Which of the following rights have been interpreted by the courts as part of the Fundamental Right to Life (Article 21)? 1. Right to Health 2. Right to Livelihood 3. Right to Shelter 4. Right to Education

The correct option is (d) 1, 2, 3 and 4. Explanation Article 21 of the Constitution of India guarantees the Right to Life and Personal Liberty. The Supreme Court, through a liberal interpretation, has expanded the scope of "life" beyond mere animal existence to include the right to live with human dignity. Consequently, various socio-economic rights have been recognized as implied fundamental rights under Article 21. Statement-wise Analysis - Statement 1 is Correct: The Supreme Court, in cases such as State of Punjab v. Mohinder Singh Chawla (1997) and Parmanand Katara v. Union of India (1989), held that the Right to Health and timely medical assistance is an integral part of the Right to Life. - Statement 2 is Correct: In the landmark judgment of Olga Tellis v. Bombay Municipal Corporation (1985), the Court ruled that the Right to Livelihood is a part of the Right to Life because no person can live without the means of living, i.e., the means of livelihood. - Statement 3 is Correct: In Chameli Singh v. State of U.P. (1996), the Supreme Court declared that the Right to Shelter is a fundamental right under Article 21, as shelter is essential for a dignified life and mental, physical, and intellectual growth. - Statement 4 is Correct: Before the insertion of Article 21A via the 86th Constitutional Amendment Act (2002), the Supreme Court in Unni Krishnan v. State of Andhra Pradesh (1993) and Mohini Jain v. State of Karnataka (1992) interpreted the Right to Education as flowing directly from the Right to Life. Key Takeaway: Article 21 is an "umbrella right" that encompasses all aspects of life which go to make a man's life meaningful, complete, and worth living, including health, livelihood, shelter, privacy, and a clean environment.

NCERT Class 8 Political Science — Chapter 6: Law and Social Justice

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Which of the following rights have been interpreted by the courts as part of the Fundamental Right to Life (Article 21)?

Right to Health
Right to Livelihood
Right to Shelter
Right to Education

Official previous-year question

Verified 1 Aug 2026.

Options

A1 and 2 only
B2 and 3 only
C3 and 4 only
D1, 2, 3 and 4

Did you get this right?

Solution

The correct option is (d) 1, 2, 3 and 4.

Explanation

Article 21 of the Constitution of India guarantees the Right to Life and Personal Liberty. The Supreme Court, through a liberal interpretation, has expanded the scope of "life" beyond mere animal existence to include the right to live with human dignity. Consequently, various socio-economic rights have been recognized as implied fundamental rights under Article 21.

Statement-wise Analysis

Statement 1 is Correct: The Supreme Court, in cases such as State of Punjab v. Mohinder Singh Chawla (1997) and Parmanand Katara v. Union of India (1989), held that the Right to Health and timely medical assistance is an integral part of the Right to Life.
Statement 2 is Correct: In the landmark judgment of Olga Tellis v. Bombay Municipal Corporation (1985), the Court ruled that the Right to Livelihood is a part of the Right to Life because no person can live without the means of living, i.e., the means of livelihood.
Statement 3 is Correct: In Chameli Singh v. State of U.P. (1996), the Supreme Court declared that the Right to Shelter is a fundamental right under Article 21, as shelter is essential for a dignified life and mental, physical, and intellectual growth.
Statement 4 is Correct: Before the insertion of Article 21A via the 86th Constitutional Amendment Act (2002), the Supreme Court in Unni Krishnan v. State of Andhra Pradesh (1993) and Mohini Jain v. State of Karnataka (1992) interpreted the Right to Education as flowing directly from the Right to Life.

Key Takeaway: Article 21 is an "umbrella right" that encompasses all aspects of life which go to make a man's life meaningful, complete, and worth living, including health, livelihood, shelter, privacy, and a clean environment.

Your note

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The correct option is (d) 1, 2, 3 and 4.

Explanation

Statement-wise Analysis

Statement 1 is Correct: The Supreme Court, in cases such as State of Punjab v. Mohinder Singh Chawla (1997) and Parmanand Katara v. Union of India (1989), held that the Right to Health and timely medical assistance is an integral part of the Right to Life.
Statement 2 is Correct: In the landmark judgment of Olga Tellis v. Bombay Municipal Corporation (1985), the Court ruled that the Right to Livelihood is a part of the Right to Life because no person can live without the means of living, i.e., the means of livelihood.
Statement 3 is Correct: In Chameli Singh v. State of U.P. (1996), the Supreme Court declared that the Right to Shelter is a fundamental right under Article 21, as shelter is essential for a dignified life and mental, physical, and intellectual growth.
Statement 4 is Correct: Before the insertion of Article 21A via the 86th Constitutional Amendment Act (2002), the Supreme Court in Unni Krishnan v. State of Andhra Pradesh (1993) and Mohini Jain v. State of Karnataka (1992) interpreted the Right to Education as flowing directly from the Right to Life.