Part III · Right to Equality

Article 18 Abolition of titles.

This article stops the State from giving or recognising titles of nobility, and no citizen may accept one from a foreign state. Awards for military or academic distinction are allowed. They cannot be used as titles attached to names. The aim is to keep citizens equal, without ranks the government can hand out.

1. (1) No title, not being a military or academic distinction, shall be conferred by the State.
2. (2) No citizen of India shall accept any title from any foreign State.
3. (3) No person who is not a citizen of India shall, while he holds any office of profit or trust under the State, accept without the consent of the President any title from any foreign State.
4. (4) No person holding any office of profit or trust under the State shall, without the consent of the President, accept any present, emolument, or office of any kind from or under any foreign State.