List of All 25 (22) Parts of the Indian Constitution

The Indian Constitution started with 395 Articles, 22 Parts, and 8 Schedules. Later, three new Parts were added: 9A for Municipalities, 9B for Co-operative Societies, and 14A for Tribunals.

The Constitution is divided into sections called “Parts”. Each Part contains Articles about similar topics related to India’s government and laws. When first made, the Constitution had 22 Parts. Now it has 25 Parts after some additions.¹

This article explains all 25 Parts of the Constitution in detail. The Constitution of India is a comprehensive document that outlines the framework and fundamental principles governing the country. It was adopted on January 26, 1950.

25 parts of the Constitution of India:

Parts	Subjects Deal with	Articles covered
PART I	[THE UNION AND ITS TERRITORY] Name and territory of the Union. This part deals with the territory of India, the formation of new states, alterations of the areal boundary, and the names of existing states.2	Articles 5 to 11
PART II	[CITIZENSHIP] It encompasses various rights and privileges associated with citizenship. Rights of citizenship of certain persons who have migrated to India from Pakistan and of Indian origin residing outside India. Parliament is to regulate the right of citizenship by law.	Articles 12 to 35
PART III	[Fundamental Rights] States in the B part of the First Schedule (repealed by the 7th Amendment)	Articles 36 to 51
PART IV	[DIRECTIVE PRINCIPLES OF STATE POLICY] Application of the principles, State to secure social order, Equal justice, Organisation of village panchayats, Uniform civil code, Duty of the State, Protection of environment	Articles 52 to 151
PART IVA	States in the B part of the First Schedule (repealed by the 7th Amendment)	Article 51A
PART V	[THE UNION] The President and Vice-President, Officers of Parliament, Conduct of Business, Disqualifications of Members, Legislative Procedure, Procedure in Financial Matters, Procedure Generally, Legislative Powers of the President, the Union Judiciary.	Articles 252 to 237
PART VI	[THE STATES] The Governor, Council of Ministers, The Advocate-General for the State, Conduct of Government Business, Officers of the State Legislature, Powers, Privileges and Immunities of State Legislatures and their Members, Legislative Procedure, Procedure in Financial Matters, THE HIGH COURTS,	Articles 239 to 242
PART VII	[THE UNION TERRITORIES] Administration of Union territories, Creation of local Legislatures or Council of Ministers or both for certain UT, Special provisions to some UT, Power of the President to make regulations in UT.	Repealed
PART VIII	[THE MUNICIPALITIES] Constitution, Composition, Duration, Powers, authority and responsibilities, Audit of accounts, Municipalities elections.	Articles 245 to 263
PART IX	[SERVICES UNDER THE UNION AND THE STATES] Service, Public Service Commission. Recruitment, conditions, Removal or suspension and Functions of Public Service Commissions.	Article 243 to 243O
PART IXA	[RELATIONS BETWEEN THE UNION AND THE STATES] Distribution of Legislative Powers, Administrative Relations, and Co-ordination between States.	Article 243P to 243ZG
PART X	[THE SCHEDULED AND TRIBAL AREAS] Administration of Scheduled Areas and Tribal Areas, Formation of an Autonomous State	Article 244 to 244A
PART XI	[FINANCE, PROPERTY, CONTRACTS, AND SUITS] Finance, Miscellaneous financial provisions, Borrowing, Property, Contracts, Rights, Liabilities, Obligation and suits, right to property.	Articles 301 to 307
PART XII	[FINANCE, PROPERTY, CONTRACTS AND SUITS] Finance, Miscellaneous financial provisions, Borrowing, Property, Contracts, Rights, Liabilities, Obligation and suits, right to property.	Article 264 to 300A
PART XIII	[TRADE, COMMERCE AND INTERCOURSE WITHIN THE TERRITORY OF INDIA] Freedom and restrictions on trade, commerce and dealing.	Articles 308 to 323
PART XIV	[OFFICIAL LANGUAGE] Language of the Union, Supreme Court, High Court, Regional Language, Special Directives.	Articles 323A and 323B
PART XIVA	[TRIBUNALS] Administrative tribunals, Tribunals for other matters.	Articles 330 to 342
PART XV	[ELECTIONS] Superintendence, direction and control of elections to be vested in the Election Commission.	Article 324 to 329A
PART XVA	[OFFICIAL LANGUAGE] Language of the Union, Supreme Court, High Court, Regional Language, Special Directives.	Articles 343 to 351
PART XVII	Articles 369 to 392	Articles 352 to 360
PART XVIII	[EMERGENCY PROVISIONS] Effect of Proclamation of Emergency, Duty of the Union to protect States against external aggression and internal disturbance.	Articles 361 to 367
PART XIX	[MISCELLANEOUS] Protection of the President and Governors, Parliament and State Legislatures.	Articles 369 to 392
PART XX	[AMENDMENT OF THE CONSTITUTION] Power of Parliament to amend the Constitution and procedure therefor.	Article 368
PART XXI	[TEMPORARY, TRANSITIONAL AND SPECIAL PROVISIONS] Temporary or Special provision with respect to certain States. Provisions as to Judges of High Courts, Comptroller and Auditor-General of India, PSC, etc.	Articles 369 to 392
PART XXII	[SHORT TITLE, COMMENCEMENT, AUTHORITATIVE TEXT IN HINDI AND REPEALS]	Articles 393 to 395
Total no of PARTs = 25	All the subjects of the parts provided here have expanded explanations in the Constitution of India PDF file.	Total No of Articles = 448

