Which of the following are envisaged by the Right against Exploitation in the Constitution of India? 1. Prohibition of traffic in human beings and forced labour 2. Abolition of untouchability 3. Protection of the interests of minorities 4. Prohibition of employment of children in factories and mines Select the correct answer using the codes given below:

The Right against Exploitation is contained in Articles 23 and 24, and the question tests whether you can map each item to the correct Fundamental Right.

Statement 1 is correct. Article 23 prohibits traffic in human beings, begar and other forms of forced labour, and it binds private persons as well as the State. Statement 4 is also correct. Article 24 bars employment of children below 14 years in factories, mines or any other hazardous work.

• Statement 2 is wrong. Abolition of untouchability is Article 17, which sits under the Right to Equality.
• Statement 3 is wrong. Protection of the interests of minorities is in Articles 29 and 30, under Cultural and Educational Rights.

Core concept: Article 23 and 24 protect individuals from exploitation, and the Bonded Labour System (Abolition) Act, 1976 gives Article 23 its statutory teeth. For Mains, this links to bonded labour, migrant worker exploitation and the child labour debate. Note that the Child Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Act, 1986 was amended in 2016, and it now bans employment of children below 14 in all occupations, not just listed ones.

Trap: aspirants pick option D by assuming all four are social justice provisions. Untouchability is in Article 17 and minority rights are in Articles 29-30, so keep the Part III map clear in your head.