2 ) Ever y J u d ge s h all b e en t i t led t o s u ch p ri vi leges an d allowan c es and
t o s u ch ri ght s i n resp ect of lea ve o f ab s en ce an d pen si on as may from
t i me t o t i me b e d et ermi n ed b y or u nd er law mad e b y Parli a men t an d,
u n ti l s o d et ermi n ed , t o su ch pri vi leges , all owan ces a n d ri ghts as are
s p eci fi ed i n t h e Second Sch ed u le:
Provi d ed t h at n ei th er t h e p ri vi leges n or t h e all owan ces o f a J u dge n or
h i s ri ght s in res p ect of lea ve o f ab s en ce or p ens i on sh all b e vari ed t o h i s
d i s ad van t age aft er h is app oi n tmen t .
1 2 6. Appoi ntm ent of a c ti ng Chi ef J us ti ce. —Wh en th e offi ce o f Ch i ef
J u st i ce of In d i a i s vacan t or wh en t h e Chi ef J u s ti ce i s , b y reas on o f
ab s en ce or ot h erwi s e, un ab le to p er form t h e d u t i es of h i s o ffi ce, t h e
d u ti es of t h e offi ce s h all b e p erformed b y s u ch on e of t h e oth er Ju d ges of
t h e Cou rt as th e Presi d en t may ap p oi nt for t h e p u rp os e.
1 2 7. Appoi ntm ent of a d ho c J udg es .—(1 ) If at an y t i me t h ere s h ou ld
n ot b e a q u orum of t h e J u d ges of t h e Su p reme Cou rt avai lab le t o h old or
con t i nu e an y s es s i on of t h e Cou rt , t h e Ch i ef J us ti ce of I n d i a may, wi t h
t h e p revi ou s con s en t of t h e Pres i d en t an d aft er con s u lt ati on wi t h th e
Ch i ef J u st i ce of t h e Hi gh Cou rt con cern ed , req u es t in wri t in g t h e
at t end an ce at th e si t ti n gs of t he Cou rt , as an ad ho c Ju d ge, for s u ch
p eri od as may b e n eces s ary, o f a J u d ge of a Hi gh Cou rt d u l y q u ali fi ed for
ap p oi nt ment as a Ju d ge of t h e Su p reme Cou rt t o b e d esi gn at ed b y t h e
Ch i ef J u st i ce of In d i a.
(2 ) It s h all b e t h e d u t y o f t h e J u d ge wh o h as b een s o d esi gn at ed , in
p ri ori t y t o ot h er d u ti es of h i s offi ce, t o at t e n d t h e s i tt in gs of t h e Su p reme
Cou rt at th e ti me and for t h e p eri od for wh i ch hi s at t end an ce i s req u i red ,
an d wh i le s o att end in g h e sh all h ave all t h e ju ri sd i ct i on , p owers an d
p ri vi leges , an d sh all d i s ch arge t h e du t i es , of a J u d ge o f t h e Su p reme
Cou rt .
1 2 8. Attenda nce of reti red J udg es a t s i tti ng s of the Suprem e
Court. —Not wi t h s t and i n g an yt h in g i n t hi s Ch apt er, t h e Ch i ef Ju s ti ce of

52
In d i a may at an y t i me, wi t h t h e p revi ou s cons ent of t h e P res i d en t,
req u est an y p ers on wh o h as h el d t h e offi ce o f a J u d ge o f t h e Su p reme
Cou rt or o f t h e Fed eral C ou rt o r wh o h as h eld t h e offi ce o f a J u d ge of a
Hi gh Cou rt and i s d u ly q u ali fi ed for ap p oi nt ment as a Ju d ge of t h e
Su p reme Cou rt t o si t an d act as a J ud ge of t h e Su p reme Cou rt , an d every
s u ch p ers on s o requ es t ed sh all, wh i le s o s i t t in g an d act i n g, b e en t it led t o
s u ch allowan ces as th e Pres id en t may b y ord er d et ermi n e and h ave all t h e
j u ris di ct i on , p owers an d p ri vi leges o f, b u t s h all n ot ot h erwi s e b e d eemed
t o b e, a Ju d ge of t h at Cou rt :
Provi d ed t h at n ot h in g i n th i s art i cle s h all b e d eemed t o requ ire an y
s u ch p ers on as afores ai d t o s i t an d act as a J u d ge of t h at Cou rt u n les s h e
con s en ts s o t o d o.
1 2 9. Suprem e Court to be a court of record. —Th e Su p reme Cou rt
s h all b e a cou rt of record an d sh all h ave all t h e p owers of s u ch a c ou rt
i n clu di n g th e p ower t o p un is h for con t emp t of i t s elf.
1 3 0. Sea t of Suprem e Court. —Th e Su p reme Cou rt sh all s i t i n Delh i
or i n s u ch ot h er p lace or p laces , as t h e Ch i ef J us ti ce of In d i a may, wi t h
t h e ap p roval o f t h e Pres i d en t , from t i me t o ti me, app oi nt .
1 3 1. Orig i na l juri s di cti on of the Suprem e Court. —Sub j ect t o t h e
p rovi s i on s of t h i s Con st i tu ti on , t h e Sup reme Cou rt sh all, t o t h e ex clu s i on
o f an y ot h er cou rt , h ave ori gi n al j u ris di ct i on i n an y d i s pu t e —
(a ) b et ween th e G overn ment of In d i a and on e or more S t at es ; or
(b ) b et ween th e G overn men t of In d i a and an y St at e or St at es on
on e s i d e and on e or more ot h er St at es on t h e oth er; or
(c) b et ween t wo or more St at es ,
i f an d i n s o far as t h e d is pu t e in vol ves an y q u es ti on (wh et h er o f la w or
fact ) on wh i ch th e exi s t en ce or ex t ent of a le gal ri gh t d ep end s :
Provi d ed t h at t h e s ai d j u ris dict i on sh all n ot ex t en d t o a di s pu t e
ari s in g ou t of an y t reat y, a gre emen t , coven an t, en gagemen t , s a na d or
ot h er s imi lar i ns t ru ment whi ch, h avi n g b een en t ered in t o or ex ecu t ed
b efore t h e commen cemen t of t h i s Con st i tu ti on , cont in u es in op erat i on
aft er s u ch commen cement , or wh i ch p rovi d es t h at th e s aid j uri s di ct i on
s h all n ot ex t en d t o s u ch a d i sp ute.
1 3 1 A. [Exclu si ve j ur is d i ct io n o f th e Su p r eme Co u rt in r ega r d to
q u est io ns as to con st i tu ti on a l va l id it y of Cent ra l la ws . ] Rep. b y th e
Co n st it ut i on (Fo rt y -th i rd Amen dmen t ) Act , 19 77 , s. 4 (w.e.f . 1 3 -4 -1 9 7 8 ).
1 3 2. Appel la te juris di cti on of Suprem e Court i n a ppea l s f rom Hi gh
Courts i n certa i n ca s es . — (1 ) An ap p eal s h all li e t o t h e Su p reme Cou rt
fr om an y j u d gmen t , d ecree or fi n al ord er of a Hi gh Cou rt i n t h e t erri t ory
o f In d i a, wh et h er in a ci vi l, cri mi n al or ot h er p roceedi n g, i f t h e Hi gh
Cou rt cert i fi es un d er arti cle 1 34 A t h at t h e cas e i n volves a s u b s t an ti al
q u est i on of law as t o t h e i nt erp ret at i on of t h is Con st i tu ti on .
* * * *
*

53
 (3 ) Wh ere s u ch a cert i fi cat e is gi ven , an y p art y i n th e cas e may ap p eal
t o t h e Su p reme Cou rt on t h e grou n d th at an y s u ch qu est i on as afores ai d
h as b een wron gl y d eci d ed .
Exp l a na ti on . — For t h e p u rp os es of t h i s art i cle, th e ex p ress i on “fi n al
ord er” i n clud es an ord er d eci di ng an is su e whi ch , i f d eci d ed in favou r o f
t h e ap p ellan t , wou ld b e s u ffi ci en t for t h e fi n al d i sp os al of t h e cas e.
1 3 3. Appel la te juris di cti on of Suprem e Court i n a ppea l s f rom Hi gh
Courts i n reg a rd to ci vi l m atters . — (1 ) An ap p eal s h all li e t o t h e
Su p reme Cou rt from an y j u d gmen t , d ecree or fi n al ord er i n a ci vi l
p roceed i n g of a Hi gh Cou rt i n t h e t erri t ory o f In d i a i f t h e High Cou rt
cert i fi es un d er arti cle 1 34 A —
(a ) t h at th e cas e i n volves a s u b s t ant i al q u est i on of law o f gen e ral
i mp ort an ce; and
(b ) t h at i n t h e opi ni on of t h e Hi gh Cou rt t h e s aid qu es ti on n eed s t o
b e d eci d ed b y t h e Sup reme Cou rt .
(2 ) Not wi t h st and i n g an yt h in g i n art i cle 1 32 , an y p a rt y ap p eali n g t o t h e
Su p reme Cou rt u nd er claus e (1 ) may u rge as on e of t h e grou nds in s u ch
ap p eal t h at a s ub st ant i al q u es tion o f la w as t o t h e i nt erp ret at ion o f t h i s
Con s t it ut i on h as b een wron gl y d eci d ed.
(3 ) Not wi t hs t an d in g an yt h in g in th is arti cle, n o a p p eal s h all, u n less
Parli amen t b y law ot h erwi s e p rovi d es , li e t o t h e Su p reme Cou rt fr om t h e
j u d gmen t , d ecree or fi n al ord er o f on e J u d ge of a Hi gh Cou rt .
1 3 4. Appel l a te juris di cti on of Suprem e Court i n reg a rd to cri m i na l
m a tters. —(1 ) An ap p eal sh all li e t o th e Su p reme Cou rt from an y
j u d gmen t , fi n al ord er or s en t en ce i n a cri mi n al p roceed in g o f a Hi gh
Cou rt i n t h e t errit or y o f In d i a i f t h e Hi gh Cou rt —
(a ) h as on app eal revers ed an ord er o f acq u i t t al of an accu sed
p ers on and s en t en ced h im t o d eat h ; or
(b ) h as wit hd rawn for t ri al b e fore i t s elf an y cas e fr om an y co u rt
s u b ordi n at e t o i t s au th ori t y an d h as i n su ch t ri al con vi ct ed th e accu s ed
p ers on and s en t en ced h im t o d eat h ; or
(c) cert i fi es un d er art i cle 1 34 A th at t h e cas e i s a fi t on e for ap p eal
t o t h e Sup r eme Cou rt :
Provi d ed th at an app eal u nd er su b -clau s e ( c) s h all li e s ub j ect to s u ch
p rovi s i on s as may b e mad e i n t h at b eh alf u n d er clau s e (1 ) of a rt i cle 1 45
an d t o s u ch con di t i ons as t h e High Cou rt may es t ab li s h or req u i re.
(2 ) Parli amen t may b y law con fer o n t h e Su p reme Cou rt an y fu rt h er
p owers t o en t ert ai n and h ear app eals fr om an y j u d gmen t , fi n al ord er or
s en t en ce i n a cri mi n al p roceedi n g of a Hi gh Cou rt i n t h e t erri t ory o f
In d i a s ub j ect t o su ch con di ti ons an d li mit at i ons as may b e s p eci fi ed i n
s u ch law.
1 3 4 A. Certif i ca te f or a ppea l to the Suprem e C ourt. —Ever y Hi gh
Cou rt , p as si n g or maki n g a j u dgmen t , d ecree, fi n al ord er, or s en t en ce,

54
referred t o i n clau s e (1 ) of art i cle 1 3 2 or clau s e (1 ) o f art i cle 1 3 3 , or
clau s e (1 ) of art i cle 1 3 4 , —
(a ) may, i f i t d eems fi t s o t o d o, on i t s own mot i on ; an d
(b ) s h all, i f an ora l ap p li cat i on i s mad e, b y or on b eh alf o f t h e
p art y ag gri eved , i mmedi at ely aft er t h e p ass in g or maki n g o f s u ch
j u d gmen t , d ecree, fi n al ord er or s en t en ce,
d et ermin e, as s oon as may b e a ft er s u ch p ass i n g or maki n g, t h e q u est i on
wh et h er a certi fi cat e of t h e n at ure referred t o i n clau s e (1 ) of arti cle 1 32 ,
or clau s e (1 ) o f art i cle 1 3 3 or, as t h e cas e may b e, s u b -clau s e ( c) o f
clau s e (1 ) of art i cle 1 3 4 , may b e gi ven i n resp ect of t h at cas e.
1 3 5. J uri s di cti on a nd pow ers of the F edera l Court under exi s ti ng
l aw to be exerci s a bl e by the Suprem e Court. — Un ti l Parli ament b y law
ot h erwi s e p rovi d es , th e Sup reme Cou rt s h all als o h ave j u ri s dict i on and
p owers wi t h res p ect t o an y mat t er t o wh i ch t h e p rovi s i on s of ar t i cle 1 33
or art i cle 1 34 d o n ot app ly i f j u ri sd i ct i on an d p owers i n relat ion t o th at
mat t er were ex erci s ab le b y t h e Fed eral Cou rt i mmed i at ely b efore t h e
commen cemen t of t h is Con st i tu ti on u nd er an y ex i s t in g law.
1 3 6. Specia l l ea ve to a ppea l by the Suprem e Court. —(1 )
Not wi t h s t an di n g an yt h in g i n t his Ch ap t er, t h e Sup reme Cou rt may, i n i t s
d i s cret i on , gran t s p eci al leave t o ap p eal fr om an y j u d gmen t, d ecree,
d et ermin ati on , s ent en ce or ord er i n an y cau s e or mat t er p as s ed or mad e
b y an y cou rt or t ri b u n al in th e t erri t ory o f In d i a.
(2 ) Not h in g i n clau s e (1 ) s h all ap p ly t o an y j u d gmen t , d et ermin at i on ,
s en t en ce or ord er p as s ed or mad e b y an y c ou rt or t ri b un al con s t i t ut ed b y
or u n d er an y la w relat i n g t o t h e Armed Forces .
1 3 7. Revi ew of judgm ents or orders by the Supr em e Court. —
Su b j ect t o t h e p rovi si on s of an y la w mad e b y Parli amen t or a n y ru les
mad e u nd er arti cle 14 5 , th e Sup reme Cou rt sh all h ave p ower to revi ew
an y j u d gmen t p ron ou n ced or ord er mad e b y i t .
1 3 8. Enla rg em ent of the juri sdi cti on of the Suprem e Court. — (1 )
Th e Su p reme Cou rt s h all h ave s u ch fu rt h er j u ri sd i cti on an d p owers wi t h
res p ect t o an y of t h e mat t ers i n t h e Uni on Li s t as Parli ament may b y la w
con fer.
(2 ) Th e Su p reme Cou rt sh all h ave s u ch fu rt h er ju ris d i ct i on an d p owers
wi t h res p ect t o an y mat t er as t h e G overn men t of In d i a an d th e
G overn men t of an y St at e may by s p eci al agreemen t con fer, i f Parli amen t
b y la w p rovi d es for t h e ex erci se of s u ch j u ris di cti on and p owers b y t h e
Su p reme Cou rt .
1 3 9. Conf erm ent on the Suprem e Court of pow ers to i ss ue certa i n
w ri ts .— Parli amen t may b y la w con fer on t h e Su p reme Cou rt p ower t o
i s su e di rect i ons , ord ers or wri t s, i n clu di n g wri ts i n t h e n atu re of h a b eas
co r pu s , ma nd a mus , p rohi bi t i on , q uo war r an to and cert io ra r i, or an y o f
t h em, for an y p u rp os es ot h er t h an t h os e ment i on ed i n clau s e (2 ) o f art i cle
32.

