Article 12 - Definition of State for Part III of the Indian Constitution [UPSC GS-II]

In the applications of the provisions of Fundamental Rights for Indian Citizens, the term ‘State’ has been used in a wide concept. To provide clarity to the term, Article 12 of the Indian Constitution defines it. This article will briefly mention the significance of Article 12 and the latest developments regarding the same, which will be important for the Indian Polity syllabus (GS-II) of the IAS Exam.

Part III of the Indian Constitution & Article 12

Aspirants should know what comes under Part III of the Constitution to clearly understand Article 12.

Part III of the Indian Constitution deals with Fundamental Rights. Since Fundamental Rights provide for the security of citizens’ sets of rights in relation with speech, expression, religion, against exploitation, education, language, culture, and constitutional remedies; the term ‘State’ has been used in a wider context to include all such agencies, actions of whose can challenged in the Supreme Court if they violate the any of these fundamental rights. And that definition is given in Article 12 of the Indian Constitution.

Aspirants can download Indian Polity Notes PDF (Free) for UPSC civil service exam preparation.

Definition of ‘State’ under Article 12

Article 12 defines ‘State’ as:

1. Legislative and Executive Organs of the Union Government:
   1. Indian Government
   2. Indian Parliament – Lok Sabha, Rajya Sabha
2. Legislative and Executive organs of the State Government:
   1. State Governments
   2. State Legislature – Legislative Assembly, Legislative Council of State
3. All local authorities
   1. Municipalities – Municipal Corporations, Nagar Palika, Nagar Panchayats
   2. Panchayats – Zila Panchayats, Mandal Panchayats, Gram Panchayats
   3. District Boards
   4. Improvement Trusts, etc.
4. Statutory and Non-Statutory Authorities
   1. Statutory Authorities Examples:
      1. National Human Rights Commission
      2. National Commission for Women
      3. National Law Commission
      4. National Green Tribunal
      5. National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission
      6. Armed Forces Tribunal
   2. Non Statutory Authorities Examples
      1. Central Bureau of Investigation
      2. Central Vigilance Commission
      3. Lokpal and Lokayuktas

Note:

• The definition in Article 12 is only for the purpose of application of the provisions contained in Part III.
• Even if a party is not mentioned as ‘State’ under Article 12, in cases, where such a party has a public duty to perform or where such a party’s acts are supported by the State or public officials; a writ under Article 226 may lie against it on non-constitutional grounds or grounds of contravention of some provision of the Constitution outside Part III.

Article 12 of the Indian Constitution & ‘Other Authorities’

The ‘Other Authorities’ mentioned under Article 12 means all such authorities that lie within the territory of India and are controlled by the government of India through its acts and amendments.

1. Ujjain Bai v. State of Uttar Pradesh (UP) – Supreme Court observed that Article 12 winds up the list of authorities falling within the definition by referring to “other authorities” within the territory of India which cannot be read as ‘of or as the same kind’ with either the Government or the Legislature or Local authorities
2. R.D Shetty v. Airport Authority of India – Five points were mentioned by Justice P.N. Bhagwati to understand if the ‘body’ in news is instrumental to be called as the ‘State’ under Article 12 or not:
   • The ‘Body’ can be called as ‘State’ if its entire shared capital is held by the Government of India
   • Such other authorities have a governmental functional character
   • The absolute control of such authorities lie with the government
   • Such authorities which have an element of command or authority
   • The authorities discharging public service

Quick Facts about Article 12

There are some recurring doubts that aspirants might have while preparing for UPSC 2024 and we are answering them in the table below:

Issues in News Related with Article 12 of the Indian Constitution

1. The debate whether BCCI should be included under the ambit of Article 12 of the Indian Constitution and shall be termed as the ‘State.’
   • In its 275th report, the Law Commission of India (Advisory Body to the Ministry of Law and Justice) has asked the Government to treat BCCI as an agency of the state under Article 12.
2. In a recent petition to the Supreme Court demanding an introduction of a uniform financial assistance policy for the lawyers in the emergencies, names of agencies like the Bar Council of India and the State Bar Councils came to surface. Aspirants should know that these agencies are the creation of the statute and fall under the categories of “other authorities” within the meaning of Article 12 of the Indian Constitution.
3. Sanjaya Bahel v. Union of India & Others case – The case dealt with the issue of the immunity enjoyed by United Nations Organizations (UNO) under the United Nations (Privileges and Immunities) Act, 1947. Delhi High Court, in May 2019, declared that UNO is not a ‘State’ defined under Article 12 of the Indian Constitution.

Article 12 of the Indian Constitution – UPSC Notes Download PDF Here

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