Fundamental Duties – Article 51A: Origin, Importance, and Swaran Singh Committee Report

Fundamental Duties – Article 51A

“We all know our rights — like the Right to Education and Right to Freedom. But do you think we also have some duties toward our country?”

“Yes! Just like we have rights, we also have duties — these are called Fundamental Duties in our Constitution.”

Fundamental Duties are the moral and constitutional responsibilities of every Indian citizen to help the nation grow, stay united, and be peaceful.

“They remind us what we should do as good citizens — not because someone forces us, but because it’s our duty to our country.”

Let me give one simple example:

🌳 Example 1 – Anu

Anu says:

“I have the Right to live in a clean and healthy environment.”
(Article 21 – Right to Life)

✅ True. But Anu throws chocolate wrappers and plastic bottles on the road.

🚫 She is not doing her Fundamental Duty to protect the environment (Article 51A(g)).
If everyone does this, our streets, water, and air will become dirty — and everyone’s health (Right to Life) will suffer.

👉 Lesson:
If we want clean surroundings, we must first do our duty to keep them clean.

🪔 Example 2 – Kiran

Kiran says:

“I have the Right to celebrate my religion freely.”
(Article 25 – Freedom of Religion)

✅ Right! But Kiran bursts loud crackers near a hospital during a festival.

🚫 He forgets his Duty to show compassion and not disturb others’ peace (Article 51A(e)).

👉 Lesson:
We can celebrate our religion, but we should not harm others while doing it.

🧒 Example 3 – Mani

Mani says:

“I have the Right to move freely anywhere in India.”
(Article 19 – Right to Freedom)

✅ Correct! That’s his Fundamental Right.
But one day Mani rides his bike on the wrong side of the road without following traffic rules.

🚫 He is now ignoring his Fundamental Duty to respect laws and protect others’ lives.
Because of this, someone may get injured — that means he is violating another person’s Right to Life (Article 21).

So one person’s carelessness can destroy another person’s right.

We always talk about ‘rights’ — Right to equality, Right to freedom, Right to religion etc.
But think once — if everyone only demands rights, but no one performs duties — can democracy survive?

If I don’t follow traffic rules → I am risking another person’s life.
If I don’t respect national symbols → I am disrespecting the entire nation.

So Constitution makers realized — ONLY rights will not work.
Rights + Duties = balance.

This is why Fundamental Duties were added to our Constitution.
Now see — this part is not about government duties.
This part is about citizen responsibilities.

These duties tell us:
“How a good citizen should behave in a society.”

Background

Originally, Constitution (1950) had Fundamental Rights but NO Fundamental Duties.
Govt realised → rights without duties = incomplete democracy.
So, to create “responsible citizens”, duties were added.

Constitutional Basis

Point	Detail
Amendment	42nd Constitutional Amendment Act, 1976
Part added	Part IVA
Article	Article 51A
Count	10 duties originally → 11 duties now
Inspired from	USSR Constitution
11th Duty	Added by 86th Amendment Act, 2002 (related to education)

When were they added?

Amendment	Year	What happened
42nd Constitutional Amendment	1976	Added Part IVA + Article 51A and introduced 10 Fundamental Duties
86th Constitutional Amendment	2002	Added 11th duty (education duty for parents)

Fundamental Duties were inspired from USSR Constitution.

Sardar Swaran Singh Committee (1976)

(Background, Recommendations, Non-accepted points, and Impact)

🧭 1. Background – Why This Committee Was Formed

During the Internal Emergency (1975–1977), there was a belief in the government that citizens were focusing only on rights and forgetting their duties.
The ruling Congress Government under Indira Gandhi wanted to bring “discipline and responsibility” among citizens.
Hence, in 1976, the Congress Party set up a committee under Sardar Swaran Singh, the then Minister of External Affairs.

