Article 18 is the final article under the Right to Equality (Articles 14–18) in Part III of the Indian Constitution. It deals with the abolition of ti

Article 18 of the Indian Constitution

Every modern democracy in the world is built on the idea of equality — that no citizen is above another, no matter how rich, powerful, or privileged they are. India, after centuries of monarchy, colonial rule, and social hierarchies, adopted this idea with great passion when it became a republic in 1950.

Our Constitution-makers wanted to ensure that India would be a land of equal citizens, not kings, queens, or nobles. Everyone — from the Prime Minister to a farmer — would be equal before the law and in the eyes of the nation.

That’s why the Right to Equality (Articles 14 to 18) was included in the Constitution. Among these, Article 18 plays a very interesting and symbolic role — it abolishes all titles in India.

At first glance, it might seem like a simple rule about names and honors, but it actually represents something much deeper: the complete rejection of social superiority.

Let’s understand this article in full detail — its meaning, history, importance, and how it shapes modern India.

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What Is Article 18 of the Indian Constitution?

Article 18 is the final article under the Right to Equality (Articles 14–18) in Part III of the Indian Constitution. It deals with the abolition of titles — both hereditary (like “Raja” or “Maharaja”) and honorific (like “Sir” or “Lord”).

Here’s the exact text of Article 18:

1. No title, not being a military or academic distinction, shall be conferred by the State.

2. No citizen of India shall accept any title from any foreign State.

3. No person who is not a citizen of India shall, while he holds any office of profit or trust under the State, accept without the consent of the President any title from any foreign State.

4. No person holding any office of profit or trust under the State shall, without the consent of the President, accept any present, emolument, or office of any kind from or under any foreign State.

In simple words, Article 18 completely bans titles that create social inequality or suggest superiority, like “Sir,” “Raja,” or “Nawab.”

It ensures that in independent India, no one is treated as greater than others because of a title — all are equal citizens of a democratic republic.

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Historical Background — Why Was Article 18 Needed?

To understand why Article 18 was necessary, we have to look at India’s history.

During British rule, the colonial government freely awarded titles, ranks, and honors to Indians who were loyal to them. Titles like “Rai Bahadur,” “Khan Bahadur,” “Sir,” “Nawab,” “Raja,” and “Maharaja” were used to create a class of elites who supported British interests.

For example, the British would often give a local zamindar the title “Raja” or “Sir” as a mark of favor, even though it had nothing to do with public service or merit. These titles divided Indians into classes — the “titled” and the “untitled” — and strengthened the idea of inequality.

The freedom movement, led by leaders like Mahatma Gandhi and Jawaharlal Nehru, strongly opposed these artificial hierarchies. Gandhi even returned the titles he had received from the British after the Jallianwala Bagh massacre in 1919.

So when India gained independence, the Constituent Assembly made it very clear that in the new Republic, there would be no special privileges, no hereditary honors, and no artificial hierarchies.

That’s why Article 18 was included — to erase every trace of the feudal and colonial mindset that believed in social ranking.

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The Main Objective of Article 18

The purpose of Article 18 is simple but powerful — to promote equality and dignity by abolishing the practice of giving or keeping titles that imply superiority over others.

It aims to:

• End the feudal system of titles and honors inherited from British India.

• Ensure that no citizen is treated as superior because of a title.

• Preserve the democratic and republican spirit of equality.

• Prevent the misuse of foreign honors or titles that could influence national loyalty.

In short, Article 18 ensures that India remains a society of equals, where respect is earned by merit and service — not by titles or privileges.

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The Scope of Article 18

Article 18 doesn’t just stop the government from giving titles. It goes further — it prohibits both the giving and accepting of such titles, especially from foreign sources.

Let’s break down its four clauses for a clearer understanding.

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Clause (1): No Title Shall Be Conferred by the State

This means that the Indian government itself cannot give titles like “Sir,” “Duke,” “Maharaja,” or “Rai Bahadur.”

However, there’s an exception — academic and military distinctions are allowed.

So, titles like “Doctor,” “Professor,” “Colonel,” or “General” are permitted because they represent professional qualifications, not social rank.

