Lesson 2/54 min
Parts I and II: the Republic and the principles
Part I: the Republic
| Article | Subject |
|---|---|
| 1 | The Republic: unitary, independent and sovereign; named the People's Republic of Bangladesh |
| 2 | Territory of the Republic |
| 2A | State religion |
| 3 | State language |
| 4 | National anthem, flag and emblem |
| 4A | Display of the portrait of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman |
| 5 | The capital, Dhaka |
| 6 | Citizenship; 6(2): Bangalee as a nation, Bangladeshi as citizens |
| 7 | Supremacy of the constitution; 7(1): all power belongs to the people |
| 7A, 7B | Offence of abrogating the constitution (7A); basic provisions unamendable (7B): both annulled |
Watch out: Both books list 7A and 7B as live articles. On 9 July 2026 the Appellate Division upheld the High Court's 2024 ruling and both were annulled. We have not seen the full judgment, so be careful if an exam follows the books.
Part II: fundamental principles
| Article | Subject |
|---|---|
| 8 | The fundamental principles |
| 9 | Nationalism |
| 10 | Socialism and freedom from exploitation |
| 11 | Democracy and human rights |
| 12 | Secularism and freedom of religion |
| 13–16 | Ownership · emancipation of peasants and workers · basic necessities · rural development and agricultural revolution |
| 17 | Free and compulsory education |
| 18 | Public health and morality |
| 18A | Protection and improvement of the environment and biodiversity |
| 19 | Equality of opportunity; 19(3): women's participation at all levels of national life |
| 20, 21 | Work as a right and a duty · duties of citizens and public servants |
| 22 | Separation of the judiciary from the executive |
| 23, 23A, 24 | National culture · culture of tribes, small ethnic groups and communities · national monuments |
| 25 | Promotion of international peace, security and solidarity |
Memory trick: The four principles come in a row, 9-10-11-12: nationalism, socialism, democracy, secularism. Education is 17, environment 18A, separation of the judiciary 22.
Check yourself
Which article speaks of free and compulsory education?
At a glance
- 1
2A state religion, 3 state language, 4 anthem-flag-emblem, 5 capital Dhaka, 6 citizenship.
- 2
Article 7 supremacy of the constitution; 7(1) all power belongs to the people.
- 3
Principles: 9 nationalism, 10 socialism, 11 democracy and human rights, 12 secularism.
- 4
17 free and compulsory education; 18A environment; 22 separation of the judiciary.
- 5
19(3) women's participation; 23A culture of small ethnic groups; 25 international peace.