Doctrine of Reasonable Classification

This article discusses in detail Article 14 of the Constitution that guarantees the right to equality to all persons. The diverse needs of different classes of people require different kinds of treatment and hence we must reasonably differentiate between those who are equal and those who are different. It is this principle that has eventually led to the evolution of the doctrine of reasonable classification. Article 14 declares that ‘the State shall not deny to any person equality before the law or equal protection of law within the territory of India.’. Thus the article 14 uses the two expressions “equality before law” and “equal protection of law”. No absolute equality before law exists in practical scenario, for this purposes there is a need to reasonably classify individuals or groups of individuals based on reasonable, justified grounds. Thus this doctrine is relevant. It is needed for the progress of the society as a whole.