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Fundamental Duties, List, Key Features, Amendments, PYQs

Fundamental duties are enshrined in Part IV-A of the Indian Constitution. Explore the list of fundamental duties, their features, amendments, and relevance for the UPSC exam.
authorImageDeeksha Dixit15 Sept, 2025
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Fundamental Duties

Fundamental Duties : In the Constitution of India, Article 51A outlines the fundamental duties of citizens. These duties were not originally present and were incorporated through the 42nd Amendment Act of 1976 . Fundamental duties serve as moral and civic responsibilities that citizens are expected to uphold for the betterment of society and the nation.

They aim to promote a sense of discipline, respect for the Constitution, national unity, and social harmony. While these duties are not legally enforceable , they act as guiding principles for ethical behaviour, complementing the provided to citizens. UPSC often asks questions on fundamental duties in preliminary and Mains, making it an important topic for the exam.

What Are Fundamental Duties?

Fundamental duties are a set of moral and civic responsibilities prescribed in the Indian Constitution for citizens. These duties were added to the Constitution by the 42nd Amendment in 1976, under Article 51A, following the recommendations of the Swaran Singh Committee. The concept of Fundamental Duties in the Indian Constitution is primarily inspired by the Constitution of the Soviet Union (USSR), which sought to balance citizens' rights with their responsibilities toward the state. These duties aim to promote a sense of civic responsibility, national pride, and social harmony among the citizens of India.

List of Fundamental Duties in Indian Constitution

The Fundamental Duties are outlined in Part IV-A of the Indian Constitution. Originally, the Constitution contained ten duties, but a later amendment increased them to eleven. The 51A of the constitution mentions that ‘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;
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; 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

Key Features of the Fundamental Duties

Fundamental duties in India have certain key characteristics that differentiate them from other constitutional provisions. Here are the distinct features of the Fundamental duties:

Non-Justiciable in Nature

Unlike Fundamental Rights, which are enforceable by the courts, Fundamental Duties are non-justiciable. This means citizens cannot be penalized or punished directly for failing to perform these duties. However, the state can enact laws or policies to encourage the fulfillment of these duties (for example, environmental laws to protect the environment).

Balances the Fundamental Rights

Fundamental duties are based on the idea that rights and duties are complementary . A responsible citizen, who respects the rights of others, should also fulfill their own duties. These duties highlight the importance of exercising personal freedoms in a way that contributes to the welfare of society and the nation.

Moral and Civic Responsibilities

Unlike Fundamental rights, the Fundamental duties apply only to the citizens of India. Some of these duties are moral obligations like promoting harmony or preserving culture. Other duties are civic responsibilities, focused on legal and social obligations, such as obeying the Constitution or protecting public property.

Derived from Various Sources

Fundamental duties are inspired by various sources, including the Soviet Union’s Constitution, Mahatma Gandhi's ideals , and the thoughts of several leaders. Together, these duties serve as moral guidelines and represent an essential ethical code for Indian citizens.

Directive in Nature

Fundamental Duties are directive in nature , meaning they guide and direct citizens' actions rather than impose enforceable legal obligations. They act as moral guidelines for citizens to follow in their daily lives, ensuring that they contribute to the nation’s growth.

Reflection of Indian Values

The Fundamental Duties reflect the core values of Indian society , such as non-violence, respect for diversity, environmental stewardship, and public service. They are rooted in Indian traditions, moral teachings, and spiritual ideals, and serve as a modern codification of these ancient values.

86th Constitutional Amendment

Fundamental Duties have evolved since they were introduced in 1976. The 86th Constitutional Amendment (2002) added the 11th Fundamental Duty , making it the responsibility of parents or guardians to educate children aged 6-14 years. This aligned with the Right to Education Act (2009), highlighting the importance of education as both a right and a responsibility. The 86th Constitutional Amendment was a significant step in India’s focus on universal education.

Relevance of Fundamental Duties

Fundamental duties serve citizens' moral compass, guiding their behavior and responsibilities towards society and the nation. Here is why fundamental duties are important:
  • Encourage Civic Responsibility : By emphasizing duties, citizens become more aware of their role in the democratic system.
  • Create Constitutional Balance : While rights empower individuals, duties remind them of their responsibility to society.
  • Promote Responsible Citizenship: Fundamental Duties encourage citizens to contribute positively to society.
  • Encourage National Unity: They emphasize values that promote unity and integrity within the nation.
  • Ensures Balanced Governance: Duties ensure that rights are not misused and are exercised responsibly, creating a balanced relationship between the state and its citizens.
In conclusion, Fundamental Duties play a key role in shaping responsible citizens who understand their role in society. They help balance rights with responsibilities, encourage unity, and ensure a fair and just system for all.

