FUNDAMENTAL DUTIES

FUNDAMENTAL DUTIES

 

INTRODUCTION

Citizens have many rights under any democratic system, but these rights also come with

many responsibilities. The idea of fundamental duties is one of the most important—yet

frequently overlooked—components of a functioning democracy. We are going to examine

their universal applicability, incorporation into the Indian Constitution, social impact, and the

perceptions of today's youth in this blog.

1. What are Fundamental Duties?

The moral obligations that each and every citizen of a democracy has to uphold

constitutional values and positively contribute to the advancement of the country are known

as fundamental duties. These responsibilities seek to inculcate in citizens a sense of

dedication, responsibility, and civic discipline.

 

2. Origin

Following the Swaran Singh Committee's recommendations, the 42nd Amendment Act of

1976 added the provision of Fundamental Duties to the Indian Constitution. The USSR

Constitution, which placed a strong emphasis on civic duties as necessary for social order,

served as the model for the idea.

 

3. International Viewpoint: Civic Obligations All Around the World

Nations all over the world understand the value of civic duties: Japan teaches its citizens to

be respectful and environmentally conscious.Germany and France prioritize national service

and civic education.Russia upholds legally mandated civic responsibilities, continuing the

Soviet tradition.These instances demonstrate a universal conviction that rights and

obligations should be balanced.

 

4. Fundamental Duties in the Indian Constitution

In India, Fundamental Duties are enshrined in Article 51A under Part IVA of the Constitution.

They apply to every Indian citizen, regardless of age, gender, or socio-economic status.

These duties serve as a moral code of conduct essential for national unity and integrity.

 

5. List of Fundamental Duties

India currently has 11 Fundamental Duties:

1. Abide by the Constitution and respect its ideals and institutions.

2. Cherish noble ideals from the freedom struggle.

3. Uphold and protect India’s sovereignty, unity, and integrity.

4. Defend the country and serve the nation when called.

5. Promote harmony and brotherhood beyond diversities.

6. Renounce practices derogatory to women's dignity.

7. Preserve the country’s composite cultural heritage.

8. Protect and improve the environment.

9. Develop scientific temper, humanism, and spirit of inquiry.

10. Safeguard public property and abjure violence.

11. Provide educational opportunities to children aged 6–14 (added by the 86th

Amendment, 2002).

 

6. Role and Significance in Society

Fundamental Duties strengthen civic integrity:

● Socially, they promote inclusivity and unity.

● Politically, they encourage responsible participation.

● Economically, they uphold public discipline and safeguard national resources.

Though non-justiciable, they guide ethical conduct.

 

7. Youth Perspective: Insights from a National Survey

A 2021 study titled "Sense and Sensitivity on Fundamental Duties: A Survey on Indian

Youth" by Dr. Juhi Garg and Dr. Gagandeep Kaur, involved 231 law students aged 18–23

across different Indian states.

Major Findings:

87.4% of students said they were aware of their fundamental duties.

90.9% of people would dispose of frayed national flags with dignity.

95.2% of respondents said they would be willing to give blood to support a soldier.

93.1% favored upholding women's dignity and fostering harmony.

93.5% expressed a strong preference for protecting the environment.

94.8% of respondents supported compulsory education for children.

 

Although the data indicates civic awareness, it also demonstrates that engagement is

frequently event-driven and discontinuous, highlighting the necessity of ongoing

sensitization.

While the data reflects civic awareness, it also shows that engagement is often event-driven

and not continuous—pointing to the need for regular sensitization.

 

8. A Needed Balance Between Fundamental Duties and Fundamental Rights

It is possible to enforce fundamental rights through the legal system. However, fundamental

duties cannot be enforced by law because they are non-justiciable. However, both are

equally important. Individuals are empowered by their rights. Responsibly using that

empowerment is ensured by duties.The Supreme Court stressed in seminal rulings (Union

of India v. Naveen Jindal, Javed v. State of Haryana) that rights must be interpreted in

conjunction with duties and Directive Principles.

 

9. Implementation Difficulties

Despite the significance of the constitution, Fundamental Duties encounter several

obstacles:

Low level of public awareness as a result of media and educational neglect.

Lack of legal enforceability lowers accountability.

Symbolic devotion, frequently limited to patriotic events.

The government's policy outreach is inconsistent.

These difficulties show that more robust engagement models are required.

 

10. The Call to Action

To help people become more aware of their responsibilities, the following steps can be

taken:

Policy innovation: Government agencies should make clear civic campaigns and educational

modules.

Recognition and rewards: People who do their civic duties, like keeping public property safe

or promoting peace, should be recognized at the community level or even at the national

level.

Outreach by institutions: Legal and non-legal institutions need to set up seminars, webinars,

and workshops in schools, colleges, and public places.

 

Advocacy that is fair: Make it clear that Fundamental Duties are not less important than

Fundamental Rights; they are complementary. This equality should be shown in public

discourse.

To build a strong ethical democratic culture, the state, civil society, and academia must all

work together to promote Fundamental Duties.

CONCLUSION

Fundamental Duties are blueprints for national character, not just constitutional texts. In

addition to exercising their rights, citizens also have an obligation to uphold democratic

principles. We can make sure that these responsibilities are actually fulfilled by raising

awareness, developing innovative policies, and working together.

Closing Credits

Author: Rimanshu Verma
Affiliation: University of Lucknow, Lucknow

"The views expressed are personal. This article is intended for educational purposes and public discourse. Feedback and constructive criticism are welcome!"