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Meaning of “State”
Article 12: The Target of Fundamental Rights
PART I — CORE ENTITIES
ARTICLE 12
The Definition
- Defines "State" for Part III
- Actions against the State
- Encompasses all authorities
- Broadest possible definition
TIER 01
Union Government
- Central Government
- Parliament of India
- Ministries and departments
- Highest legislative body
TIER 02
State Governments
- State Governments
- State Legislatures
- Regional administrative bodies
- Enacts state laws
PART II — PERIPHERAL ENTITIES
TIER 03
Local Authorities
- Municipalities and Panchayats
- District Boards
- Improvement Trusts
- Village-level governance
TIER 04
Other Authorities
- Statutory or non-statutory
- LIC, ONGC, SAIL
- Government instrumentalities
- Agencies of the State
JUDICIAL TIE
Private & Judiciary
- Private agencies under State
- Supreme Court rulings
- Judiciary in administrative capacity
- Judicial acts excluded
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