What Does Article 311 of the Indian Constitution Say?

Introduction

Article 311 of the Indian Constitution protects the rights of public servants against dismissal without proper procedure.

Key Points

• Protection for Civil Servants: Article 311 ensures that a civil servant cannot be dismissed, removed, or reduced in rank without a proper inquiry.
• Inquiry Requirement: Before any punishment, there must be an inquiry, except in cases of emergency or when the person is proven guilty without an inquiry.

Illustrations

• Public Servant Dismissal: A government employee cannot be fired arbitrarily; they must first face an inquiry process.
• Exceptions: If a civil servant is found guilty of a serious offense and the inquiry isn’t possible, the government can still take action.

Conclusion

Article 311 safeguards civil servants from unfair treatment, ensuring due process in any disciplinary action.