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Question

Which among the following fundamental rights is/are available to non-citizens?

1. Freedom of speech

2. Protection against self-incrimination

3. Freedom of conscience

4. Non-discrimination in matters of employment

Select the correct answer using the code given below :

This question was previously asked in
CDS II 2021 General Knowledge Previous Year Paper (14-Nov-2021)
The correct answer is

2 and 3 only

Understanding Fundamental Rights for Citizens and Non-Citizens

Fundamental Rights are a cornerstone of the Indian Constitution, protecting the basic liberties of individuals. However, not all fundamental rights are available to everyone. Some rights are specifically granted only to citizens of India, while others are available to all persons, including non-citizens.

Let's examine the fundamental rights listed in the question and determine their availability to non-citizens:

  • 1. Freedom of speech: This right is guaranteed under Article 19 of the Constitution. Article 19 provides several freedoms, including freedom of speech and expression, assembly, association, movement, residence, and profession. These freedoms are available only to citizens of India.
  • 2. Protection against self-incrimination: This right is part of Article 20, which deals with protection in respect of conviction for offences. Specifically, Article 20(3) states that "No person accused of any offence shall be compelled to be a witness against himself." The term "person" here includes both citizens and non-citizens. Therefore, this right is available to both citizens and non-citizens.
  • 3. Freedom of conscience: This right falls under Article 25, which guarantees freedom of conscience and the right freely to profess, practise, and propagate religion. Article 25 is available to all persons, including non-citizens. This means individuals, regardless of their citizenship, have the right to freedom of conscience and religion. Therefore, this right is available to both citizens and non-citizens.
  • 4. Non-discrimination in matters of employment: This right is covered by Article 16, which guarantees equality of opportunity in matters of public employment. Article 16 is a right available only to citizens of India. It prohibits discrimination on grounds of religion, race, caste, sex, descent, place of birth, residence, or any of them in matters of public employment.

Based on this analysis, the fundamental rights from the given list that are available to non-citizens are:

  • Protection against self-incrimination (Article 20(3))
  • Freedom of conscience (Article 25)

The rights available only to citizens from the list are:

  • Freedom of speech (Article 19)
  • Non-discrimination in matters of employment (Article 16)

Therefore, the fundamental rights listed in the question that are available to non-citizens are 2 and 3.

Availability of Listed Fundamental Rights
Fundamental Right Article Available to Citizens Only Available to Citizens & Non-Citizens
Freedom of speech Article 19 Yes No
Protection against self-incrimination Article 20(3) No Yes
Freedom of conscience Article 25 No Yes
Non-discrimination in matters of employment Article 16 Yes No

Revision Table: Fundamental Rights Availability

Understanding which rights apply to whom is crucial for exam preparation. Here's a quick summary of some key fundamental rights and their availability:

Fundamental Rights for Citizens vs. All Persons
Available to Citizens Only Available to All Persons (Citizens & Non-Citizens)
Article 15: Prohibition of discrimination on grounds of religion, race, caste, sex or place of birth Article 14: Equality before law and equal protection of laws
Article 16: Equality of opportunity in matters of public employment Article 20: Protection in respect of conviction for offences
Article 19: Protection of certain rights regarding freedom of speech, etc. Article 21: Protection of life and personal liberty
Article 29: Protection of interests of minorities Article 21A: Right to elementary education
Article 30: Right of minorities to establish and administer educational institutions Article 22: Protection against arrest and detention in certain cases
Article 23: Prohibition of traffic in human beings and forced labour
Article 24: Prohibition of employment of children in factories, etc.
Article 25: Freedom of conscience and free profession, practice and propagation of religion
Article 26: Freedom to manage religious affairs
Article 27: Freedom as to payment of taxes for promotion of any particular religion
Article 28: Freedom as to attendance at religious instruction or religious worship in certain educational institutions

Additional Information on Fundamental Rights

It is important to distinguish between citizens and non-citizens when studying Fundamental Rights under the Indian Constitution. Non-citizens, often referred to as aliens, are categorized into friendly aliens and enemy aliens. Enemy aliens have fewer rights compared to friendly aliens. For instance, protection against arrest and detention (Article 22) is not available to enemy aliens.

The rights available to all persons are generally those related to the protection of life, personal liberty, dignity, and freedom of religion, which are considered universal human rights. Rights exclusive to citizens are often those linked to political participation, non-discrimination based on birth, and specific freedoms related to residency and employment within the country.

Understanding the specific articles and their applicability is key to correctly answering questions about Fundamental Rights in India.

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