RAS question
How many freedoms are guaranteed under Article 19(1) of the Indian Constitution?
Correct answer: (C) Six.
Article 19(1) of the Indian Constitution currently guarantees six freedoms to citizens.
Explanation
Article 19(1) now contains six operative freedoms: speech and expression, peaceful assembly without arms, forming associations or unions, free movement throughout India, residence and settlement in any part of India, and practising any profession or carrying on any occupation, trade or business. The official text shows sub-clauses (a), (b), (c), (d), (e) and (g) in force, while sub-clause (f) is marked as omitted. That matters because Article 19(1) originally had seven freedoms, including the right to acquire, hold and dispose of property under Article 19(1)(f). After the Forty-fourth Amendment removed that sub-clause, the examinable count under Article 19(1) became six, not seven.
Why the other options are wrong
- (A) Five is too low because the current Article 19(1) text still has six operative freedoms across sub-clauses (a), (b), (c), (d), (e) and (g).
- (B) Seven reflects the original position before Article 19(1)(f), the property-related freedom, was omitted by the Forty-fourth Amendment.
- (D) Eight is not supported by either the original count of seven or the current text, which lists only six operative freedoms.
Concept
This tests Fundamental Rights, especially the structure of Article 19 and the effect of constitutional amendments on examinable counts. RAS repeatedly asks such provisions because a single omitted sub-clause changes the answer.