Question

In 1976, in which Part of the Indian Constitution under Article 51A were Fundamental Duties added?

• A. VI
• B. V
• C. IV A
• D. III

Answer 1

Answer:

C. IV A

Addition of Fundamental Duties to the Indian Constitution

Fundamental Duties were incorporated into the Indian Constitution in 1976 through the 42nd Constitutional Amendment Act. These duties were added by inserting a new Part into the Constitution.

Part IVA: The Home for Fundamental Duties

• The Fundamental Duties are enshrined in Part IVA of the Constitution of India.

• This Part contains only one article, Article 51A, which lists the duties incumbent upon the citizens of India.

Background and Rationale

• The inclusion of Fundamental Duties was recommended by the Swaran Singh Committee, which was set up by the Indian National Congress in 1976.

• The committee was formed to suggest necessary steps and measures to implement the Emergency and suggest amendments to the Constitution.

• The primary rationale behind adding these duties was to remind the citizens of their obligations towards the nation, society, and fellow citizens, complementing the Fundamental Rights guaranteed by the Constitution.

• It was felt that while the Constitution conferred various rights on citizens, it did not explicitly mention their duties.

Article 51A: The Duties Defined

Article 51A outlines the following ten fundamental duties:

1. To abide by the Constitution and respect its ideals and institutions, the National Flag and the National Anthem.

2. To cherish and follow the noble ideals which inspired our national struggle for freedom.

3. To uphold and protect the sovereignty, unity and integrity of India.

4. To defend the country and render national service when called upon to do so.

5. To promote harmony and the spirit of common brotherhood amongst all the people of India transcending religious, linguistic and regional or sectional diversities; to renounce practices derogatory to the dignity of women.

6. To value and preserve the rich heritage of our composite culture.

7. To protect and improve the natural environment including forests, lakes, rivers and wild life, and to have compassion for living creatures.

8. To develop the scientific temper, humanism and the spirit of inquiry and reform.

9. To safeguard public property and to abjure violence.

10. To strive towards excellence in all spheres of individual and collective activity so that the nation constantly rises to higher levels of endeavour and achievement.

Subsequent Addition

• A subsequent amendment, the 86th Constitutional Amendment Act of 2002, added an eleventh Fundamental Duty under Article 51A.

• This eleventh duty mandates that it shall be the duty of every parent or guardian to provide opportunities for education to his child or ward between the age of six and fourteen years.