Fundamental Duties
Fundamental Duties are moral obligations prescribed by the Indian Constitution for every citizen to promote a spirit of patriotism and uphold the unity of India.
They were not originally part of the Constitution. They were added by the 42nd Amendment Act in 1976, based on the recommendations of the Swaran Singh Committee.
These duties are listed in Article 51A under Part IV-A of the Indian Constitution.
List of the 11 Fundamental Duties (Article 51A)
It shall be 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 the spirit of common brotherhood among all the people of India, transcending religious, linguistic, regional, or sectional diversities; to renounce practices derogatory to the dignity of women.
- To value and preserve the rich heritage of our 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 constantly rises to higher levels of endeavor and achievement.
- (Added by the 86th Amendment Act, 2002)
To provide opportunities for education to children between the age of 6 and 14 years and ensure that such children attend school.
Key Points:
- They are non-justiciable, meaning they are not legally enforceable by courts.
- However, they serve as a moral code for responsible citizenship.
- They are often used by courts to interpret laws and in public interest litigations.
Here are detailed explanations of each of the 11 Fundamental Duties under Article 51A of the Indian Constitution, along with their significance and examples:
1. Respect for the Constitution, National Flag, and Anthem
Text: “To abide by the Constitution and respect its ideals and institutions, the National Flag and the National Anthem.”
- Meaning: Every citizen must respect the laws and democratic institutions like Parliament, Judiciary, and Election Commission.
- Example: Standing respectfully during the national anthem or not defacing the Constitution or national symbols.
2. Follow Noble Ideals of the Freedom Struggle
Text: “To cherish and follow the noble ideals which inspired our national struggle for freedom.”
- Meaning: Citizens should uphold values such as non-violence, patriotism, and justice, which guided leaders like Mahatma Gandhi and Subhash Chandra Bose.
- Example: Valuing democracy and rejecting colonial mindsets.
3. Uphold Unity and Integrity
Text: “To uphold and protect the sovereignty, unity, and integrity of India.”
- Meaning: Citizens must preserve India’s territorial integrity and refrain from divisive activities.
- Example: Opposing separatist movements or participating in national integration programs.
4. Defend the Country
Text: “To defend the country and render national service when called upon to do so.”
- Meaning: Citizens may be required to serve in the armed forces or during emergencies (like natural disasters).
- Example: Enlisting in the Territorial Army or volunteering during floods or pandemics.
5. Promote Harmony and Brotherhood
Text: “To promote harmony and the spirit of common brotherhood…and to renounce practices derogatory to the dignity of women.”
- Meaning: Citizens must rise above religion, language, caste, or region, and respect women’s rights.
- Example: Avoiding hate speech; actively supporting women’s empowerment.
6. Preserve Heritage and Culture
Text: “To value and preserve the rich heritage of our composite culture.”
- Meaning: India’s diverse languages, traditions, and monuments must be protected.
- Example: Not defacing monuments; participating in cultural preservation initiatives.
7. Protect the Environment
Text: “To protect and improve the natural environment including forests, lakes, rivers and wildlife, and to have compassion for living creatures.”
- Meaning: Citizens should adopt eco-friendly habits.
- Example: Not littering; supporting afforestation and wildlife protection.
8. Develop Scientific Temper and Reform
Text: “To develop the scientific temper, humanism and the spirit of inquiry and reform.”
- Meaning: Citizens should question superstitions, promote innovation, and encourage reforms in society.
- Example: Supporting scientific education; rejecting pseudoscience.
9. Safeguard Public Property
Text: “To safeguard public property and to abjure violence.”
- Meaning: Citizens must not damage government property and must reject violence.
- Example: Not vandalizing buses or buildings during protests.
10. Strive for Excellence
Text: “To strive towards excellence in all spheres of individual and collective activity.”
- Meaning: Citizens should continuously work to improve themselves and contribute positively to society.
- Example: Students studying diligently, professionals maintaining high work standards.
11. Duty to Provide Education to Children (Added in 2002)
Text: “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.”
- Meaning: Parents must ensure that their children receive at least basic education.
- Example: Enrolling children in school and ensuring regular attendance.
Why Fundamental Duties Matter:
- Promote responsible citizenship.
- Balance individual rights with national interest.
- Used by courts to interpret laws and strengthen civic responsibility.
