Fundamental Duties (Indian Polity and Governance)

These duties are not enforceable in the court. Thus, statement (1) is incorrect. Besides, Fundamental Duties are not correlative with legal duties. Therefore, statement 2 is also wrong.

Sardar Swaran Singh Committee

• In 1976, the Government of India appointed the Sardar Swaran Singh Committee to make recommendations about Fundamental Duties.
  ∗ The Committee observed that in addition to the enjoyment of rights, the citizens should also perform certain duties.
  ∗ Accordingly, it recommended the inclusion of a separate chapter on Fundamental Duties in the Constitution, which would contain a list of 8 Fundamental Duties.
  42nd Constitutional Amendment Act of 1976
• The Central Government accepted the recommendations of the Sardar Swaran Singh Committee and decided to incorporate a list of fundamental duties in the Constitution of India.
  ∗  Accordingly, it enacted the 42nd Constitutional Amendment Act in 1976, which added a new part (Part IVA) to the Constitution.                    ∗ This new part consists of only one Article (Article 51A) which specifies a code of ten fundamental duties of the citizens of India.
  ∗  It is to be noted that though the Swaran Singh Committee recommended the incorporation of eight Fundamental Duties, the 42nd Constitutional Amendment

∗ Act included ten Fundamental Duties.
86th Constitutional Amendment Act of 2002

• The 86th Constitutional Amendment Act of 2002 added one more Fundamental Duty (to provide opportunities for education to his child or ward between the ages of six and fourteen years).
• The list of these duties in the Indian Constitution has been constant since then.

Sardar Swaran Singh Committee

• In 1976, the Government of India appointed the Sardar Swaran Singh Committee to make recommendations about Fundamental Duties.
  ∗ The Committee observed that in addition to the enjoyment of rights, the citizens should also perform certain duties.
  ∗ Accordingly, it recommended the inclusion of a separate chapter on Fundamental Duties in the Constitution, which would contain a list of 8 Fundamental Duties.
  42nd Constitutional Amendment Act of 1976
• The Central Government accepted the recommendations of the Sardar Swaran Singh Committee and decided to incorporate a list of fundamental duties in the Constitution of India.
  ∗  Accordingly, it enacted the 42nd Constitutional Amendment Act in 1976, which added a new part (Part IVA) to the Constitution.                    ∗ This new part consists of only one Article (Article 51A) which specifies a code of ten fundamental duties of the citizens of India.
  ∗  It is to be noted that though the Swaran Singh Committee recommended the incorporation of eight Fundamental Duties, the 42nd Constitutional Amendment

∗ Act included ten Fundamental Duties.
86th Constitutional Amendment Act of 2002

• The 86th Constitutional Amendment Act of 2002 added one more Fundamental Duty (to provide opportunities for education to his child or ward between the ages of six and fourteen years).
• The list of these duties in the Indian Constitution has been constant since then.

Sardar Swaran Singh Committee

• In 1976, the Government of India appointed the Sardar Swaran Singh Committee to make recommendations about Fundamental Duties.
  ∗ The Committee observed that in addition to the enjoyment of rights, the citizens should also perform certain duties.
  ∗ Accordingly, it recommended the inclusion of a separate chapter on Fundamental Duties in the Constitution, which would contain a list of 8 Fundamental Duties.
  42nd Constitutional Amendment Act of 1976
• The Central Government accepted the recommendations of the Sardar Swaran Singh Committee and decided to incorporate a list of fundamental duties in the Constitution of India.
  ∗  Accordingly, it enacted the 42nd Constitutional Amendment Act in 1976, which added a new part (Part IVA) to the Constitution.                    ∗ This new part consists of only one Article (Article 51A) which specifies a code of ten fundamental duties of the citizens of India.
  ∗  It is to be noted that though the Swaran Singh Committee recommended the incorporation of eight Fundamental Duties, the 42nd Constitutional Amendment

∗ Act included ten Fundamental Duties.
86th Constitutional Amendment Act of 2002

• The 86th Constitutional Amendment Act of 2002 added one more Fundamental Duty (to provide opportunities for education to his child or ward between the ages of six and fourteen years).
• The list of these duties in the Indian Constitution has been constant since then.

