Constitution of Bangladesh: Every Article, Animated

by Barrister Tahmidur Rahman | Oct 25, 2026

Constitution of Bangladesh: every article, animated

Teach yourself the Constitution of the People's Republic of Bangladesh, one article at a time. Each article has a step-by-step animated walkthrough, the official text, its current status after the 2024 to 2026 court rulings, landmark cases and plain-English answers.

181Articles and schedules
11Parts, plus Preamble and Schedules
668Animated steps
16Changed by recent rulings
Constitution of Bangladesh: animated article-by-article guide

About this guide

How to use this Constitution of Bangladesh guide

The Constitution of Bangladesh was adopted on 4 November 1972 and is the supreme law of the Republic. This guide takes the Constitution of Bangladesh apart one provision at a time: pick any article below, press play, and an animation walks you through who acts, what the article requires and what happens next.

Lawyers, students, journalists, investors and citizens can use it to learn the Constitution of Bangladesh at their own pace. Every page shows the official English text of the Constitution of Bangladesh as published on the Laws of Bangladesh website, explains it in plain English, and flags where a court ruling from 2024 to 2026 has changed the position. Use the search box to find an article by number or topic, or filter by status to see what has been restored, struck down or omitted.

Where things stand, October 2026

The Constitution after the 2024 to 2026 rulings

  • 17 December 2024: the High Court Division declared parts of the Fifteenth Amendment (2011) void, including the sections that removed the caretaker government and the referendum requirement, and Articles 7A, 7B and 44(2). The Appellate Division dismissed the appeals on 9 July 2026, as reported.
  • 20 November 2025: the Appellate Division set aside its 2011 Thirteenth Amendment judgment and revived the non-party caretaker government (Chapter IIA, Articles 58B to 58E), to apply from the dissolution of the Parliament elected in February 2026.
  • 20 October 2024: the Appellate Division disposed of the Sixteenth Amendment review, so Supreme Court judges are again removed through the Supreme Judicial Council under Article 96.
  • 12 February 2026: a referendum on the July National Charter was held with the general election, and voters backed the Charter package. The referendum does not itself amend the Constitution. As reported, no constitutional amendment had been enacted by October 2026, so Charter reforms appear in this guide as proposals only.
  • Official text: the Laws of Bangladesh website has not yet been updated for these judgments. Each article page shows the official text and explains where a court has changed the position.

Sources: Supreme Court of Bangladesh judgment in Civil Appeal Nos. 112 and 113 of 2025 (20 November 2025; full text March 2026); Prothom Alo (17 December 2024; 9 July 2026); Dhaka Tribune (20 October 2024; referendum gazette). This summary is for general understanding and is not legal advice.

SUPREME LAW
PART IIIRIGHTS
JATIYA SANGSAD
PRIME MINISTERCABINET
SUPREME COURT
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  1. Article 7 makes the Constitution the supreme law of the Republic. Any other law inconsistent with it is void to the extent of the inconsistency.

  2. Part III guarantees fundamental rights such as equality, life and personal liberty, speech, religion and property, enforceable in the High Court Division.

  3. Part V vests legislative power in Parliament, the Jatiya Sangsad, which passes Acts, approves the budget and holds the government to account.

  4. Part IV places executive power with the Prime Minister and the Cabinet, with the President as head of state acting largely on their advice.

  5. Part VI creates the Supreme Court. Through writs under Article 102 and appeals, it can strike down unlawful action and unconstitutional law.

