Fundamental Duties
The Fundamental Duties are a set of obligations that are placed on all citizens of India by the Constitution of India. They were added to the Constitution in 1976, through the 42nd Amendment. The Fundamental Duties are intended to promote a spirit of patriotism and nationalism, and to ensure the unity and integrity of the nation. They also seek to promote social, economic, and political justice, and to protect the environment.
The Fundamental Duties are as follows:
- To abide by the Constitution and respect its ideals and institutions, the National Flag and the National Anthem.
- To cherish and follow the noble ideals which inspired our national struggle for freedom.
- To uphold and protect the sovereignty, unity and integrity of India.
- To defend the country and render national service when called upon to do so.
- 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; and to value and preserve the rich heritage of our composite culture.
- To protect and improve the natural environment including forests, lakes, rivers and wildlife, and to have compassion for living creatures.
- To develop scientific temper, humanism and the spirit of inquiry and reform.
- To safeguard public property and to abjure violence.
- 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.
- To provide opportunities for education and to promote adult education.
The Fundamental Duties are not enforceable in a court of law, but they are nevertheless important obligations that all citizens should strive to fulfill. The Supreme Court of India has held that the Fundamental Duties are “a code of conduct for all citizens” and that they “should be read into every statute”.
The Fundamental Duties have been criticized by some for being too vague and for not being enforceable in a court of law. However, they remain an important part of the Indian Constitution and they play a significant role in promoting national unity and integrity.
Frequently Asked Questions
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What are the Fundamental Duties?
The Fundamental Duties are a set of obligations that are placed on all citizens of India by the Constitution of India. They were added to the Constitution in 1976, through the 42nd Amendment. The Fundamental Duties are intended to promote a spirit of patriotism and nationalism, and to ensure the unity and integrity of the nation. They also seek to promote social, economic, and political justice, and to protect the environment. -
How many Fundamental Duties are there?
There are 10 Fundamental Duties. -
What are the 10 Fundamental Duties?
The 10 Fundamental Duties are: -
To abide by the Constitution and respect its ideals and institutions, the National Flag and the National Anthem.
- To cherish and follow the noble ideals which inspired our national struggle for freedom.
- To uphold and protect the sovereignty, unity and integrity of India.
- To defend the country and render national service when called upon to do so.
- 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; and to value and preserve the rich heritage of our composite culture.
- To protect and improve the natural environment including forests, lakes, rivers and wildlife, and to have compassion for living creatures.
- To develop scientific temper, humanism and the spirit of inquiry and reform.
- To safeguard public property and to abjure violence.
- 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.
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To provide opportunities for education and to promote adult education.
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Are the Fundamental Duties enforceable in a court of law?
No, the Fundamental Duties are not enforceable in a court of law. However, they are nevertheless important obligations that all citizens should strive to fulfill. The Supreme Court of India has held that the Fundamental Duties are “a code of conduct for all citizens” and that they “should be read into every statute”. -
What are the benefits of fulfilling the Fundamental Duties?
There are many benefits to fulfilling the Fundamental Duties. For example, fulfilling the Fundamental Duty to protect and improve the natural environment can help to protect our planet and ensure that future generations have a healthy environment to live in. Fulfilling the Fundamental Duty to develop scientific temper can help to promote innovation and progress in our country. And fulfilling the Fundamental Duty to strive towards excellence in all spheres of individual and collective activity can help to make our country a better place for