Sardar Swaran Singh Committee

• In 1976, the Government of India appointed the Sardar Swaran Singh Committee to make recommendations about Fundamental Duties.
  ∗ The Committee observed that in addition to the enjoyment of rights, the citizens should also perform certain duties.
  ∗ Accordingly, it recommended the inclusion of a separate chapter on Fundamental Duties in the Constitution, which would contain a list of 8 Fundamental Duties.
  42nd Constitutional Amendment Act of 1976
• The Central Government accepted the recommendations of the Sardar Swaran Singh Committee and decided to incorporate a list of fundamental duties in the Constitution of India.
  ∗  Accordingly, it enacted the 42nd Constitutional Amendment Act in 1976, which added a new part (Part IVA) to the Constitution.                    ∗ This new part consists of only one Article (Article 51A) which specifies a code of ten fundamental duties of the citizens of India.
  ∗  It is to be noted that though the Swaran Singh Committee recommended the incorporation of eight Fundamental Duties, the 42nd Constitutional Amendment

∗ Act included ten Fundamental Duties.
86th Constitutional Amendment Act of 2002

• The 86th Constitutional Amendment Act of 2002 added one more Fundamental Duty (to provide opportunities for education to his child or ward between the ages of six and fourteen years).
• The list of these duties in the Indian Constitution has been constant since then.

The Fundamental Duties are mentioned in Article 51-A possess several distinct features, which are as follows:

• Non-Justiciable – These duties are non-justiciable, meaning they are not enforceable by law through the judiciary. However, they serve as moral obligations and guiding principles for citizens.
• Scope of Applicability – These duties are confined to citizens only and do not extend to foreigners.
• Derived from Various Sources – These duties draw inspiration from various sources, including the Constitution of the erstwhile Soviet Union, the thoughts of Mahatma Gandhi, and other constitutional experts. They reflect a blend of national and international values.
• Directive Nature – These duties guide the behavior and conduct of citizens and serve as a moral compass for shaping a responsible and law-abiding society.
• Codification of Indian Values – They refer to values that have been a part of Indian traditions and practices. Thus, they are essentially a codification of tasks integral to the Indian way of life.
• Moral and Civic – Some of them are moral duties e.g. cherishing noble ideals of national freedom struggle, while others are civic duties e.g. respecting the Constitution.

The significance of the fundamental duties of Indian Constitution lies in their role in fostering a sense of responsibility, patriotism, and social cohesion among citizens. The points
highlighting their significance are:

• Promotes Civic Consciousness - These duties instill a sense of civic consciousness and responsibility among citizens toward the nation and society. For example, they remind them of their obligations to uphold the values enshrined in the Constitution.
• Educational and Cultural Promotion - Some Fundamental Duties emphasize the importance of promoting education, scientific temper, and the development of scientific knowledge, while also cherishing the rich cultural heritage of india.
• Harmonization with Rights-These duties complement the Fundamental Rights enshrined in the Constitution. While Fundamental Rights confer entitlements upon citizens, Fundamental Duties remind them of their reciprocal obligations towards society and the nation.
• Promotes People's Participation - They create a feeling among the citizens that they are not mere spectators but active participants in the realization of national goals.
• Preservation of National Unity and Integrity-These duties emphasize the importance of respecting the ideals of the Constitution and promoting a shared commitment to the welfare of the country beyond individual interests.
• Inculcation of Moral and Ethical Values - These duties encourage the cultivation of moral and ethical values among citizens by promoting integrity, honesty, and respect for others.
• Promotes Democratic Principles-These duties reinforce the principles of democracy through civic engagement and responsible citizenship, essential for the functioning of a vibrant democracy.
• Promotes Social Welfare - These duties encourage citizens to promote harmony and the spirit of common brotherhood, fostering social cohesion and inclusivity.
• Complements Fundamental Rights-While fundamental rights empower individuals, fundamental duties remind citizens of their responsibilities towards society and fellow citizens. They strike a balance between rights and responsibilities, ensuring that individual freedoms are exercised responsibly.
• Legal and Constitutional Framework-These duties serve as guiding principles for lawmakers and policymakers in shaping laws and policies for the betterment of society.
• Aids Judiciary - As ruled by the Supreme Court, in determining the constitutionality of any law, if a court finds that the law in question seeks to give effect to a fundamental duty, it may consider such law to be 'reasonable in relation to Article 14 (equality before law) or Article 19 (six freedoms). Thus, they help the judiciary in examining and determining the constitutional validity of a law.
• Global Recognition - The inclusion of fundamental duties enhances India's standing on the global stage by showcasing its citizen's dedication to democratic values and constitutional principles.

