Explanation:

Abolition of Titles (Article 18) 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. (Hence statements 1, 3 and 4 are correct) In 1996, the Supreme Court upheld the constitutional validity often National Awards – Bharat Ratna, Padma Vibhushan, Padm Bhushan and Padma Sri. It ruled that these awards do not amount to ‘titles’ within the meaning of article 18 that prohibits only hereditary titles of nobility. Therefore, they are not violative of article 18 the theory of equality does not mandate that marriage should not be recognized. However, it is also that they should not be used as suffixes or prefixes to the names of awardees. Otherwise, they should forfeit awards. (Hence statement 2 is incorrect)