Fundamental Duties (Article 51A)
The list of duties every citizen owes the nation, added to the Constitution in the 1970s on the Swaran Singh Committee's advice.
What the paper can ask
- Located in Part IVA, Article 51A, on the recommendation of the Swaran Singh Committee set up in 1976.
- Not enforceable by courts unless Parliament makes a law to enforce them.
- The duties cover respect for the Constitution and national symbols, the ideals of the freedom struggle, sovereignty and integrity, national service, harmony, composite culture, the environment, scientific temper, public property and excellence.
Latest
Eleven duties are listed in Article 51A today; the original list had ten.
Why exams ask
Setters ask which amendment and committee brought the duties, how many there are, which was added later, which Part and Article hold them, and why the amendment is called a mini constitution.
The full story
The original Constitution listed rights for citizens but no duties. During the Emergency years the Swaran Singh Committee recommended a set of citizen duties, inserted as Part IVA, a single Article 51A. The duties ask citizens to respect the Constitution, flag and anthem, defend the country, promote harmony, protect the environment, develop scientific temper and strive for excellence. Courts cannot enforce them directly.
Test yourself
1.Fundamental Duties were added to the Constitution by which amendment?
Correct. Part IVA with Article 51A was inserted by the 42nd Amendment Act, 1976 on the Swaran Singh Committee's recommendation; the 86th Amendment of 2002 added the eleventh duty.
Not quite. Part IVA with Article 51A was inserted by the 42nd Amendment Act, 1976 on the Swaran Singh Committee's recommendation; the 86th Amendment of 2002 added the eleventh duty. It goes into your error book.
2.How many Fundamental Duties are listed in Article 51A at present?
Correct. Ten duties were inserted in 1976; clause (k), the duty of a parent or guardian to provide education to a child aged 6 to 14, was added by the 86th Amendment Act, 2002, making eleven.
Not quite. Ten duties were inserted in 1976; clause (k), the duty of a parent or guardian to provide education to a child aged 6 to 14, was added by the 86th Amendment Act, 2002, making eleven. It goes into your error book.
3.The 42nd Amendment Act, 1976 is often called the 'mini constitution' because it
Correct. Enacted during the Emergency, the 42nd Amendment altered the Preamble, added Part IVA, Articles 39A, 43A and 48A and Part XIVA, and curtailed judicial review; much was undone by the 44th.
Not quite. Enacted during the Emergency, the 42nd Amendment altered the Preamble, added Part IVA, Articles 39A, 43A and 48A and Part XIVA, and curtailed judicial review; much was undone by the 44th. It goes into your error book.