Legislative Department, Ministry of Law and Justice, Government of India - The Constitution of India 2024 (English Version)↗
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Article 20: Protection in respect of conviction for offences
Protects against ex post facto criminal punishment, double jeopardy, and compelled self-incrimination.
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 20 gives basic safeguards to people accused or convicted in criminal matters.
Practical daily-life use
Where citizens notice it
- Relevant if a person is prosecuted under criminal law.
- Helps understand protections against being forced to testify against oneself.
How it protects you
Citizen protection context
- Stops retrospective criminal punishment beyond constitutional limits.
- Protects against being tried and punished twice for the same offence in the constitutional sense.
Example situations
General civic examples
- A later law tries to punish conduct that was not an offence when done.
- An accused person is compelled to make self-incriminating statements.
Citizen note
Learning note
Criminal procedure is technical; this summary is for learning and civic awareness.
Exam pointers
What to remember
- Article 20 has three major protections.
- It applies in criminal law contexts.
Related articles
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Source references
Verification basis
Last reviewed against official sources: 2026-05-20.