SSC CGL Polity · Fundamental Rights, DPSP and Local Governance
Fundamental Duties
Where the Fundamental Duties came from and why they sit apart from the Rights, and the eleven duties of Article 51A, each with its clause letter.
Why this matters
Twenty questions in the bank: nine from the 2023 shifts and 11 from the 2024 shifts, 14 of them EASY. The 2024 shifts liked a small story (students writing on Humayun's Tomb, a flag used as a desk cover) and asked which duty applies, so learn each duty by the kind of act it covers.
Concept 1 of 2: Origin and nature
Definition
The facts:
- Recommended by the Swaran Singh Committee and added by the 42nd Amendment (1976) as Part IV-A, Article 51A: ten duties at first.
- The 86th Amendment (2002) added the eleventh, 51A(k).
- Borrowed from the constitution of the USSR, the first to list such duties.
- Part III is justiciable; the duties are not enforceable in court, which is why they were not placed in Part III. Courts still take them into account.
- The Justice Verma Committee (1999) found existing laws that already give effect to some of the duties.
Practice this conceptself-check · 4 quick reps
The same idea in a real exam question:
Example 1 · Fundamental Rights, DPSP and Local Governance · Fundamental Duties
Sarkaria and Balwant Rai Mehta are decoys
Concept 2 of 2: The eleven duties
Definition
Article 51A, clause by clause:
- (a) abide by the Constitution and respect its ideals, the National Flag and the National Anthem.
- (b) cherish the ideals of the freedom struggle.
- (c) uphold the sovereignty, unity and integrity of India.
- (d) defend the country and render national service when called upon.
- (e) promote harmony and brotherhood across religion, language and region; respect the dignity of women.
- (f) value and preserve our composite culture.
- (g) protect and improve the natural environment.
- (h) develop the scientific temper, humanism and the spirit of inquiry.
- (i) safeguard public property and abjure violence.
- (j) strive towards excellence.
- (k) a parent or guardian to give a child aged 6 to 14 opportunities for education.
Not among the duties: voting, paying taxes, five years of compulsory national service.
Practice this conceptself-check · 4 quick reps
The same idea in a real exam question:
Example 2 · Fundamental Rights, DPSP and Local Governance · Fundamental Duties
National service only when called upon
The environment duty is general
Summary — formulas & gotchas at a glance
A revision cheat-sheet for the formulas and gotchas above. Click any concept name to jump back to its full explanation.
Reference tables (2)
Origin and nature5 rows
The eleven duties5 rows
Watch out for (3)
- Sarkaria and Balwant Rai Mehta are decoys→ Origin and nature
- National service only when called upon→ The eleven duties
- The environment duty is general→ The eleven duties
Test yourself on Fundamental Rights, DPSP and Local Governance
20 past SSC CGL questions from this chapter, timed at 12 minutes and marked the way the exam marks it. You see your score and every answer the moment you finish. Free to start.