In the US, you can sign away a constitutional right. In India, you legally can’t — not even if you want to, and not even in a contract with the government itself.
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MCQ Questions
MCQ QuestionsPolity0304
Waiver of Fundamental Rights: The Right You Can’t Sign Away
Why India rejected a piece of American constitutional law.
1954
Behram Khurshid Pesikaka v. State of Bombay
The question is first debated. One judge suggests some rights, if purely for individual benefit, might be waivable.
1959
Basheshar Nath v. Commissioner of Income Tax
A 5-judge Constitution Bench settles it: Fundamental Rights can’t be waived, breaking from the American doctrine.
Since 1959
Even government contracts can’t extract it
Courts have repeatedly held: agreeing to waive a Fundamental Right in a government employment contract still doesn’t bind you.
2024
Siba Shankar Das v. State of Odisha
The Supreme Court strikes down a bail condition banning political activity. Even bail can’t force away a Fundamental Right.
Public policy, not personal property: Fundamental Rights exist for society’s benefit, not just the individual’s. That’s exactly why no individual, however willing, can sign one away.
Indian Politymcqquestion.com
🏛️ Must Know
The Core Rule
- No waiverA citizen cannot legally waive, or give up, their own Fundamental Rights in India.
- Even voluntarilyThis is true even if the citizen wants to give up that right.
- Even in contractsThe rule applies even inside a contract, including one with the government.
- Public policyFundamental Rights are treated as a matter of public policy, not just personal entitlement.
- US contrastThis is a deliberate break from the American doctrine, where individuals can waive some constitutional rights.
Why India Rejects It
- Society’s benefitFundamental Rights exist for society’s benefit, not just the individual’s.
- Not personal propertyNo individual, however willing, can sign one away.
- So whatThe collective/public nature of FRs is why they can’t be traded off.
The American Contrast
- US positionIn the US, individuals can waive some constitutional rights.
- Indian positionIndia rejects waiver of Fundamental Rights entirely.
- Why the differenceIndian FRs are framed as public-policy guarantees, not private property.
- So whatThe break from US law is itself a testable point.
🏘️ Good to Know
The Key Cases
- 1954 Behram KhurshidThe waiver question first came up before the Supreme Court.
- The early splitOne judge floated that rights purely for individual benefit might be waivable.
- 1959 Basheshar NathA 5-judge Constitution Bench settled it: Fundamental Rights can’t be waived.
- 2024 Siba Shankar DasThe Court struck down a bail condition banning political activity — even bail can’t force away a Fundamental Right.
- So whatThe 1959 decision broke from the US and settled Indian law.
✅ Test Yourself
Work through a 5-question chain on <, then keep practising with a random Indian Polity question.
⚡ Great to Know
Contracts Don’t Bind Either
- Government contractsCourts have repeatedly held that agreeing to waive a Fundamental Right in a government employment contract doesn’t bind you.
- Public policy overrideA contractual clause can’t override a Fundamental Right.
- So whatEven willing consent in a contract is ineffective.
- How to recallWaiver is void because FRs serve the public, not the individual.
- Why it mattersBecause a contract clause can look binding, exams test whether it can actually strip a Fundamental Right.
🎯 Exam Angle (PYQ & MCQ Traps)
The ‘Voluntary Waiver’ Trap
- Trap option‘A citizen can waive a Fundamental Right if they do so voluntarily.’
- DistractorThe US allows this, so it feels reasonable.
- Fact testedIndia does NOT allow waiver of Fundamental Rights at all, even voluntarily.
- Eliminate fastIf an option permits voluntary waiver, it imports the American rule wrongly.
- Try this ruleNo waiver, full stop — public policy bars it.
The ‘Contract Can Waive’ Trap
- Trap option‘A contract with the government can waive a Fundamental Right.’
- DistractorContracts are binding, so a clause seems effective.
- Fact testedEven a government-contract clause can’t waive a Fundamental Right.
- Eliminate fastIf an option says a contract can extract a waiver, it is wrong.
- Try this rulePublic policy beats any contractual clause.
📰 Current Affairs
The 2024 Bail-Condition Case
- DevelopmentSiba Shankar Das v. State of Odisha (2024) struck down a bail condition banning political activity.
- Why it mattersIt confirms the Court will not let even bail conditions strip a Fundamental Right.
- So whatIt shows the no-waiver principle extends into criminal-procedure settings.
Beyond the answer
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