Which one of the following categories of Fundamental Rights incorporates protection against untouchability as a form of discrimination?
Answer & explanation
Answer: (d) Right to Equality
Article 17, which abolishes untouchability and forbids its practice in any form, sits in the group headed 'Right to Equality' (Articles 14 to 18) in Part III of the Constitution. Untouchability is treated as a denial of equal status, so it is dealt with alongside equality before law and the ban on caste discrimination.
- ✓ (d) Part III places Article 17 (Abolition of Untouchability) under the heading 'Right to Equality', together with Articles 14, 15, 16 and 18.
- ✗ (a) Right against Exploitation (Articles 23 and 24) covers trafficking, forced labour (begar) and hazardous child labour, not untouchability.
- ✗ (b) Right to Freedom (Articles 19 to 22) covers freedoms such as speech, assembly and movement and protection of life and personal liberty.
Remember · Right to Equality = Articles 14–18: equality before law, no discrimination, equal opportunity in public jobs, abolition of untouchability (Art 17), abolition of titles (Art 18).
📘 Read it in NCERT: Class 11 Indian Constitution at Work, Ch 2 (practise this chapter)
Sources
- NCERT Class 11 · Indian Constitution at Work, Chapter 2 “The practice of untouchability is one of the crudest manifestations of inequality. This has been abolished under the right to equality.”
- Constitution of India, Article 17 ↗ “17. Abolition of Untouchability.—“Untouchability” is abolished and its practice in any form is forbidden. The enforcement of any disability arising out of “Untouchability” shall be an offence punishable in accordance with law.”
Question and answer: UPSC's official GS Paper I (2020, Series A) — paper ↗ · answer key ↗. Explanation: Minimalist IAS, checked 30 Sept 2026 (how we verify). ·