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Article 17: Abolition of untouchability

Abolishes untouchability and forbids its practice in any form, making enforcement of related disability punishable by law.

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 17 constitutionally rejects untouchability and supports laws punishing caste-based exclusion linked to it.

Practical daily-life use

Where citizens notice it

  • Relevant where people are denied access, dignity, or services because of untouchability practices.
  • Supports anti-discrimination enforcement in public and social spaces.

How it protects you

Citizen protection context

  • Protects dignity and equal social status.
  • Gives constitutional backing to penal laws against untouchability.

Example situations

General civic examples

  • Someone is barred from using a common water source because of caste.
  • A person is denied entry to a place open to the public because of untouchability practice.

Citizen note

Learning note

Article 17 is enforceable through law and reflects a core constitutional commitment to human dignity.

Exam pointers

What to remember

  • Article 17 is a Fundamental Right with direct social reform purpose.
  • Untouchability is abolished and its practice is forbidden.

Related articles

Continue learning

Art. 14: Equality before lawArt. 15: Prohibition of discrimination on certain groundsArt. 23: Prohibition of traffic in human beings and forced labour

Source references

Verification basis

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