Rights to equality - INSIGHTSIAS

Article 14:

Right to equality: Equality before law and equal protection of laws

Includes legal persons as well
Equality before law: British version
Equal protection of laws: American constitution
It permits reasonable classification of persons, objects and transactions by the law but it should not be arbitrary

Note: In India, constitution is the source of individual rights

Exceptions to equality

President and governor not answerable to court for their official acts
No criminal proceedings shall be instituted or continued against the President or the governor in any court during his term of office
No process for the arrest or imprisonment of the President or governor
Civil proceeding on personal acts only after two months notice
No liability of true reporting in newspapers
No member of Parliament shall be liable for anything said or vote
Article 31C
Foreign sovereigns enjoy immunity; this includes even UNO

Article 15

No citizen of India shall be discriminated on the basis of religion, race, caste, sex or place of birth

Usage of two keywords- ‘discrimination’ and ‘only’
Ground mentioned in the article: religion, race, caste, sex or place of birth
The second provision in this article is applicable to even private individuals and legal persons

Exceptions

Special provisions for women and children
Advancement of socially and educationally backward classes of citizens or for the SC and ST
Provision for education of the above could be made for education in aided and unaided

Article 16: equality of opportunity in public employment

Exceptions:

Parliament can prescribe residence as condition for certain employment
State can provide reservation for any backward classes if they are inadequately represented
Religious denomination exception

Abolition of untouchability: article 17

Article 18: abolition of titles