Which constitutional amendment inserted Article 21-A to make free and…

Concept

A constitutional amendment must be identified from the exact article or provision that it inserted or altered. Article 21-A lies in Part III of the Constitution, so it creates a Fundamental Right rather than only a policy direction.

Article 21-A requires the State to provide free and compulsory education to children from six to fourteen years of age, in the manner determined by law.

Application

The Constitution (Eighty-sixth Amendment) Act, 2002 inserted Article 21-A. The same amendment also substituted Article 45 and added clause (k) to Article 51-A, linking the right with early-childhood care and the duty of a parent or guardian.

Contrast

• The Ninety-third Amendment added clause (5) to Article 15 concerning special provisions for admission to educational institutions.

• The Forty-second Amendment made wide constitutional changes, including changes to the Preamble and the addition of Fundamental Duties.

• The Seventy-fourth Amendment gave constitutional status and a structured framework to urban local bodies and municipalities.

Cross-check

The short title of the amending law and the text of section 2 directly connect the Eighty-sixth Amendment with the insertion of Article 21-A.

Therefore, the required amendment is the Eighty-sixth Amendment.