Constitutional Foundation
Citizens and the Call to Uphold Fundamental Duties: The Prime Minister’s recent call to uphold Fundamental Duties brings renewed attention to their role in India’s democratic framework. These duties are embedded in Article 51A under Part IVA, forming the ethical foundation for responsible citizenship. Their inclusion through the 42nd Constitutional Amendment Act, 1976 marked a major shift toward promoting civic responsibility.
They were recommended by the Swaran Singh Committee, which emphasized the need for citizens to balance rights with obligations.
Static GK fact: The 42nd Amendment is often called the “Mini Constitution” due to its extensive changes.
Evolution of Duties
When first introduced, there were ten Fundamental Duties. Over time, the framework expanded with the 86th Constitutional Amendment Act, 2002, which added the duty of ensuring education for children aged 6 to 14 years. This addition aligned with the Right to Education and strengthened India’s social development goals.
Though these duties are non-justiciable, they hold strong moral weight. Courts cannot enforce them directly, but they are frequently invoked to interpret constitutional values and promote responsible conduct among citizens.
Complementarity with Rights
In a constitutional democracy, rights and duties reinforce each other. Duties safeguard the environment in which rights can be meaningfully exercised. When citizens fulfil their obligations, it prevents misuse of rights and maintains social balance.
Duties also promote respect for institutions, public property, and national unity. They nurture civic values essential for a stable democracy.
Static GK Tip: The concept of Fundamental Duties draws inspiration from the Constitutions of Japan and the former USSR.
Ethical Dimension of Duties
The duty-centric perspective has been supported by several philosophers. Mahatma Gandhi believed rights naturally arise from the sincere performance of duties, highlighting the moral connection between personal conduct and societal welfare.
Plato envisioned a just society built on individuals fulfilling their specific roles, reinforcing the idea that collective harmony depends on responsible behaviour. Immanuel Kant further strengthened this ethical foundation by arguing that moral actions stem from duty-bound intentions rather than personal gain.
The integration of these ideas into the Indian constitutional framework underscores the belief that duties enrich democratic values and strengthen national integrity.
Relevance in Contemporary Governance
The Prime Minister’s call aims to remind citizens of their role in nation-building. In times of social, economic, and technological change, adherence to duties ensures unity and resilience. Duties such as promoting harmony, protecting the environment, and upholding the Constitution remain central to national progress.
By embracing these obligations, citizens contribute to an ecosystem that protects rights, fosters accountability, and sustains democratic governance.
Static GK fact: India celebrates Constitution Day every year on 26 November to honour the adoption of the Constitution in 1949.
Static Usthadian Current Affairs Table
Citizens and the Call to Uphold Fundamental Duties:
| Topic | Detail |
| Constitutional Location | Article 51A, Part IVA |
| Year of Introduction | 1976 via 42nd Amendment |
| Committee Recommendation | Swaran Singh Committee |
| Original Number of Duties | Ten |
| Added Duty | 11th duty in 2002 |
| Nature | Non-justiciable |
| Ethical Influence | Gandhi, Plato, Kant |
| Key Purpose | Promote unity, responsibility, patriotism |
| Link with Rights | Complementary and interdependent |
| Observance Day | Constitution Day on 26 November |
