The list of Fundamental Duties in India is outlined in Article 51A of the Indian Constitution. These duties were introduced through the 42nd Amendment Act in 1976, and the list was further expanded with the 86th Amendment Act in 2002. As of the 86th Amendment, there are eleven Fundamental Duties.
- To abide by the Constitution and respect its ideals and institutions (Article 51A(a)):
- Citizens are duty-bound to uphold and follow the principles and ideals of the Constitution. This includes respecting its institutions, such as the judiciary, legislature, and executive.
- To cherish and follow the noble ideals that inspired the national struggle for freedom (Article 51A(b)):
- Citizens are encouraged to cherish and adhere to the noble ideals that were the driving force behind India’s struggle for independence. This duty emphasizes the continuity of the spirit of the freedom movement in the post-independence era.
- To uphold and protect the sovereignty, unity, and integrity of India (Article 51A(c)):
- Citizens have a duty to safeguard the sovereignty, unity, and integrity of the nation. This involves being vigilant against any threat to the country’s territorial integrity and national security.
- To defend the country and render national service when called upon to do so (Article 51A(d)):
- Citizens are expected to be ready to defend the country and render national service whenever the need arises. This duty underscores the importance of national service and defense in times of emergency.
- To promote harmony and the spirit of common brotherhood among all the people of India transcending religious, linguistic, and regional or sectional diversities (Article 51A(e)):
- Citizens are duty-bound to work towards promoting harmony and fostering a spirit of common brotherhood among the diverse people of India. This includes transcending barriers such as religion, language, and region.
- To value and preserve the rich heritage of the country’s composite culture (Article 51A(f)):
- Citizens are entrusted with the duty of valuing and preserving India’s rich heritage, which is characterized by its composite culture that has evolved over centuries.
- To protect and improve the natural environment including forests, lakes, rivers, and wildlife, and to have compassion for living creatures (Article 51A(g)):
- Citizens have a duty to protect and improve the natural environment, including forests, lakes, rivers, and wildlife. This duty also emphasizes the need for compassion towards living creatures.
- To develop the scientific temper, humanism, and the spirit of inquiry and reform (Article 51A(h)):
- Citizens are encouraged to cultivate a scientific temper, humanism, and a spirit of inquiry and reform. This duty underscores the importance of a rational and progressive mindset.
- To safeguard public property and to abjure violence (Article 51A(i)):
- Citizens are duty-bound to safeguard public property and refrain from engaging in violence. This duty emphasizes the importance of respecting public assets and maintaining a peaceful and law-abiding society.
- 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 (Article 51A(j)):
- Citizens are urged to strive for excellence in all aspects of their individual and collective endeavors. This duty emphasizes the pursuit of higher levels of achievement for the nation’s progress.
- To provide opportunities for education to the children between the ages of 6 and 14 years (Article 51A(k)):
- Parents and guardians have a duty to provide opportunities for education to their children between the ages of 6 and 14 years. This duty is aimed at ensuring that children receive primary education, as envisaged by the Right to Education Act.
These Fundamental Duties collectively emphasize the holistic development of individuals and the nation, fostering a sense of responsibility, ethical conduct, and active participation in the progress of the country.
