Under Part III, Article 15 of Indian Constitution prohibits discrimination on grounds of religion, race, caste, sex, or place of birth. It guarantees all citizens equal access to public places like shops, hotels, restaurants, entertainment venues, roads, and water facilities. The article also empowers the State to create special provisions for women, children, and disadvantaged groups..  Explore in-depth analysis of other Constitutional Articles. 

Key Highlights of the Article 15 Constitution are as under-

• Prohibition of Discrimination (Article 15(1)): The State cannot discriminate against any citizen based on religion, race, caste, sex, or place of birth.
• Equal Access (Article 15(2)): No citizen can be denied access to public spaces or services funded by the State.
• Support for Women and Children (Article 15(3)): Allows the State to make special welfare provisions for women and children.
• Affirmative Action (Article 15(4)): Introduced by the First Amendment, enables support for socially and educationally backward classes, SCs, and STs.
• Reservation in Private Institutions (Article 15(5)): Added by the 93rd Amendment, allows reservations in private (non-minority) educational institutions.

Article 15 of Indian Constitution

Prohibition of discrimination on grounds of religion, race, caste, sex or place of birth

(1)The State shall not discriminate against any citizen on grounds only of religion, race, caste, sex, place of birth or any of them.

(2)No citizen shall, on grounds only of religion, race, caste, sex, place of birth or any of them, be subject to any disability, liability, restriction or condition with regard to-

(a)access to shops, public restaurants, hotels and places of public entertainment; or

(b)the use of wells, tanks, bathing ghats, roads and places of public resort maintained wholly or partly out of State funds or dedicated to the use of the general public.

(3)Nothing in this article shall prevent the State from making any special provision for women and children.

(4)Nothing in this article or in clause (2) of article 29 shall prevent the State from making any special provision for the advancement of any socially and educationally backward classes of citizens or for the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes.

(5)Nothing in this article or in sub-clause (g) of clause (1) of article 19 shall prevent the State from making any special provision, by law, for the advancement of any socially and educationally backward classes of citizens or for the Scheduled Castes or the Scheduled Tribes in so far as such special provisions relate to their admission to educational institutions including private educational institutions, whether aided or unaided by the State, other than the minority educational institutions referred to in clause (1) of article 30.

(6)Nothing in this article or sub-clause (g) of clause (1) of article 19 or clause (2) of article 29 shall prevent the State from making,—

(a)any special provision for the advancement of any economically weaker sections of citizens other than the classes mentioned in clauses (4) and (5); and

(b)any special provision for the advancement of any economically weaker sections of citizens other than the classes mentioned in clauses (4) and (5) in so far as such special provisions relate to their admission to educational institutions including private educational institutions, whether aided or unaided by the State, other than the minority educational institutions referred to in clause (1) of article 30, which in the case of reservation would be in addition to the existing reservations and subject to a maximum of ten per cent. of the total seats in each category.

Explanation.—For the purposes of this article and article 16, "economically weaker sections" shall be such as may be notified by the State from time to time on the basis of family income and other indicators of economic disadvantage.

Note: "The information provided above has been sourced from the official website, i.e., Indian Code. While the content has been presented here for reference, no modifications have been made to the original laws and orders" 

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Article 15 of Constitution of India stands as a strong safeguard against discrimination, forming an essential part of the Right to Equality under Part III . It ensures that every citizen enjoys equal access to public spaces, services, and opportunities without facing bias based on religion, race, caste, sex or place of birth . Understanding article 15 of Indian Constitution clauses helps in appreciating how India's Constitution actively promotes social inclusion and justice . Here’s a detailed look at the key provisions and their simplified interpretation:

• Article 15 1 of Indian Constitution prohibits the State from creating any law or policy that discriminates solely on the grounds of religion, race, caste, sex, place of birth, or any combination of these factors. It guarantees that all citizens are treated equally by the State.
• Article 15 2 of Indian Constitution extends this protection beyond State actions to include access to public places maintained wholly or partly by State funds. It ensures that no citizen faces discrimination when accessing shops, restaurants, hotels, entertainment venues, roads, wells, tanks, or any place of public use.
• Article 15 3 of Indian Constitution explanation allows the State to make special provisions for the welfare of women and children . The clause recognizes the importance of affirmative action to uplift these groups without it being considered discriminatory.
• Article 15 4 of Indian Constitution, added through the First Amendment, empowers the State to make special provisions for the advancement of socially and educationally backward classes of citizens, including Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs). It emphasizes the need for targeted welfare policies to correct historical injustices.
• Article 15 5 of Indian Constitution, introduced by the 93rd Constitutional Amendment, authorizes the State to make special provisions for the admission of SCs, STs, and socially and educationally backward classes into educational institutions, including private institutions (excluding minority institutions).
• Article 15 6 of Indian Constitution, added by the 103rd Amendment Act, enables the State to reserve up to 10% of seats for Economically Weaker Sections (EWS) in educational institutions and government jobs . This provision marks a significant step towards extending affirmative action based on economic criteria, not just caste.