55
 1 3 9 A. Tra nsf er of certa i n cas es . — (1 ) Wh ere cas es i n volvi n g t h e
s ame or su bs t an t i ally t h e s ame q u est i ons of law are p en di n g before t h e
Su p reme Cou rt an d on e or more Hi gh Cou rt s or b efore t w o or more Hi gh
Cou rt s and t h e Su p re me Cou rt i s s at is fi ed on it s own mot i on or on an
ap p li cati on mad e b y t h e At t orn ey -G en eral o f In d i a or b y a p ar t y t o an y
s u ch cas e th at su ch q u es ti ons are s ub s t an ti al q u es t i ons of gen eral
i mp ort an ce, th e Su p reme Cou rt may wi t h d raw t h e cas e or cas es p en d in g
b efore t h e Hi gh Cou rt or t h e Hi gh Cou rts and d is p os e of all t h e cas es
i t s elf:
Provi d ed t h at t h e Sup reme Cou rt ma y a ft er d et ermi n i n g t he s ai d
q u est i ons of la w ret u rn an y cas e s o wi t h d rawn t oget h er wi th a cop y o f i t s
j u d gmen t on s u ch q u es t i ons t o t h e Hi gh Co u rt fr om wh i ch t h e cas e h as
b een wi th d rawn , an d t h e Hi gh Cou rt s h all on recei p t th ereof, p roceed t o
d i sp os e of t h e cas e in con formi t y wi t h su ch j ud gmen t .
(2 ) Th e Su p reme Cou rt may, i f i t d eems it ex p ed i en t s o t o d o for t h e
en d s of j u st i ce, t ran s fer an y ca s e, app eal or ot h er p roceed i n gs p en di n g
b efore an y Hi gh Cou rt t o an y ot h er Hi gh Cou rt .
1 4 0. Anci l la ry pow ers of Suprem e Court. — Parli amen t may b y law
make p rovi s i on for con ferri n g u p on t h e Su p reme Cou rt su ch su pp lemen t al
p owers n ot i ncon s is t en t wit h any o f t h e p rovi s i on s of t h is Con sti t ut i on as
may ap p ear t o b e n eces s ary or d es i rab le fo r t h e p u rp os e of en ab li n g t h e
Cou rt more effect i ve l y t o ex erci s e t h e j u ri sd i cti on con ferred up on it b y
or u n d er th is Con st it u ti on .
1 4 1. Law decl a red by Suprem e Court to be bi n di ng on a ll courts . —
Th e law d eclared b y t h e Su p reme Cou rt s h all b e b i n di n g on all cou rt s
wi t h in th e t erri t ory o f In d i a.
1 4 2. Enf orcem ent of decrees a nd orders of Suprem e Court a nd
orders a s to di s covery , etc. — (1 ) Th e Su p reme Cou rt in th e exerci s e of
i t s ju ri sd i ct i on may p as s s u ch decree or ma ke s u ch ord er as i s n eces s ary
for d oi n g comp let e j u s ti ce i n any cau s e or mat t er p en d in g b efor e i t , and
an y d ecree s o p as s ed or ord er s o mad e s h all b e en forceab le t h rou gh ou t
t h e t errit ory o f In d i a i n su ch man n er as may b e p res cri b ed b y or u n d er
an y law mad e b y Par li amen t an d , un ti l p rovi s i on i n th at b ehal f i s s o
mad e, in su ch mann er as t h e Pres i d en t may b y ord er p res cri b e.
(2 ) Su bj ect t o t h e p rovi s i on s o f an y law mad e i n t h is b ehal f b y
Parli amen t , t h e Su p reme Cou rt s h al l, as res p ects t h e wh ole o f t h e
t erri t ory o f In d i a, h ave al l an d ever y p ower t o make an y ord e r for t h e
p u rp os e of s ecu ri n g th e at t end an ce of an y p ers on , th e di s cover y or
p rod u cti on of an y d ocu men t s , or t h e i n vest i gat i on or pu ni s hmen t of an y
con t emp t of i t s elf.
1 4 3. P ow er of P res i dent to co ns ul t Suprem e Court. — (1 ) If at an y
t i me i t ap p ears t o t h e Pres id ent t h at a qu est i on of law or fact h as ari s en,
or i s li kel y t o ari s e, wh i ch i s o f s u ch a n atu re an d of s u ch p ub li c
i mp ort an ce th at i t i s exp edi ent t o ob t ain t h e op i ni on of t h e Su p reme
Cou rt u p on it , h e may re fer t h e q u est i on t o t h at Cou rt for c on s i d erati on

56
an d t h e Cou rt may, aft er s u ch h earin g as i t th in ks fi t , rep ort t o th e
Pres i d en t i t s op i ni on th ereon .
(2 ) Th e Pres i d en t may, n ot wi t h s t an di n g an yt h i n g i n t h e p rovi s o t o
art i cle 1 3 1, refer a d i s p ut e of t h e ki n d men t i on ed in t h e s aid provi s o t o
t h e Su p reme Cou rt for op i n i on an d t h e Sup reme Cou rt sh all, aft er s u ch
h eari n g as i t t hi n ks fi t , rep ort t o t h e Presi d en t i ts op in i on th ereon .
1 4 4. Ci vi l a nd judi ci al a uthor i ti es to a ct i n a i d of the Suprem e
Court. —A ll au t h ori t i es , ci vi l an d ju di ci al, i n th e t errit ory o f In d i a s h all
act i n ai d of t h e Su p reme Cou rt .
1 4 4 A. [ Sp ecia l p ro vis i on s as t o d i sp os al of q u est io ns r el ati n g t o
co n st it u ti on al val id i t y o f la ws .] Rep . b y th e Con st i tu ti on (For t y -th i rd
Amen d men t ) Act , 19 77 , s . 5 (w.e.f . 13 -4 -1 9 7 8 ).
1 4 5. Rul es of Court, etc. — (1 ) Su bj ect t o t h e p rovi s i on s of a n y la w
mad e b y Parli amen t , t h e Sup reme Cou rt may from t i me t o t i me, wi t h th e
ap p roval o f t h e Pres i d en t , make ru les for re g u lat i n g gen e rall y t h e
p ract i ce an d p roced u re of t h e Cou rt in clu di n g —
(a ) ru les as t o t h e p ers ons p ract is i n g b efore t h e Cou rt ;
(b ) ru les as t o t h e p rocedu re for h eari n g ap p eals an d ot h er matt ers
p ert ain in g t o ap p eals i n clud in g t h e t i me wit hi n wh i ch app eals t o t h e
Cou rt are t o b e en t ered ;
(c) ru les as t o t h e p roceed i n gs i n t h e Cou rt for t h e en forcemen t o f
an y o f t h e ri gh t s con ferred b y P art III;
(cc) ru les as t o th e p roceedi n gs in th e Cou rt u nd er art i cle 13 9 A;
(d ) ru les as t o t h e en t ert ai nmen t of ap p eals u nd e r su b -clau s e ( c) o f
clau s e (1 ) of art i cle 1 3 4 ;
(e) ru les as t o t h e con d i ti on s s u bj ect t o wh i ch an y j u d gmen t
p ron ou n ced or ord er mad e b y t h e Cou rt may b e revi ewed and th e
p roced u re for s u ch revi ew i n clu di n g th e t i me wit hi n wh i ch
ap p li cati on s t o th e Cou rt fo r s u ch revi ew are t o b e ent ered ;
(f ) ru les as t o t h e cos ts of an d i n ci d en t al t o an y p roceed i n gs i n t h e
Cou rt and as t o t h e fees t o be ch arged i n res p ect of p roceed i n gs
t h erein ;
(g ) ru les as t o t h e grant in g of b a i l;
(h ) ru les as t o s t ay o f p roceed i ngs ;
(i ) ru les p rovi d in g for t h e su mmary d et ermi n ati on of an y ap peal
wh i ch app ears t o th e Cou rt t o be fri v o lou s or vex at i ou s or b rough t fo r
t h e p u rp os e of d ela y;
(j ) ru les as t o th e p roced u re for i nq ui ri es referred t o i n claus e (1 )
o f art i cle 3 1 7 .
(2 ) Su b j ect t o t h e p rovi s i on s o f c lau s e (3 ), ru les mad e u nder t h i s
art i cle may fi x t h e mi n imu m nu mb er of J u d ges wh o are t o s it for an y
p u rp os e, and may p rovi d e for t h e p owers of s i n gle J ud ges an d Di vi s i on
Cou rt s .

57
 (3 ) Th e mi ni mu m nu mb er of J ud ges wh o are t o s it for t h e p u rp os e of
d eci di n g an y cas e i n volvi n g a s ub st an ti al qu es ti on of law a s t o th e
i n t erp ret ati on of t h i s Con s ti t uti on or for t h e p u rp os e of h ea ri n g an y
referen ce u n d er arti cle 1 43 sh all b e fi ve:
Provi d ed t h at , wh ere t h e Cou rt h earin g an ap p eal un d er an y o f t h e
p rovi s i on s of t h i s Ch apt er ot h er t h an art i cle 13 2 cons is t s of les s t h an fi ve
J u d ges an d in t h e cou rs e of t h e h eari n g of t h e ap p eal t h e Cou rt i s
s at is fi ed th at t h e app eal in vol ve s a s ub s t an ti al qu es ti on of law as t o t he
i n t erp ret ati on of t h i s Con s ti tu t i on th e d et ermi n ati on of wh i ch is
n eces s ary for t h e d is p os al of t h e ap p eal, s u ch Cou rt sh all refer t h e
q u est i on for op i n i on t o a Cou rt con s t it u t ed as req ui red b y t h i s clau s e for
t h e pu rp os e of d eci d in g an y cas e i n volvi n g s u ch a q u es t i on an d s h all on
recei p t of t h e op i n i on d is p os e o f t h e ap p eal i n con fo rmi t y wi t h s uch
op i n i on .
(4 ) No j u d gmen t sh all b e d eli ve red b y t h e Su p reme Cou rt s ave in op en
Cou rt , an d n o rep ort sh all b e mad e un d er arti cle 1 43 s ave i n accord an ce
wi t h an op in i on als o d eli vered in op en Cou rt .
(5 ) No j u d gment and n o su ch op in i on sh all b e d eli vered b y t h e
Su p reme Cou rt s ave wi t h th e con cu rren ce of a maj ori t y o f t h e J u d ges
p res ent at th e h eari n g of t h e cas e, bu t n ot hi n g in t h is clau s e s h all b e
d eemed t o p reven t a J ud ge wh o d oes n ot con cu r from d eli ve ri n g a
d i ss ent i n g j u d gmen t or op in i on .
1 4 6. Off i cers a nd s erva nts a nd the expens es of the Suprem e
Court. —(1 ) Ap p oi n t men t s of o ffi cers an d s ervan t s of t h e Su p reme Cou rt
s h all b e mad e b y t h e Ch i ef J us t ice o f In d i a or s u ch oth er Ju d ge or o ffi cer
o f t h e Cou rt as h e may d i rect :
Provi d ed t h at t h e Presi d en t may b y ru le req u i re t h at i n su ch cas es as
may b e s p eci fi ed i n t h e ru le, n o p ers on n ot alread y at t ach ed t o th e Cou rt
s h all b e app oi nt ed t o an y offi ce con n ect ed wit h t h e Cou rt , save aft er
con s u lt at i on wi t h t h e Un i on Pu bli c Servi ce Commi s s i on .
(2 ) Su bj ect t o t h e p rovi s i on s o f an y law mad e b y Parli ame n t , the
con d i ti on s of s ervi ce of o ffi cers an d s ervan ts of t h e Sup reme Cou rt s h all
b e s u ch as may b e p res cri b ed b y ru les mad e b y t h e Ch i ef J u s t i ce o f In d i a
or b y s ome ot h er J u d ge or o ffi cer o f t h e Cou rt au t h ori s ed b y t h e Chi ef
J u st i ce of In d i a t o make ru les fo r t h e p u rp os e:
Provi d ed t h at t h e ru les mad e un d er th i s claus e s h all, s o far a s t h ey
relat e t o s alari es , al lowan ces , l eave or p en s i on s , requ i re th e app roval o f
t h e Presi d en t .
(3 ) Th e ad min is t rati ve ex p en s es of t h e Su p reme Cou rt , i n clu di n g all
s alari es , allowan ces an d p en s i ons p ayab le t o or i n res p ect of t h e o ffi cers
an d s ervan ts of t h e Cou rt , s h all b e ch arged u p on t h e Con s oli d at ed Fu n d
o f In d i a, and an y fees or ot h er mon eys t aken b y t h e Cou rt s h all form p art
o f t h at Fu n d.
1 4 7. I nterpreta ti on. —In t h is Ch ap t er an d i n Ch apt er V o f P art VI,
referen ces t o an y s u b st an ti al q ues t i on of law as t o t h e in t erp ret at i on of

58
t h is Con st i tu ti on s h all b e cons t ru ed as in clu di n g referen ces t o an y
s u bs t an t ial q u es t i on of la w as to t h e in t erp ret ati on of t h e G overn men t of
In d i a Act , 1 93 5 (in clu d in g an y en act ment amend in g or s u p p lemen t in g
t h at Act ), or o f an y O rd er i n Cou n ci l or ord er mad e t h ereun d er, or o f t h e
In d i an In d ep en d en ce Act , 1 94 7 , or o f an y ord er mad e t h ereun d er.

C H A P T ER V

C OMPTROLLER AND A UDITOR -G ENERAL OF I NDIA

1 4 8. Com ptrol l er a nd Audi tor -Genera l of I ndia . —(1 ) Th ere sh all b e

a Comp t rol ler an d Au d i t or -G en eral o f In d i a wh o s h al l b e ap p oi n t ed b y
t h e Pres id ent b y warran t u n d er h i s h an d and s eal an d sh all on l y b e
removed fr om o ffi ce i n li ke mann er and on t h e li ke grou n ds as a J u d ge of
t h e Sup reme Cou rt .
(2 ) Ever y p ers on ap p oin t ed t o be t h e Compt roller an d Au d it or -G en eral
o f In d i a sh all, b efore h e en t ers up on hi s offi ce, make an d su b s c ri be
b efore t h e Pres id en t, or s ome pers on app oi n t ed i n t h at b eh alf b y h i m, an
oat h or affi rmat i on accord i n g to t h e form s et ou t for t h e pu rpos e i n t he
Th i rd Sched u le.
(3 ) Th e s alary an d ot h er con di tion s of s ervi ce o f t h e Comp t roll er an d
Au d i t or - G en eral s h all b e s u ch as may b e d et ermi n ed b y Parli a men t b y
law an d , u n ti l th ey are s o d et ermi n ed , s h all b e as s p eci fi ed in th e Second
Sch ed u le:
Provi d ed t h at n ei t h er th e s alary o f a Comp t rol ler an d Au d i t or -G en eral
n or h is ri ght s i n res p ect of leave of ab s en ce, p en s i on or age of re t i rement
s h all b e vari ed t o hi s d is ad vant age aft er h i s ap p oin t men t .
(4 ) Th e Comp t roller an d Aud it or -G en eral s h all n ot b e eli gi ble for
fu rt h er offi ce ei t h er u nd er t he G overn men t of In d i a or un d er th e
G overn men t of an y St at e aft er h e h as ceas ed t o h old h is offi ce.
(5 ) Su bj ect t o t h e p rovi s i on s of t h is Con s ti tu t i on an d of an y law mad e
b y Par li amen t , t h e cond it i on s of s ervi ce of p ers on s s ervi n g in th e In d i an
Au d i t an d Accou n ts Dep art ment an d th e ad min is t rati ve p ower s of t h e
Comp t roller an d Au d it or-G en eral s h all b e s u ch as may b e p rescri b ed b y
ru les mad e b y t h e Pres id ent after con s u lt at i on wit h th e Compt rol ler an d
Au d i t or -G en eral.
(6 ) Th e ad min is t rati ve exp en s es of t h e offi ce o f t h e Comp t roller an d
Au d i t or - G en eral, i n clu di n g all salari es , allowan ces an d p ens i ons p ayab le
t o or i n res p ect of p ers on s s ervi n g i n th at offi ce, s h all b e ch arged u p on
t h e Con s oli d at ed Fu nd of In d i a.

59
 149. Duties and powers of the Comptroller and Auditor-General.—The Comptroller
and Auditor-General shall perform such duties and exercise such powers in relation to the
accounts of the Union and of the States and of any other authority or body as may be
prescribed by or under any law made by Parliament and, until provision in that behalf is so
made, shall perform such duties and exercise such powers in relation to the accounts of the
Union and of the States as were conferred on or exercisable by the Auditor-General of
India immediately before the commencement of this Constitution in relation to the accounts
of the Dominion of India and of the Provinces respectively.
1 5 0. F orm of a ccounts of the Uni on a nd of the Sta tes . —Th e accou n t s
o f t h e Un i on and of t h e St at es sh all b e kep t i n su ch form as t h e Pres i d en t
may, on t h e ad vi ce o f t h e Co mp t roller an d Au d i t or -G en eral o f In d i a,
p res crib e.
1 5 1. Audi t reports . —(1 ) Th e rep ort s of t h e Compt roller an d Aud i t or -
G en eral of In d i a relat i n g t o th e accou n t s of t h e Un i on s h all b e su b mi t t ed
t o t h e Pres id ent , wh o s h all cau s e t h em t o b e lai d b efore each Hou s e o f
Parli amen t .
(2 ) Th e rep orts of t h e Comp tr ol ler an d Au di t or -G en eral o f In d i a
relat i n g t o t h e accou n t s of a St a t e s h all b e s u b mit t ed t o t h e G overn or o f
t h e St at e, wh o sh all cau s e t h em t o b e lai d b efore t h e Legi s lat u re o f t h e
St at e.