The significance of the fundamental duties of Indian Constitution lies in their role in fostering a sense of responsibility, patriotism, and social cohesion among citizens. The points
highlighting their significance are:

• Promotes Civic Consciousness - These duties instill a sense of civic consciousness and responsibility among citizens toward the nation and society. For example, they remind them of their obligations to uphold the values enshrined in the Constitution.
• Educational and Cultural Promotion - Some Fundamental Duties emphasize the importance of promoting education, scientific temper, and the development of scientific knowledge, while also cherishing the rich cultural heritage of india.
• Harmonization with Rights-These duties complement the Fundamental Rights enshrined in the Constitution. While Fundamental Rights confer entitlements upon citizens, Fundamental Duties remind them of their reciprocal obligations towards society and the nation.
• Promotes People's Participation - They create a feeling among the citizens that they are not mere spectators but active participants in the realization of national goals.
• Preservation of National Unity and Integrity-These duties emphasize the importance of respecting the ideals of the Constitution and promoting a shared commitment to the welfare of the country beyond individual interests.
• Inculcation of Moral and Ethical Values - These duties encourage the cultivation of moral and ethical values among citizens by promoting integrity, honesty, and respect for others.
• Promotes Democratic Principles-These duties reinforce the principles of democracy through civic engagement and responsible citizenship, essential for the functioning of a vibrant democracy.
• Promotes Social Welfare - These duties encourage citizens to promote harmony and the spirit of common brotherhood, fostering social cohesion and inclusivity.
• Complements Fundamental Rights-While fundamental rights empower individuals, fundamental duties remind citizens of their responsibilities towards society and fellow citizens. They strike a balance between rights and responsibilities, ensuring that individual freedoms are exercised responsibly.
• Legal and Constitutional Framework-These duties serve as guiding principles for lawmakers and policymakers in shaping laws and policies for the betterment of society.
• Aids Judiciary - As ruled by the Supreme Court, in determining the constitutionality of any law, if a court finds that the law in question seeks to give effect to a fundamental duty, it may consider such law to be 'reasonable in relation to Article 14 (equality before law) or Article 19 (six freedoms). Thus, they help the judiciary in examining and determining the constitutional validity of a law.
• Global Recognition - The inclusion of fundamental duties enhances India's standing on the global stage by showcasing its citizen's dedication to democratic values and constitutional principles.

The significance of the fundamental duties of Indian Constitution lies in their role in fostering a sense of responsibility, patriotism, and social cohesion among citizens. The points
highlighting their significance are:

