Q. With reference to Article 18, consider the following statements:
1. It prohibits the state from conferring an academic distinction on a foreigner.
2. National awards like Padma Shri and Padma Bhushan are not considered as titles under Article 18.
Which of the statements given above is/are not correct?
Exp) Option a is the correct answer.
Article 18 abolishes titles and makes four provisions in that regard: (a) It prohibits the state from conferring any title (except a military or academic distinction) on anybody, whether a citizen or a foreigner (Statement 1 is incorrect). (b) It prohibits a citizen of India from accepting any title from any foreign state. (c) A foreigner holding any office of profit or trust under the state cannot accept any title from any foreign state without the consent of the president. (d) No citizen or foreigner holding any office of profit or trust under the State is to accept any present, emolument or office from or under any foreign State without the consent of the president.
Statement 2 is correct. In 1996, the Supreme Court upheld the constitutional validity of the National Awards—Bharat Ratna, Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan and Padma Shri. It ruled that these awards do not amount to ‘titles’ within the meaning of Article 18 that prohibits only hereditary titles of nobility.
