---
title: "Article 18: Abolition of Titles | Model Diplomat"
description: "Article 18 of India's Constitution abolishes titles, crucial for UPSC candidates as it restricts state and foreign honors while allowing academic distinctions."
url: "https://modeldiplomat.com/learn/glossary/article-18-abolition-of-titles"
---

[New](https://modeldiplomat.com/)

#

Model Diplomat Research Team · Last reviewed June 22, 2026

TL;DR

- Article 18 of the Indian Constitution abolishes titles, barring the State from conferring any title except military and academic distinctions and restricting citizens from accepting foreign titles.
- Does Article 18 make the Bharat Ratna and Padma awards unconstitutional?
- Are military and academic distinctions exempt from Article 18?
- Can an Indian civil servant accept a foreign award or gift?
- How does Article 18 differ from Article 17?

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

Go beyond the definition

## Research Article 18 (Abolition of Titles) like a delegate

Model Diplomat's AI drafts position papers, speeches, and country research with real sources — built for MUN and politics students.

## Research it like a delegate

Research on modeldiplomat.com

## Ask a follow-up about Article 18 (Abolition of Titles)

Open a cited briefing in Model Diplomat search — timelines, positions, and sources you can use in committee or exam answers.

[Start research on Article 18 (Abolition of Titles)](https://modeldiplomat.com/search?q=Explain%20Article%2018%20\(Abolition%20of%20Titles\)%20%E2%80%94%20key%20dates%2C%20actors%2C%20positions%2C%20and%20sources)

Example

In Balaji Raghavan v. Union of India (1996), the Supreme Court of India held that the Bharat Ratna and Padma awards are not "titles" under Article 18, but barred recipients from using them as name suffixes or prefixes.

Keep learning

## Go deeper than the definition

[Explore all Civil Service & Diplomatic Exams lessons](https://modeldiplomat.com/learn/civil-services)[Test yourself with a quiz](https://modeldiplomat.com/learn/glossary/quiz/civil-services)

## Take Article 18 (Abolition of Titles) beyond the glossary

Ask the AI research engine built for diplomacy — get briefings, position papers, and speeches with sources you can cite in committee.