22 Parts of COI: Important Points to Remember

1. At Present, there are 25 parts in the constitution of India. Previously, it was 22.
2. Four parts are added through the amendment of the Indian Constitution.
3. Part VII was repealed through the 7th Amendment Act of 1956.
4. Part IV-A was added through the 42nd Amendment Act of 1976.
5. Part IX-A was added through the 74th Amendment Act of 1993.
6. Part XIV-A was added through the 42nd Amendment Act of 1976.
7. Part IX-B was added through the 97th Amendment Act, 2011 (Effective from 2012).³

Total Number of Articles in COI	448
Total Number of Parts in COI	25

All Parts in Details

The constitution is the fundamental law of a country, which ordains the basic principles on which the government of that country is based. It lays down the framework and functions of various organs of the government as well as the modalities of interaction between the government and its citizens. Here is a brief description of all 22 parts of the Constitution of India.

Part I :

Articles 1 to 4 belong to Part I of the Indian Constitution.

1. Article 1 – Defines India’s official name and its territory
2. Article 2 – Allows Parliament to create new states
3. Article 3 – Permits changes to existing states (borders, names, or merging/splitting states)
4. Article 4 – Explains that laws made under Articles 2-3 can also modify:
   • The First Schedule (list of states)
   • The Fourth Schedule (Rajya Sabha seats)
   • Other related matters

Part II :

Part II contains Articles 5 to 11. It deals with various rights of citizenship.

1. Article 5 – Granted citizenship to all residents at India’s independence (1947)
2. Article 6 – Gave citizenship rights to people migrating from Pakistan to India
3. Article 7 – Restricted citizenship for those who migrated to Pakistan
4. Article 8 – Provided citizenship for Indians living abroad
5. Article 9 – Disqualifies those who voluntarily became citizens of other countries
6. Article 10 – Protected existing citizenship rights
7. Article 11 – Allowed Parliament to make future citizenship laws

Part III :

Articles 12 to 35. Deals with the fundamental rights of Indian citizens. Article 31, dealing with the right to property, was deleted by the 44th Amendment.

1. Articles 14–18: Right to Equality
2. Articles 19–22: Right to Freedom
3. Articles 23–24: Right Against Exploitation
4. Articles 25–28: Right to Freedom of Religion
5. Articles 29–30: Cultural & Educational Rights
6. Articles 32–35: Right to Constitutional Remedies

Part IV :

Articles 35 to 51. Deals with Directive Principles of State Policy. This policy aims at establishing social and economic democracy in the country.

