Prohibition of traffic in human beings and forced labour
- Source edition
- The Constitution of India (as on 1 May 2026)
- Source locator
- Part III, Article 23, printed page 14
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1. In One Sentence
Article 23 prohibits human trafficking, begar and similar forced labour, while allowing non-discriminatory compulsory service for public purposes.
2. What It Means in Everyday Language
The article prohibits traffic in human beings and begar, a form of forced labour, along with similar forms of forced labour. It states that contraventions are punishable according to law.
Clause (2) permits the State to impose compulsory service for public purposes, but forbids discrimination on grounds only of religion, race, caste or class when doing so. This exception must not be confused with a private employer’s demand for forced work.
3. Practical Illustrative Example
A worker is compelled to continue working under threats and is prevented from leaving.
4. Important Limits, Qualifications & Exceptions
The prohibition concerns exploitation, and the text includes a specific public-service exception.
- The provision is not limited in its wording to citizens or to government employers.
- Punishment is prescribed by law; the article does not itself set a sentence.
- Compulsory service for public purposes is permitted subject to the non-discrimination rule in clause (2).
5. Operative Constitutional Text
6. Sources & Historical Assembly Deliberations
Assembly quotations are withheld until wording, dates, and attribution have been checked against the primary record.
- •Government of India (Legislative Department, Ministry of Law and Justice) • Part III, Article 23, printed page 14 • Human source-link check pending
Primary PDF accessed and transcribed with AI assistance on 14 October 2026. Formatting and amendment annotation markers are omitted; operative wording is retained. This is not human legal review. Later amendments and commencement notifications have not been comprehensively checked.