🧩 2. Objective of the Committee

To examine whether Fundamental Duties should be added to the Constitution.
To recommend the form, content, and scope of those duties.
The main aim was to make citizens aware that:

“Enjoyment of rights must be balanced with performance of duties.”

📜 3. Main Recommendations of Swaran Singh Committee

Recommendation	Explanation
1. Add a separate chapter on Fundamental Duties	To remind citizens that rights and duties are equally important.
2. Include a list of eight duties	These duties would serve as a code of conduct for citizens.
3. Citizens must realise that along with enjoying rights, they have responsibilities towards the nation.	Encourages discipline, respect, and national spirit among people.
4. Duties to be applicable to all citizens of India.	Everyone must follow them equally, without exception.

🏛️ 4. Government’s Action – 42nd Amendment Act, 1976

The Congress Government accepted the Committee’s recommendations.
Through the 42nd Constitutional Amendment Act (1976):
- A new Part – Part IVA was added.
- It contained Article 51A.
- It introduced 10 Fundamental Duties (instead of 8 suggested).
The government even stated that not including duties earlier was a “historical mistake.”

⚖️ 5. Recommendations NOT Accepted by the Government

Committee’s Suggestion	Why It Was Not Included
(1) Parliament may impose penalties/punishments for not performing duties.	Rejected because Duties were meant to be moral, not legal obligations.
(2) No law made to enforce duties should be challenged in court under Fundamental Rights.(Such punishment cannot be challenged in court under Fundamental Rights)	This would have weakened Fundamental Rights, so it was dropped.
(3) Paying taxes should also be made a Fundamental Duty.	Rejected because paying taxes is already a legal obligation under ordinary law.

💡 6. Key Outcomes of the Committee

Based on this report, Fundamental Duties became part of the Constitution for the first time.
Added under Article 51A → introduced 10 Duties (later 11 after 86th Amendment 2002).
Brought balance between rights and responsibilities.
Strengthened the concept of citizen’s accountability in a democracy.

🧠 7. Summary in One Line

The Swaran Singh Committee (1976) laid the foundation for adding Fundamental Duties, ensuring that citizens remember: “Rights and duties are two sides of the same coin.”

🎯 8. For Quick Revision

Point	Detail
Year	1976
Formed by	Congress Party
Headed by	Sardar Swaran Singh
Background	Internal Emergency (1975–77)
Suggested	8 Duties
Added by Govt	10 Duties (42nd Amendment, 1976)
Article Added	51A (Part IVA)
Inspired From	USSR Constitution
11th Duty Added	86th Amendment (2002)

🗣️ 9. Example to Explain in Class

Suppose Mani keeps saying, “I have Right to Freedom, Right to Protest…”
But if Mani burns the national flag or damages public property, that’s misuse of rights.
The Swaran Singh Committee wanted to make sure citizens like Mani also remember their Duties — like respecting the flag, maintaining discipline, and protecting national integrity.

ARTICLE 51A – Fundamental Duties

1) 51A(a): “To abide by the Constitution and respect its ideals and institutions, the National Flag and the National Anthem.”

Respect the Constitution, National Flag & National Anthem
Example: Standing up during the National Anthem in school/prayer hall.

2) 51A(b): “To cherish and follow the noble ideals which inspired our national struggle for freedom.”

Follow ideals of freedom struggle
Example: Following values like non-violence & truth inspired by Gandhi.

3) 51A(c): “To uphold and protect the sovereignty, unity and integrity of India.”

Protect India’s sovereignty, unity & integrity
Example: Not supporting separatist movements like Khalistan/anti-India slogans.

4) 51A(d): “To defend the country and render national service when called upon to do so.”

Defend the nation & do national service when called
Example: Serving in army / territorial army if the nation needs it during war.

5) 51A(e): “To promote harmony & brotherhood… and to renounce practices derogatory to the dignity of women.”

Promote harmony, fraternity & respect women

We must maintain unity across religion, language etc. & respect women
Example: Not insulting women by dowry/abuse AND not spreading communal hate.

