Know What the
Constitution Gave You.

Equality before law, no discrimination on grounds of religion, race, caste, sex or place of birth.

Article 14 guarantees equality before law for all persons in India — citizens and non-citizens alike. Article 15 specifically prohibits discrimination on grounds of religion, race, caste, sex, or place of birth by the State. Article 16 mandates equal opportunity in public employment. Articles 17–18 abolish untouchability and titles respectively. This cluster of rights is the constitutional foundation for fighting caste discrimination, communal bias, and arbitrary government action.

Freedom of speech, expression, assembly, movement. Protection against arbitrary arrest and detention.

Article 19 guarantees six freedoms: speech and expression, assembly, association, movement, residence, and profession. Article 20 protects against conviction for acts not criminal at the time of commission and against double jeopardy. Article 21 — the most expansive — protects the right to life and personal liberty: the Supreme Court has interpreted this to include the right to live with dignity, right to health, right to education, right to food, and right to privacy. Article 22 protects against arbitrary arrest.

Prohibition of trafficking, forced labour, and employment of children in hazardous industries.

Article 23 prohibits human trafficking, begar (forced or unpaid labour), and other forms of forced labour. This provision has been used to prosecute bonded labour cases across India. Article 24 prohibits employment of children below 14 years of age in factories, mines, or hazardous work. Together, these articles form the constitutional basis for child labour laws, anti-trafficking legislation, and bonded labour abolition.

Freedom to practice, profess and propagate religion.

Article 25 gives every person the right to freely profess, practice, and propagate religion — subject to public order, morality, and health. Article 26 gives religious denominations the right to manage their own affairs. Articles 27–28 prevent the state from compelling citizens to pay taxes for religion and prohibit religious instruction in state-funded institutions. These rights protect minority communities from state interference in religious practice.

Rights of minorities to conserve culture and establish educational institutions.

Article 29 gives every group with a distinct language, script, or culture the right to conserve it. Article 30 gives religious and linguistic minorities the right to establish and administer educational institutions of their choice — and the government cannot discriminate in granting aid to such institutions. These rights are frequently invoked in disputes over minority school management, medium of instruction, and cultural preservation.

The right to move the Supreme Court for enforcement of Fundamental Rights — Dr. Ambedkar called this 'the heart and soul of the Constitution'.

Article 32 gives every person the right to move the Supreme Court directly if their Fundamental Rights are violated. The Supreme Court (and High Courts under Art. 226) can issue five types of writs: Habeas Corpus (produce the person before court — used in illegal detention), Mandamus (direct a government body to perform its legal duty), Prohibition (prevent a lower court from exceeding jurisdiction), Certiorari (quash an illegal order), and Quo Warranto (challenge illegal assumption of public office). These writs are powerful tools that Rights Care uses in serious cases.

Every citizen has the right to request information from public authorities.

Section 3 gives every citizen of India the right to information under the control of public authorities. 'Information' includes records, documents, memos, e-mails, opinions, advices, press releases, circulars, orders, logbooks, contracts, reports, papers, samples, models, data material. An RTI application is one of the most cost-effective tools for exposing government misconduct, recovering withheld benefits, or simply understanding how a decision was made.

File RTI application with ₹10 fee. BPL applicants are exempt. Get response within 30 days.

File a written application (Hindi or English or official state language) to the Public Information Officer (PIO) of the concerned department. Pay ₹10 (by cash, DD, or postal order) — BPL card holders are exempt. The PIO must respond within 30 days. For information affecting life or liberty, the response must come within 48 hours. If the PIO does not respond, you can file a First Appeal and then a Second Appeal to the Information Commission.

First Appeal to PIO's superior. Second Appeal to State/Central Information Commission.

If the PIO does not respond within 30 days, or refuses to provide information, or provides incomplete information, file a First Appeal with the First Appellate Authority (FAA) — typically the PIO's superior — within 30 days of the decision. If unsatisfied with the FAA's order, file a Second Appeal with the State Information Commission (SIC) or Central Information Commission (CIC) within 90 days. The Information Commission can impose a penalty of ₹250 per day (max ₹25,000) on the PIO.