• Article 36: Defines “State” (same as in Fundamental Rights)
• Article 38: Ensure social, political, and economic justice for all.
• Article 41: Right to work, education, and public assistance (unemployment, disability, old age).
• Article 40: Organize village panchayats (self-governance).
• Article 48: Modernize agriculture and animal husbandry.
• Article 51: Promote international peace and security.

Part IV-A :

Article 51-A. This part was added by the 42nd Amendment in 1976. It contains the duties of the citizens. It outlines the duties of Indian citizens.

• Respect National Symbols
• Honor Freedom Struggle
• Uphold India’s sovereignty, unity, and integrity.
• Promote harmony, Unity & Equality
• Protect India’s cultural heritage, orests, rivers, wildlife.
• Social Responsibilities – Avoid violence and protect public property

Part V:

Articles 52 to 151. This part deals with the government at the Union Level. Duties and functions of PM, Ministers, President, Attorney General, Parliament – Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha, Comptroller and Auditor General. Article 77 stipulates that all executive orders of the Government of India shall be taken in the name of the President.⁴

Chapter I – The Executive

• Articles 52 to 78: Election process of President & Vice-President of India, Council of Ministers, Attorney General.

Chapter II – Parliament (Articles 79 to 122) 

• (Articles 79-88) : Defines Parliament (Lok Sabha + Rajya Sabha + President).
• Articles 89-98 : Officers of Parliament – Chairman & Deputy Chairman (Rajya Sabha), Speaker & Deputy Speaker (Lok Sabha).
• Articles 99-100 : Parliamentary Conduct – Oath/Affirmation of MPs.
• Articles 101-106: Disqualifications of Parliamentary members.
• Articles 107-111: Lawmaking Process – Ordinary, Money, Financial bill.
• Articles 112-117: Financial Procedures – Annual Financial Statement, Money Bills (only Lok Sabha can initiate).
• Articles 118-122: General Rules – Parliament sets its own rules. Courts cannot interfere in proceedings. Quorum, language use (Hindi/English), etc.

Chapter III – Legislative Powers of the President

• Article 123: The President can issue ordinances (temporary laws) when Parliament is not in session

Chapter IV – The Union Judiciary

• Articles 124-147: Establishes the Supreme Court as India’s highest judicial authority. Appointment and removal of judges
• Court’s jurisdiction and powers
• Independence of the judiciary
• Contempt of court provisions
• Binding nature of SC judgments on all courts

Chapter V – Comptroller and Auditor-General of India

• Articles 148-151:
• Creates India’s supreme audit institution
• Key responsibilities:
  • Auditing all government accounts (Union and State)
  • Submitting audit reports to Parliament/State Legislatures
  • Ensuring financial accountability of government
  • Maintaining independence from executive control
• The CAG serves a 6-year term and can only be removed through impeachment

Part VI :

Articles 152 to 237. Deals withthe government at the State Level. Article 152 exempts Jammu and Kashmir from the category of ordinary States. duties and functions of the Chief Minister and his ministers, the Governor, the State legislature, the High Court, Advocate General of the State.

