In the Constitution of India, what do Articles 17 and 18 together primarily seek to provide or promote?

Introduction / Context:
The Constitution of India contains several fundamental rights aimed at building an equal, just and democratic society. Articles 17 and 18 are located in the part of the Constitution dealing with the Right to Equality. This question checks whether the candidate can connect these article numbers with the wider objective that they serve, namely the promotion of social equality by removing deeply rooted social evils and discriminatory practices.

Given Data / Assumptions:

- Article 17 abolishes untouchability and forbids its practice in any form. - Article 18 abolishes titles, except for those of military or academic distinction. - The options list four types of equality: social, economic, political and religious. - We are asked what Articles 17 and 18 together provide.

Concept / Approach:
Article 17 targets untouchability, a social practice that discriminates against certain castes. Article 18 targets feudal or honorific titles that create artificial social hierarchies. Both provisions aim to remove barriers within society that grant special status or impose stigma on groups of people. Therefore, the combined spirit of these articles is to strengthen social equality among citizens rather than directly focusing on economic, political or religious equality.

Step-by-Step Solution:
1. Recall that Article 17 states that untouchability is abolished and its practice in any form is prohibited. 2. This provision directly addresses caste based discrimination, which is a social inequality. 3. Article 18 states that the state shall not confer any titles, except military or academic distinctions, and prohibits citizens from accepting titles from foreign states. 4. This removes social privilege and special status based on titles that separate citizens into superior and inferior groups. 5. When considered together, both provisions clearly aim at promoting social equality and eliminating socially created hierarchies.

Verification / Alternative check:
A quick verification method is to remember that Articles 14 to 18 form a group under the broad heading Right to Equality. Article 14 ensures equality before law, Articles 15 and 16 deal with non discrimination and equality of opportunity, while Articles 17 and 18 finish this cluster by removing untouchability and titles. Textbooks and standard Indian polity references describe Articles 17 and 18 as measures that further social equality by attacking caste discrimination and feudal remnants. This confirms that social equality is the best description of their combined purpose.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Economic Equality would require measures such as land reforms, progressive taxation or equal pay provisions; these are not the direct subject of Articles 17 and 18. Political Equality is ensured more through provisions like universal adult franchise and equal political rights, not by the abolition of untouchability and titles. Religious Equality relates to freedom of religion and prohibition of discrimination on religious grounds, which are addressed in other articles, not specifically in Articles 17 and 18. Therefore those three options do not capture the main focus of these articles.

Common Pitfalls:
Candidates sometimes confuse the broad idea of equality and may select economic or political equality simply because they sound important. Another pitfall is not remembering the exact article numbers and mixing them up with provisions related to religion or property. To avoid such mistakes, it is useful to group the equality related articles and attach short keywords in memory, such as Article 17 untouchability and Article 18 titles, both reinforcing social equality by removing discrimination and status symbols. This mental map helps in quickly eliminating incorrect choices in the exam hall.

Final Answer:
Articles 17 and 18 of the Constitution of India primarily work together to promote Social Equality among citizens.