Fundamental Duties

Fundamental Duties, outlined in Article 51A of the Indian Constitution and added by the 42nd Amendment in 1976, are moral obligations of citizens to uphold the Constitution, national symbols, sovereignty, and heritage, promote harmony, protect public property, develop scientific temper, and provide education to children. Introduced by the Swaran Singh Committee, these non-enforceable duties emphasize responsible citizenship and were expanded in 2002 by the 86th Amendment to include the duty of providing education to children aged six to fourteen.

What are Fundamental Duties?

• They are a set of moral obligations that guide citizens in shaping a just and united nation.
• Introduced by the 42nd Amendment in 1976, they are found in Part IV-A of the Constitution under Article 51A.
• The Swaran Singh Committee recommended their inclusion to promote active citizenship and responsibility.
• While not legally enforceable, they are considered crucial for fostering a constitutional culture and responsible citizenship.

The Fundamental Duties were added in 1976, upon recommendation of the Swaran Singh Committee, that was constituted by Indira Gandhi just after the declaration of national emergency, to study and amend the constitution. This committee was under the Chairmanship of Sardar Swaran Singh, India's longest-serving union cabinet minister. Based on his recommendations, the government incorporated several changes to the Constitution including the Preamble, through the 42nd Amendment, which included the fundamental duties under the Indian Constitution.

However, by the 86th Amendment in 2002, the original 10 duties were then increased to 11, under Article 51A, Part IV-A of the Constitution of India.

The 11 Fundamental Duties

1. To oblige with the Indian Constitution and respect the National Anthem and Flag
2. To cherish and follow the noble ideas that inspired the national struggle for freedom
3. To protect the integrity, sovereignty, and unity of India
4. To defend the country and perform national services if and when the country requires
5. To promote the spirit of harmony and brotherhood amongst all the people of India and renounce any practices that are derogatory to women
6. To cherish and preserve the rich national heritage of our composite culture
7. To protect and improve the natural environment including lakes, wildlife, rivers, forests, etc.
8. To develop scientific temper, humanism, and spirit of inquiry
9. To safeguard all public property
10. To strive towards excellence in all genres of individual and collective activities
11. To provide opportunities for education to children between 6-14 years of age, and duty as parents to ensure that such opportunities are being awarded to their child.

The 11 fundamental duties look at the crisis in Indian society and become a tool for straightening it out. They serve as a source of protection for the liberty of the people.