6) 51A(f): “To value and preserve the rich heritage of our composite culture.”

Preserve rich heritage of Indian culture
Example: Protecting ancient monuments like Hampi / not scribbling on temple walls.

7) 51A(g): “To protect and improve the natural environment including forests, lakes, rivers and wildlife and to have compassion for living creatures.”

Protect environment → forests, rivers, lakes, wildlife & show compassion to animals
Example: Not throwing plastic in lakes, not killing animals for fun.

8) 51A(h): “To develop the scientific temper, humanism and the spirit of inquiry and reform.”

Develop scientific temper, humanism, inquiry & reform
Example: Taking vaccine based on science evidence, not believing rumors.

9) 51A(i): “To safeguard public property and to abjure violence.”

Protect public property & avoid violence
Example: Not burning buses or breaking government windows during protests. Government property is our property → don’t damage it & avoid violence.

10) 51A(j): “To strive towards excellence in all spheres of individual and collective activity so that the nation constantly rises.”

Every citizen must try to improve quality in whatever field they are in — this builds national excellence.
Example: A student studying sincerely to become a skilled doctor/engineer/administrator.

11) 51A(k) (added by 86th Amendment 2002)

“Who is a parent or guardian to provide opportunities for education to his child or ward between the age of six and fourteen years.”

Education is basic for democracy — citizens must ensure children don’t go into labour.

Example: Parents enrolling their kid in school (RTE age group). Admitting child to school, not making them work in shop/farm.

One line summary for revision:

Article 51A tells how a responsible citizen should behave – towards nation, society, environment & culture.

🧩PROMINENT FEATURES OF FUNDAMENTAL DUTIES

🔹 1. Divided into Two Types

(a) Moral Duties → Inner values & ethics

Example: Cherishing ideals of the freedom struggle, developing scientific temper.

(b) Civic Duties → Public responsibilities as citizens

Example: Respecting Constitution, National Flag, National Anthem.

🔹 2. Rooted in Indian Culture & Traditions

These duties reflect values already present in Indian civilization — respect, non-violence, harmony, and truth.
They are basically a codification of Indian way of life found in our mythology and teachings.

Example: “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam” (World is one family) reflects harmony & brotherhood.

🔹 3. Apply Only to Citizens (Not to Foreigners)

Some Fundamental Rights apply to everyone (citizens + foreigners).
But Fundamental Duties apply only to Indian citizens.

Example: A foreigner visiting India is not legally expected to perform these duties.

🔹 4. Non-Justiciable (Not Enforceable in Court)

Like Directive Principles (Part IV), these are not directly enforceable by courts.
There is no legal punishment if someone violates them.
However, Parliament can make laws to enforce them.

Example:

Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, 1971 → punishes disrespect to Flag or Anthem (enforces Duty under 51A(a)).

🔹 5. Added through Constitutional Amendment

Added by 42nd Amendment, 1976 under Part IVA (Article 51A).
Inspired from the USSR Constitution.
11th duty added later by 86th Amendment, 2002 (education duty).

🌿SIGNIFICANCE OF FUNDAMENTAL DUTIES

✅ 1. Reminder to Citizens

Reminds that rights come with responsibilities.
Encourages citizens to perform duties towards society and nation.

Example: While enjoying Right to Freedom, citizens should not misuse it for hate speech.

✅ 2. Warning Against Anti-National & Anti-Social Acts

Acts like burning flag, damaging public property, or promoting violence go against Duties.

Example: The 1984 anti-Sikh riots and destruction of public buses violate these duties.

✅ 3. Source of Inspiration & Discipline

Creates sense of discipline, patriotism, commitment, and unity among citizens.
Builds a morally strong and socially responsible population.

✅ 4. Helps Courts in Constitutional Interpretation

Courts use Fundamental Duties to justify certain laws and judge their validity.