Constitution Section 18 — Abolition of titles

Part III — FUNDAMENTAL RIGHTS — Right to Equality

Constitutional

Summary

The State cannot give anyone a title, except for military or academic ones. Indian citizens are not allowed to accept any title from a foreign country. A non-citizen who holds a paid or trusted government position in India cannot accept a title from a foreign country without the President’s permission. Anyone holding a paid or trusted government position in India cannot accept any gift, payment, or position from a foreign country without the President’s permission.

Official Text

(1) No title, not being a military or academic distinction, shall be conferred by the State.

(2) No citizen of India shall accept any title from any foreign State.

(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) 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.