Fundamental Duties
The concept of Fundamental Duties in the Indian Constitution is borrowed from the Constitution of the former USSR (Union of Soviet Socialist Republics).
These duties were integrated into Part IV-A of the Constitution under Article 51-A by the 42nd Amendment in 1976, based on the recommendations of the Swaran Singh Committee. The committee emphasized that citizens have duties to perform in addition to enjoying their rights.
Initially, ten duties were added, and the eleventh duty was included in 2002 by the 86th Amendment.
The 11 Fundamental Duties
Here is the complete list of all 11 Fundamental Duties for 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 that 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; and 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 wildlife, and to have compassion for living creatures.
- (h)👩🔬 To develop a 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 endeavor and achievement.
- (k)🧑🏫 To provide opportunities for education to one’s child or ward between the age of six and fourteen years.
Key Aspects:
- Borrowed from: Former USSR.
- Purpose: To foster patriotism, unity, and civic responsibility, and to contribute to national progress.
- Nature: Primarily moral and non-justiciable (not directly enforceable by courts), but they can be used by courts to interpret laws.
- Balance: They serve to balance Fundamental Rights with corresponding duties.
In short, the Fundamental Duties outline the moral and civic responsibilities of a citizen, showing them how to contribute positively to the nation and respect its foundational principles and structures. They are the “do’s” that complement the “don’ts” and the rights given by the Constitution.