• Promotes Civic Consciousness - These duties instill a sense of civic consciousness and responsibility among citizens toward the nation and society. For example, they remind them of their obligations to uphold the values enshrined in the Constitution.
• Educational and Cultural Promotion - Some Fundamental Duties emphasize the importance of promoting education, scientific temper, and the development of scientific knowledge, while also cherishing the rich cultural heritage of india.
• Harmonization with Rights-These duties complement the Fundamental Rights enshrined in the Constitution. While Fundamental Rights confer entitlements upon citizens, Fundamental Duties remind them of their reciprocal obligations towards society and the nation.
• Promotes People's Participation - They create a feeling among the citizens that they are not mere spectators but active participants in the realization of national goals.
• Preservation of National Unity and Integrity-These duties emphasize the importance of respecting the ideals of the Constitution and promoting a shared commitment to the welfare of the country beyond individual interests.
• Inculcation of Moral and Ethical Values - These duties encourage the cultivation of moral and ethical values among citizens by promoting integrity, honesty, and respect for others.
• Promotes Democratic Principles-These duties reinforce the principles of democracy through civic engagement and responsible citizenship, essential for the functioning of a vibrant democracy.
• Promotes Social Welfare - These duties encourage citizens to promote harmony and the spirit of common brotherhood, fostering social cohesion and inclusivity.
• Complements Fundamental Rights-While fundamental rights empower individuals, fundamental duties remind citizens of their responsibilities towards society and fellow citizens. They strike a balance between rights and responsibilities, ensuring that individual freedoms are exercised responsibly.
• Legal and Constitutional Framework-These duties serve as guiding principles for lawmakers and policymakers in shaping laws and policies for the betterment of society.
• Aids Judiciary - As ruled by the Supreme Court, in determining the constitutionality of any law, if a court finds that the law in question seeks to give effect to a fundamental duty, it may consider such law to be 'reasonable in relation to Article 14 (equality before law) or Article 19 (six freedoms). Thus, they help the judiciary in examining and determining the constitutional validity of a law.
• Global Recognition - The inclusion of fundamental duties enhances India's standing on the global stage by showcasing its citizen's dedication to democratic values and constitutional principles.

The significance of the fundamental duties of Indian Constitution lies in their role in fostering a sense of responsibility, patriotism, and social cohesion among citizens. The points
highlighting their significance are:

• Promotes Civic Consciousness - These duties instill a sense of civic consciousness and responsibility among citizens toward the nation and society. For example, they remind them of their obligations to uphold the values enshrined in the Constitution.
• Educational and Cultural Promotion - Some Fundamental Duties emphasize the importance of promoting education, scientific temper, and the development of scientific knowledge, while also cherishing the rich cultural heritage of india.
• Harmonization with Rights-These duties complement the Fundamental Rights enshrined in the Constitution. While Fundamental Rights confer entitlements upon citizens, Fundamental Duties remind them of their reciprocal obligations towards society and the nation.
• Promotes People's Participation - They create a feeling among the citizens that they are not mere spectators but active participants in the realization of national goals.
• Preservation of National Unity and Integrity-These duties emphasize the importance of respecting the ideals of the Constitution and promoting a shared commitment to the welfare of the country beyond individual interests.
• Inculcation of Moral and Ethical Values - These duties encourage the cultivation of moral and ethical values among citizens by promoting integrity, honesty, and respect for others.
• Promotes Democratic Principles-These duties reinforce the principles of democracy through civic engagement and responsible citizenship, essential for the functioning of a vibrant democracy.
• Promotes Social Welfare - These duties encourage citizens to promote harmony and the spirit of common brotherhood, fostering social cohesion and inclusivity.
• Complements Fundamental Rights-While fundamental rights empower individuals, fundamental duties remind citizens of their responsibilities towards society and fellow citizens. They strike a balance between rights and responsibilities, ensuring that individual freedoms are exercised responsibly.
• Legal and Constitutional Framework-These duties serve as guiding principles for lawmakers and policymakers in shaping laws and policies for the betterment of society.
• Aids Judiciary - As ruled by the Supreme Court, in determining the constitutionality of any law, if a court finds that the law in question seeks to give effect to a fundamental duty, it may consider such law to be 'reasonable in relation to Article 14 (equality before law) or Article 19 (six freedoms). Thus, they help the judiciary in examining and determining the constitutional validity of a law.
• Global Recognition - The inclusion of fundamental duties enhances India's standing on the global stage by showcasing its citizen's dedication to democratic values and constitutional principles.