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 PART VI

THE STATES
C HAPT ER I.—G E NER A L

1 5 2. Def i ni ti on. —In t hi s Pa rt , u n les s t h e con t ex t ot h erwis e req u i res ,

t h e ex p ress i on “St at e” d oes n ot in clu d e th e St at e of J ammu and Kas h mi r.

C H A P T ER II.—T H E E X EC U T IV E

The Governor
1 5 3. Governors of Sta tes . —Th ere s h all b e a G overn or for each St at e:
Provi d ed t h at n oth in g i n t hi s a rt i cle s h all p reven t t h e ap p oin t men t of
t h e s ame p ers on as G overn or for t wo or more St at es .
1 5 4. Executi ve pow er of Sta te. —(1 ) Th e ex ecut i ve p ower o f t h e St at e
s h all b e ves t ed in th e G overn or an d s h all b e ex erci s ed b y h im ei th er
d i rect ly or t h rou gh o ffi cer s s u bord i n at e t o h i m in accord an ce wi t h th is
Con s t it ut i on .
(2 ) Not h i n g in th is arti cle s h all —
(a ) b e d eemed t o t ran s fer t o t h e G overn or an y fu n ct i on s con ferred
b y an y ex i s t in g law on an y ot h er au th ori t y; or
(b ) p reven t Parli ament or t h e Legi s lat u re o f t h e St at e fro m
con ferri n g b y law fu n ct i on s on an y au t h ori t y s u b ordi n at e t o t h e
G overn or.
1 5 5. Appoi ntm ent of Governo r. —Th e G overn or o f a St at e s h all b e
ap p oi nt ed b y t h e Pres id ent b y w arran t un d er h is h an d an d s eal.
1 5 6. Term of of fi ce of Governo r. —(1 ) Th e G ove rn or s h all h o ld o ffi ce
d u rin g t h e p leas u re of t h e Presi den t .
(2 ) Th e G overn or may, b y wri t i n g un d er h is h and add ress ed t o t h e
Pres i d en t , res i gn h is offi ce.
(3 ) Su bj ect t o t h e foreg oi n g p ro vi s i on s of t h i s art i cle, a G overn or s h all
h old o ffi ce for a t erm o f fi ve yea rs fr om t h e d at e on whi ch h e en t ers
u p on h i s offi ce:
Provi d ed t h at a G overn or s h all, n ot wi th s t an di n g th e ex pi rat i on of h i s
t erm, con t in u e t o h old offi ce u n ti l h i s s u cces s or ent ers u p on h i s o ffi ce.
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 1 5 7. Qua lif i ca ti ons f or a ppoi ntm ent a s Governor. —No p ers o n s h all
b e eli gi b le for ap p oi n t ment as G overn or u n les s h e i s a ci t i zen o f In d i a
an d h as comp let ed th e age of t h i rt y -fi ve years .
1 5 8. Condi ti ons of Governor' s of fi ce. —(1 ) Th e G overn or s h all n ot b e
a memb er of ei t h er Hou s e of Pa rli amen t or of a Hou s e o f t h e Legi s lat u re
o f an y St at e s p eci fi ed i n t h e Fi rs t Sch ed u le, and i f a memb er o f ei t h er
Hou s e of Par li amen t or o f a Ho u s e of t h e Le gi s lat u re of an y s u ch St at e
b e ap p oin t ed G overn or, h e s h all b e d eemed t o h ave vacat ed h is s eat in
t h at Hou s e on th e d at e on wh i ch h e ent ers u p on h i s offi ce as G overn or.
(2 ) Th e G overn or s h all n ot h old an y ot h er o ffi ce o f p ro fi t .
(3 ) Th e G overn or s h all b e en t i t led wi t h out p aymen t of ren t t o t h e u se
o f h i s offi ci al res i d en ces and sh all b e als o en t it led t o su ch emolu men t s ,
all owa n ces an d p ri vi leges as may b e d et ermin ed b y Parli amen t b y law
an d , un ti l p rovi s i on i n t h at b eh alf i s s o mad e, s u ch emolu men t s ,
all owan ces an d p ri vi leges as are s p eci fi ed i n t h e Second Sch edu le.
(3 A) Wh ere th e s ame p ers on is ap p oi nt ed as G overn or o f t wo o r more
St at es , th e emolu men ts an d allo wan ces p ayab le t o t h e G overn or s h all b e
all ocat ed amon g t h e St at es i n su ch p rop ort i on as th e Pres id ent ma y b y
ord er d et ermin e.
(4 ) Th e emolu ment s an d allo wan ces of t h e G overn or sh all n ot b e
d i min is h ed du rin g h is t erm of o ffi ce.
1 5 9. Oa th or a ffi rma ti on by the Governor. —E ver y G o vern or an d
ever y p ers on d i s ch argi n g th e fu n cti on s of t h e G overn or s h all , b efore
en t erin g u p on h is offi ce, make a n d su b s cri b e in t h e p res en ce of t h e Ch i ef
J u st i ce of t h e Hi gh Cou rt ex ercis i n g ju ri sd i ct i on i n relat i on t o th e St at e,
or, i n hi s ab s en ce, t h e s eni or mos t J ud ge of t h at Cou rt avai lab le, an oath
or a ffi rmat i on in th e fol l owi n g form, t h at i s t o s ay —
“I, A. B., d o s w e a r i n t h e n a m e o f G o d t h at I w i ll
solemnly affirm
fai t h fu l l y ex ecu t e t h e offi ce o f G overn or (or d i s ch arge t h e fu nct i on s of
t h e G overn or) o f ............. (na me o f t h e S ta t e) and wi ll t o t h e b es t o f
my ab i li t y p res erve, p rot ect an d d efen d th e Cons t it ut i on an d t he
law an d th at I wi ll d evot e m ys el f t o t h e s ervi ce and well -b ei n g of t h e
p eop le o f ..……… (n a me o f t h e St a t e) .”
1 6 0. Di s cha rg e of the f uncti ons of the Governor i n certa i n
conti ng enci es . —Th e Pres id ent may make s u ch p rovi s i on as h e t h in ks fi t
for t h e d is ch arge of t h e fu n ct ion s of t h e G overn or o f a St at e i n an y
con t i n gen cy n ot p rovi d ed for i n t h is Ch ap t er.
1 6 1. P ow er of Governor to g ra nt pa rdons , etc., a nd to s us pend,
rem i t or com m ute s entences i n certa i n cas es . —Th e G overn or o f a St at e
s h all h ave t h e p ower t o gran t pard on s , rep ri eves , res pi t es or remi s si on s
o f p u ni s hmen t or t o s us p en d , remi t or commu t e t h e s en t en ce of an y
p ers on con vi ct ed of an y o ffen ce agai n s t an y law relat i n g t o a mat t er t o
wh i ch t h e ex ecut i ve p ower of t h e St at e ex t end s .

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 1 6 2. Extent of e xecuti ve pow er of Sta te. —Su bj ect t o t h e p rovi s i on s
o f t h i s Con s ti tu t i on, th e ex ecu ti ve p ower o f a St at e sh all ex t en d t o t he
mat t ers wi t h resp ect t o wh i ch th e Legi s lat u re of t h e St at e h as p ower t o
make laws :
Provi d ed t h at in an y mat t er wi t h res p ect t o wh i ch th e Le gi s lat ure o f a
St at e and Parli amen t h ave p ower t o make laws , t h e ex ecu ti ve p ower o f
t h e St at e sh all b e s u bj ect t o, an d li mit ed b y, t h e ex ecu ti ve p ower
ex p ress ly con ferred b y t h i s Con s t it ut i on or b y an y la w mad e b y
Parli amen t up on th e Un i on or aut h ori t i es th ereof .

Council of Ministers
1 6 3. Counci l of M i ni s ters to a i d a nd a dvi s e Governor. —(1 ) Th ere
s h all b e a Cou n ci l of Mi n i st ers wi t h t h e Chi ef Mi n is t er at t h e head t o aid
an d ad vi s e th e G overn or i n t h e ex erci s e of h i s fu n cti on s , ex cept i n s o far
as h e i s b y or u n d er t hi s Con s tit u ti on req ui red t o ex erci s e h i s fu n cti on s
or an y o f t h em i n h is di s creti on .
(2 ) If an y q u es ti on ari s es wh eth er an y mat t er i s or is n ot a mat t er as
res p ects whi ch t h e G overn or i s b y or u n d er t h is Cons ti t ut i on req u i red t o
act in hi s d is cret i on , th e d eci si on of t h e G overn or i n h is di s creti on sh all
b e fi n al, an d t h e vali d i t y o f an yt h in g d on e b y t h e G overn or s h all n ot b e
called i n q u es t i on on t h e grou nd t h at h e ou gh t or ou gh t n ot t o have act ed
i n h i s d is cret i on.
(3 ) Th e qu est i on wh et h er an y, an d i f s o wh at , ad vi ce was t end ered b y
Mi n is t ers t o th e G overn or s h all n ot b e i nq u i red in t o in an y cou rt .
1 6 4. Other provi s i ons a s to M ini s ters . —(1 ) Th e Ch i ef Mi ni s t er s h all
b e app oi n t ed b y t h e G overn or an d t h e oth er Min i st ers s h all b e ap p oi nt ed
b y t h e G overn or on t h e ad vi ce o f t h e Chi ef Mi n is t er, an d t h e Mi n is t ers
s h all h old o ffi ce d u rin g t h e p leas u re of t h e G overn or:
Provi d ed t h at in t h e St at es of Bi h ar, Mad h ya Prad es h an d Ori ss a, t h ere
s h all b e a Mi ni s t er i n ch arge of t ri b al welfa re wh o ma y i n ad d i tion b e i n
ch arge o f t h e wel fare o f t h e Sch ed u led Cas t es an d b ackward clas s es or
an y ot h er wor k.
(1 A) Th e t ot al n u mb er of Mi n i st ers , in clu d in g t h e Ch i ef Mi n ist er, i n
t h e Coun ci l of Mi n i st ers i n a St at e s h all n ot ex ceed fi ft een p er cent .
o f t h e t ot al n u mb er o f memb ers of t h e Legi s lat i ve As s emb l y o f t h at
St at e:
Provi d ed t h at t h e n u mb er of Mi n i st ers , in clu di n g th e Ch i ef Mi nis t er in
a St at e s h all n ot b e les s t h an t welve :
Provi d ed fu rt h er t h at wh ere the t ot al n u mb er of Mi n i st ers in clu d i n g
t h e Ch i ef Mi ni s ter in th e Cou n ci l of Mi n is t ers i n an y St at e at t he
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commen cemen t of t h e Con st i tu ti on (Ni n et y -fi rs t Amen d ment ) Act , 2 00 3
ex ceed s th e s aid fi ft een p er ce n t . or t h e n u mb er sp eci fi ed in t h e fi rs t
p rovi s o, as th e cas e may b e, t hen th e t ot al n u mb er of Mi ni s t ers in t h at
St at e sh all b e b rou gh t i n con fo rmi t y wi t h t h e p rovi s i ons of t h i s clau s e
wi t h in s i x mon th s from s u ch d at e * as t h e Pres id ent may by p u b li c
n ot i fi cat i on app oi nt .
(1 B) A memb er o f t h e Legi s lat i ve As s emb l y o f a St at e or ei t h er Hou s e
o f t h e Legi s lat u re o f a St at e h avi n g Legi s lat i ve Cou n ci l b elon gi n g t o an y
p oli t i cal p art y wh o i s di sq u alifi ed for b ei n g a memb er of t hat Hou s e
u n d er p aragrap h 2 of t h e Ten t h Sch ed u le s h all als o b e d i s q u ali fi ed t o b e
ap p oi nt ed as a Min is t er u nd er clau s e (1 ) for d u rat i on of t he p eri od
commen ci n g from t h e d at e of h i s di sq u ali fi cat i on ti ll t h e d at e on wh i ch
t h e t erm of h i s offi ce as s u ch memb er wou ld ex p i re or wh ere h e con t es ts
an y elect i on t o t h e Legi s lat i ve As s emb ly o f a St at e or ei th er Hou s e of
t h e Legi s lat u re o f a St at e h avi n g Legi s lat i ve C ou n ci l, as t h e cas e ma y b e,
b efore t h e ex p i ry o f s u ch p eri od , t i ll t h e d at e on wh i ch h e is d eclared
elect ed , wh i ch ever i s earli er.
(2 ) Th e Coun ci l of Mi n i st ers sh all b e collect i ve l y res p on s i b le t o t h e
Le gi s lat i ve As s emb ly o f t h e St ate.
(3 ) Before a Mi n i st er ent ers u p on h is offi ce, t h e G overn or s h all
ad min i st er t o h i m t h e oat hs of o ffi ce an d o f s ecrec y acco rd i n g t o t h e
forms s et ou t for t h e pu rp os e i n t h e Th i rd Sch edu le.
(4 ) A Mi ni s t er wh o for an y p eri od of s i x con s ecu ti ve mon t hs is n ot a
memb er of t h e Legi s lat u re of t h e St at e sh all at t h e ex pi rati on of t h at
p eri od ceas e t o b e a Mi ni st er.
(5 ) Th e s alari es and allowan c es of Mi n i s t ers sh all b e su ch as th e
Le gi s lat u re of t h e St at e may fr om t i me t o t i me b y law d et ermi n e an d ,
u n ti l t h e Legi s lat u re o f t h e St ate s o d et ermin es , s h all b e as sp eci fi ed i n
t h e Second Sch ed u le.

The Advocate-General for the State

1 6 5. Advoca te -Genera l f or the Sta te. —(1 ) Th e G overn or of each

St at e sh all ap p oi nt a p ers on wh o i s q u ali fi ed t o b e app oi nt ed a Ju d ge of a
Hi gh Cou r t t o b e Ad vocat e -G en eral for t h e St at e.
(2 ) It s h al l b e t h e d u t y o f t h e Ad vocat e -G en eral t o gi ve ad vi c e t o t h e
G overn men t of t h e St at e u p on s u ch legal mat t ers , and t o p erform s u ch
ot h er d ut i es of a le ga l ch aract er, as may from t i me t o t i me b e referred or
as s i gn ed t o h i m b y t h e G ov ern or, an d t o d i s ch arge t h e fu n ct i on s
con ferred on h i m b y or u n d er th i s Con st i tu ti on or an y ot h er la w for t h e
t i me b ei n g in force.

64
 (3 ) Th e Ad vocat e -G en eral s h all h old o ffi ce d u ri n g t h e p leasu re o f t h e
G overn or, an d s h all recei ve s u ch remun erat i on as t h e G overn or ma y
d et ermin e.

Conduct of Government Business

1 6 6. Conduct of bus i ness of the Governm ent of a Sta te. —(1 ) All
ex ecu ti ve act i on of t h e G overn men t of a St at e s h all b e expressed to be taken
in the name of the Governor.
(2) Orders and other instruments made and executed in the name of the Governor shall
be authenticated in such manner as may be specified in rules to be made by the Governor,
and the validity of an order or instrument which is so authenticated shall not be called in
question on the ground that it is not an order or instrument made or executed by the
Governor.
(3) The Governor shall make rules for the more convenient transaction of the business
of the Government of the State, and for the allocation among Ministers of the said business
in so far as it is not business with respect to which the Governor is by or under this
Constitution required to act in his discretion.
* * * *
*
167. Duties of Chief Minister as respects the furnishing of information to
Governor, etc.—It shall be the duty of the Chief Minister of each State—
(a) to communicate to the Governor of the State all decisions of the Council of
Ministers relating to the administration of the affairs of the State and proposals for
legislation;
(b) to furnish such information relating to the administration of the affairs of the
State and proposals for legislation as the Governor may call for; and
(c) if the Governor so requires, to submit for the consideration of the Council of
Ministers any matter on which a decision has been taken by a Minister but which has
not been considered by the Council.