Preamble

Preamble

1 entry
PreambleThe Preamble: founding pledges of 1972

Part I

The Republic

11 entries
1Bangladesh as a unitary republic2The territory of Bangladesh2AIslam as the state religion3Bangla as the state language4National anthem, flag and emblem4APortrait of the Father of the Nation5Dhaka as the capital6Citizenship and national identity7Supremacy of the Constitution7ASedition by abrogating the ConstitutionStruck down7BUnamendable basic provisionsStruck down

Part II

Fundamental Principles of State Policy

20 entries
8The fundamental principles of state policy9Bangalee nationalism10Socialism and freedom from exploitation11Democracy and human rights12Secularism and freedom of religion13Forms of ownership14Freeing peasants and workers from exploitation15Basic necessities of life16Rural development and the agricultural revolution17Free and compulsory education18Public health and morality18AProtecting the environment and biodiversity19Equality of opportunity20Work as a right and duty21Duties of citizens and public servants22Separation of the judiciary from the executive23National culture23ACultures of ethnic and minority communities24National monuments and heritage sites25International peace, security and solidarity

Part III

Fundamental Rights

23 entries
26Fundamental rights override inconsistent laws27Equality before law28No discrimination on grounds of religion, race, caste, sex or birthplace29Equal opportunity in public employment30Prior approval for foreign titles and honours31Right to protection of law32Right to life and personal liberty33Safeguards on arrest and detention34Prohibition of forced labour35Protections in criminal trial and punishment36Freedom of movement37Freedom of peaceful assembly38Freedom of association39Freedom of thought, conscience, speech and the press40Freedom of profession, occupation, trade or business41Freedom of religion42Right to property43Protection of home and correspondence44Enforcement of fundamental rightsAffected by recent change45Disciplinary law for disciplined forces46Power to provide indemnity47Saving for certain laws47ARights not available to persons under Article 47(3) laws

Part IV

The Executive

22 entries
48The President: election, status and acting on adviceAffected by recent change49The President's power of pardon and mercy50The President's five-year term and two-term limit51Immunity of the President from court proceedings52Impeachment of the President by Parliament53Removing the President for physical or mental incapacity54The Speaker as acting President55The Cabinet and the executive power of the Prime MinisterAffected by recent change56Appointment of the Prime Minister and ministersAffected by recent change57When the Prime Minister's office becomes vacantAffected by recent change58When other ministers leave officeAffected by recent change58AChapter II not to apply while Parliament is dissolvedRestored by court58BThe caretaker government and its executive powerRestored by court58CChoosing the Chief Adviser and advisersRestored by court58DWhat the caretaker government may and may not doRestored by court58EAdvice rules switched off during the caretaker periodRestored by court59Elected local government in every administrative unit60Local taxes, budgets and funds61Supreme command of the defence services62Parliament's control over the defence services63No war without Parliament's assent64The Attorney-General for Bangladesh

Part V

The Legislature

31 entries
65Parliament: the House of the Nation66Who can and cannot be an MP67When an MP loses their seat68Pay and privileges of MPs69Penalty for sitting before the oath70Anti-defection rule (floor crossing)71No MP for two constituencies72Sessions, prorogation and dissolution73President's address to Parliament73ARights of ministers in Parliament74Speaker and Deputy Speaker75Rules of procedure and quorum76Standing committees of Parliament77Ombudsman78Parliamentary privilege and immunity79Parliament Secretariat80How a Bill becomes law81What counts as a Money Bill82President's recommendation for money measures83No tax without an Act of Parliament84Consolidated Fund and Public Account85Rules for handling public money86Money paid into the Public Account87The annual budget statement88Spending charged on the Consolidated Fund89Voting on demands for grants90The Appropriation Act91Supplementary and excess grants92Votes on account and votes of credit92APresidential spending power (omitted)Omitted93Ordinance making power

Part VI

The Judiciary

25 entries
94The Supreme Court and its two divisions95Appointment of Supreme Court judges96Tenure and removal of Supreme Court judgesRestored by court97Acting Chief Justice98Additional judges of the Supreme Court99Restrictions on judges after retirement100Seat of the Supreme Court101Jurisdiction of the High Court Division102Writ jurisdiction of the High Court Division103Jurisdiction of the Appellate Division104Appellate Division's power to do complete justice105Review of Appellate Division judgments106Advisory jurisdiction of the Supreme Court107Rule-making power and benches of the Supreme Court108Supreme Court as a court of record and contempt109High Court supervision of lower courts110Transfer of constitutional cases to the High Court111Binding effect of Supreme Court judgments112Authorities must act in aid of the Supreme Court113Staff of the Supreme Court114Subordinate courts115Appointment of lower court judges and magistrates116Control and discipline of lower court judgesAffected by recent change116AIndependence of judicial officers117Administrative tribunals