Together, these provisions reflect the spirit of art 15 making it a dynamic tool for ensuring equality while addressing the needs of disadvantaged sections of society. A careful reading of the Article 15 of Indian Constitution summary shows how the framers designed this article not only to prevent discrimination but also to allow positive intervention wherever necessary to achieve real equality . By balancing the prohibition of discrimination with the power to uplift marginalized groups, Article 15 Constitution continues to play a crucial role in shaping an inclusive, fair and equitable Indian society.

Article 15 of Indian Constitution Importance 

The significance of Constitution Article 15 is crucial for promoting equality and social justice, as explained through the points below.

• Promotes Equality : 15 article of Indian constitution stands as a cornerstone of the Indian Constitution. It ensures that all citizens receive equal treatment and are not subjected to discrimination based on religion, race, caste, sex, or place of birth.
• Supports Social Justice :Art 15 contributes significantly to the goal of social justice. By enabling affirmative action for disadvantaged groups it actively works toward correcting historical and systemic inequalities .
• Protects Individual Rights: By enforcing non-discrimination and ensuring equal access to opportunities, what does Article 15 of the Indian Constitution state that is to protects the fundamental rights of individuals. It builds a more inclusive equitable society where no one is marginalized because of their background.

Several landmark judgments have shaped the interpretation and application of this article. The most important judgments relating to Article 15 of Indian Constitution clauses article are provided as under :

• State of Madras v. Champakam Dorairajan (1951): The Supreme Court in the case of Champakam Dorairajan,held that caste-based reservations in educational institutions violated Article 15(1). This led to Article 15 4 of the Indian Constitution amendment to allow special provisions for socially and educationally backward classes.
• Indra Sawhney v. Union of India (1992): The Court upheld the 27% reservation for OBCs. It also introduced the 'creamy layer' concept, excluding affluent OBCs from getting reservation benefits.
• Ashoka Kumar Thakur v. Union of India (2008) : The Supreme Court upheld the 27% reservation for OBCs in educational institutions under Article 15(5) . This decision reinforced the State's power to implement affirmative action .
• Janhit Abhiyan v. Union of India (2022) : The Supreme Court in the case of Janhit Abhiyan upheld the 103rd Constitutional Amendment, validating the 10% EWS reservation under Article 15(6) stating it does not violate the basic structure of the Constitution.

Article 15 of Indian Constitution Significance 

What does Article 15 of Indian Constitution says? It plays a key role in promoting social equality and justice . It bans discrimination on specific grounds and ensures that all citizens have equal access to public spaces and opportunities. The Article also empowers the State to take affirmative action to uplift marginalized groups helping to correct historical wrongs and promote inclusivity.

The Constitution’s inclusion of special provisions for women, children, socially and educationally backward classes, and economically weaker sections shows its commitment to real equality. These provisions allow the State to take active steps so that disadvantaged groups can access opportunities on an equal footing with others.

In short Article 15 of Indian Constitution builds the foundation for an equal society . It ensures that every person, no matter their background gets a fair chance to succeed and contribute to the nation's progress.

Article 15 of Indian Constitution Developments and Amendments Over the years, Article 15 of Constitution of India has evolved through various amendments to address emerging social challenges:

• First Amendment (1951): The First Amendment introduced Article 15(4). It allows the State to make special provisions for the advancement of socially and educationally backward classes, SCs, and STs.
• Ninety-Third Amendment (2005): The 93rd Amendment added Article 15(5). It allows the State to make special provisions for the admission of socially and educationally backward classes, SCs, and STs. These provisions apply to educational institutions, including private ones, except minority institutions.
• One Hundred and Third Amendment (2019): The 103rd Amendment inserted Article 15(6). It allows the State to make special provisions for the advancement of Economically Weaker Sections (EWS). It also permits up to 10% reservation for EWS in educational institutions.

These amendments reflect the dynamic nature of the Constitution, adapting to the changing needs of society to promote equality and social justice.

Conclusion

Article 15 of Indian Constitution Summary shows the nation's strong commitment to ending discrimination and promoting equality. It bans discrimination on specific grounds and allows the State to take special steps for disadvantaged groups. Its goal is to create a level playing field for all citizens.

The journey of Article 15, shaped by court rulings and constitutional changes, proves the flexibility of the Constitution in fighting social inequality. It highlights the need for active steps to achieve real equality, giving every person a fair chance to succeed, no matter their background.

In a diverse country like India, Article 15 Constitution stands as a guiding light. It promotes inclusivity, unity, and social harmony. It helps lay the foundation for a fair and just society where everyone can grow and contribute.