What does Article 51 of the Indian Constitution deal with?

The correct answer is Option (4) → Promoting international peace and security

Option (1) Right to life and liberty. — Incorrect. This is a citizen’s right inside the country (during the Emergency, the Supreme Court held that the government could take it away). It has nothing to do with India’s relations with other countries.

Option (2) Freedom from arbitrary arrest. — Incorrect. This protects a person from being arrested without a lawful reason. It too is a right of the individual, not a principle of foreign policy.

Option (3) Equality before law. — Incorrect. This means that the law treats every person equally. It is again a right of the individual within the country.

Option (4) Promoting international peace and security — Correct. Article 51 lays down Directive Principles of State Policy on the ‘Promotion of international peace and security’: respect for international law and the settlement of disputes by arbitration.

Note: The concepts in Options (2) and (3), ‘freedom from arbitrary arrest’ and ‘equality before law’, are not in NCERT (2025-26); they are explained here for the benefit of the students.