Article 14 of the Constitution of India guarantees that the State shall not deny to any person equality before the law or the equal protection of the laws within the territory of India.
Core ideas
Equality before law — borrowed from English common law (no special privileges).
Equal protection of the laws — from the US Constitution (like should be treated alike).
Applies to persons, not only citizens.
Reasonable classification test
Courts ask whether:
The classification rests on an intelligible differentia.
The differentia has a rational relation to the object sought.
Quick checklist
Who is the “State” under Article 12?
Is there a classification? Is it reasonable?
Is there non-arbitrary State action (Maneka Gandhi expansion)?