Article 18: Abolition of Titles

Notes

Art. 18 aims to end the colonial culture of hereditary and honorary titles (Rai Bahadur, Khan Bahadur, Sir) that created artificial social classes.

18(1): The State shall not confer any title, except a military or academic distinction.
18(2): No citizen of India shall accept any title from a foreign State.
18(3): A non-citizen holding an office of profit or trust under the State shall not accept any title from a foreign State without the President's consent.
18(4): No person holding an office of profit or trust under the State shall accept any present, emolument or office from a foreign State without the President's consent.

National awards

Bharat Ratna (instituted 1954) and the Padma awards (Vibhushan, Bhushan, Shri) are not "titles" under Art. 18(1).
Balaji Raghavan v Union of India (1996): the Supreme Court upheld these awards, but held they must not be used as prefix or suffix to the recipient's name. Misuse can lead to forfeiture.
The Janata Party government discontinued the awards in 1977; they were revived in 1980.

Related points

Princely privy purses and privileges were abolished by the 26th Amendment (1971), after the Supreme Court in Madhav Rao Scindia (1970) struck down the President's order derecognising rulers.
Art. 18 applies to citizens and the State; honorary degrees from universities are allowed as academic distinctions.
Foreign awards to Indians (e.g., a foreign civilian honour) need clearance from the Government of India.

Key Points

State cannot confer titles, except military and academic distinctions.
Citizens cannot accept foreign titles at all.
Office-holders need the President's consent for foreign gifts or emoluments.
Bharat Ratna and Padma awards are valid but cannot be used as titles.
Balaji Raghavan (1996) is the key judgment.

MCQs

Q1. The Supreme Court upheld the validity of Bharat Ratna and Padma awards in:
(a) Madhav Rao Scindia
(b) Balaji Raghavan v Union of India
(c) Kesavananda Bharati
(d) Indra Sawhney
Ans: (b). Held they are not titles but cannot be used as prefix or suffix.

Q2. Under Art. 18(1), which of the following can be conferred by the State?
(a) Hereditary titles
(b) Military and academic distinctions
(c) Titles like Rai Bahadur
(d) Titles from foreign states
Ans: (b).

Q3. Which of the following requires the President's consent under Art. 18?
(a) A citizen accepting any foreign title
(b) A holder of an office of profit accepting a present or emolument from a foreign State
(c) State conferring Padma awards
(d) A university awarding a degree
Ans: (b). Art. 18(4). A citizen is barred absolutely from foreign titles under 18(2).