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 CHAPTER III.— THE STATE LEGISLATURE
General

168. Constitution of Legislatures in States.—(1) For every State there shall be a

Legislature which shall consist of the Governor, and—
(a) in the States of Bihar, Maharashtra, Karnataka and Uttar Pradesh, two Houses;
(b) in other States, one House.
(2) Where there are two Houses of the Legislature of a State, one shall be known as the
Legislative Council and the other as the Legislative Assembly, and where there is only one
House, it shall be known as the Legislative Assembly.
169. Abolition or creation of Legislative Councils in States.—(1) Notwithstanding
anything in article 168, Parliament may by law provide for the abolition of the Legislative
Council of a State having such a Council or for the creation of such a Council in a State
having no such Council, if the Legislative Assembly of the State passes a resolution to that
effect by a majority of th e t ot al memb ersh ip of t h e Ass emb ly an d b y a
maj ori t y o f n ot les s t h an t wo -t h i rd s of t h e memb ers of t h e As s emb ly
p res ent and vot i n g.
(2 ) An y law re ferred t o i n clau se (1 ) s h all con t ain s u c h p rovi sion s for
t h e amen dmen t of t h i s Con st i tu ti on as may b e n eces s ary t o gi ve effect t o
t h e p rovi s i ons of t h e law an d ma y a ls o con t ai n s u ch s up p lemen t al,
i n cid ent al an d cons equ en ti al p rovi s i on s as Parli amen t may d eem
n eces s ary.
(3 ) No s u ch law as afores a i d s hall b e d eemed t o b e an amend men t of
t h is Con st i tu ti on for t h e p u rp os es of art i cle 3 6 8 .
1 7 0. Com pos i ti on of the Leg i sla ti ve As s em bl i es. —(1 ) Sub j ect t o t h e
p rovi s i on s of art i cle 3 33 , t h e Le gi s lat i ve As s emb ly o f each St at e s h all
con s i st of n ot more t h an fi ve hu n d red , an d n ot less th an s ix t y, memb ers
ch os en b y d i rect elect i on from t erri t ori al con s t it u en ci es i n t h e St at e.
(2 ) For t h e p u rp os es of clau s e (1 ), each St at e s h all b e d i vi d ed i n t o
t erri t ori al con s ti tu en ci es i n such man n er t h at th e rat i o b etween t h e
p op u lat i on of each con s t i t u en cy an d t h e n umb er of s eat s al lo t t ed t o i t
s h all, s o far as p ract i cab le, b e t he s ame th rou gh ou t t h e St at e.
Exp l an a ti on . —In th is clau s e, th e exp ress i on “p op u lat i on ” mean s t h e
p op u lat i on as as cert ai n ed at th e las t p reced in g cen s u s of wh i ch th e
relevan t fi gu res h ave b een pu b lis h ed :

66
 Provi d ed t h at th e referen ce i n t h is Exp la na ti on t o th e las t p reced i ng
cen s us of wh i ch th e relevan t fi gu res h ave b een p ub li sh ed s h all, u n ti l t h e
relevan t fi gu res for t h e fi rs t cen s us t aken aft er th e yea r 2 02 6 h ave b een
p u b lis h ed , b e con s t ru ed as a referen ce t o t h e 20 01 cens us .
(3 ) Up on t h e comp let i on of eac h cen su s , th e t ot al n u mb er of s eat s i n
t h e Legi s lat i ve As s emb ly o f each St at e an d t h e di vi s i on of each St at e
i n t o t errit ori al con s t i tu en ci es shall b e read j u s t ed b y s u ch au t h orit y an d i n
s u ch mann er as Parli amen t may b y la w d et ermi n e:
Provi d ed th at s u ch readj us t ment sh all n ot affect rep res en t at i on i n t h e
Le gi s lat i ve As s emb ly u n t i l t h e di s s olu t i on of t h e th en ex is ti n g As s emb ly:
Provi d ed fu rt h er t h at s u c h read j us t men t sh all t ake e ffect fr o m s u ch
d at e as t h e Pres id ent may, b y o rd er, sp eci fy an d un t i l su ch read j us t ment
t akes effect , an y e lect i on t o t h e Le gi s lat i ve As s emb l y ma y b e h eld on t h e
b as is of t h e t erri t ori al con st i tu en ci es ex is ti n g b efore s u ch read j u s t men t :
Provided also that until the relevant figures for the first census taken after the year 2026
have been published, it shall not be necessary to readjust—
(i) the total number of seats in the Legislative Assembly of each State as readjusted
on the basis of the 1971 census; and
(ii) the division of such State into territorial constituencies as may be readjusted on
the basis of the 2001 census,
under this clause.
171. Composition of the Legislative Councils.—(1) The total number of members in
the Legislative Council of a State having such a Council shall not exceed one third of the
total number of members in the Legislative Assembly of that State:
Provi d ed th at t h e t ot al nu mb er o f memb ers i n t h e Legi s lat i ve Cou n ci l
o f a St at e s hall i n n o cas e b e less t h an fort y.
(2 ) Un t i l Parli amen t b y la w ot h e rwi s e p rovi d es , th e comp os i ti on o f t h e
Le gi s lat i ve Cou n ci l of a St at e s hall b e as p rovi d ed in clau s e (3 ).
(3 ) Of t h e t ot al n u mb er of me mb ers of t h e Le gi s lat i ve Cou n ci l o f a
St at e—
(a ) as n early as ma y b e, on e -t h i rd s h all b e elect ed b y elect orat es
con s i st i n g of memb ers of mu ni ci p ali ti es , d is t ri ct b oard s an d s u ch
ot h er local au t h ori t i es i n t h e St at e as Parli ament may b y law s p eci fy;
(b ) as n early as ma y b e, on e -t we l ft h s h all b e elect ed b y e lect orat es
con s i st i n g of p ers on s res id i n g in th e St at e wh o h ave b een for at leas t
t h ree years grad u at es of an y u n i vers it y i n t h e t erri t or y o f In d i a or
h ave b een fo r at leas t t h ree yea rs i n p os s ess i on of q u ali fi cat i on s
p res crib ed b y or u n d er an y law mad e b y Parli amen t as equ i valen t t o
t h at of a grad u at e of an y s u ch un i vers it y;
(c) as n early as ma y b e, on e -t wel ft h sh all b e elect ed b y elect orat es
con s i st i n g of p ers ons wh o h ave b een for at leas t t h ree years en gaged
i n t each i n g in s u ch edu cat i on al in s ti tu t i ons wi t hi n th e St at e, n ot lo we r
i n s t an d ard th an th at of a s econd ary s ch ool, as may b e p res cribed b y
or u n d er an y la w mad e b y Parli a men t ;
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 (d ) as n early as may b e, on e -t h i rd sh all b e elect ed b y t h e members
o f t h e Legi s lat i ve As s emb l y o f t h e St at e from amon gs t p ers on s wh o
are n ot memb ers of t h e As s emb ly;
(e) t h e remai nd er s h all b e n omi n at ed b y t h e G overn or i n
accord an ce wi t h t h e p rovi s i ons of c lau s e (5 ).
(4 ) Th e memb ers t o b e elect ed u n d er su b -clau s es ( a ), (b ) an d ( c) o f
clau s e (3 ) s h all b e ch os en in su ch t erri t ori al con st i tu en ci es as may b e
p res crib ed b y or u n d er an y la w mad e b y Parli amen t , and th e elect i on s
u n d er th e s aid s ub -clau s es an d u n d er su b -clau s e ( d ) o f t h e s ai d clau s e
s h all b e h eld i n accord an ce wi t h th e s ys t em of p ro p ort i on al
rep res ent at i on b y mean s of t h e si n gle t ran s ferab le v ot e.
(5 ) Th e memb ers t o b e n omi n at ed b y t h e G overn or u nd er su b -c lau s e
(e) o f clau s e (3 ) s h all con s i s t o f p ers on s h avin g s p eci al kn owled ge or
p ract i cal ex p erien ce i n resp ect o f s u ch mat t ers as th e fol lo wi n g,
n amely:—
Li t erat u re, s ci en ce, art , co -op erat i ve m ovemen t and s oci al s ervi ce.
172. Duration of State Legislatures.—(1) Every Legislative Assembly of every State,
unless sooner dissolved, shall continue for five years from the date appointed for its first
meeting and no longer and the expiration of the said period of five years shall operate as a
dissolution of the Assembly:
Provi d ed t h at th e s aid p eri od may, wh i le a Proc lamat i on of Eme rgen c y
i s i n op erati on , b e ext end ed b y Par li amen t b y law for a p eri od n ot
ex ceed in g on e year at a ti me an d n ot ex t end in g i n an y cas e b eyon d a
p eri od of s i x mon th s aft er th e Proclamat i on h as ceas ed t o op erat e.
(2 ) Th e Legi s lat i ve Cou n ci l o f a St at e s h all n ot b e su bject t o
d i ss olu t i on , b ut as n early as p o s s ib le on e -t h i rd of t h e memb ers t hereof
s h all ret i re as s oon as ma y b e o n t h e exp i rati on of ever y s econ d year i n
accord an ce wi t h t h e p rovi s i ons mad e in th at b eh alf b y Par li amen t b y la w.
1 7 3. Qual ifi ca ti on f or m em bers hi p of the Sta te Leg is la ture. —A
p ers on s h all n ot b e qu ali fi ed t o b e ch os en t o fi l l a s eat i n t h e Le gi s lat u re
o f a St at e un les s h e—
(a ) i s a ci ti zen of In d i a, an d makes an d s ub s cri b es b efore s o me
p ers on au th ori s ed in th at b eh alf b y t h e Elect i on Commis s i on an oat h
or affi rmat i on accord i n g t o th e form s et ou t for t h e pu rp os e i n t h e
Th i rd Sched u le;
(b ) i s , i n th e cas e of a s eat i n th e Le gi s lat i ve As s emb l y, n ot le s s
t h an t wen t y -fi ve years o f a ge an d , i n t h e cas e of a s eat i n t he
Le gi s lat i ve Cou n ci l, n ot les s th an th i rt y years o f age ; an d
(c) Pos s es s es su ch ot h er qu ali fi cat i ons as may b e p res cri b ed i n
t h at b eh alf b y or u n d er an y la w mad e b y Parli amen t .
1 7 4. Ses si ons of the Sta te Leg i s la ture, prorog a ti on a nd
di s s ol uti on. —(1 ) Th e G overn or s h all fr om t i me t o ti me summon t h e
Hou s e or each Hou s e of t h e Leg i s lat u re of t h e St at e t o meet at su ch t i me

68
an d p lace as h e th in ks fi t , b ut s ix mon t hs sh all n ot i n t erven e b etween i t s
las t s i tt i n g in on e s es si on an d th e d at e app oi nt ed for i t s fi rs t s i t ti n g i n
t h e n ex t s ess i on .
(2 ) Th e G overn or may fr om t i me t o t i me —
(a ) p rorogu e t h e Hou s e or ei th er Hou s e;
(b ) d is s olve t h e Legi s lat i ve As s emb ly.
1 7 5. Ri g ht of Governor to a ddres s a nd s end m es sa g es to the Hous e
or Hous es . —(1 ) Th e G overn or may ad d res s t h e Legi s lat i ve As s emb ly or,
i n t h e cas e of a St at e h avi n g a Le gi s lat i ve Cou n ci l, ei th er Hous e of t h e
Le gi s lat u re o f t h e St at e, or b ot h Hou s es as s emb led t oget h er, and ma y for
t h at p u rp os e requ i re t h e at t en d an ce of memb ers .
(2 ) Th e G overn or may s en d mes s ages t o th e Hou s e or Hou s es o f t h e
Le gi s lat u re of t h e St at e, wh ether wi t h res p ect t o a Bi ll t h en pen d in g in
t h e Le gi s lat u re or ot h erwi s e, a n d a Hou s e t o wh i ch an y mes s age i s s o
s en t s h all wi t h all con ven i en t des p at ch con si d er an y mat t er requ i red b y
t h e mes s age t o b e t aken in t o cons i d erat i on .
1 7 6. Specia l a ddres s by the Governor. —(1 ) At t h e commen cemen t of
t h e fi rs t s ess i on aft er each gen eral e lect i on t o t h e Le gi s lat i ve As s emb ly
an d at t h e commen cemen t of t h e fi rs t s es si on of each year, t h e G overn or
s h all ad d res s th e Le gi s lat i ve As s emb ly or, i n t h e cas e o f a St at e h avi n g a
Le gi s lat i ve Cou n ci l, b ot h Hou s es as s emb led t oget h er an d inform t h e
Le gi s lat u re of t h e ca u s es of i t s su mmon s .
(2 ) Provi s i on s h all b e mad e b y t h e ru les regu lat i n g th e p roced u re of
t h e Hou s e or eit h er Hou s e for t he all ot men t of t i me for d i s cus s ion of t h e
mat t ers referred t o in su ch ad d res s .
1 7 7. Ri g hts of M i ni s ters a nd Advoca te -Genera l a s res pects the
Hous es . —Ever y Mi n i s t er an d the Ad vocat e -G en eral for a St at e s h all h ave
t h e ri ght t o sp eak i n , an d oth erwi s e t o t ake p art in th e p roceedi ngs o f, t h e
Le gi s lat i ve As s emb ly o f t h e St at e or, i n th e cas e of a St at e h avi n g a
Le gi s lat i ve Cou n ci l, b ot h Hou s e s , and t o s p eak in , an d oth erwi se t o t ake
p art i n th e p roceed in gs of, an y commi t t ee of t h e Le gi s lat u re of wh i ch h e
may b e n amed a memb er, b ut s h all n ot , b y vi rt u e of t h i s art i cle, b e
en t it led t o vot e.

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 Officers of the State Legislature
1 7 8. T he Spea ker a nd De puty Spea ker of the Leg i s l a ti ve
As s em bl y . —Every Le gi s lat i ve As s emb ly o f a St at e s h all, as s oon as may
b e, ch oos e t wo memb ers of t h e As s emb ly t o b e res p ect i vely Sp eaker an d
Dep u t y Sp eaker t h ereo f an d , s o o ft en as t h e offi ce o f Sp eaker o r De p u t y
Sp eaker b ecomes vacan t , t h e As s emb ly s h all ch oos e an ot h er memb er t o
b e Sp eaker or Dep u t y Sp eaker, as t h e cas e may b e.
1 7 9. Va ca ti on a nd resi g na ti on of , a nd rem ova l f rom , the offi ces of
Spea ker a nd Deputy Spea ker. —A memb er h old i n g offi ce as S p eaker or
Dep u t y Sp eaker o f an As s emb ly —
(a ) s h all vacat e h i s o ffi ce i f h e ceas es t o b e a memb er o f t h e
As s emb ly;
(b ) may at an y t i me b y wri t i n g u n d er hi s h an d add ress ed , i f s uch
memb er is th e Sp eaker, t o t h e Dep u t y Sp eaker, an d i f s u ch memb er is
t h e Depu t y Sp eaker , t o t h e Sp eaker, res i gn h is offi ce; an d
(c) may b e removed from h i s offi ce b y a res o lu t i on of t h e
As s emb ly p as s ed b y a maj orit y o f al l t h e t h en memb ers o f t h e
As s emb ly:
Provi d ed t h at n o res olu t i on fo r t h e p u rp os e of c lau s e ( c) s h all b e
moved u n les s at lea s t fou rt een d ays ' n ot i ce h as b een gi ven of t h e
i n t en ti on t o move t h e res olu t i on :
Provi d ed fu rt h er th at , wh en ever t h e As s emb ly i s d i ss olve d , th e
Sp eaker s h all n ot vacat e h i s offi ce u n t i l i mmedi at ely b e fore t h e fi rs t
meet i n g of t h e As s emb ly a ft er t h e d i ss olu t i on .
1 8 0. P ow er of the Deputy Spea ker or other pers on to perf o rm the
duti es of the of fi ce of , or to a ct a s , Spea ker. —(1 ) Wh i le t h e o ffi ce o f
Sp eaker i s vacan t , t h e d ut i es o f t h e offi ce s h all b e p erform ed b y t h e
Dep u t y Sp eaker or, i f t h e offi c e o f Dep u t y S p eaker i s als o va can t , b y
s u ch memb er of t h e As s emb ly as t h e G overn or ma y ap p oi n t for t h e
p u rp os e.
(2) During the absence of the Speaker from any sitting of the Assembly the Deputy
Speaker or, if he is also absent, such person as may be determined by the rules of procedure
of the Assembly, or, if no such person is present, such other person as may be determined
by the Assembly, shall act as Speaker.
1 8 1. The Spea ker or the Deputy Spea ker not to pres i de whi l e a
res ol uti on f or hi s rem ova l f rom off i ce is under cons i dera ti on. —(1 ) At
an y s i t t i n g of t h e Le gi s lat i ve As s emb ly, wh i le an y res o lu t i on for t h e
remova l o f t h e Sp eaker from h i s offi ce i s u n d er con si d erat i on , th e
Sp eaker, or wh i le an y res olu t i o n for t h e remo val o f t h e Dep u ty Sp eaker
fr om h i s offi ce i s u nd er con sid erat i on , th e Depu t y Sp eaker, s h all n ot ,
t h ou gh h e is p res en t , p res id e, an d th e p rovi s i on s of clau s e (2 ) o f art i cle
1 8 0 s h all ap p ly i n relat i on t o ever y s u ch si tt i n g as t h ey ap p ly i n relat i on

