Fundamental Duties (Art 51A)

5 min

Part IV-A of the Indian Constitution covering Art 51A

The Golden Rule

Fundamental Duties under Article 51A were added to the Constitution upon the recommendation of the Swaran Singh Committee. Borrowed from the erstwhile USSR, these non-justiciable duties remind citizens of their core responsibilities toward the nation.

Exam Essentials

Added by the 42nd Constitutional Amendment Act, 1976.
Originally 10 duties; 11th duty added by 86th Amendment, 2002.
Applicable only to citizens, not to foreign nationals.

Memory Hooks

SS = Swaran Singh & Soviet (USSR) inspiration.
42 = 1976 baseline ten; 86 = 2002 final eleven.
Part IVA, Article 51A - A for Authorities of Nation.

Key Facts Snapshot

Feature	Original	Current
Total Duties	10 Duties	11 Duties
Added By	42nd Amd, 1976	86th Amd, 2002
Part / Article	Part IV-A	Article 51A

Core Pillars

Swaran Singh

(Committee Report)

Committee Report

Year[ 1976 ]

Recommended adding duties in 1976.

USSR

(Source Country)

Source Country

Constitution borrowed inspiration here.

Part IV-A

(Constitutional Part)

Constitutional Part

Constitution[ ART. 51A ]

Exclusively houses Article 51A.

86th Act

(Latest Addition)

Latest Addition

Year[ 2002 ]

Added the 11th duty in 2002.

Exam Traps & Fixes

Fundamental Duties are justiciable.Fundamental Duties are non-justiciable.

You cannot file a writ petition in court to enforce them.

Added by the original 1950 Constitution.Added by the 42nd Amendment, 1976.

They were absent in the original constitution draft.

Applicable to all residents including foreigners.Applicable only to Indian citizens.

Foreign nationals residing in India do not have these duties.

Test Your Knowledge

Q1.Under which committee's recommendation were Fundamental Duties added?

Q2.Which amendment introduced the 11th Fundamental Duty regarding education?

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