• Chapter I: General (Article 152): Definition: Clarifies terms like “State” and “Governor” used in this Part.
• Chapter II: The State Executive
  1. Governor (Articles 153-161): Nominated by the President (5-year term). Powers: Executive, legislative, judicial (e.g., appoints ministers, judges). Can pardon crimes under state law.
  2. Council of Ministers (Articles 162-167): Head: Chief Minister (CM). Role: Advises Governor; runs day-to-day governance. Rules: Ministers must be MLAs (with some exceptions). Collective responsibility to Legislative Assembly.
  3. Advocate General (Articles 164-165): Role: State’s top legal advisor (similar to Attorney General for Centre). Rights: Can speak in state legislature (but not vote).
  4. Conduct of Business (Articles 166-167): How official orders are issued (in Governor’s name). CM must keep Governor informed of decisions.
• Chapter III: State Legislature
  1. Composition (Articles 168-177): Two Houses (where applicable). Legislative Assembly (Vidhan Sabha): Directly elected. Legislative Council (Vidhan Parishad): Indirectly elected (only in 6 states). Duration: 5 years (unless dissolved earlier).
  2. Officers (Articles 178-187): Speaker/Deputy Speaker (Assembly) and Chairman/Deputy Chairman (Council): Manage proceedings. Salaries charged to state funds.
  3. Disqualifications (Articles 190-193): MLAs can lose seats for: Holding office of profit. Defection (switching parties).
  4. Lawmaking (Articles 196-212): Process: Bill introduced → Debated → Passed by both houses → Governor’s assent. Money Bills: Can only start in Assembly. Governor’s Role: Can return bills (except Money Bills).
  5. Chapter IV: Governor’s Legislative Power (Article 213): Ordinances: Governor can issue temporary laws when legislature isn’t in session. Validity: Must be approved by legislature within 6 weeks.
• Chapter V: High Courts (Articles 214-232): Role: Highest court in a state. Judges: Appointed by President; retire at 62. Powers: Hear appeals from lower courts. Issue writs for fundamental rights.
• Chapter VI: Subordinate Courts (Articles 233-237): District Judges: Appointed by Governor (in consultation with High Court). Control: High Court oversees all lower courts.

Part VII :

Article 238. Deals with State, was deleted in 1956 by the 7th Amendment Act, 1956.

Part VIII:

Articles 239 to 241. This part deals with Union Territories. Contains provisions regarding the administration of union territories.

Part IX :

Part IX consists of two parts.

1. Part IX A- The Municipalities (Articles 243P to 243ZG): Added by the 73rd Amendment Act, 1992. It contains a new schedule ‘Schedule Eleven”. It contains 29 subjects related to Panchayat Raj. They have been given administrative powers.
2. Part IX B- Co-operative Societies (Articles 243ZH to 243ZT): Added by the 74th Amendment Act, 1992. It contains a new schedule, “Schedule Twelve”. It contains 18 subjects related to Municipalities. They have been given administrative powers.

Part X :

Articles 244 and 244-A belong to this part. It deals with the scheduled and Tribal areas.

• Article 244: Governs how Scheduled Areas and Tribal Areas are administered. Provides special rules for these regions to protect tribal communities.
• Article 244A: Allows creation of self-governing tribal states in Assam. Gives special autonomy to certain tribal areas in Assam.

Part XI :

Articles 245 to 263 belong to this part. It deals with the relationship between the Union and the States and deals with legislative relations.

Chapter I: Legislative Relations (Articles 245-255):

1. Division of Law-Making Powers:
   • Union (Central Government): Can make laws for all of India or any specific part.
   • State Governments: Can make laws only for their own state.
2. Three Lists of Subjects:
   • Union List (97 subjects): Only Parliament can make laws (e.g., defense, foreign affairs).
   • State List (66 subjects): Only States can make laws (e.g., police, agriculture).
   • Concurrent List (47 subjects): Both Parliament and States can make laws (e.g., education, marriage).
3. Background:
   • This system is based on the Government of India Act, 1935.

Part XII :

Articles 264 to 300. Deals with the distribution of revenue between the Union and the States, appointment of Finance Commission contracts, liabilities, etc.

Chapter I: Finance (Articles 264-291)

• These rules govern state finances, including:
  • State property and assets
  • Taxes and duties
  • Financial obligations
• Some articles (272, 278, 291) were later removed.

Chapter II: Borrowing (Articles 292-293)

• Article 292: Central government’s borrowing powers
• Article 293: State governments’ borrowing limits

Chapter III: Property and Legal Matters (Articles 294-300)

• Handles transfer of government property when states reorganize
• Covers legal contracts and ongoing court cases
• Addresses financial responsibilities during state changes

Chapter IV: Right to Property (Article 300A)

• The 44th Amendment (1978) removed property as a fundamental right
• Property rights are now protected under constitutional law:
  • No one can lose their property without legal approval
  • Still recognized as important in a welfare state

Part XIII :

This part contains Articles 301 to 307. It relates to trade, commerce,e and intercourse within the Territory of India.