Part VIA

The National Party

1 entry
117AThe National Party (omitted)Omitted

Part VII

Elections

9 entries
118The Election Commission119Functions of the Election Commission120Staff of the Election Commission121One electoral roll per constituency122Who can register as a voter123When elections must be held124Parliament makes election law125Challenging election laws and results126Executive duty to assist the Commission

Part VIII

The Comptroller and Auditor-General

6 entries
127The office of Auditor-General128What the Auditor-General audits129Term and removal of the Auditor-General130Acting Auditor-General131Form of public accounts132Audit reports laid before Parliament

Part IX

The Services of Bangladesh

9 entries
133Laws on recruitment and service conditions134Holding office at the President's pleasure135Protection against unfair dismissal136Reorganising the public service137Public service commissions138Appointment of PSC members139Term of PSC members140Functions of the PSC141PSC annual report

Part IXA

Emergency Provisions

3 entries
141AProclamation of emergency141BFreedoms suspended during an emergency141CSuspending court enforcement of rights

Part X

Amendment of the Constitution

1 entry
142How the Constitution is amendedRestored by court

Part XI

Miscellaneous

12 entries
143Property of the Republic144The state can trade and contract145Government contracts and deeds145AInternational treaties before Parliament146Suing and being sued as Bangladesh147Pay and privileges of constitutional officers148Oaths of office149Existing laws continue150Transitional provisions and historic documents151Laws repealed by the Constitution152Definitions used in the Constitution153Commencement and authentic texts

Schedules

Schedules

7 entries
First ScheduleLaws protected from rights challengesSecond ScheduleFormer rules on electing the PresidentOmittedThird ScheduleThe oaths of officeFourth ScheduleTransition to the 1972 ConstitutionFifth ScheduleThe 7 March 1971 speechSixth ScheduleThe 26 March 1971 declarationSeventh ScheduleThe Mujibnagar Proclamation of Independence

Questions

Constitution of Bangladesh: frequently asked questions

How many articles are in the Constitution of Bangladesh?

The Constitution has 153 numbered articles in eleven Parts, plus lettered articles inserted by amendments (such as 7A, 47A and 58A to 58E) and seven Schedules, of which the Second has been omitted. Some lettered articles have since been omitted or declared void, and this guide covers each one with its current status.

Is the caretaker government system back in the Constitution?

Yes, by court judgment. On 20 November 2025 the Appellate Division revived the non-party caretaker government provisions, to apply from the dissolution of the Parliament elected in February 2026. The official online text has not yet been updated to show these articles.

Did the July Charter referendum change the Constitution?

Not by itself. Voters backed the July National Charter in the referendum held on 12 February 2026, but amendments still have to be enacted. As reported, none had been enacted by October 2026, so the Charter reforms are described here as proposals.

What is the supreme law of Bangladesh?

The Constitution. Article 7 makes it the supreme law of the Republic, and any other law inconsistent with it is void to the extent of the inconsistency. The Supreme Court enforces this through judicial review.

How can I enforce a fundamental right?

Under Articles 44 and 102, a person aggrieved can apply to the High Court Division by writ petition for orders enforcing the fundamental rights in Part III. The Appellate Division hears appeals from the High Court Division.

How is the Constitution amended?

Article 142 allows amendment by an Act of Parliament passed by at least two-thirds of all members. Following the court rulings of 2024 to 2026, a Bill amending the Preamble or Article 8, 48, 56 or 142 must also be approved in a referendum.

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