Quick answer
The Fundamental Duties are 11 moral and civic obligations of Indian citizens listed in Article 51A, Part IVA of the Constitution. Ten were added by the 42nd Amendment in 1976 on the recommendation of the Swaran Singh Committee, and the eleventh, on education for children, was added by the 86th Amendment in 2002.
While Fundamental Rights protect citizens from the state, Fundamental Duties remind citizens of their responsibilities towards the nation and society. They were not part of the original Constitution adopted in 1950.
All 11 Fundamental Duties in simple words
According to Article 51A, it is the duty of every citizen of India:
- To abide by the Constitution and respect its ideals and institutions, the National Flag and the National Anthem.
- To cherish and follow the noble ideals that inspired the national struggle for freedom.
- To uphold and protect the sovereignty, unity and integrity of India.
- To defend the country and render national service when called upon to do so.
- To promote harmony and a spirit of common brotherhood among all people of India, beyond religious, linguistic, regional or sectional differences, and to renounce practices that are derogatory to the dignity of women.
- To value and preserve the rich heritage of the country’s composite culture.
- To protect and improve the natural environment, including forests, lakes, rivers and wildlife, and to have compassion for living creatures.
- To develop scientific temper, humanism and the spirit of inquiry and reform.
- To safeguard public property and to abjure violence.
- To strive towards excellence in all spheres of individual and collective activity, so that the nation keeps rising to higher levels of achievement.
- For a parent or guardian, to provide opportunities for education to their child or ward between the ages of 6 and 14 years.
History of Fundamental Duties
In 1976, during the Emergency, the government set up the Swaran Singh Committee to recommend changes to the Constitution. Based on its recommendations, the 42nd Amendment Act added Part IVA and ten duties. The idea is often traced to the constitution of the former USSR, which also listed citizens’ duties. In 2002, the 86th Amendment made elementary education a Fundamental Right under Article 21A and added the eleventh duty for parents and guardians.
Are Fundamental Duties enforceable?
Fundamental Duties are non-justiciable, which means a court cannot directly punish a person for not following them. However, Parliament can make laws to enforce them, and several laws already reflect them, such as laws against insulting the National Flag and laws protecting wildlife and public property. Courts also refer to Fundamental Duties when interpreting laws.
Fundamental Rights vs Fundamental Duties
- Location: Rights are in Part III (Articles 12 to 35); duties are in Part IVA (Article 51A).
- Enforceability: Rights are enforceable in court; duties are not directly enforceable.
- Origin: Rights were in the original Constitution; duties were added in 1976.
- Who they apply to: some rights apply to all persons; duties apply to citizens.
Why Fundamental Duties matter today
They connect everyday behaviour, such as protecting the environment, respecting diversity and not damaging public property, to the values of the Constitution. Constitution Day, observed on 26 November each year, is often used by schools and offices to promote awareness of these duties.
Frequently asked questions
How many Fundamental Duties are there in the Indian Constitution?
There are 11 Fundamental Duties, listed in Article 51A of the Indian Constitution.
Which amendment added Fundamental Duties?
The 42nd Amendment of 1976 added ten Fundamental Duties. The 86th Amendment of 2002 added the eleventh.
Are Fundamental Duties legally enforceable?
No, they are non-justiciable. Courts cannot directly enforce them, but Parliament can pass laws to give effect to them.
Sources and further reading
Featured image: Photo: IM3847 / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)
