policy
4 Articles

Legal Safeguards

Art. 31A

Saving of laws providing for acquisition of estates, etc

Certain laws about land reform and property redistribution cannot be challenged in court for violating Articles 14 or 19. This was added to protect laws that help redistribute wealth and break up large estates - even if they limit some individual rights.

Art. 31B

Validation of certain Acts and Regulations

Laws listed in the Ninth Schedule of the Constitution are protected from being struck down for violating fundamental rights. This was a way to shield important social reform laws from legal challenges. However, the Supreme Court later ruled that even Ninth Schedule laws can be reviewed if they violate the "basic structure" of the Constitution.

Art. 31C

Saving of laws giving effect to certain directive principles

Laws made to implement Directive Principles in Articles 39(b) and 39(c) - about distributing resources fairly and preventing concentration of wealth - cannot be challenged for violating Articles 14 or 19.

Art. 31D

Saving of laws in respect of anti-national activities

This article about anti-national activities was inserted by the 42nd Amendment but was later repealed by the 43rd Amendment. It no longer exists in the Constitution.

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