UPSC Prelims Powerlist: Constitution Articles You Must Master in 2025

The UPSC Prelims has increasingly leaned towards testing conceptual clarity and contemporary relevance of constitutional provisions. A case in point is the UPSC 2024 Prelims question on Article 109 (Money Bills), highlighting how even lesser-discussed but procedurally critical articles are being directly tested.

To prepare smartly for UPSC 2025, aspirants must focus on a targeted list of constitutional articles that are both foundational and have been in the news recently. This blog provides a comprehensive yet strategic list of articles that should be revised thoroughly for the upcoming Prelims.

Why Are Articles Like Article 109 Important?

In Prelims 2024, UPSC asked about Article 109, which deals with the special procedure related to Money Bills in Parliament. This underlines that even articles related to procedural aspects of Parliament are fair game. The takeaway: Aspirants must know not just the most famous articles (like Article 14 or 21), but also less popular yet functionally important ones.

Key Articles in News & Likely for UPSC Prelims 2025

1. Article 109 – Special Procedure for Money Bills

Was directly asked in 2024. Must be revised along with Article 110 (Definition of Money Bills).

2. Article 82 – Delimitation of Constituencies

In the news due to debates on fresh delimitation after the next census.

3. Article 324 – Powers of the Election Commission

Critical amidst ongoing discussions about electoral reforms and One Nation, One Election proposal.

4. Article 370 – Special Status of Jammu and Kashmir

Still relevant due to legal and political implications of its abrogation and pending SC reviews.

5. Article 21A – Right to Education

Relevant due to debates on refugee children's access to education (e.g., Rohingya children in India).

6. Article 356 – President’s Rule in States

In the news over political instability in several states.

7. Article 343 – Official Language

Due to debates around Hindi promotion and linguistic federalism.

8. Article 142 – Supreme Court's Power to Do Complete Justice

Foundational Articles Frequently Asked in UPSC

9. Article 14–18 – Right to Equality

Includes Equality before Law, Abolition of Titles, etc.

10. Article 19–22 – Right to Freedom

Especially Article 19 (freedom of speech, movement) and Article 21 (Right to Life and Liberty).

11. Article 32 – Right to Constitutional Remedies

Called the "heart and soul" of the Constitution by Dr. Ambedkar.

12. Article 368 – Amendment of the Constitution

Crucial in understanding flexibility vs rigidity of Indian Constitution.

13. Article 50 – Separation of Judiciary from Executive

Often used to question judicial independence.

Local Governance & Financial Articles to Watch

14. Article 243G – Powers and Authority of Panchayats

Important in the context of MGNREGA, Jal Jeevan Mission, etc.

15. Article 280 – Finance Commission

Recommended fiscal devolution, role in Centre–State financial relations.

16. Article 110 – Definition of Money Bills

Goes hand-in-hand with Article 109, especially relevant after Aadhaar case debates.

Constitutional & Statutory Bodies

17. Article 148 – Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG)

Regularly appears in questions related to accountability and audit.

18. Article 338 & 338B – NC for SCs and NCBC

Recent questions in Prelims 2023–24 on NCBC’s constitutional status (via 102nd Amendment).

19. Article 131 – Original Jurisdiction of the SC

Disputes between Centre and States often invoke this.

20. Article 239AA – Special Provisions for Delhi

Frequently in news due to Centre–Delhi administrative disputes.

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How to Remember Constitutional Articles?

Here are four practical techniques:

1. Use Mnemonics – Example: "14–18 = Equality", "19–22 = Freedom", etc.
2. Link with Current Affairs – Associate news events with related articles.
3. Create Thematic Clusters – E.g., Emergency provisions (352–360), Local Bodies (243–243O), FRs (12–35).
4. Use Mindmaps or Infographics – Create visuals for quick last-minute revisions.

Articles of the Constitution are not just static provisions—they are living parts of ongoing governance, legal challenges, and public debates. UPSC rewards those who connect static polity with dynamic current affairs, and constitutional articles are the perfect bridge.

Prepare this list well, use PYQs and contemporary issues to build context, and your performance in the Polity section of Prelims will be both accurate and confident.