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t o a s i tt in g from wh i ch t h e Sp eaker or, as t h e cas e may b e, t he Dep u t y
Sp eaker, i s ab s en t .
(2 ) Th e Sp eaker s h all h ave t h e ri gh t t o s p eak i n , an d ot h erwis e to t ake
p art in th e p roceedi n gs of, t h e Legi s lat i ve As s emb ly wh i le an y r es olu t i on
for h i s removal from o ffi ce i s u n d er con si d erati on i n t h e As s emb ly an d
s h all, n ot wi t h st and in g an yt h i n g i n art i cle 18 9 , b e en ti t led t o vot e on l y i n
t h e fi rs t in s t an ce on su ch res olu t i on or on an y ot h er matt er d uri n g su ch
p roceed i n gs b ut n ot i n t h e cas e o f an eq u ali t y o f vot es .
1 8 2. The Cha i rma n a nd Deputy Cha i rm a n of the Legis l a ti ve
Counci l . —Th e Le gi s lat i ve Cou n ci l of e ver y St at e h avi n g s u ch Cou n ci l
s h all, as s oon as may b e, ch oos e t wo memb ers of t h e Cou nci l t o b e
res p ecti vel y Ch ai rman and Deput y Ch ai rman th ereof an d , s o oft en as t h e
o ffi ce o f Ch ai rman or Dep ut y Ch ai rman b ecomes vacan t , t he Cou n ci l
s h all ch oos e an ot h er memb er t o b e Ch ai rman or Dep ut y Ch ai rman , as th e
cas e may b e.
1 8 3. Va ca ti on a nd resi g na ti on of , a nd rem ova l f rom , the offi ces of
Cha i rma n a nd Deputy Cha irm a n. —A memb er h old i n g offi ce as
Ch ai rman or Dep u t y Ch ai rman of a L e gi s lat i ve Cou n ci l —
(a ) s h all vacat e h i s o ffi ce i f h e ceas es t o b e a memb er o f t h e
Cou n ci l;
(b ) may at an y t i me b y wri t i n g u n d er hi s h an d add ress ed , i f s uch
memb er is t h e Ch ai rman , t o t h e Dep u t y Ch ai rman , and i f su ch memb er
i s th e Depu t y Ch ai rman , t o t h e C h ai rman , resi gn hi s offi ce; an d
(c) may b e removed fr om h i s offi ce b y a res olu t i on of t h e Cou nci l
p as s ed b y a maj ori t y o f al l t h e t h en memb ers of t h e Cou nci l:
Provi d ed t h at n o res olu t i on fo r t h e p u rp os e of c lau s e ( c) s h all b e
moved u n les s at leas t fou rt een d ays ' n ot i ce h as b een gi ven of t h e
i n t en ti on t o move t h e res olu t i on.
1 8 4. P ow er of the Deputy Cha irm a n or other pers on to perf o rm the
duti es of the off i ce of , or to a ct a s , Cha i rma n. —(1 ) Wh i le th e o ffi ce of
Ch ai rman is vacan t , th e du ti es o f t h e offi ce s h a ll b e p erformed b y t h e
Dep u t y Ch ai rman or, i f t h e o ffi ce o f Dep u t y Ch ai rman i s als o v acan t , b y
s u ch memb er of t h e Cou n ci l as t h e G overn or ma y ap p oi n t for t h e
p u rp os e.
(2 ) Du ri n g th e abs en ce of t h e Chai rman from an y s i t t in g of t h e Cou n ci l
t h e Dep ut y Ch ai rma n or, i f h e i s als o ab s en t , su ch p ers on as may b e
d et ermin ed b y t h e ru les o f p roced u re o f t h e Cou n ci l, or, i f n o s u ch
p ers on i s p res en t , s u ch ot h er p ers on as may b e d et ermin ed b y t h e
Cou n ci l, s hall act as Ch ai rman .
185. The Chairman or the Deputy Chairman not to preside while a resolution for
his removal from office is under consideration.—(1) At any sitting of the Legislative
Council, while any resolution for the removal of the Chairman from his office is under
consideration, the Chairman, or while any resolution for the removal of the Deputy
Chairman from his office is under consideration, the Deputy Chairman, shall not, though he
is present, preside, and the provisions of clause (2) of article 184 shall apply in relation to

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every such sitting as they apply in relation to a sitting from which the Chairman or, as the
case may be, the Deputy Chairman is absent.
(2 ) Th e Ch ai rman sh all h ave t he ri gh t t o s p eak i n , and ot h erwi s e t o
t ake p art i n t h e p roceed i n gs o f, t h e Le gi s lat i ve Cou n ci l wh i le an y
res olu t i on for h i s removal fr o m o ffi ce i s u nd er con s id erat i on i n th e
Cou n ci l and s h all, n ot wi th st and in g an yt h i n g i n art i cle 1 89 , b e en t it led t o
vot e on l y i n t h e fi rs t i n st an ce on s u ch res olu t i on or on an y ot h er mat t er
d u rin g s u ch p roceedi n gs b ut n ot i n th e cas e of an eq u ali t y o f v ot es .
1 8 6. Sa l a ri es a nd al l ow a nces of the Spea ker a nd Deputy Spea ker
a nd the Cha i rm a n a nd Deputy Cha i rma n. —Th ere s h all b e p ai d t o th e
Sp eaker an d t h e Depu t y Sp eaker o f t h e Legi s lat i ve As s emb ly, a n d t o t h e
Ch ai rman an d t h e Depu t y Ch ai rman of t h e L egi s lat i ve Cou n ci l, s u ch
s alari es an d allowan ces as may b e res p ecti vel y fi x ed b y t h e Legi s lat u re
o f t h e St at e b y law an d , u n ti l p rovi s i on i n t h at b eh alf i s s o ma d e, s u ch
s alari es and allowan ces as are sp eci fi ed in th e Secon d Sch edu le.
1 8 7. Secreta ria t of S ta te Legi sl a ture. —(1 ) Th e Hou s e or each Hou s e
o f t h e Legi s lat u re o f a St at e s h all h ave a s ep arat e s ecret ari al st aff:
Provi d ed th at n ot hi n g in th is clau s e s h all, i n th e cas e o f t h e
Le gi s lat u re of a St at e h avin g a Le gi s lat i ve Cou n ci l, b e con st ru ed as
p reven t in g t h e creat i on of p os t s common t o b ot h Hou s es o f s u ch
Le gi s lat u re.
(2 ) Th e Legi s lat u re o f a St at e may b y law re gu lat e t h e recru i tmen t , an d
t h e cond i ti on s of s ervi ce o f p ers on s ap p oin t ed, t o t h e s ecret ari al s t aff o f
t h e Hou s e or Hou s es of t h e Legi s lat u re of t h e St at e.
(3 ) Un t i l p rovi s i on is mad e by t h e Le gi s lat u re of t h e St at e u n d er
clau s e (2 ), th e G overn or ma y, a ft er con s u lt at i on wi th th e Sp eaker o f t h e
Le gi s lat i ve As s emb ly or t h e Chai rman of t h e Legi s lat i ve Cou n ci l, as th e
cas e may b e, make ru les regu lat i n g t h e recru i t men t , and th e con di t i ons of
s ervi ce of p ers on s app oi nt ed , t o t h e s ecret ari al s t aff o f t h e As s emb ly or
t h e Coun ci l, an d an y ru les s o mad e sh all h ave effect s u bj ect t o t h e
p rovi s i on s of an y law mad e u n d er t h e sai d clau s e.

Conduct of Business
1 8 8. Oa th or aff i rm a ti on by m em bers . —Ever y memb er o f t h e
Le gi s lat i ve As s emb l y or t h e Le gi s lat i ve Cou n ci l of a St at e s h all, b e fore
t aki n g h i s s eat , make an d su bs cri b e b efore t h e G overn or, or s ome p ers on
ap p oi nt ed in th at b eh alf b y h i m, an oath or affi rmat i on accord in g t o th e
form s et ou t for t h e pu rp os e in th e Th i rd Sch ed u le.

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 1 8 9. Voti ng i n Hous es , pow er of Hous es to a ct notw i ths ta ndi ng
va ca nci es a nd quorum . —(1 ) Save as ot h erwi s e p rovi d ed i n t h is
Con s t it ut i on , all q u est i on s at any s i t t in g of a Hou s e o f t h e Le gi s lat u re of
a St at e s h all b e d et ermi n ed b y a maj ori t y o f v ot es o f t h e memb ers p res en t
an d vot i n g, oth er t h an th e Sp eaker or Ch ai rman , or p ers on acti n g as su ch .
Th e Sp eaker or Ch ai rman , or p ers on act in g as s u ch , s hall n ot vot e i n
t h e fi rs t in st an ce, b ut sh all h ave an d ex erci s e a cas ti n g vot e i n t h e cas e
o f an eq u ali t y o f vot es .
(2 ) A Hou s e of t h e Legi s lat u re of a St at e sh all h ave p ower t o act
n ot wi t hs t an d in g an y vacan c y i n th e memb ersh i p t h ereof, an d an y
p roceed i n gs in t h e Legi s lat u re o f a St at e s h all b e vali d n ot wi t h s t an di n g
t h at i t i s d i s covered su bs equ ent ly t h at s ome p ers on wh o was n ot en t it led
s o t o d o s at or vot ed or ot h erwi se t ook p art i n th e p roceed i n gs .
(3 ) Un t i l t h e Legi s lat u re of t h e St at e b y la w ot h erwi s e p rovi d es , t he
q u oru m t o con s ti tu t e a me eti n g o f a H ou s e o f t h e Legi s lat u re o f a St at e
s h all b e t en memb ers or on e -t ent h of t h e t ot al n u mb er of memb ers of t h e
Hou s e, wh i ch ever is great er.
(4 ) If at an y t i me d u rin g a meeti n g of t h e Legi s lat i ve As s emb l y or t h e
Le gi s lat i ve Cou n ci l o f a St at e t h ere i s n o qu oru m, it s h all b e t he d u t y o f
t h e Sp eaker or Ch ai rman , or p ers on acti n g as su ch , eit h er t o ad jou rn th e
Hou s e or t o s u sp end th e meeti n g u nt i l t h ere i s a q u oru m.

Disqualifications of Members
1 9 0. Va ca ti on of s ea ts . —(1 ) No p ers on s h all b e a memb er o f b ot h
Hou s es of t h e Legi s lat u re of a St at e an d p rovi s i on s h all b e mad e b y t he
Le gi s lat u re of t h e St at e b y la w for t h e vacat i on b y a p ers on wh o i s
ch os en a memb er of b ot h Hou s es of h i s s eat in on e h ou s e or th e ot h er.
(2 ) No p ers on s h all b e a member o f t h e Le gi s lat u res of t wo o r more
St at es s p eci fi ed in th e Fi rs t Sched u le and i f a p ers on is ch os en a memb er
o f t h e Le gi s lat u res of t w o o r m ore s u ch St at es , th en , at t h e ex pi rat i on of
s u ch p eri od as may b e s p eci fied i n ru les mad e b y t h e Pres id en t, t h at
p ers on 's s eat i n t h e Legi s lat u res of al l s u ch St at es sh all b ecom e vacan t ,
u n les s h e h as p revi ou s ly res i gn ed h is s eat in th e Legi s lat u res o f al l b u t
on e of t h e St at es .
(3 ) If a memb er of a H ou s e of t h e Le gi s lat u re of a St at e —
(a ) b ecomes s u bj ect t o an y o f t h e di sq u ali fi cat i on s ment i on ed i n
clau s e (1 ) or clau s e (2 ) of art i cle 1 91 ; or
(b ) resi gn s h is s eat b y wri t i n g u nd er h i s h an d add ress ed t o th e
s p eaker or t h e Ch ai rman , as t he cas e may b e, an d h is resi gn at i on is
accep t ed b y t h e Sp eaker or t h e Ch ai rman, as t h e cas e may b e,
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h i s s eat s h all t h ereu p on b ecome vacan t :
Provi d ed t h at i n th e cas e of an y res i gn at i on referred t o i n s ub -c lau s e
(b ), i f fr om i n format i on recei ved or ot h erwi s e an d aft er maki n g s u ch
i n qu i ry as h e th in ks fi t , t h e Sp eaker or t h e Ch ai rman, as t h e case m ay b e,
i s s ati s fi ed th at su ch resi gn ati on i s n ot volu n t ary or gen u i n e, h e s h all n ot
accep t su ch res i gn at i on .
(4 ) If for a p eri od of s i x t y d ays a memb er of a Hou s e o f t h e
Le gi s lat u re o f a St at e i s wi t h out p ermi s si on of t h e H ou s e ab s ent fr om a l l
meet i n gs t h ereof, t h e Hou s e may d eclare h i s s eat vacant :
Provi d ed t h at i n compu ti n g t h e s ai d p eri od of s i x t y d a ys n o accou n t
s h all b e t aken o f an y p eri od d u ri n g wh i ch t h e Hou s e i s p rorogu ed or i s
ad j ou rn ed for more t h an fou r co n s ecut i ve d ays .
1 9 1. Di s qual ifi ca ti ons f or mem bers hi p. —(1 ) A p ers on s hall b e
d i sq u ali fi ed for b ei n g ch os en as , an d for b ei n g, a memb er o f t h e
Le gi s lat i ve As s emb ly or Le gi s lat i ve Cou n ci l of a St at e —
(a ) i f h e h old s an y o ffi ce o f p rofi t u nd er th e G overn men t of In d i a
or t h e G overn men t of an y St at e s p eci fi ed in t h e Fi rs t Sch edu le, ot h er
t h an an offi ce d eclared b y t h e Le gi s lat u re o f t h e St at e b y la w n ot t o
d i sq u ali fy i t s h old er;
(b ) i f h e i s of u n s ou n d min d an d s t and s s o d eclared b y a comp et en t
cou rt ;
(c) i f h e i s an un di s ch arged in sol ven t ;
(d ) i f h e i s n ot a cit i zen of In d i a, or h as volu n t ari ly acq u i red th e
ci t i zen sh i p of a forei gn St at e, or i s u nd er an y ackn owled gm en t of
alle gi an ce or ad h eren ce t o a fore i gn St at e;
(e) i f h e i s s o di sq u ali fi ed b y or u n d er an y law mad e b y
Parli amen t .
Exp l an a ti on . —For t h e p u rp os es of t h i s clau s e, a p ers on sh all n ot b e
d eemed t o h old an offi ce of p ro fi t u nd er th e G overn men t of In d i a or th e
G overn men t of an y St at e s p eci fi ed in th e Fi rs t Sch ed u le b y reas on on l y
t h at h e is a Mi ni s t er ei th er for t h e Un i on or for s u ch St at e.
(2 ) A p ers on s h all b e d is quali fi ed for b ei n g a memb er o f t h e
Le gi s lat i ve As s emb l y or Legi s lat i ve Cou n ci l o f a St at e i f h e i s s o
d i sq u ali fi ed u nd er t h e Ten th Sched u le.
1 92 . Deci si on on ques ti ons a s to di s qua lif i ca ti ons of m em bers . —(1)
If an y q u es t i on a ri s es as t o wh et h er a memb er of a Hou s e of t h e
Le gi s lat u re o f a St at e h as b ecome s u bj ect t o an y o f t h e d i s qu ali fi cat i on s
men t i on ed i n clau se (1 ) of art i cle 1 9 1 , t h e qu est i on sh all b e re ferred fo r
t h e d eci si on of t h e G overn or an d h i s d ecis i on s h all b e fi n al .
(2 ) Before gi vi n g an y d eci s i on on an y s u ch q u es ti on , t h e G overn or
s h all ob t ai n t h e opi n i on of t h e Elect i on Commi ss i on an d s h all act
accord i n g t o s u ch op in i on .
1 93 . P enal ty f or s i tti ng a nd voti ng bef ore m a ki ng oa th or
a ffi rma ti on under a rti cl e 18 8 or w h en not qual if i ed or w hen
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di s qual if i ed.—If a p ers on s i t s or v ot es as a memb er o f t h e Legi s lat i ve
As s emb ly or t h e Le gi s lat i ve Co u n ci l of a St at e b efore h e h as comp li ed
wi t h t h e req ui remen ts of art i cl e 1 8 8 , or wh en h e kn ows t h at h e i s n ot
q u ali fi ed or t h at h e i s di sq u ali fi ed for memb ers h i p th ereof, or t h at h e is
p roh i bi t ed from s o d oi n g b y t h e p rovi s i ons of an y law mad e b y
Parli amen t or t h e Le gi s lat u re of t h e St at e, he s h all b e li ab le i n res p ect of
each d ay on wh i ch h e s o s it s or vot es t o a p en alt y o f fi ve h u n d red rup ees
t o b e recovered as a d eb t d u e t o t h e St at e.

