• Fundamental Rights are the fundamental human rights of all citizens. These rights, as defined in Part III of the Constitution, are guaranteed to all people without distinction. 
• They are enforceable in court, subject to certain limitations. 
• These FRs are sanctioned to promote the ideal of political democracy. 
• In 1215, England’s Magna Carta established the concept of fundamental rights. 
• Fundamental Rights in the Indian constitution are modeled after the ‘Bill of Rights’ (Fundamental Rights) included in the United States Constitution. 
• This section of the constitution is also known as the Indian Magna Carta. 
• The FRs serve as checks on executive tyranny and arbitrary legislative legislation. 
• Originally, the constitution called for seven FRs. The 44th Amendment Act of 1978, however, repealed the property right. 

The Constitution of India provides for six Fundamental Rights

• Right to equality (Articles 14–18) 
• Right to freedom (Articles 19–22) 
• Right against exploitation (Articles 23–24) 
• Right to freedom of religion (Articles 25–28) 
• Cultural and educational rights (Articles 29–30) 
• Right to constitutional remedies (Article 32) 
• The property right was originally included in the Constitution (Article 31). The 44th Amendment Act of 1978, however, removed it from the list of Fundamental Rights. 
• Article 300-A of Part XII of the Constitution makes it a legal right. 

Fundamental Rights Characteristics 

• Articles 15, 16, 19, 29, and 30 are only available to citizens. 
• Fundamental rights are qualified rather than absolute. FRs can be subject to reasonable restrictions. The Supreme Court decides whether such restrictions are reasonable. 
• These rights strike a balance between individual rights and societal rights, between individual liberty and social control. 
• Most rights are available against state actions, but some are also available against private individual actions. 
• Some FRs have a negative personality, while others have a positive personality. Negative FRs impose restrictions on the government, whereas positive FRs obligate the government to take action. 
• FRs are inherently justifiable. 
• The constitution protects and guarantees FRs. As a result, an aggrieved party can approach the SC directly rather than through an appeal. 
• The provisions of the FRs can be amended by Parliament through a constitutional amendment act as long as they do not violate the basic structure of the Indian constitution. 
• Except for the rights guaranteed by Articles 20 and 21, FRs can be suspended during the operation of a National Emergency. Furthermore, FRs under Article 19 can only be suspended during a state of emergency declared due to war or external aggression. 
• Articles 31A, 31B, and 31C limit the scope of FRs. 
• In the case of armed forces, paramilitary forces, police forces, intelligence agencies, and analogous services, Parliament has the authority to limit or prohibit the application of FR. 
• While martial law is in effect, FR may be restricted. 
• Only Parliament has the authority to enact legislation to enforce the FR.