PIO can be penalised ₹250/day (max ₹25,000) for unjustified delay or refusal.

If the Information Commissioner finds that the PIO refused to receive the RTI application, provided incorrect or incomplete information, obstructed access to information, or destroyed information, the Commissioner can impose a penalty of ₹250 per day on the PIO — up to a maximum of ₹25,000. The Commissioner can also recommend disciplinary action. This penalty provision is a significant deterrent and enforcement tool.

Every employer must pay at least the minimum wage as notified by the State Government.

The Minimum Wages Act requires every employer to pay workers at least the minimum wage notified by the state/central government for the specific type of work. Minimum wages are revised periodically and vary by state and occupation. If your employer is paying below minimum wage, you can file a complaint with the Labour Commissioner. You are entitled to recover the difference for up to 3 years retrospectively. The employer is liable for prosecution under the Act.

Employers with 20+ employees must contribute to EPF. Workers have a right to claim their PF.

Any establishment with 20 or more employees is mandated to register under EPFO and contribute 12% of basic wages to the EPF. The employee also contributes 12%, and the employer's share goes into the Employees' Pension Scheme. If your employer has not registered you with EPFO or is not depositing PF, you can file a grievance at epfigms.gov.in or approach the Regional EPFO Commissioner. You can check your PF balance on the EPFO member portal using your UAN number.

Workers in establishments with 100+ employees cannot be retrenched without government permission.

Under the Industrial Disputes Act, 1947, a workman (non-supervisory employee) who has been in continuous service for over 1 year must receive one month's notice (or payment in lieu) and compensation of 15 days' wages for each year of service before retrenchment. Establishments with 100 or more workers must also obtain prior permission from the State Government. Unlawful retrenchment can be challenged before the Labour Court.

Workers have the right to a safe workplace, adequate facilities, and compensation for injuries.

The Factories Act mandates cleanliness, ventilation, lighting, safe machinery, fire exits, first aid, canteen (in larger factories), rest rooms, and creche facilities in all registered factories. If you are injured at work, you are entitled to compensation under the Employees' Compensation Act, 1923 — regardless of fault. Factory workers can report violations to the Factory Inspector. In case of death or serious injury, the employer must notify the Inspector within specified timeframes.

Women can seek protection orders, residence orders, and compensation from abusive partners.

The Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, 2005 covers all forms of domestic violence — physical, emotional, verbal, sexual, and economic. The woman does not need to be legally married; live-in partners and family members are covered. You can approach a Protection Officer (available in every district) or file an application in Magistrate's Court. Available reliefs include Protection Orders (restraining the abuser), Residence Orders (the abuser cannot evict you from the home), Custody Orders, and Compensation. Emergency protection can be obtained the same day.

Every workplace with 10+ employees must have an Internal Complaints Committee for sexual harassment.

The Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013 mandates every workplace with 10 or more employees to constitute an Internal Complaints Committee (ICC) headed by a senior woman employee. The complaint must be filed within 3 months of the incident (extendable by 3 months). If the workplace does not have an ICC or has fewer than 10 employees, the complaint goes to the Local Complaints Committee (LCC) at the district level. The employer who fails to constitute an ICC is liable to a fine of up to ₹50,000.

Giving or taking dowry is a criminal offence punishable with up to 5 years imprisonment.

Under the Dowry Prohibition Act, 1961, demanding, giving or taking dowry is a criminal offence. The punishment is imprisonment of at least 5 years and a fine of at least ₹15,000 or the value of the dowry. Section 498A of the IPC makes cruelty by husband or his relatives for dowry a cognisable, non-bailable offence punishable with up to 3 years imprisonment. Section 304B makes dowry death punishable with a minimum of 7 years imprisonment.

Women employees are entitled to 26 weeks of paid maternity leave.