Powers, Privileges and

Immunities of State Legislatures
and their Members
1 9 4. P ow ers , pri vi l eg es , etc., of the Hous es of Legi s la tures a nd of
the m em bers a nd com mi ttees thereof . —(1 ) Sub j ect t o t h e p rovi s i ons of
t h is Cons t it ut i on and t o t h e ru les and s t an d in g ord ers regu lat i n g t h e
p roced u re of t h e Legi s lat u re, th ere sh all b e freed om o f s p eech in th e
Le gi s lat u re of e ver y St at e.
(2 ) No memb er o f t h e Legi s la t u re of a St at e s h all b e li ab le t o an y
p rocee d i n gs in an y c ou rt i n res pect o f an yt h i n g s ai d or an y vot e gi ven b y
h i m i n th e Legi s lat u re or an y commi t t ee t h ereof, an d n o p ers on sh all b e
s o li ab le i n res p ect o f t h e p u bli cat i on b y or u n d er t h e au th ori t y o f a
Hou s e of s u ch a Le gi s lat u re of a n y rep ort , p a p er, vot es or p roceed i n gs .
(3) In other respects, the powers, privileges and immunities of a House of the
Legislature of a State, and of the members and the committees of a House of such
Legislature, shall be such as may from time to time be defined by the Legislature by law,
and, until so defined, shall be those of that House and of its members and committees
immediately before the coming into force of section 26 of the Constitution (Forty-fourth
Amendment) Act, 1978.
(4) The provisions of clauses (1), (2) and (3) shall apply in relation to persons who by
virtue of this Constitution have the right to speak in, and otherwise to take part in the
proceedings of, a House of the Legislature of a State or any committee thereof as they
apply in relation to members of that Legislature.
195. Salaries and allowances of members.—Members of the Legislative Assembly
and the Legislative Council of a State shall be entitled to receive such salaries and
allowances as may from time to time be determined, by the Legislature of the State by law
and, until provision in that respect is so made, salaries and allowances at such rates and
upon such conditions as were immediately before the commencement of this Constitution
applicable in the case of members of the Legislative Assembly of the corresponding
Province.

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 Legislative Procedure

196. Provisions as to introduction and passing of Bills.—(1) Subject to the provisions

of articles 198 and 207 with respect to Money Bills and other financial Bills, a Bill may
originate in either House of the Legislature of a State which has a Legislative Council.
(2) Subject to the provisions of articles 197 and 198, a Bill shall not be deemed to have
been passed by the Houses of the Legislature of a State having a Legislative Council unless
it has been agreed to by both Houses, either without amendment or with such amendments
only as are agreed to by both Houses.
(3) A Bill pending in the Legislature of a State shall not lapse by reason of the
prorogation of the House or Houses thereof.
(4) A Bill pending in the Legislative Council of a State which has not been passed by
the Legislative Assembly shall not lapse on a dissolution of the Assembly.
(5) A Bill which is pending in the Legislative Assembly of a State, or which having
been passed by the Legislative Assembly is pending in the Legislative Council, shall lapse
on a dissolution of the Assembly.
197. Restriction on powers of Legislative Council as to Bills other than Money
Bills.—(1) If after a Bill has been passed by the Legislative Assembly of a State having a
Legislative Council and transmitted to the Legislative Council—
(a) the Bill is rejected by the Council; or
(b) more than three months elapse from the date on which the Bill is laid before the
Council without the Bill being passed by it; or
(c) the Bill is passed by the Council with amendments to which the Legislative
Assembly does not agree;
t h e Legi s lat i ve As s emb ly ma y, s u b j ect t o t h e ru les regu lat i n g it s
p roced u re, pas s t h e Bi ll agai n i n t h e s ame or i n an y s u b s eq u ent s ess i on
wi t h or wi th ou t s u ch amend ment s , i f an y, as h ave b een mad e, su gges t ed
or agreed t o b y t h e Le gi s lat i ve Cou n ci l an d th en t ran s mi t th e Bi ll as s o
p as s ed t o th e Legi s lat i ve Cou n cil.
(2 ) If a ft er a Bi ll h as b een so p as s ed for t h e s econ d t i me b y t h e
Le gi s lat i ve As s emb ly an d t ran smi t t ed t o th e Legi s lat i ve Cou n cil —
(a ) th e Bi ll i s rej ect ed b y t h e Cou n ci l; or
(b ) more t h an on e mon th elaps es from t h e d at e on whi ch t h e
Bi ll i s lai d b efore t h e Cou n ci l wi t h ou t t h e Bi ll b ei n g p ass ed by i t ;
or
(c) t h e Bi ll i s p as s ed b y t h e Co u n ci l wi t h amend men t s t o wh i ch
t h e Legi s lat i ve As s emb ly d oes n ot agree;
t h e Bi ll s h all b e d eemed t o have b een p as sed b y t h e Hou s es of t h e
Le gi s lat u re o f t h e St at e in the form i n wh i ch it was p as s ed b y t h e
Le gi s lat i ve As s emb ly for t h e s econ d t i me wit h s u ch amend ments , i f an y,
as h ave b een mad e or su gges t ed b y t h e Le gi s lat i ve Cou n ci l an d agreed t o
b y t h e Le gi s lat i ve As s emb ly.
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 (3 ) Not h i n g in th is arti cle s h all ap p ly t o a Mon e y Bi l l.
1 98 . Speci al procedure i n re s pect of M oney Bi l ls . —(1 ) A Mon ey
Bi ll s h all n ot b e i nt rod u ced i n a Le gi s lat i ve Cou n ci l.
(2 ) Aft er a Mon ey Bi l l h as b een p as s ed b y t h e Legi s lat i ve As s emb ly
o f a St at e h avin g a Legi s lat i ve Cou n ci l, it sh all b e t rans mit t ed t o th e
Le gi s lat i ve Cou n ci l for i t s recommen d at i on s, an d t h e Legi s la t i v e Cou n ci l
s h all wi t h in a p eri od of fou rt een d ays from t h e d at e of i t s recei p t of t h e
Bi ll ret u rn t h e Bi ll t o t h e Legi s lat i ve As s emb ly wi t h i ts
recommen d at i ons , and t h e Legi s lat i ve As s emb ly ma y t h ereu p on ei t h er
accep t or rej ect al l or an y o f t h e recommen d ati on s of t h e Le gi s lat i ve
Cou n ci l.
(3 ) If t h e Le gi s lat i ve As s emb ly accep t s an y o f t h e recommend at i ons
o f t h e Legi s lat i ve Cou n ci l, t h e Mon ey Bi l l s h all b e d eemed t o h ave b een
p as s ed b y b ot h Hou s es wit h t h e amen d men ts recommen d ed b y t h e
Le gi s lat i ve Cou n ci l an d accep t ed b y t h e Legi s lat i ve As s emb l y.
(4 ) If t h e Le gi s lat i ve As s emb ly d oes n ot accep t an y o f t h e
recommen d at i ons of t h e Legi s lat i ve Cou n ci l, t h e Mon ey Bi ll s h all b e
d eemed t o h ave b een p as s ed b y b ot h Hou s es i n th e form i n which it was
p as s ed b y t h e Legi s lat i ve As s emb ly wi t h ou t an y o f t h e amen d men t s
recommen d ed b y t h e Legi s lat i ve Cou n ci l.
(5 ) If a Mon e y Bi ll p as s ed b y t h e Le gi s lat i ve As s emb ly an d
t ran s mi tt ed t o t h e Legi s lat i ve Cou n ci l for i t s recommen d at i on s is n ot
ret u rn ed t o th e Legi s lat i ve As s emb ly wi t h i n t h e s aid p eri od of fou rt een
d ays , i t s h all b e d eemed t o h ave b een p as s ed b y b ot h Hou s es at t h e
ex p i rat i on of t h e s aid p eri od i n t h e form i n wh i ch i t was p as sed b y t he
Le gi s lat i ve As s emb ly.
199. Definition of “Money Bills”.—(1) For the purposes of this Chapter, a Bill shall be
deemed to be a Money Bill if it contains only provisions dealing with all or any of the
following matters, namely:—
(a) the imposition, abolition, remission, alteration or regulation of any tax;
(b) the regulation of the borrowing of money or the giving of any guarantee by the
State, or the amendment of the law with respect to any financial obligations undertaken
or to be undertaken by the State;
(c) the custody of the Consolidated Fund or the Contingency Fund of the State, the
payment of moneys into or the withdrawal of moneys from any such Fund;
(d) the appropriation of moneys out of the Consolidated Fund of the State;
(e) the declaring of any expenditure to be expenditure charged on the Consolidated
Fund of the State, or the increasing of the amount of any such expenditure;
(f) the receipt of money on account of the Consolidated Fund of the State or the
public account of the State or the custody or issue of such money; or
(g) any matter incidental to any of the matters specified in sub-clauses (a) to (f).
(2) A Bill shall not be deemed to be a Money Bill by reason only that it provides for the
imposition of fines or other pecuniary penalties, or for the demand or payment of fees for
licences or fees for services rendered, or by reason that it provides for the imposition,
77
abolition, remission, alteration or regulation of any tax by any local authority or body for
local purposes.
(3) If any question arises whether a Bill introduced in the Legislature of a State which
has a Legislative Council is a Money Bill or not, the decision of the Speaker of the
Legislative Assembly of such State thereon shall be final.
(4) There shall be endorsed on every Money Bill when it is transmitted to the
Legislative Council under article 198, and when it is presented to the Governor for assent
under article 200, the certificate of the Speaker of the Legislative Assembly signed by him
that it is a Money Bill.
200. Assent to Bills.—When a Bill has been passed by the Legislative Assembly of a
State or, in the case of a State having a Legislative Council, has been passed by both
Houses of the Legislature of the State, it shall be presented to the Governor and the
Governor shall declare either that he assents to the Bill or that he withholds assent
therefrom or that he reserves the Bill for the consideration of the President:
Provided that the Governor may, as soon as possible after the presentation to him of
the Bill for assent, return the Bill if it is not a Money Bill together with a message
requesting that the House or Houses will reconsider the Bill or any specified provisions
thereof and, in particular, will consider the desirability of introducing any such
amendments as he may recommend in his message and, wh en a Bi ll i s s o ret u rn ed ,
t h e Hou s e or H ou s es s h all recon s i d er th e Bi ll accord i n gl y, an d i f t h e Bi l l
i s pas s ed agai n b y t h e Hou s e or Hou s es wi th or wi t h out amen dmen t an d
p res ent ed t o t h e G overn or for as s ent , th e G overn or s h all n ot wi t h h old
as s ent th erefrom:
Provi d ed fu rt h er t h at th e G overn or s h al l n ot as s en t t o, b ut sh all
res erve for t h e con s i d erati on of t h e Pres i d ent , an y Bi ll wh i ch i n th e
op i n i on of t h e G overn or wou ld , i f i t b ecame law, s o d erogat e fr om t h e
p owers o f t h e Hi gh Cou rt as t o en d an ger t h e p os it i on wh i ch t h at Cou rt is
b y t h i s Con st it u ti on d es i gn ed t o fi l l.
2 0 1. Bi l ls res erved f or cons i dera ti on. —Wh en a Bi ll i s res erved b y a
G overn or for t h e con s i d erat i on o f t h e Pres i d ent , t h e Pres iden t s h all
d eclare ei t h er t h at h e as s en ts t o t h e Bi ll or t h at h e wi t h h old s as s ent
t h erefrom:
Provi d ed t h at , wh ere th e Bi ll i s n ot a Mon ey Bi l l, t h e Pres id ent may
d i rect t h e G overn or t o ret u rn the Bi ll t o t h e Hou s e or, as t h e cas e may
b e, t h e Hous es of t h e Legi s la t u re of t h e St at e t oget h er wi th su ch a
mes s age as i s ment i on ed in t h e fi rs t p rovi s o t o arti cle 2 00 a nd , wh en a
Bi ll i s s o ret u rn ed , th e Hou s e or Hou s es s h all recon s i d er i t accord i n gl y
wi t h in a p eri od of s i x mon t h s from t h e d at e o f recei p t o f s u ch mes s age
an d , i f i t i s again p ass ed b y t h e Hou s e or Hou s es wi t h or wi t h ou t
amen d men t , i t s h all b e p resen t ed ag ain t o th e Pres id ent for h i s
con s i d erat i on .

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 Procedure in Financial Matters

2 0 2. Annua l f i na nci al s ta tem ent. —(1 ) Th e G overn or s h all i n res p ect

o f ever y fi n an ci al year cau s e to b e lai d b efore t h e Hou s e or Hou s es of
t h e Legi s lat u re o f t h e St at e a s t at eme n t of t h e es t i mat ed recei p ts an d
ex p en d it u re of t h e St at e for t h at year, i n t h i s Part referred to as t h e
“an n u al fi n an ci al s t at emen t ".
(2 ) Th e es t i mat es of ex p en di tu re emb od i ed i n t h e an nu al fi n an ci al
s t at emen t s h all s h ow s ep arat el y —
(a ) th e s u ms req u i red t o meet exp end it u re d es cri b ed b y t h i s
Con s t it ut i on as exp end it u re charged u p on t h e Con s oli d at ed Fu n d of
t h e St at e; an d
(b ) t h e s u ms req ui red t o meet ot h er ex p end it u re p rop os ed t o b e
mad e from t h e Con s oli d at ed Fu nd of t h e St at e;
an d sh all d i s ti n gui sh exp end it u re on reven u e accoun t from ot h er
ex p en d it u re.
(3 ) Th e fol lo wi n g ex p en di tu re s h all b e ex p en di tu re ch arged on t h e
Con s oli d at ed Fu nd of each St at e —
(a ) t h e emolu men ts and allo w an ces of t h e G overn or an d ot h er
ex p en d it u re relat in g t o h is offi ce;
(b ) t h e s alari es an d allowan ce s of t h e Sp eaker an d t h e Deput y
Sp eaker o f t h e Legi s lat i ve As s emb ly an d , i n th e cas e of a St at e h avi n g
a Le gi s lat i ve Cou n ci l, als o o f t h e Ch ai rman and th e Dep ut y Ch ai rman
o f t h e Legi s lat i ve Cou n ci l;
(c) d ebt ch arges for wh i ch t h e St at e is li ab le i n clu di n g i nt eres t ,
s i n kin g fu n d ch arges an d red emp t i on ch arges , and ot h er exp en d it u re
relat i n g t o t h e rai s in g of loan s an d t h e s ervi ce and red emp t i on of d ebt ;
(d ) ex p en d it u re in res p ect of t h e s alari es an d allowan ces o f
J u d ges of an y Hi gh C ou rt ;
(e) an y s u ms requ i red t o s ati s fy an y j u d gment , d ecree or award o f
an y cou rt or arb i t ral t ri b un al;
(f ) an y ot h er ex p end i tu re d eclared b y t h i s Con s t it ut i on , or b y t h e
Le gi s lat u re of t h e St at e b y law, t o b e s o ch arged .
2 0 3. P rocedure i n Legi s la ture w i th res pect to es tim a tes . —(1 ) So
mu ch of t h e es t i mat es as relat es t o ex p en di t u re ch arged u p on th e
Con s oli d at ed Fu nd of a St at e sh all n ot b e s ub mi t t ed t o th e vot e of t h e
Le gi s lat i ve As s emb l y, b u t n ot hi n g i n th is clau s e sh all b e con s t ru ed as
p reven t in g t h e d i s cus s i on i n t h e Le gi s lat u re of an y o f t h os e es timat es .
(2) So much of the said estimates as relates to other expenditure shall be submitted in
the form of demands for grants to the Legislative Assembly, and the Legislative Assembly
shall have power to assent, or to refuse to assent, to any demand, or to assent to any
demand subject to a reduction of the amount specified therein.

