Articles 15 and 16 of the Constitution of India

Vocabulary flashcards covering Articles 15 and 16 of the Indian Constitution, including key amendments, exceptions, and equality provisions.

Article 15

Constitutional article establishing non-discrimination as a general rule, while allowing positive discrimination (affirmative action) to achieve real equality.

Article 15(4)

Clause allowing the State to make special provisions for Socially and Educationally Backward Classes (SEBCs), Scheduled Castes (SCs), and Scheduled Tribes (STs) based on social and educational backwardness, not religion alone.

Article 15(5)

Provision inserted by the 93rd Constitutional Amendment, 2005, allowing reservation for SEBCs, SCs, and STs in government colleges as well as aided and unaided private colleges, excluding minority educational institutions under Article 30.

93rd Constitutional Amendment, 2005

Constitutional amendment that inserted Article 15(5), enabling reservation for SEBCs, SCs, and STs in government and private (aided and unaided) educational institutions.

Article 15(6)

Provision inserted by the 103rd Constitutional Amendment, 2019, allowing special provisions including up to 10% reservation in educational institutions for Economically Weaker Sections (EWS) other than SC/ST/OBC, over and above existing reservations.

103rd Constitutional Amendment, 2019

Constitutional amendment that inserted Article 15(6), allowing up to 10% reservation for Economically Weaker Sections (EWS) in educational institutions.

Economically Weaker Sections (EWS)

A category of citizens other than SC/ST/OBC whose status is determined by the State based on family income and other indicators of economic disadvantage.

Positive Discrimination

Affirmative action permitted under Article 15 as an exception to the general rule of non-discrimination in order to achieve real equality.

Article 16

Constitutional article guaranteeing equality of opportunity in public employment.

Article 16(1)

Clause guaranteeing equal opportunity for every citizen to get a fair and equal chance in government jobs.

Article 16(2)

Clause prohibiting government discrimination in jobs on the basis of religion, race, caste, sex, descent, place of birth, or residence.

Article 16(3)

Clause allowing Parliament to make residence in a State or Union Territory a qualification requirement for certain government jobs.

Article 16(4)

Clause allowing the government to reserve posts for backward classes that are not adequately represented in public services.

Article 16(4A) & 16(4B)

Constitutional provisions dealing with promotion and backlog vacancies for reservations in public employment.