Difficulty: Easy
Correct Answer: Right to equal wages for equal work
Explanation:
Introduction / Context:
This question checks your ability to distinguish between Fundamental Rights in Part III of the Constitution and other important provisions such as Directive Principles of State Policy in Part IV. Many rights sounding phrases appear in different parts of the Constitution, but only some of them are enforceable as Fundamental Rights through the courts. Understanding which rights are justiciable and which are non justiciable policy directions is essential for mastering Indian polity.
Given Data / Assumptions:
Concept / Approach:
Fundamental Rights in Part III include the Right to Equality, Right to Freedom, Right against Exploitation, Right to Freedom of Religion, Cultural and Educational Rights and the Right to Constitutional Remedies. Within these, equality before law and freedom of speech are clearly specified. The Right to Constitutional Remedies allows citizens to move the courts for enforcement of these rights. On the other hand, the principle of equal pay for equal work appears as a Directive Principle of State Policy in Article 39, which is not directly enforceable as a Fundamental Right, although courts may use it for interpretation.
Step-by-Step Solution:
1. Identify which of the listed rights clearly belong to Part III of the Constitution.
2. Right to freedom of speech is part of Article 19 under the Right to Freedom.
3. Right to equality before law is part of Article 14 under the Right to Equality.
4. Right to Constitutional remedies is covered by Article 32 and is itself a Fundamental Right.
5. Right against exploitation covers Articles 23 and 24, forming another Fundamental Right.
6. Equal wages or equal pay for equal work is mentioned in Directive Principles, not in Part III, so it is not a Fundamental Right.
Verification / Alternative check:
If you refer to a standard listing of Fundamental Rights, you will not find equal wages for equal work as a separate right. Instead, this concept is mentioned in Article 39 under the Directive Principles which guide state policy in areas like livelihood and social justice. While the Supreme Court has sometimes read aspects of equality into labour rights, the phrase equal pay for equal work still belongs mainly to the Directive Principles. This confirms that it is not itself a Fundamental Right, unlike the other options listed.
Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Common Pitfalls:
Because the phrase equal wages for equal work sounds very much like an individual right, students sometimes assume it must be a Fundamental Right. The key is to remember the division of the Constitution: Part III contains enforceable rights, while Part IV contains non justiciable policy guidelines such as Article 39 on equal pay. Developing a habit of mapping each important phrase to its correct Article and Part of the Constitution will help avoid such confusions.
Final Answer:
The expression that is not a Fundamental Right in the Indian Constitution is the right to equal wages for equal work, which is part of the Directive Principles of State Policy rather than Part III.
Discussion & Comments