2022 · GS Paper 2 · Q2 · 10 marks
Right of movement and residence throughout the territory of India are freely available to the Indian citizens, but these rights are not absolute. Comment.
In short
The rights of movement and residence under Articles 19(1)(d) and (e) are broad but subject to reasonable restrictions under Article 19(5) for public interest and Scheduled Tribes. The Inner Line Permit in four north-eastern States shows how tribal protection limits outsiders' entry.
Model answer
Ghissu Editorial · Verified 4 Oct 2026 · 269 words
One citizenship
With no State citizenship, a worker from Bihar can settle in Kerala on equal terms, which aids national integration.
Against nativism
Article 16(3) reserves residence conditions for public jobs to Parliament, and in 2023 the Punjab and Haryana High Court struck down Haryana's 75% local quota in private jobs.
Portable welfare
One Nation One Ration Card makes the right real for internal migrants.
Public order
Gurbachan Singh (1952) upheld externment of dangerous persons, and Section 163 BNSS orders curb movement during unrest.
Scheduled Tribes
The Inner Line Permit under the 1873 Regulation guards Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Mizoram and Manipur, and Fifth and Sixth Schedule areas limit outsiders' settlement.
Health and morality
Pandemic quarantine rules, and State of U.P. v. Kaushalya (1964) upholding restraints on sex workers' residence, rest on these grounds.
Judicial limits
Kharak Singh (1962) struck down night domiciliary visits, and Anuradha Bhasin (2020) demanded proportionate prohibitory orders.
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Question from the official UPSC Civil Services (Main) Examination 2022 paper. Answer written by Ghissu's engine and checked against our editorial standards. Found an error? Tell us and we correct it within 48 hours.