FUNDAMENTAL DUTIES

Introduction

Fundamental Duties are set of moral and ethical obligations that citizens are expected to uphold towards a nation. The fundamental duties of citizens were added to the constitution by the 42nd Amendment in 1976 under Article 51A part 4A, upon the recommendations of the Swaran Singh Committee. They act as a reminder to the citizens that in addition to the enjoyment of rights, they also have to perform certain duties towards the nation they live in. Article 51A of the Indian Constitution in Part IV-A provides eleven Fundamental Duties.

Background

The fundamental duties were inspired by constitution of USSR (now Russia). Originally, Article 51A lists ten fundamental duties, including respecting the Constitution and its ideals, cherishing the national heritage, defending the country, promoting harmony, and striving for excellence. The 86th Constitutional Amendment Act of 2002 added one more Fundamental Duty emphasizing the importance of providing educational opportunities for children aged 6-14.

List of Fundamental Duties

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 which inspired our national struggle for freedom;

(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; to renounce practices derogatory to the dignity of women;

(f) to value and preserve the rich heritage of our composite culture;

(g) to protect and improve the natural environment including forests, lakes, rivers and wild life, and to have compassion for living creatures;

(h) to develop the 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) who is a parent or guardian to provide opportunities for education to his child or, as the case may be, ward between the age of six and fourteen years.]