Article 51A — Fundamental Duties

Introduction

Article 51A contains the:

Fundamental Duties of citizens

It is located in:

Part IVA

of the Constitution.

There are currently:

11 Fundamental Duties

1. Article 51A(a)

Every citizen should:

Abide by the Constitution and respect its ideals and institutions, the National Flag and the National Anthem.

Key points

• Respect the Constitution
• Respect constitutional ideals
• Respect constitutional institutions
• Respect National Flag
• Respect National Anthem

Memory

51A(a) → Constitution + National Symbols

2. Article 51A(b)

Every citizen should:

Cherish and follow the noble ideals which inspired the national struggle for freedom.

Core idea

Freedom struggle values

Memory

51A(b) → Freedom Struggle

3. Article 51A(c)

Every citizen should:

Uphold and protect the sovereignty, unity and integrity of India.

Core idea

National unity and integrity

Memory

51A(c) → Sovereignty + Unity + Integrity

4. Article 51A(d)

Every citizen should:

Defend the country and render national service when called upon to do so.

Core idea

National defence

Memory

51A(d) → Defence

5. Article 51A(e)

Every citizen should:

Promote harmony and the spirit of common brotherhood amongst all the people of India

and:

Renounce practices derogatory to the dignity of women.

It specifically refers to differences based on:

• Religion
• Language
• Region
• Sectional or other diversities

Core idea

Harmony + Dignity of women

Memory

51A(e) → Harmony + Women

6. Article 51A(f)

Every citizen should:

Value and preserve the rich heritage of India's composite culture.

Core idea

Cultural heritage

Memory

51A(f) → Composite Culture

7. Article 51A(g)

Every citizen should:

Protect and improve the natural environment

including:

• Forests
• Lakes
• Rivers
• Wildlife

and have:

Compassion for living creatures

Core idea

Environmental protection

Memory

51A(g) → Environment

8. Article 51A(h)

Every citizen should develop:

• Scientific temper
• Humanism
• Spirit of inquiry
• Spirit of reform

Core idea

Scientific and rational outlook

Memory

51A(h) → Scientific Temper

9. Article 51A(i)

Every citizen should:

Safeguard public property

and:

Abjure violence.

Core idea

Public property + Non-violence

Memory

51A(i) → Public Property

10. Article 51A(j)

Every citizen should:

Strive towards excellence in all spheres of individual and collective activity

so that the nation constantly rises to:

Higher levels of endeavour and achievement.

Core idea

Excellence

Memory

51A(j) → Excellence

11. Article 51A(k)

It is the duty of every parent or guardian to provide opportunities for education to their:

Child or ward

between:

6 and 14 years

Added by

86th Constitutional Amendment Act, 2002

Core idea

Education

Memory

51A(k) → Parent + Education 6–14

12. Complete Memory Table

13. Original vs Current Duties

42nd Amendment, 1976

Added:

51A(a)–(j)

= 10 duties

86th Amendment, 2002

Added:

51A(k)

= 11 duties

14. Important Features

Fundamental Duties are:

Constitutional

Citizens' duties

Contained in Article 51A

Part IVA

Generally non-justiciable

11 in number

They promote:

Responsible citizenship

15. UPSC Prelims Traps

Trap 1

"Article 51A contains duties of the State."

False

It contains duties of:

Citizens

Trap 2

"Article 51A was part of the original Constitution."

False

It was inserted by:

42nd Amendment, 1976

Trap 3

"Article 51A(k) applies to all citizens."

False

It specifically concerns:

Parent or guardian

and education of a:

Child or ward aged 6–14 years

Trap 4

"Environmental protection is Article 51A(h)."

False

51A(g) → Environment

51A(h) → Scientific temper

Trap 5

"Protection of composite culture is Article 51A(e)."

False

51A(e) → Harmony + dignity of women

51A(f) → Composite culture

Trap 6

"Safeguarding public property is Article 51A(j)."

False

51A(i) → Public property

51A(j) → Excellence

16. Quick Revision

51A(a) → Constitution
51A(b) → Freedom struggle
51A(c) → Unity
51A(d) → Defence
51A(e) → Harmony + Women
51A(f) → Culture
51A(g) → Environment
51A(h) → Science
51A(i) → Public property
51A(j) → Excellence
51A(k) → Education