---
title: "Article 14 and the Rule of Law: Meaning | Model Diplomat"
description: "Article 14 ensures equality before the law in India, vital for upholding the rule of law and protecting individual rights in legal contexts."
url: "https://modeldiplomat.com/learn/glossary/article-14-rule-of-law"
---

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Model Diplomat Research Team · Last reviewed June 22, 2026

TL;DR

- Article 14 of the Constitution of India guarantees equality before the law and equal protection of the laws to every person within India's territory.
- What is the difference between 'equality before the law' and 'equal protection of the laws' in Article 14?
- What are the two tests courts use to determine whether a law violates Article 14?
- How does Article 14 differ from Articles 15 and 16?
- Is Article 14 part of the basic structure of the Constitution?

[Civil Service & Diplomatic Exams](https://modeldiplomat.com/learn/civil-services/glossary)Updated June 22, 2026

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Example

In Joseph Shine v. Union of India (2018), the Supreme Court of India struck down Section 497 IPC criminalising adultery, holding it violated Article 14 by treating a wife as her husband's property.

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