Supreme Court’s Views on Fundamental Duties

The Supreme Court has recognized that Fundamental Duties serve a purpose in complementing the rights guaranteed under Part III of the Constitution. Here is the stand of the Supreme Court: M.C. Mehta v. Kamal Nath II (2000) The Court underlined that Article 51A(g) imposes a clear duty on citizens to protect the environment. It linked this duty with Article 48A (State’s duty to protect the environment) and Article 21 (Right to Life), thus emphasizing the duty to respect nature as an integral part of ensuring a sustainable life. Shri Ranganath Mishra v. Union of India (2003) The Court emphasized that Fundamental Duties should not only be enforced by legal sanctions but should also be promoted through social sanctions. It emphasized the importance of teaching citizens about their obligations towards the state, society, and the environment. Ramlila Maidan Incident v. Home Secretary (2012) he Court highlighted the duty of citizens to maintain public order, specifically referring to their Fundamental Duty under Article 51A to abjure violence and respect public property. The Court emphasized that Fundamental Rights must be balanced with Fundamental Duties to ensure public tranquility.

Fundamental Duties PYQs

Here are some previous year questions (PYQs) on Fundamental Duties that were asked in UPSC Prelims: Which of the following is/are among the Fundamental Duties of citizens laid down in the Indian Constitution? (2012)
  1. To preserve the rich heritage of our composite culture
  2. To protect the weaker sections from social injustice
  3. To develop the scientific temper and spirit of inquiry
  4. To strive towards excellence in all spheres of individual and collective activity
Select the correct answer using the codes given below :
  1. 1 and 2 only
  2. 2 only
  3. 1, 3 and 4 only
  4. 1, 2, 3 and 4
"To uphold and protect the Sovereignty, Unity and Integrity of India" is a provision made in the (2015) (a) Preamble of the Constitution (b) Directive Principles of State Policy (c) Fundamental Rights (d) Fundamental Duties Which of the following statements is/are true of the Fundamental Duties of an Indian citizen? (2017)
  1. A legislative process has been provided to enforce these duties.
  2. They are correlative to legal duties.
Select the correct answer using the code given below: (a) 1 only (b) 2 only (c) Both 1 and 2 (d) Neither 1 nor 2 In the context of India, which one of the following is the correct relationship between Rights and Duties? (2017) (a) Rights are correlative with Duties. (b) Rights are personal and hence independent of society and Duties. (c) Rights, not Duties, are important for the advancement of the personality of the citizen. (d) Duties, not Rights, are important for the stability of the State. Other than the Fundamental Rights, which of the following parts of the Constitution of India reflect/reflects the principles and provisions of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (1948)? (2019)
  1. Preamble
  2. Directive Principles of State Policy
  3. Fundamental Duties
Select the correct answer using the code given below: (a) 1 and 2 only (b) 2 only (c) 1 and 3 only (d) 1, 2 and 3
  To learn Indian Polity in detail for the UPSC exams, enroll in the PW UPSC course s and get guidance from mentors!
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Fundamental Duties FAQs

What are the 11 Fundamental Duties in the Indian Constitution?

The 11 Fundamental Duties, listed under Article 51A of the Indian Constitution, include respecting the Constitution, the national flag, and the national anthem, promoting harmony, protecting the environment, and ensuring education for children, among others.

Who recommended the inclusion of Fundamental Duties?

The Swaran Singh Committee recommended Fundamental Duties, later added by the 42nd Amendment Act in 1976.

Are Fundamental Duties legally enforceable?

No, Fundamental duties are not enforceable by law but serve as moral obligations.

Fundamental Duties were inspired by which country?

Fundamental Duties were inspired by the Constitution of the Soviet Union. The idea was incorporated into India’s Constitution by the 42nd Amendment.

When were Fundamental Duties added to the Indian Constitution?

They were added in 1976 by the 42nd Amendment and amended in 2002 to include the eleventh duty.
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