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Fundamental Duties - Article 51A Notes for UPSC

Polity Upsc Notes • Dec 13, 2025 • 5 min read

What are Fundamental Duties? Fundamental Duties are moral obligations of all citizens to help promote a spirit of patriotism and to uphold the unity of India. They are contained in Part IV-A (Article 51A). Originally not part of the Constitution, they were added by the 42nd Amendment Act, 1976 on the recommendations of the Swaran Singh Committee.

Origin and Swaran Singh Committee

Inspired by the Constitution of the USSR. The Swaran Singh Committee suggested 8 duties, but the 42nd Amendment included 10 duties. Later, the 86th Amendment Act (2002) added one more duty (education for children).

List of Fundamental Duties (Article 51A)

It shall be the duty of every citizen of India:

  • (a) To abide by the Constitution and respect its ideals and institutions, the National Flag and the National Anthem.
  • (b) To cherish and follow the noble ideals that inspired the national struggle for freedom.
  • (c) To uphold and protect the sovereignty, unity and integrity of India.
  • (d) To defend the country and render national service when called upon to do so.
  • (e) To promote harmony and the spirit of common brotherhood amongst all the people of India transcending religious, linguistic and regional or sectional diversities and to renounce practices derogatory to the dignity of women.
  • (f) To value and preserve the rich heritage of the country’s composite culture.
  • (g) To protect and improve the natural environment including forests, lakes, rivers and wildlife and to have compassion for living creatures.
  • (h) To develop scientific temper, humanism and the spirit of inquiry and reform.
  • (i) To safeguard public property and to abjure violence.
  • (j) 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.
  • (k) To provide opportunities for education to his child or ward between the age of six and fourteen years (Added by 86th Amendment, 2002).

Features of Fundamental Duties

  • Citizens Only: Confined to citizens only and do not extend to foreigners.
  • Non-Justiciable: Cannot be enforced by writs. However, Parliament can enforce them by suitable legislation.
  • Ethical and Civic: Mix of moral duties (cherishing freedom ideals) and civic duties (respecting Constitution).

Significance and Legal Provisions

The Verma Committee (1999) identified legal provisions for the enforcement of some Fundamental Duties:

  • Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act (1971): Prevents disrespect to Constitution, Flag, Anthem.
  • Protection of Civil Rights Act (1955): Punishes offences related to caste and religion.
  • Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (1967): Upholds sovereignty and integrity.
  • Wildlife (Protection) Act (1972) and Forest (Conservation) Act (1980).

Quick Facts for UPSC

  • Part IV-A: Consists of only one Article 51A.
  • Recommendation: Swaran Singh Committee recommended penalty for non-compliance, but it was REJECTED by Congress government.
  • Rights vs Duties: Rights and duties are correlative and inseparable.

UPSC Previous Year Questions (Selected)

Q1. Which of the following is NOT a fundamental duty? (Prelims 2011)

A. To vote in public elections
B. To develop scientific temper
C. To safeguard public property
D. To abide by the Constitution

Answer: A. Voting in elections is not a fundamental duty. Swaran Singh Committee recommended the duty to pay taxes, but it was not accepted.

Q2. "To uphold and protect the Sovereignty, Unity and Integrity of India" is a provision made in the: (Prelims 2015)

A. Preamble
B. DPSP
C. Fundamental Rights
D. Fundamental Duties

Answer: D. It is one of the Fundamental Duties.

Practice MCQs

  1. Fundamental Duties were incorporated in the Constitution of India by the:
    A. 44th Amendment
    B. 42nd Amendment
    C. 24th Amendment
    D. 86th Amendment (only one added)
  2. Which committee recommended the inclusion of Fundamental Duties?
    A. Verma Committee
    B. Sarkaria Commission
    C. Swaran Singh Committee
    D. Balwant Rai Mehta Committee
  3. Fundamental duties are taken from the constitution of:
    A. USA
    B. USSR
    C. Japan
    D. UK
  4. Which of the following is a Fundamental Duty?
    A. To pay taxes
    B. To cast vote
    C. To develop scientific temper
    D. To support the government
  5. The 11th Fundamental Duty (Education) was added by:
    A. 86th Amendment Act, 2002
    B. 88th Amendment Act, 2003
    C. 89th Amendment Act, 2003
    D. 92nd Amendment Act, 2003
View Answer Key

1. B | 2. C | 3. B | 4. C | 5. A

Frequently Asked Questions

Are Fundamental Duties enforceable?

No, they are non-justiciable. However, Parliament can enforce them via specific laws (e.g., Flag Code).

Does the Constitution prescribe any penalty for violation of duties?

No, the Constitution itself does not prescribe any penalty.

Do Fundamental Duties apply to foreigners?

No, they are confined to Indian citizens only.

How many Fundamental Duties are there?

Currently, there are 11 duties. Originally, there were 10.

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