79
 (3) No demand for a grant shall be made except on the recommendation of the
Governor.
204. Appropriation Bills.—(1) As soon as may be after the grants under article 203
have been made by the Assembly, there shall be introduced a Bill to provide for the
appropriation out of the Consolidated Fund of the State of all moneys required to meet—
(a) the grants so made by the Assembly; and
(b) the expenditure charged on the Consolidated Fund of the State but not
exceeding in any case the amount shown in the statement previously laid before the
House or Houses.
(2) No amendment shall be proposed to any such Bill in the House or either House of
the Legislature of the State which will have the effect of varying the amount or altering the
destination of any grant so made or of varying the amount of any expenditure charged on
the Consolidated Fund of the State, and the decision of the person presiding as to whether
an amendment is inadmissible under this clause shall be final.
(3) Subject to the provisions of articles 205 and 206, no money shall be withdrawn from
the Consolidated Fund of the State except under appropriation made by law passed in
accordance with the provisions of this article.
205. Supplementary, additional or excess grants.—(1) The Governor shall—
(a) if the amount authorised by any law made in accordance with the provisions of
article 204 to be expended for a particular service for the current financial year is found
to be insufficient for the purposes of that year or when a need has arisen during the
current financial year for supplementary or additional expenditure upon some new
service not contemplated in the annual financial statement for that year, or
(b) if any money has been spent on any service during a financial year in excess of
the amount granted for that service and for that year,
cause to be laid before the House or the Houses of the Legislature of the State another
statement showing the estimated amount of that expenditure or cause to be presented to the
Legislative Assembly of the State a demand for such excess, as the case may be.
(2) The provisions of articles 202, 203 and 204 shall have effect in relation to any such
statement and expenditure or demand and also to any law to be made authorising the
appropriation of moneys out of the Consolidated Fund of the State to meet such
expenditure or the grant in respect of such demand as they have effect in relation to the
annual financial statement and the expenditure mentioned therein or to a demand for a grant
and the law to be made for the authorisation of appropriation of moneys out of the
Consolidated Fund of the State to meet such expenditure or grant.
206. Votes on account, votes of credit and exceptional grants.—(1) Notwithstanding
anything in the foregoing provisions of this Chapter, the Legislative Assembly of a State
shall have power—
(a) to make any grant in advance in respect of the estimated expenditure for a part
of any financial year pending the completion of the procedure prescribed in article 203
for the voting of such grant and the passing of the law in accordance with the provisions
of article 204 in relation to that expenditure;
(b) to make a grant for meeting an unexpected demand upon the resources of the
State when on account of the magnitude or the indefinite character of the service the

80
 demand cannot be stated with the details ordinarily given in an annual financial
statement;
(c) to make an exceptional grant which forms no part of the current service of any
financial year;
and the Legislature of the State shall have power to authorise by law the withdrawal of
moneys from the Consolidated Fund of the State for the purposes for which the said grants
are made.
(2) The provisions of articles 203 and 204 shall have effect in relation to the making of
any grant under clause (1) and to any law to be made under that clause as they have effect
in relation to the making of a grant with regard to any expenditure mentioned in the annual
financial statement and the law to be made for the authorisation of appropriation of moneys
out of the Consolidated Fund of the State to meet such expenditure.
207. Special provisions as to financial Bills.—(1) A Bill or amendment making
provision for any of the matters specified in sub-clauses (a) to (f) of clause (1) of article
199 shall not be introduced or moved except on the recommendation of the Governor, and a
Bill making such provision shall not be introduced in a Legislative Council:
Provided that no recommendation shall be required under this clause for the moving of
an amendment making provision for the reduction or abolition of any tax.
(2) A Bill or amendment shall not be deemed to make provision for any of the matters
aforesaid by reason only that it provides for the imposition of fines or other pecuniary
penalties, or for the demand or payment of fees for licences or fees for services rendered, or
by reason that it provides for the imposition, abolition, remission, alteration or regulation of
any tax by any local authority or body for local purposes.
(3) A Bill which, if enacted and brought into operation, would involve expenditure from
the Consolidated Fund of a State shall not be passed by a House of the Legislature of the
State unless the Governor has recommended to that House the consideration of the Bill.

Procedure Generally

208. Rules of procedure.—(1) A House of the Legislature of a State may make rules
for regulating, subject to the provisions of this Constitution, its procedure and the conduct
of its business.
(2) Until rules are made under clause (1), the rules of procedure and standing orders in
force immediately before the commencement of this Constitution with respect to the
Legislature for the corresponding Province shall have effect in relation to the Legislature of
the State subject to such modifications and adaptations as may be made therein by the
Speaker of the Legislative Assembly, or the Chairman of the Legislative Council, as the
case may be.

81
 (3) In a State having a Legislative Council the Governor, after consultation with the
Speaker of the Legislative Assembly and the Chairman of the Legislative Council, may
make rules as to the procedure with respect to communications between the two Houses.
209. Regulation by law of procedure in the Legislature of the State in relation to
financial business. —The Legislature of a State may, for the purpose of the timely
completion of financial business, regulate by law the procedure of, and the conduct of
business in, the House or Houses of the Legislature of the State in relation to any financial
matter or to any Bill for the appropriation of moneys out of the Consolidated Fund of the
State, and, if and so far as any provision of any law so made is inconsistent with any rule
made by the House or either House of the Legislature of the State under clause (1) of article
208 or with any rule or standing order having effect in relation to the Legislature of the
State under clause (2) of that article, such provision shall prevail.
210. Language to be used in the Legislature.—(1) Notwithstanding anything in Part
XVII, but subject to the provisions of article 348, business in the Legislature of a State
shall be transacted in the official language or languages of the State or in Hindi or in
English:
Provided that the Speaker of the Legislative Assembly or Chairman of the Legislative
Council, or person acting as such, as the case may be, may permit any member who cannot
adequately express himself in any of the languages aforesaid to address the House in his
mother-tongue.
(2) Unless the Legislature of the State by law otherwise provides, this article shall, after
the expiration of a period of fifteen years from the commencement of this Constitution,
have effect as if the words “or in English” were omitted therefrom:
Provided that in relation to the Legislatures of the States of Himachal Pradesh,
Manipur, Meghalaya and Tripura this clause shall have effect as if for the words "fifteen"
years occurring therein, the words "twenty-five years" were substituted:
Provided further that in relation to the Legislatures of the States of Arunachal Pradesh,
Goa and Mizoram, this clause shall have effect as if for the words "fifteen years" occurring
therein, the words "forty years" were substituted.
211. Restriction on discussion in the Legislature. —No discussion shall take place in
the Legislature of a State with respect to the conduct of any Judge of the Supreme Court or
of a High Court in the discharge of his duties.
212. Courts not to inquire into proceedings of the Legislature.—(1) The validity of
any proceedings in the Legislature of a State shall not be called in question on the ground
of any alleged irregularity of procedure.
(2) No officer or member of the Legislature of a State in whom powers are vested by or
under this Constitution for regulating procedure or the conduct of business, or for
maintaining order, in the Legislature shall be subject to the jurisdiction of any court in
respect of the exercise by him of those powers.

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 CHAPTER IV.—LEGISLATIVE POWER OF THE GOVERNOR

213. Power of Governor to promulgate Ordinances during recess of Legislature.—

(1) If at any time, except when the Legislative Assembly of a State is in session, or where
there is a Legislative Council in a State, except when both Houses of the Legislature are in
session, the Governor is satisfied that circumstances exist which render it necessary for him
to take immediate action, he may promulgate such Ordinances as the circumstances appear
to him to require:
Provided that the Governor shall not, without instructions from the President,
promulgate any such Ordinance if—
(a) a Bill containing the same provisions would under this Constitution have
required the previous sanction of the President for the introduction thereof into the
Legislature; or
(b) he would have deemed it necessary to reserve a Bill containing the same
provisions for the consideration of the President; or
(c) an Act of the Legislature of the State containing the same provisions would
under this Constitution have been invalid unless, having been reserved for the
consideration of the President, it had received the assent of the President.
(2) An Ordinance promulgated under this article shall have the same force and effect as
an Act of the Legislature of the State assented to by the Governor, but every such
Ordinance—
(a) shall be laid before the Legislative Assembly of the State, or where there is a
Legislative Council in the State, before both the Houses, and shall cease to operate at
the expiration of six weeks from the reassembly of the Legislature, or if before the
expiration of that period a resolution disapproving it is passed by the Legislative
Assembly and agreed to by the Legislative Council, if any, upon the passing of the
resolution or, as the case may be, on the resolution being agreed to by the Council; and
(b) may be withdrawn at any time by the Governor.
Explanation.—Where the Houses of the Legislature of a State having a Legislative
Council are summoned to reassemble on different dates, the period of six weeks shall be
reckoned from the later of those dates for the purposes of this clause.
(3) If and so far as an Ordinance under this article makes any provision which would not
be valid if enacted in an Act of the Legislature of the State assented to by the Governor, it
shall be void:
Provided that, for the purposes of the provisions of this Constitution relating to the
effect of an Act of the Legislature of a State which is repugnant to an Act of Parliament or
an existing law with respect to a matter enumerated in the Concurrent List, an Ordinance
promulgated under this article in pursuance of instructions from the President shall be
deemed
to be an Act of the Legislature of the State which has been reserved for the
consideration of the President and assented to by him.
* * * * *

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 CHAPTER V.— THE HIGH COURTS IN THE STATES

214. High Courts for States.—There shall be a High Court for each State.
* * * * *

215. High Courts to be courts of record.—Every High Court shall be a court of record
and shall have all the powers of such a court including the power to punish for contempt of
itself.
216. Constitution of High Courts.—Every High Court shall consist of a Chief Justice
and such other Judges as the President may from time to time deem it necessary to appoint.
* * * * *
217. Appointment and conditions of the office of a Judge of a High Court.—(1)
Every Judge of a High Court shall be appointed by the President by warrant under his hand
and seal after consultation with the Chief Justice of India, the Governor of the State, and, in
the case of appointment of a Judge other than the Chief Justice, the Chief Justice of the
High Court, and shall hold office, in the case of an additional or acting Judge, as provided
in article 224, and in any other case, until he attains the age of sixty-two years:
Provided that—
(a) a Judge may, by writing under his hand addressed to the President, resign his
office;
(b) a Judge may be removed from his office by the President in the manner
provided in clause (4) of article 124 for the removal of a Judge of the Supreme Court;
(c) the office of a Judge shall be vacated by his being appointed by the President to
be a Judge of the Supreme Court or by his being transferred by the President to any
other High Court within the territory of India.
(2) A person shall not be qualified for appointment as a Judge of a High Court unless he
is a citizen of India and—
(a) has for at least ten years held a judicial office in the territory of India; or
(b) has for at least ten years been an advocate of a High Court or of two or more
such Courts in succession.
* * * * *
Explanation.—For the purposes of this clause—
(a) in computing the period during which a person has held judicial office in the
territory of India, there shall be included any period, after he has held any judicial office,
during which the person has been an advocate of a High Court or has held the office of a
member of a tribunal or any post, under the Union or a State, requiring special
knowledge of law;
(aa) in computing the period during which a person has been an advocate of a High
Court, there shall be included any period during which the person has held judicial office

84
 or the office of a member of a tribunal or any post, under the Union or a State, requiring
special knowledge of law after he became an advocate;
(b) in computing the period during which a person has held judicial office in the
territory of India or been an advocate of a High Court, there shall be included any period
before the commencement of this Constitution during which he has held judicial office in
any area which was comprised before the fifteenth day of August, 1947, within India as
defined by the Government of India Act, 1935, or has been an advocate of any High
Court in any such area, as the case may be.
(3) If any question arises as to the age of a Judge of a High Court, the question shall be
decided by the President after consultation with the Chief Justice of India and the decision
of the President shall be final.
218. Application of certain provisions relating to Supreme Court to High Courts.—
The provisions of clauses (4) and (5) of article 124 shall apply in relation to a High Court
as they apply in relation to the Supreme Court with the substitution of references to the
High Court for references to the Supreme Court.
219. Oath or affirmation by Judges of High Courts.—Every person appointed to be a
Judge of a High Court shall, before he enters upon his office, make and subscribe before
the Governor of the State, or some person appointed in that behalf by him, an oath or
affirmation according to the form set out for the purpose in the Third Schedule.
220. Restriction on practice after being a permanent Judge.—No person who, after
the commencement of this Constitution, has held office as a permanent Judge of a High
Court shall plead or act in any court or before any authority in India except the Supreme
Court and the other High Courts.
Explanation.—In this article, the expression “High Court” does not include a High Court
for a State specified in Part B of the First Schedule as it existed before the commencement
of the Constitution (Seventh Amendment) Act, 1956.
221. Salaries, etc., of Judges.—(1) There shall be paid to the Judges of each High
Court such salaries as may be determined by Parliament by law and, until provision in that
behalf is so made, such salaries as are specified in the Second Schedule.
(2) Every Judge shall be entitled to such allowances and to such rights in respect of
leave of absence and pension as may from time to time be determined by or under law
made by Parliament and, until so determined, to such allowances and rights as are specified
in the Second Schedule:
Provided that neither the allowances of a Judge nor his rights in respect of leave of
absence or pension shall be varied to his disadvantage after his appointment.
222. Transfer of a Judge from one High Court to another.—(1) The President may,
after consultation with the Chief Justice of India, transfer a Judge from one High Court to
any other High Court.
(2) When a Judge has been or is so transferred, he shall, during the period he serves,
after the commencement of the Constitution (Fifteenth Amendment) Act, 1963, as a Judge
of the other High Court, be entitled to receive in addition to his salary such compensatory
allowance as may be determined by Parliament by law and, until so determined, such
compensatory allowance as the President may by order fix.

85
 223. Appointment of acting Chief Justice.—When the office of Chief Justice of a
High Court is vacant or when any such Chief Justice is, by reason of absence or otherwise,
unable to perform the duties of his office, the duties of the office shall be performed by
such one of the other Judges of the Court as the President may appoint for the purpose.
224. Appointment of additional and acting Judges.—(1) If by reason of any
temporary increase in the business of a High Court or by reason of arrears of work therein,
it appears to the President that the number of the Judges of that Court should be for the
time being increased, the President may appoint duly qualified persons to be additional
Judges of the Court for such period not exceeding two years as he may specify.
(2) When any Judge of a High Court other than the Chief Justice is by reason of
absence or for any other reason unable to perform the duties of his office or is appointed to
act temporarily as Chief Justice, the President may appoint a duly qualified person to act as
a Judge of that Court until the permanent Judge has resumed his duties.
(3) No person appointed as an additional or acting Judge of a High Court shall hold
office after attaining the age of sixty-two years.
224A. Appointment of retired Judges at sittings of High Courts.—Notwithstanding
anything in this Chapter, the Chief Justice of a High Court for any State may at any time,
with the previous consent of the President, request any person who has held the office of a
Judge of that Court or of any other High Court to sit and act as a Judge of the High Court
for that State, and every such person so requested shall, while so sitting and acting, be
entitled to such allowances as the President may by order determine and have all the
jurisdiction, powers and privileges of, but shall not otherwise be deemed to be, a Judge of
that High Court:
Provided that nothing in this article shall be deemed to require any such person as
aforesaid to sit and act as a Judge of that High Court unless he consents so to do.
225. Jurisdiction of existing High Courts.—Subject to the provisions of this
Constitution and to the provisions of any law of the appropriate Legislature made by virtue
of powers conferred on that Legislature by this Constitution, the jurisdiction of, and the law
administered in, any existing High Court, and the respective powers of the Judges thereof
in relation to the administration of justice in the Court, including any power to make rules
of Court and to regulate the sittings of the Court and of members thereof sitting alone or in
Division Courts, shall be the same as immediately before the commencement of this
Constitution:
Provided that any restriction to which the exercise of original jurisdiction by any of the
High Courts with respect to any matter concerning the revenue or concerning any act
ordered or done in the collection thereof was subject immediately before the
commencement of this Constitution shall no longer apply to the exercise of such
jurisdiction.
226. Power of High Courts to issue certain writs.—(1) Notwithstanding anything in
article 32 every High Court shall have power, throughout the territories in relation to which
it exercises jurisdiction, to issue to any person or authority, including in appropriate cases,
any Government, within those territories directions, orders or writs, including writs in the
nature of habeas corpus, mandamus, prohibition, quo warranto and certiorari, or any of
them, for the enforcement of any of the rights conferred by Part III and for any other
purpose.

86
 (2) The power conferred by clause (1) to issue directions, orders or writs to any
Government, authority or person may also be exercised by any High Court exercising
jurisdiction in relation to the territories within which the cause of action, wholly or in part,
arises for the exercise of such power, notwithstanding that the seat of such Government or
authority or the residence of such person is not within those territories.
(3) Where any party against whom an interim order, whether by way of injunction or
stay or in any other manner, is made on, or in any proceedings relating to, a petition under
clause (1), without—
(a) furnishing to such party copies of such petition and all documents in support of
the plea for such interim order; and
(b) giving such party an opportunity of being heard,
makes an application to the High Court for the vacation of such order and furnishes a copy
of such application to the party in whose favour such order has been made or the counsel of
such party, the High Court shall dispose of the application within a period of two weeks
from the date on which it is received or from the date on which the copy of such application
is so furnished, whichever is later, or where the High Court is closed on the last day of that
period, before the expiry of the next day afterwards on which the High Court is open; and if
the application is not so disposed of, the interim order shall, on the expiry of that period, or,
as the case may be, the expiry of the said next day, stand vacated.
(4) The power conferred on a High Court by this article shall not be in derogation of the
power conferred on the Supreme Court by clause (2) of article 32.
226A. [Constitutional validity of Central laws not to be considered in proceedings
under article 226.] Rep. by the Constitution (Forty-third Amendment) Act, 1977, s. 8 (w.e.f.
13-4-1978).
227. Power of superintendence over all courts by the High Court.—(1) Every High
Court shall have superintendence over all courts and tribunals throughout the territories in
relation to which it exercises jurisdiction.
(2) Without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing provision, the High Court
may—
(a) call for returns from such courts;
(b) make and issue general rules and prescribe forms for regulating the practice and
proceedings of such courts; and
(c) prescribe forms in which books, entries and accounts shall be kept by the
officers of any such courts.
(3) The High Court may also settle tables of fees to be allowed to the sheriff and all
clerks and officers of such courts and to attorneys, advocates and pleaders practising
therein:
Provided that any rules made, forms prescribed or tables settled under clause (2) or
clause (3) shall not be inconsistent with the provision of any law for the time being in
force, and shall require the previous approval of the Governor.
(4) Nothing in this article shall be deemed to confer on a High Court powers of
superintendence over any court or tribunal constituted by or under any law relating to the
Armed Forces.