For example, Dr. A. P. J. Abdul Kalam’s “Dr.” is a title of education, not honor or privilege — hence, allowed.

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Clause (2): No Citizen Shall Accept Titles from Foreign States

This ensures that no Indian citizen can accept titles or honors from other countries that suggest superiority or create dual loyalty.

For instance, if a foreign country offers an Indian citizen the title “Sir” or “Dame,” that person cannot legally accept it.

This clause is important to preserve national integrity and loyalty — Indian citizens should not owe allegiance to any foreign power.

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Clause (3): For Non-Citizens in Indian Service

This clause applies to foreign nationals working in India — for example, foreign diplomats or experts.

If they hold any “office of profit or trust” under the Indian government, they cannot accept any foreign title without the President’s permission.

This prevents conflicts of interest and ensures loyalty to the Indian state while they hold such a position.

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Clause (4): No Foreign Gifts or Offices Without the President’s Consent

This clause prevents Indian officials or ministers from accepting foreign gifts, payments, or positions without approval from the President.

It ensures that foreign governments can’t influence Indian officers or policymakers through bribes, gifts, or honorary positions.

This clause has become even more relevant in modern times, with global diplomacy and international awards — it ensures ethical governance and complete loyalty to India.

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Relationship Between Article 18 and the Right to Equality

Article 18 falls under the Right to Equality (Articles 14–18) because it protects the principle that all Indians are equal — socially, politically, and legally.

• Article 14 ensures equality before the law.

• Article 15 prohibits discrimination.

• Article 16 guarantees equal opportunity in employment.

• Article 17 abolishes untouchability.

• Article 18 abolishes titles.

Together, these articles remove every possible form of social hierarchy — whether it’s based on caste, birth, religion, or titles.

In short, Article 17 broke social superiority, and Article 18 broke artificial political or class superiority.

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Titles Allowed Under Article 18

Although Article 18 bans all kinds of titles, it allows military and academic distinctions because they are earned by merit, not birth or favor.

Examples include:

• Military ranks: Major, Colonel, General, Commander.

• Educational titles: Doctor (Dr.), Professor, PhD, etc.

Such titles are not symbols of social class — they represent achievement, knowledge, or service to the nation.

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Titles Not Allowed

Titles that create a sense of superiority or hierarchy are strictly prohibited.

Examples:

• “Raja,” “Maharaja,” “Nawab,” “Sir,” “Duke,” “Baron,” or “Lord.”

• British-style titles like “Sir Rabindranath Tagore” (he returned his knighthood in protest after Jallianwala Bagh).

• Any foreign honorary title given by another country, like “Order of Merit,” “Order of the British Empire,” etc.

These titles go against the spirit of equality and cannot be accepted by Indian citizens.

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National Awards and Article 18 — The Bharat Ratna Debate

One major question that arose after independence was: Do national awards like Bharat Ratna and Padma Shri violate Article 18?

Some critics argued that these awards create a hierarchy of citizens — “award winners” and “non-award winners” — and are therefore against the spirit of Article 18(1).

However, the Supreme Court clarified this issue in the famous case:

Balaji Raghavan vs Union of India (1996)

The court held that:

• National awards like Bharat Ratna, Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan, and Padma Shri do not violate Article 18.

• These awards are not “titles” in the constitutional sense — they are recognitions of public service or excellence.

• They don’t carry any hereditary privileges or special powers.

However, the court also said that awardees cannot use these honors as prefixes or suffixes to their names.

So, for example, you can say “Shri Ratan Tata, Bharat Ratna Awardee,” but not “Bharat Ratna Ratan Tata.”

This ensures that awards remain symbols of national appreciation, not social rank.

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Difference Between “Titles” and “Awards”

Basis	Titles	Awards
Given for	Loyalty, favor, or lineage	Merit, excellence, or service
Hereditary?	Often hereditary	Not hereditary
Purpose	To create social hierarchy	To recognize national contribution
Allowed under Article 18?	❌ Not allowed	✅ Allowed (with restrictions)

So, titles divide — awards appreciate. That’s why the Constitution permits national honors but not royal or aristocratic titles.

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Importance of Article 18

Article 18 is not just a legal rule — it’s a philosophical statement about India’s identity as a republic.