The Maternity Benefit (Amendment) Act, 2017 entitles every woman employee — who has worked for at least 80 days in 12 months — to 26 weeks of fully paid maternity leave for the first two children (12 weeks for subsequent children). Adopting mothers and commissioning mothers are entitled to 12 weeks. Establishments with 50 or more employees must also provide a creche facility. Employers cannot discharge or dismiss a woman during or because of maternity. Violation is punishable with up to 1 year imprisonment.

Free and compulsory education for all children aged 6–14. Schools cannot expel or discriminate.

The Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act, 2009 guarantees free and compulsory elementary education to all children between 6 and 14 years of age as a fundamental right under Article 21A. Private schools must admit 25% of their seats to children from disadvantaged and weaker sections under the EWS/DG quota, with fees reimbursed by the government. Schools cannot hold back, expel, or require a passing certificate for elementary education. Any child denied admission to a private school under the EWS quota can complain to the local education authority or State Commissioner for RTE.

Any sexual offence against a child must be reported to police. Mandatory for institutional workers.

The Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012 protects children under 18 from sexual assault, harassment, and pornography. Any person who has knowledge of a sexual offence against a child is mandated by law to report it to the police or Special Juvenile Police Unit. Failure to report is itself a punishable offence. The Act prescribes stringent punishment — from 3 years to life imprisonment depending on the offence — and ensures a child-friendly court process including in-camera trials, video conferencing, and protection of identity.

Children in conflict with law have rights to special care, legal representation, and rehabilitation.

The Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015 ensures that children in conflict with the law are treated with care and not as criminals. Every district must have a Juvenile Justice Board (JJB) — comprising a magistrate and two social workers — that handles cases involving children. Children between 16–18 accused of heinous offences may be tried as adults by the Children's Court, but only after a JJB assessment. Children in need of care and protection are placed in Child Care Institutions (CCIs) and have the right to legal representation.

Children under 14 cannot be employed in any occupation. Under 18 in hazardous work is banned.

The Child and Adolescent Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Act, 1986 as amended in 2016 prohibits employment of children below 14 years in any occupation or process, with exceptions for family businesses and entertainment (with conditions). Adolescents between 14–18 cannot be employed in hazardous processes or occupations. Employers violating these provisions face imprisonment of 6 months to 2 years or fine of ₹20,000–₹50,000. Rescued child labourers are entitled to rehabilitation through the National Child Labour Project.

Protection against goods and services hazardous to life and property.

The right to safety protects consumers from goods, products, and services that are hazardous to their life or property. If a product causes injury, illness, or damage due to a defect, the manufacturer and seller are liable for product liability under Chapter VI of the Consumer Protection Act, 2019. You can file a claim without proving negligence — strict liability applies to defective products.

Right to be informed about quality, quantity, potency, purity, standard and price of goods.

Consumers have the right to be informed about the quality, quantity, potency, purity, standard and price of goods, products or services, to protect consumers against unfair trade practices. This means sellers must declare actual MRP, ingredients, expiry dates, and any defects. Hiding material information or making false claims is an 'unfair trade practice' punishable under the Act.

File consumer complaints in District Commission (up to ₹1 crore), State Commission, or National Commission.

Consumer disputes are heard by District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commissions (claims up to ₹1 crore), State Commissions (₹1 crore to ₹10 crore), and the National Commission (above ₹10 crore). The filing fee is minimal (₹200 for claims up to ₹5 lakhs). You do not need a lawyer to file a consumer complaint. Cases must be decided within 3 months (without laboratory testing) or 5 months (with). E-filing is also available at e-daakhil.gov.in.

E-commerce platforms are liable for defective products and unfair trade practices.

The Consumer Protection (E-Commerce) Rules, 2020 impose specific obligations on online platforms: they cannot manipulate search results to favour certain sellers, must disclose all terms and conditions clearly, must provide a grievance redressal mechanism, and must not impose unfair cancellation charges. Marketplace platforms are liable as sellers if they fail to disclose seller details or if the product is counterfeit. You can report e-commerce complaints to the Consumer Helpline at 1915 or the National Consumer Helpline portal.