Explanation:

Article 18 abolishes titles and makes four provisions in that regard:

• It prohibits the state from conferring any title (except a military or academic distinction) on anybody, whether a citizen or a foreigner.
• It prohibits a citizen of India from accepting any title from any foreign state.
• A foreigner holding any office of profit or trust under the state cannot accept any title from any foreign state without the consent of the president.
• No citizen or foreigner holding any office of profit or trust under the State is to accept any present, emolument or office from or under any foreign State without the consent of the president.

From the above, it is clear that the hereditary titles of nobility like Maharaja, Raj Bahadur, Rai Bahadur, Rai Saheb, Dewan Bahadur, etc., which were conferred by colonial States are banned by Article 18 as these are against the principle of equal status of all.