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Article 15: Prohibition of discrimination on certain grounds

Prohibits discrimination by the State on specified grounds and permits special provisions for women, children, socially and educationally backward classes, Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, and specified economically weaker sections.

Part IIIactive

In this article

What it means

Plain-language explanation

Where you notice it

Daily civic life

How it protects you

Citizen protection

What to remember

Exam and recall pointers

What it means

Simple explanation

Article 15 protects people from certain forms of discrimination while allowing affirmative measures for disadvantaged groups.

Practical daily-life use

Where citizens notice it

  • Relevant to access to public places, education, and public welfare measures.
  • Explains the constitutional basis for some reservation and protective policies.

How it protects you

Citizen protection context

  • Rejects discrimination based only on grounds such as religion, race, caste, sex, or place of birth.
  • Allows targeted support to improve real equality.

Example situations

General civic examples

  • A person is denied access to a public facility because of caste.
  • An educational policy provides constitutionally permitted affirmative support.

Citizen note

Learning note

Article 15 balances anti-discrimination rules with constitutionally permitted special provisions.

Exam pointers

What to remember

  • Article 15 applies to specified discrimination grounds.
  • Clauses allowing special provisions are central to social justice debates.

Related articles

Continue learning

Art. 14: Equality before lawArt. 16: Equality of opportunity in public employmentArt. 17: Abolition of untouchabilityArt. 29: Protection of interests of minorities

Source references

Verification basis

Last reviewed against official sources: 2026-05-20.