The Fundamental Duties of Indian citizens are a set of moral obligations set forth in Part IV-A of the Constitution of India. These duties were added to the Constitution by the 42nd Amendment in 1976, and they are based on the idea that every citizen has certain responsibilities towards the nation and society. The Fundamental Duties are not legally enforceable, but they serve as a reminder of the obligations of citizens towards their country and its people.
There are a total of 11 Fundamental Duties in the Indian Constitution, which are as follows:
- To abide by the Constitution and respect its ideals and institutions, the national flag, and the national anthem.
- To cherish and follow the noble ideals that inspired our national struggle for freedom.
- To defend the country and render national service when called upon to do so.
- To promote harmony and the spirit of common brotherhood amongst all the people of India transcending religious, linguistic, and regional or sectional diversities; to renounce practices derogatory to the dignity of women.
- To value and preserve the rich heritage of our composite culture.
- To protect and improve the natural environment, including forests, lakes, rivers, and wildlife, and to have compassion for living creatures.
- To develop the scientific temper, humanism, and the spirit of inquiry and reform.
- To safeguard public property and to abjure violence.
- To strive towards excellence in all spheres of individual and collective activity so as to enhance the dignity of the nation and to promote social and economic justice.
- To provide opportunities for education to his or her child or ward between the age of six and fourteen years.
- To strive to foster respect for international law, the United Nations Charter, and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
The Fundamental Duties serve as a reminder to Indian citizens of their responsibilities towards the nation and its people. They are meant to promote national unity and pride, and to encourage citizens to contribute to the development and progress of the country. These duties are an important aspect of the Constitution of India and are an integral part of the country’s democratic and social framework.