87
 * * * * *
228. Transfer of certain cases to High Court.—If the High Court is satisfied that a
case pending in a court subordinate to it involves a substantial question of law as to the
interpretation of this Constitution the determination of which is necessary for the disposal
of the case, it shall withdraw the case and may—
(a) either dispose of the case itself, or
(b) determine the said question of law and return the case to the court from which
the case has been so withdrawn together with a copy of its judgment on such question,
and the said court shall on receipt thereof proceed to dispose of the case in conformity
with such judgment.
228A. [Special provisions as to disposal of questions relating to constitutional validity
of State laws.] Rep. by the Constitution (Forty-third Amendment) Act, 1977, s. 10 (w.e.f.
13-4-1978).
229. Officers and servants and the expenses of High Courts.—(1) Appointments of
officers and servants of a High Court shall be made by the Chief Justice of the Court or
such other Judge or officer of the Court as he may direct:
Provided that the Governor of the State may by rule require that in such cases as may be
specified in the rule no person not already attached to the Court shall be appointed to any
office connected with the Court save after consultation with the State Public Service
Commission.
(2) Subject to the provisions of any law made by the Legislature of the State, the
conditions of service of officers and servants of a High Court shall be such as may be
prescribed by rules made by the Chief Justice of the Court or by some other Judge or
officer of the Court authorised by the Chief Justice to make rules for the purpose:
Provided that the rules made under this clause shall, so far as they relate to salaries,
allowances, leave or pensions, require the approval of the Governor of the State.
(3) The administrative expenses of a High Court, including all salaries, allowances and
pensions payable to or in respect of the officers and servants of the Court, shall be charged
upon the Consolidated Fund of the State, and any fees or other moneys taken by the Court
shall form part of that Fund.
230. Extension of jurisdiction of High Courts to Union territories.—(1) Parliament
may by law extend the jurisdiction of a High Court to, or exclude the jurisdiction of a High
Court from, any Union territory.
(2) Where the High Court of a State exercises jurisdiction in relation to a Union
territory,—
(a ) n ot hi n g in th is Con st i tu ti on s h all b e con s t ru ed as emp oweri n g
t h e Legi s lat u re of t h e St at e t o i n creas e, res t ri ct or ab oli sh th at
j u ris di ct i on ; and
(b ) t h e referen ce i n arti cle 2 27 t o t h e G overn or s h all, i n relat i on
t o an y ru les , forms or t ab les fo r s u b ord i n at e cou rts i n th at t erri t ory,
b e con s t ru ed as a referen ce t o the Pres i d en t .
231. Establishment of a common High Court for two or more States.—(1)
Notwithstanding anything contained in the preceding provisions of this Chapter, Parliament

88
may by law establish a common High Court for two or more States or for two or more
States and a Union territory.
(2) In relation to any such High Court,—
(a) the reference in article 217 to the Governor of the State shall be construed as a
reference to the Governors of all the States in relation to which the High Court
exercises jurisdiction;
(b) the reference in article 227 to the Governor shall, in relation to any rules, forms
or tables for subordinate courts, be construed as a reference to the Governor of the State
in which the subordinate courts are situate; and
(c) the references in articles 219 and 229 to the State shall be construed as a
reference to the State in which the High Court has its principal seat:
Provided that if such principal seat is in a Union territory, the references in articles 219
and 229 to the Governor, Public Service Commission, Legislature and Consolidated Fund
of the State shall be construed respectively as references to the President, Union Public
Service Commission, Parliament and Consolidated Fund of India.

CHAPTER VI.— SUBORDINATE COURTS

233. Appointment of district judges.—(1) Appointments of persons to be, and the
posting and promotion of, district judges in any State shall be made by the Governor of the
State in consultation with the High Court exercising jurisdiction in relation to such State.
(2) A person not already in the service of the Union or of the State shall only be eligible
to be appointed a district judge if he has been for not less than seven years an advocate or a
pleader and is recommended by the High Court for appointment.
233A. Validation of appointments of, and judgments, etc., delivered by,
certain district judges. —Notwithstanding any judgment, decree or order of any court,—
(a) (i) no appointment of any person already in the judicial service of a State or
of any person who has been for not less than seven years an advocate or a pleader, to be
a district judge in that State, and
(ii) no posting, promotion or transfer of any such person as a district judge,
made at any time before the commencement of the Constitution (Twentieth Amendment)
Act, 1966, otherwise than in accordance with the provisions of article 233 or article 235
shall be deemed to be illegal or void or ever to have become illegal or void by reason only
of the fact that such appointment, posting, promotion or transfer was not made in
accordance with the said provisions;
(b) no jurisdiction exercised, no judgment, decree, sentence or order passed or
made, and no other act or proceedings done or taken, before the commencement of the
Constitution (Twentieth Amendment) Act, 1966 by, or before, any person appointed,

89
 posted, promoted or transferred as a district judge in any State otherwise than in
accordance with the provisions of article 233 or article 235 shall be deemed to be illegal
or invalid or ever to have become illegal or invalid by reason only of the fact that such
appointment, posting, promotion or transfer was not made in accordance with the said
provisions.
234. Recruitment of persons other than district judges to the judicial service.—
Appointments of persons other than district judges to the judicial service of a State shall be
made by the Governor of the State in accordance with rules made by him in that behalf
after consultation with the State Public Service Commission and with the High Court
exercising jurisdiction in relation to such State.
235. Control over subordinate courts.— The control over district courts and courts
subordinate thereto including the posting and promotion of, and the grant of leave to,
persons belonging to the judicial service of a State and holding any post inferior to the post
of district judge shall be vested in the High Court, but nothing in this article shall be
construed as taking away from any such person any right of appeal which he may have
under the law regulating the conditions of his service or as authorising the High Court to
deal with him otherwise than in accordance with the conditions of his service prescribed
under such law.
236. Interpretation.— In this Chapter—
(a) the expression “district judge” includes judge of a city civil court, additional
district judge, joint district judge, assistant district judge, chief judge of a small cause
court, chief presidency magistrate, additional chief presidency magistrate, sessions
judge, additional sessions judge and assistant sessions Judge;
(b) the expression “judicial service” means a service consisting exclusively of
persons intended to fill the post of district judge and other civil judicial posts inferior to
the post of district judge.
237. Application of the provisions of this Chapter to certain class or classes of
magistrates.—The Governor may by public notification direct that the foregoing
provisions of this Chapter and any rules made thereunder shall with effect from such date
as may be fixed by him in that behalf apply in relation to any class or classes of magistrates
in the State as they apply in relation to persons appointed to the judicial service of the State
subject to such exceptions and modifications as may be specified in the notification.

PART VII.—[The States in Part B of the First Schedule]. Rep. by

the Constitution (Seventh Amendment) Act, 1956, s. 29 and Sch.

90
 PART VIII

THE UNION TERRITORIES

239. Administration of Union territories.—(1) Save as otherwise provided by
Parliament by law, every Union territory shall be administered by the President acting, to
such extent as he thinks fit, through an administrator to be appointed by him with such
designation as he may specify.
(2) Notwithstanding anything contained in Part VI, the President my appoint the
Governor of a State as the administrator of an adjoining Union territory, and where a
Governor is so appointed, he shall exercise his functions as such administrator
independently of his Council of Ministers.
239A. Creation of local Legislatures or Council of Ministers or both for certain
Union territories.—(1) Parliament may by law create for the Union territory of
Pondicherry—
(a) a body, whether elected or partly nominated and partly elected, to function as
a Legislature for the Union territory, or
(b) a Council of Ministers,
or both with such constitution, powers and functions, in each case, as may be specified in
the law.
(2) Any such law as is referred to in clause (1) shall not be deemed to be an amendment
of this Constitution for the purposes of article 368 notwithstanding that it contains any
provision which amends or has the effect of amending this Constitution.
239AA. Special provisions with respect to Delhi.—(1) As from the date of
commencement of the Constitution (Sixty-ninth Amendment) Act, 1991, the Union
territory of Delhi shall be called the National Capital Territory of Delhi (hereafter in this
Part referred to as the National Capital Territory) and the administrator thereof appointed
under article 239 shall be designated as the Lieutenant Governor.
(2)(a) There shall be a Legislative Assembly for the National Capital Territory and the
seats in such Assembly shall be filled by members chosen by direct election from territorial
constituencies in the National Capital Territory.
(b) The total number of seats in the Legislative Assembly, the number of seats reserved
for Scheduled Castes, the division of the National Capital Territory into territorial
constituencies (including the basis for such division) and all other matters relating to the
functioning of the Legislative Assembly shall be regulated by law made by Parliament.
(c) The provisions of articles 324 to 327 and 329 shall apply in relation to the National
Capital Territory, the Legislative Assembly of the National Capital Territory and the
members thereof as they apply, in relation to a State, the Legislative Assembly of a State
and the members thereof respectively; and any reference in articles 326 and 329 to
“appropriate Legislature” shall be deemed to be a reference to Parliament.
(3) (a) Subject to the provisions of this Constitution, the Legislative Assembly shall
have power to make laws for the whole or any part of the National Capital Territory with

91
respect to any of the matters enumerated in the State List or in the Concurrent List in so far
as any such matter is applicable to Union territories except matters with respect to Entries
1, 2 and 18 of the State List and Entries 64, 65 and 66 of that List in so far as they relate to
the said Entries 1, 2 and 18.
(b) Nothing in sub-clause (a) shall derogate from the powers of Parliament under this
Constitution to make laws with respect to any matter for a Union territory or any part
thereof.
(c) If any provision of a law made by the Legislative Assembly with respect to any
matter is repugnant to any provision of a law made by Parliament with respect to that
matter, whether passed before or after the law made by the Legislative Assembly, or of an
earlier law, other than a law made by the Legislative Assembly, then, in either case, the law
made by Parliament, or, as the case may be, such earlier law, shall prevail and the law
made by the Legislative Assembly shall, to the extent of the repugnancy, be void:
Provided that if any such law made by the Legislative Assembly has been reserved for
the consideration of the President and has received his assent, such law shall prevail in the
National Capital Territory:
Provided further that nothing in this sub-clause shall prevent Parliament from enacting
at any time any law with respect to the same matter including a law adding to, amending,
varying or repealing the law so made by the Legislative Assembly.
(4) There shall be a Council of Ministers consisting of not more than ten per cent. of the
total number of members in the Legislative Assembly, with the Chief Minister at the head
to aid and advise the Lieutenant Governor in the exercise of his functions in relation to
matters with respect to which the Legislative Assembly has power to make laws, except in
so far as he is, by or under any law, required to act in his discretion:
Provided that in the case of difference of opinion between the Lieutenant Governor and
his Ministers on any matter, the Lieutenant Governor shall refer it to the President for
decision and act according to the decision given thereon by the President and pending such
decision it shall be competent for the Lieutenant Governor in any case where the matter, in
his opinion, is so urgent that it is necessary for him to take immediate action, to take such
action or to give such direction in the matter as he deems necessary.
(5) The Chief Minister shall be appointed by the President and other Ministers shall be
appointed by the President on the advice of the Chief Minister and the Ministers shall hold
office during the pleasure of the President.
(6) The Council of Ministers shall be collectively responsible to the Legislative
Assembly.
(7) (a) Parliament may, by law, make provisions for giving effect to, or supplementing
the provisions contained in the foregoing clauses and for all matters incidental or
consequential thereto.
(b) Any such law as is referred to in sub-clause (a) shall not be deemed to be an
amendment of this Constitution for the purposes of article 368 notwithstanding that it
contains any provision which amends or has the effect of amending, this Constitution.
(8) The provisions of article 239B shall, so far as may be, apply in relation to the
National Capital Territory, the Lieutenant Governor and the Legislative Assembly, as they
apply in relation to the Union territory of Pondicherry, the administrator and its Legislature,

92
respectively; and any reference in that article to “clause (1) of article 239A” shall be
deemed to be a reference to this article or article 239AB, as the case may be.
239AB. Provision in case of failure of constitutional machinery.—If the President,
on receipt of a report from the Lieutenant Governor or otherwise, is satisfied—
(a) that a situation has arisen in which the administration of the National Capital
Territory cannot be carried on in accordance with the provisions of article 239AA or of
any law made in pursuance of that article; or
(b) that for the proper administration of the National Capital Territory it is
necessary or expedient so to do,
the President may by order suspend the operation of any provision of article 239AA or of
all or any of the provisions of any law made in pursuance of that article for such period and
subject to such conditions as may be specified in such law and make such incidental and
consequential provisions as may appear to him to be necessary or expedient for
administering the National Capital Territory in accordance with the provisions of article
239 and article 239AA.
239B. Power of administrator to promulgate Ordinances during recess of
Legislature.—(1) If at any time, except when the Legislature of the Union territory of
Pondicherry is in session, the administrator thereof is satisfied that circumstances exist
which render it necessary for him to take immediate action, he may promulgate such
Ordinances as the circumstances appear to him to require:
Provided that no such Ordinance shall be promulgated by the administrator except after
obtaining instructions from the President in that behalf:
Provided further that whenever the said Legislature is dissolved, or its functioning
remains suspended on account of any action taken under any such law as is referred to in
clause (1) of article 239A, the administrator shall not promulgate any Ordinance during the
period of such dissolution or suspension.
(2) An Ordinance promulgated under this article in pursuance of instructions from the
President shall be deemed to be an Act of the Legislature of the Union territory which has
been duly enacted after complying with the provisions in that behalf contained in any such
law as is referred to in clause (1) of article 239A, but every such Ordinance—
(a) shall be laid before the Legislature of the Union territory and shall cease to
operate at the expiration of six weeks from the reassembly of the Legislature or if,
before the expiration of that period, a resolution disapproving it is passed by the
Legislature, upon the passing of the resolution; and
(b) may be withdrawn at any time by the administrator after obtaining instructions
from the President in that behalf.
(3) If and so far as an Ordinance under this article makes any provision which would not
be valid if enacted in an Act of the Legislature of the Union territory made after complying
with the provisions in that behalf contained in any such law as is referred to in clause (1) of
article 239A, it shall be void.
* * * * *

93
 240. Power of President to make regulations for certain Union territories.— (1)
The President may make regulations for the peace, progress and good government of the
Union territory of—
(a ) t h e An d aman and Ni cob ar Is lan d s ;
(b ) Laks h ad weep ;
(c) Dad ra an d Nagar Haveli ;
(d ) Daman and Di u ;
(e) Pon d i ch erry:
Provided that when any body is created under article 239A to function as a Legislature
for the Union territory of Pondicherry, the President shall not make any regulation for the
peace, progress and good government of that Union territory with effect from the date
appointed for the first meeting of the Legislature:
Provided further that whenever the body functioning as a Legislature for the Union territory of Pondicherry is
dissolved, or the functioning of that body as such Legislature remains suspended on account of any action taken under
any such law as is referred to in clause (1) of article 239A, the President may, during the period of such dissolution or
suspension, make regulations for the peace, progress and good government of that Union territory.
(2) Any regulation so made may repeal or amend any Act made by Parliament or any
other law which is for the time being applicable to the Union territory and, when
promulgated by the President, shall have the same force and effect as an Act of Parliament
which applies to that territory.
241. High Courts for Union territories—(1) Parliament may by law constitute a High
Court for a Union territory or declare any court in any such territory to be a High Court for
all or any of the purposes of this Constitution.
(2) The provisions of Chapter V of Part VI shall apply in relation to every High Court
referred to in clause (1) as they apply in relation to a High Court referred to in article 214
subject to such modifications or exceptions as Parliament may by law provide.
(3) Subject to the provisions of this Constitution and to the provisions of any law of the
appropriate Legislature made by virtue of powers conferred on that Legislature by or under
this Constitution, every High Court exercising jurisdiction immediately before the
commencement of the Constitution (Seventh Amendment) Act, 1956, in relation to any
Union territory shall continue to exercise such jurisdiction in relation to that territory after
such commencement.
(4) Nothing in this article derogates from the power of Parliament to extend or exclude
the jurisdiction of a High Court for a State to, or from, any Union territory or part thereof.
242. [Coorg.] Rep. by the Constitution (Seventh Amendment) Act, 1956, s. 29 and Sch.

The End.
94