Which Article of the Indian Constitution abolishes untouchability?

Question

UnlockIAS · Accepted Answer

Correct — C, Article 17. Article 17 abolishes 'untouchability' and forbids its practice in any form; enforcing any disability arising from untouchability is made a punishable offence. It sits within the Right to Equality (Articles 14-18) — the same fundamental-rights cluster as Articles 14 and 15, but Article 17 is the specific provision naming and abolishing untouchability.

Why the other options are wrong — (a) Article 14 guarantees equality before the law and equal protection of the laws generally — the broad equality guarantee, not the specific abolition of untouchability.  (b) Article 15 prohibits State discrimination on grounds of religion, race, caste, sex, or place of birth — a general non-discrimination clause, distinct from Article 17's specific abolition of untouchability.  (d) Article 19 guarantees the six freedoms (speech, assembly, association, movement, residence, profession) — unrelated to untouchability.

Concept: Article 17 sits inside the Right to Equality (Articles 14-18) and specifically abolishes 'untouchability' in any form, making its practice an offence punishable by law — given statutory teeth by the Protection of Civil Rights Act, 1955, and later the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989. It is one of the few Fundamental Rights enforceable against private individuals, not just the State.

State PCS 2021 Q40 — Indian Polity PYQ with Answer

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