Part XIV :

Articles 308 to 323. It deals with UPSC and the Public Service Commission.

1. Government Service Rules (Articles 308-314): Regulates hiring and job terms for government employees (both Central & State). Special rules for All-India Services (like IAS, IPS)
2. Public Service Commissions (Articles 315-323): UPSC (Union Public Service Commission), Conducting recruitment exams.

Part XIV-A :

Articles 323A and 323B are contained in this part. It was added by the 42nd Amendment in 1976. Deals with administrative tribunals set up by Parliament to hear disputes and complaints regarding the Union, States, or local government. employees.

Part XV :

Articles 324 and 329 belong to this part. It deals with elections or the election commission.

Part XVI :

Articles 330 to 342. Deals with special provisions for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes and Anglo-Indian Representation.

Part XVII :

This part contains Articles 343 to 351. It relates to the official language.

Chapter I: Union’s Official Language (Articles 343-344)

• Article 343: Hindi (in Devanagari script) is India’s official language
• Article 344: Sets up a committee to review language progress every 10 years

Chapter II: State Languages (Articles 345-347)

• Each state can choose its own official language(s)
• English can continue for official use until states decide otherwise

Chapter III: Court Languages (Articles 348-349)

• Supreme Court & High Courts use English (but can allow other languages)
• All government laws and documents are in English

Chapter IV: Special Language Rules (Articles 350-351)

1. Mother Tongue Protection: Children can be taught in their native language in primary school. Anyone can complain about language issues to the government
2. Hindi Promotion: The Government must help develop Hindi as the national language. But it cannot force Hindi on non-Hindi speaking states
3. Minority Protection: Special officers ensure language minorities aren’t discriminated against

Part XVIII :

Articles 352 to 360. It deals with emergency provisions.

Part XIX :

Articles 361 to 367. Exemption of criminal proceedings for their official acts of the President and Governors.

1. Protection of the President and Governors (Article 361) – The President and state governors cannot be sued or prosecuted while in office. They are immune from court actions for their official acts.
2. Courts Cannot Interfere in Certain Agreements (Article 362) – Courts cannot question disputes related to old treaties or agreements involving former Indian princely states.
3. Special Rules for Major Ports and Airports (Article 363) – Disputes about major ports and airports are handled separately, and courts have limited power over them.
4. Ignoring Union Government Directions (Article 365) – If a state government refuses to follow lawful orders from the central government, the President can declare that the state’s government is not functioning properly.
5. Definitions (Article 366) – Explains key terms used in the Constitution.
6. Interpretation (Article 367) – Provides rules for how to understand and apply the language of the Constitution.

Part XX :

Only Article 368 is contained in this part. It deals with the amendment of the Constitution.

Part XXI :

Articles 369 to 392.  Article 369 grants temporary powers to Parliament to enact laws for the State list. Article 370 contains temporary provisions of Jammu and Kashmir. It restricts the parliament from making laws for that state. Article 370 is removed in 2019.

Articles 371-A to 371-I relate to special provisions for Maharashtra, Nagaland, Assam, Manipur, Andhra Pradesh, Sikkim, Mizoram, Arunachal Pradesh, and Goa.

Part XXII :

This part contains Articles 393 to 395. It concerns the short title, commencement, and repeal of the Constitution of India.

FAQs

1. https://cdnbbsr.s3waas.gov.in/../uploads/2023/05/2023050195.pdf ↩︎
2. https://www.indiacode.nic.in/bitstream/123456789/19151/1/constitution_of_india.pdf ↩︎
3. Indian Polity (English) by M Laxmikanth | 7th edition ↩︎
4. Introduction to the Constitution of India by Durga Das Basu ↩︎