Army Act, 1950 · Chapter IV: Conditions of Service
Section 21: Power to modify certain fundamental rights in their application to persons subject to this Act
Subject to the provisions of any law for the time being in force relating to the regular Army or to any branch thereof, the Central Government may, by notification, make rules restricting to such extent and in such manner as may be necessary the right of any person subject to this Act—
(a) to be a member of, or to be associated in any way with, any trade union or labour union, or any class of trade or labour unions or any society, institution or association, or any class of societies, institutions or associations;
(b) to attend or address any meeting or to take part in any demonstration organised by any body of persons for any political or other purposes;
(c) to communicate with the press or to publish or cause to be published any book, letter or other document.
Source: India Code (indiacode.gov.in), the consolidated text published by the Legislative Department, Government of India. Text as updated on India Code on 15 October 2026. Words in square brackets [ ] were inserted or substituted by later amending Acts, and *** marks words omitted by an amendment. The amendment footnotes are not reproduced here. Official text on India Code.
Supreme Court judgments citing the section 21
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Arshnoor Kaur & Anr. v. The Union of India & Ors.
(i) Whether after allowing induction of women in a particular corp or branch under section 12 of the Army Act, 1950, can the Respondents by way of a policy and/or administrative instruction restrict the number of women…
- Union of India & Ors. v. Lt. Cdr. Annie Nagaraja & Ors.
- The Secretary, Ministry of Defence v. Babita Puniya & Ors.
- Union of India and Others v. Major S.P. Sharma and Others