Article 18 - Indian Constitution [with Explanation]

This article is a compilation of Article 18 as it is. You can understand it well, that’s why its explanation is also given below, you must read it. Its explanation is also available in Hindi, for this you can use the link given below;

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📖 Read This Article in Hindi

Chapters of Content

📜 Article 18

18. Abolition of Titles – (1) No title, not being a military or academic distinction, shall be conferred by the state.

(2) No citizen of India shall accept any title from any foreign State.

(3) No person who is not a citizen of India, shall, while he holds any office of profit or trust under the State, accept without the consent of the President any title from any foreign state.

(4) No person holding any office of profit or trust under the State shall, without the consent of the President, accept any present, emolument or office in any kind from or under any foreign State.

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🔍 Explanation

Right to Equality has been described from Articles 14 to 18 of Part 3 of the Constitution. Which can be seen in the chart below. The fifth article of this is Article 17, which talks about “Abolition of titles”.

right to equality

| Article 14 – Equality before law and equal protection of laws
| Article 15 – Prohibition of discrimination on grounds of religion, race, sex and place of birth
| Article 16 – Equality of opportunity in public employment
| Article 17 – Abolition of untouchability
| Article 18 – Abolition of titles

Equality is a fundamental element for the establishment of a public welfare state because it prevents us from social, economic, political deprivation.

We have understood under Article 14, Article 15, Article 16 and Article 17; how equality has been tried to be established with the help of the principle of “equality before law and equal protection of laws”, “prohibition of discrimination on grounds of religion, race, caste, sex or place of birth”, “Equality of opportunity in public employment” and “Abolition of untouchability” respectively.

The next to the same is Article 18. Let us understand each of its provisions;

| Article 18 – Abolition of titles

It means not to give any title to any person which shows inequality. This was done because earlier it used to be that due to being born in a particular clan, the title Maharaj, Maharajadhiraj or similar titles were prefixed to his name.

But a question may come in your mind that still many degrees are available such as doctorate degree, honorary degree etc. In this regard the following four things have been mentioned in the constitution.

(1) The State shall not confer any title other than military or academic titles. This means that if the state grants a doctorate to someone, it will not be considered a violation of this fundamental right.

(2) No citizen of India shall accept any title from any foreign State. You will remember that during the British era, the title of knighthood was given.

Knighthood is a title awarded by a British king or queen to a person for his achievements or service to his country.

A person who has been given the title of knighthood can put ‘Sir’ in place of ‘Shri’ before his name. The citizen of India will no longer be able to accept any such title.

(3) No person, not being a citizen of India, holding any office of profit or trust under the State, shall, except with the consent of the President, accept any title from any foreign State.

(4) No person holding an office of profit or trust under the State shall, except with the consent of the President, accept any present, emolument or office in any form from or under any foreign State.

Here also there are exceptions like no one is considered to have titles like Padma Bhushan, Padma Vibhushan, Padma Shri and Bharat Ratna etc. That’s why it can be worn but the Supreme Court has clearly said that no person can put these words in front of the name.

So overall this is Article 18, I hope you have understood its concept. Don’t forget to read other articles coming under Right to Equality.

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Hindi Articles	English Articles
⚫ अनुच्छेद 14 ⚫ अनुच्छेद 15 ⚫ अनुच्छेद 16 ⚫ अनुच्छेद 17	⚫ Article 14 ⚫ Article 15 ⚫ Article 16 ⚫ Article 17

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⚫ Constitution
⚫ Basics of Parliament
⚫ Fundamental Rights
⚫ Judiciary in India
⚫ Executive in India

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Disclaimer - The articles and their interpretations presented here are based on the original Constitution (latest edition), DD Basu's commentary on the Constitution (mainly) and various scholars of the Constitution (whose writings are available in newspapers, magazines and audio-visuals on the Internet). We have just tried to make it interesting and easy to understand.