Fundamental Duties

The 42^nd amendment Act 1976 added a new part in the constitution part IVA. It incorporated the fundamental duties by inserting a new article 51A below article 51.  The objective of incorporating the fundamental duties is to place before the country a code of conduct, which the citizens are expected to follow. The Fundamental duties are as follows:

1. to abide by the Constitution and respect its ideals and institutions, the National Flag and the National Anthem;
2. to cherish and follow the noble ideals which inspired our national struggle for freedom;
3. to uphold and protect the sovereignty, unity and integrity of India;
4. to defend the country and render national service when called upon to do so;
5. 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;
6. to value and preserve the rich heritage of our composite culture;
7. to protect and improve the natural environment including forests, lakes, rivers and wild life, and to have compassion for living creatures;
8. to develop the scientific temper, humanism and the spirit of inquiry and reform;
9. to safeguard public property and to abjure violence;
10. 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;
11. 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.

Fundamental Duties v/s Directive Principles

The fundamental duties were included in the constitution by the 42^nd amendment act 1976. They are inspired by the “Constitution of USSR”. As the directive principles are addressed to the state, the fundamental duties are addressed to the Citizens. The citizens enjoying the fundamental rights must respect the ideals of the constitution, to promote harmony and spirit of the brotherhood.

Swaran Singh Committee

Sardar Swaran Singh committee was constituted by Indira Gandhi soon after emergency was imposed in the country. The objective of this committee was to study the question of amending the constitution in the light of past experiences and recommend the amendments. The 42nd amendment act which is also called “Mini Constitution” which amended many articles and even the Preamble was a result of the recommendations of Sardar Swaran Singh committee.  The 10 fundamental duties were also added as per the recommendations of Sardar Swaran Singh committee.