The correct option is (a).
Explanation
The Constitution of India guarantees the "Right against Exploitation" under Articles 23 and 24 of Part III. These provisions aim to safeguard vulnerable sections of society against exploitation by private individuals or the State.
Statement-wise Analysis:
- Statement 1 is Correct: The Right against Exploitation is one of the six fundamental rights explicitly guaranteed by the Constitution of India. It encompasses Article 23 (Prohibition of traffic in human beings and forced labour) and Article 24 (Prohibition of employment of children in factories, etc.).
- Statement 2 is Incorrect: Article 24 specifically prohibits the employment of children below the age of fourteen years in any factory, mine, or other hazardous employment. It does not set the constitutional limit at eighteen years. While subsequent statutory laws (such as the Child Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Amendment Act, 2016) regulate the employment of adolescents (14–18 years) in hazardous processes, the constitutional prohibition under Article 24 applies strictly to children under fourteen.
- Statement 3 is Incorrect: Article 23 prohibits forced labour and traffic in human beings. However, Article 23(2) creates an exception, stating that the State is not prohibited from imposing compulsory service for public purposes (e.g., military conscription or social service). The only condition is that the State must not discriminate on grounds only of religion, race, caste, or class while imposing such service.
Key Takeaway:
The Constitutional Right against Exploitation sets the age bar for prohibiting child labour in hazardous industries at 14 years, not 18. Additionally, the State retains the authority to mandate compulsory service for public purposes under Article 23(2).