Here’s why it’s so important:

1. Upholds Equality: It ensures that no citizen has special privileges or ranks above others.

2. Erases Colonial Legacy: It removes the British-era system of titles that created artificial social classes.

3. Promotes Merit and Hard Work: People are respected for what they do, not for what title they hold.

4. Protects National Integrity: It prevents foreign governments from influencing Indian citizens or officials.

5. Strengthens Democracy: It supports the idea that power comes from the people, not from rank or title.

In essence, Article 18 protects the democratic soul of India — equality, simplicity, and dignity for all.

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Real-Life Examples

Here are some real-world examples that show how Article 18 operates in practice:

• Rabindranath Tagore, who was given the title “Sir” by the British in 1915, returned his knighthood after the Jallianwala Bagh tragedy. His action symbolized India’s rejection of such titles even before Article 18 existed.

• Mahatma Gandhi refused all titles and honors, calling himself only a servant of the people.

• National awards like Bharat Ratna are given for service but cannot be used as titles before names.

• Government officers cannot accept foreign awards or gifts without permission from the President, under Clause (4).

These examples show that Article 18 is not just about words — it’s a living value in Indian public life.

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Article 18 and the Idea of a Republic

India became a Republic on 26 January 1950 — meaning the head of state (the President) is elected, not hereditary.

Article 18 strengthens this idea by ensuring that no citizen holds a rank above others by birth or privilege.

In monarchies, titles like “Duke,” “Lord,” or “Prince” show inherited status. In a republic, respect must come only from merit and service.

So, Article 18 is one of the key provisions that make India not just a democracy, but a true republic.

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Comparison with Other Countries

Many countries still have systems of titles and honors. For example:

• The United Kingdom continues to award knighthoods like “Sir” or “Dame.”

• Japan and France have orders of merit.

• The U.S., like India, avoids titles but gives awards such as the “Presidential Medal of Freedom.”

India’s approach is unique because it completely bans titles, showing its strong commitment to equality.

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Criticism of Article 18

Some critics argue that while Article 18 has noble intentions, it’s not always clear in practice.

1. Ambiguity around awards: Some people still misuse national awards as social titles, despite the Supreme Court’s ruling.

2. Foreign awards: Sometimes, individuals receive international honors (like the Nobel Prize) — which are allowed, but confusion arises about their use.

3. Social inequality persists: Though Article 18 abolished legal titles, social hierarchies (like caste and class) still exist in practice.

Despite these criticisms, Article 18 remains one of the strongest symbolic commitments to equality in the Constitution.

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Difference Between Article 17 and Article 18

Point	Article 17	Article 18
Focus	Abolition of untouchability	Abolition of titles
Purpose	To end caste-based discrimination	To end social or political superiority
Nature	Addresses social equality	Addresses political/legal equality
Punishment	Violation is a criminal offence	Violation results in invalidity of the title
Spirit	Human dignity	Democratic equality

Both Articles work together to ensure social and moral equality — two pillars of India’s justice system.

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Modern-Day Relevance of Article 18

Even today, Article 18 remains relevant in subtle ways.

While we no longer have kings and nobles, elitism and status obsession still exist in society. Some people try to use their wealth, position, or awards to demand special treatment.

Article 18 reminds us that in India, titles don’t define worth — actions do.

In an era of social media and celebrity culture, this article’s message — that everyone deserves equal respect — is more important than ever.

It also acts as a constitutional safeguard against corruption and foreign influence, ensuring that government officials remain loyal only to the nation.

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Conclusion

Article 18 of the Indian Constitution may look simple on paper, but it carries deep symbolic and democratic meaning. By abolishing titles, it ended centuries of artificial hierarchies and privilege that divided society.

It declares that in India, no one is “Sir,” “Lord,” or “Maharaja” — everyone is a citizen, equal in dignity and rights. It reminds us that honor must come from service and merit, not from rank or favor.

Together with Articles 14 to 17, it forms the moral backbone of the Right to Equality — the promise that the Republic of India gives to every one of its people.

In short, Article 18 is India’s declaration that true greatness is earned, not inherited — and that in a democracy, every citizen stands tall with equal respect under one Constitution.