---
title: "Article 15: Prohibition of Discrimination | Model Diplomat"
description: "Article 15 prohibits discrimination by the State based on religion, race, caste, sex, or birthplace, making it essential for UPSC polity studies."
url: "https://modeldiplomat.com/learn/glossary/article-15-prohibition-of-discrimination"
---

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Model Diplomat Research Team · Last reviewed June 22, 2026

TL;DR

- Article 15 of the Constitution of India prohibits the State from discriminating against any citizen on grounds only of religion, race, caste, sex, or place of birth.
- What is the significance of the word "only" in Article 15(1)?
- How does Article 15 differ from Article 16?
- Can Article 15 be invoked against private parties?
- What did the 103rd Amendment add to Article 15?

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

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## Timeline

1. 26 January 1950

   The Article came into force with the Constitution on , and its text has since been amended four times — by the First (1951), Ninety-third (2005), One Hundred…

2. 7 November 2022

   Union of India\* on , with the Bench rejecting the argument that economic criteria alone breached the basic structure.

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Example

On 7 November 2022 the Supreme Court of India, in Janhit Abhiyan v. Union of India, upheld the ten per cent economically weaker sections reservation introduced under Article 15(6) by the 103rd Constitutional Amendment of 2019.

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