Which Article of the Constitution of India safeguards one's right to marry the person of one's choice?
- (a) Article 19
- (b) Article 21 ✓ UPSC's answer
- (c) Article 25
- (d) Article 29
Why the answer is (b)
• The Supreme Court has held that the right to choose one's life partner is intrinsic to the right to life and personal liberty under Article 21 — in Shafin Jahan v. Asokan (Hadiya case, 2018) and Shakti Vahini v. Union of India (2018, on khap panchayats and honour killings) — option (b).
• Article 19 (a) covers speech, assembly and movement; Article 25 (c) freedom of religion; Article 29 (d) minority cultural rights.
• Hence option (b).
Why the other options are wrong
- (a) Article 19
- Article 19 covers expression and movement, not marriage choice.
- (c) Article 25
- Article 25 is freedom of religion.
- (d) Article 29
- Article 29 protects minority culture.
Asked in the GS Paper I of the UPSC Civil Services Preliminary Examination 2019, held on 2 June 2019. Question and answer key: Union Public Service Commission. Explanation: UPSC Answer Check.