Fundamental Duties

Q40. Fundamental Duties were added by which amendment? Select the most appropriate option.

[RSMSSB Forester, 28 June 2026]

• (A) 86th Amendment
• (B) 24th Amendment
• (C) 42nd Amendment
• (D) 44th Amendment

Answer: (C) 42nd Amendment

Explanation: The 42nd Constitutional Amendment Act, 1976 inserted Part IV-A and Article 51A, introducing ten Fundamental Duties. It followed the recommendations of the Swaran Singh Committee. The 86th Amendment of 2002 subsequently added the eleventh duty concerning children’s education.

Q39. Which of the following Amendments to the Constitution of India introduced Fundamental Duties in the form of Article 51A?

[RRB NTPC (Undergraduate) CBT-I, 17 June 2026, Shift 2]

• (A) 42nd Amendment, 1976
• (B) 24th Amendment, 1971
• (C) 52nd Amendment, 1985
• (D) 44th Amendment, 1978

Answer: (A) 42nd Amendment, 1976

Explanation: Article 51A entered the Constitution through the 42nd Amendment in 1976, along with a new Part IV-A. The 24th Amendment dealt with Parliament’s amending power, the 52nd with anti-defection, and the 44th with post-Emergency constitutional changes.

Q38. Which Committee recommended Fundamental Duties?

[SSC GD Constable, 26 May 2026, Shift 1]

• (A) Swaran Singh Committee
• (B) Rajamannar Committee
• (C) Sarkaria Committee
• (D) Balwant Rai Mehta Committee

Answer: (A) Swaran Singh Committee

Explanation: The Swaran Singh Committee, constituted in 1976, recommended inserting Fundamental Duties into the Constitution. Parliament acted through the 42nd Amendment. The Sarkaria Committee examined Centre–State relations, while the Balwant Rai Mehta Committee is associated with democratic decentralisation and Panchayati Raj.

Q37. Which Article of the Indian Constitution deals with Fundamental Duties?

[UPHESC Assistant Professor (Political Science), 19 April 2026, Shift 2]

• (A) Article 32
• (B) Article 51A
• (C) Article 44
• (D) Article 356

Answer: (B) Article 51A

Explanation: Article 51A lists the Fundamental Duties and is the only article in Part IV-A. Article 32 concerns constitutional remedies, Article 44 advocates a uniform civil code as a Directive Principle, and Article 356 governs President’s Rule in states.

Q36. Through which Constitutional Amendment were the Fundamental Duties incorporated into the Constitution?

[RRB NTPC (Graduate) CBT-I, 19 March 2026, Shift 1]

• (A) 97th Amendment, 2011
• (B) 52nd Amendment, 1985
• (C) 42nd Amendment, 1976
• (D) 61st Amendment, 1989

Answer: (C) 42nd Amendment, 1976

Explanation: The 42nd Amendment of 1976 originally included ten duties in Article 51A. The 97th Amendment concerned cooperative societies, the 52nd introduced anti-defection provisions, and the 61st lowered the voting age from twenty-one to eighteen years.

Q35. Which Fundamental Duty is reflected when children stage a one-act play on the life of Shaheed Bhagat Singh?

[DSSSB MTS, 8 March 2026, Shift 2]

• (A) To abide by the Constitution and respect its ideals and institutions
• (B) To safeguard public property and abjure violence
• (C) To promote harmony and the spirit of common brotherhood
• (D) To cherish and follow the noble ideals that inspired our national struggle

Answer: (D) To cherish and follow the noble ideals that inspired our national struggle

Explanation: Article 51A(b) asks citizens to cherish and follow the ideals underlying India’s freedom struggle. A play about Bhagat Singh can introduce young people to sacrifice and anti-colonial ideals. The other options describe separate duties within Article 51A.

Q34. Fundamental Duties were added to the Indian Constitution by:

[MP Police Constable, 9 December 2025, Shift 2]

• (A) 44th Amendment
• (B) 52nd Amendment
• (C) 42nd Amendment
• (D) 61st Amendment

Answer: (C) 42nd Amendment

Explanation: The 42nd Amendment Act of 1976 inserted Fundamental Duties after the Swaran Singh Committee’s recommendations. Initially numbering ten, they became eleven following the 86th Amendment of 2002. The 44th, 52nd and 61st Amendments addressed other constitutional subjects.

Q33. Which of the following is a Fundamental Duty mentioned in the Indian Constitution?

[SSC CHSL Tier-I, 26 November 2025, Shift 3]

• (A) To respect one’s parents and teachers
• (B) To take part in village panchayat
• (C) To respect the national animal
• (D) To safeguard public property

Answer: (D) To safeguard public property

Explanation: Article 51A(i) directs citizens to safeguard public property and abjure violence. Respecting teachers or the national animal may be socially valued, but those exact obligations are not listed as Fundamental Duties. Village panchayats are addressed through other constitutional provisions.

Q32. Which of the following is a Fundamental Duty mentioned in the Indian Constitution?

[SSC CHSL Tier-I, 24 November 2025, Shift 1]

• (A) To value the rich heritage of our composite culture
• (B) To not indulge in corrupt practices
• (C) To help accident victims
• (D) To respect freedom of speech of others

Answer: (A) To value the rich heritage of our composite culture

Explanation: Article 51A(f) expressly requires citizens to value and preserve the rich heritage of India’s composite culture. The Constitution recognises cultural diversity and shared traditions through this duty. The remaining choices, although potentially desirable conduct, are not worded as separate Fundamental Duties.

Q31. Fundamental Duties in the Constitution of India were inspired by which country’s constitution?

[OSSSC CRE Preliminary Examination, 19 October 2025, Shift 1]

• (A) The United States
• (B) USSR (now Russia)
• (C) The United Kingdom
• (D) France

Answer: (B) USSR (now Russia)

Explanation: India borrowed the idea of expressly listing citizens’ constitutional duties from the former Soviet Union. The duties were inserted in 1976 by the 42nd Amendment. This borrowing should not be confused with Fundamental Rights or parliamentary traditions derived from other countries.

Q30. What was one of the reasons for including Fundamental Duties in the Constitution according to H. R. Gokhale?

[RRB NTPC Graduate Level CBT-II, 13 October 2025, Shift 2]

• (A) To create a legal framework for taxes
• (B) To address anti-national activities and subversive agitations
• (C) To enhance the rights of citizens
• (D) To strengthen democracy by balancing rights with duties

Answer: (D) To strengthen democracy by balancing rights with duties

Explanation: The recorded answer emphasises balancing constitutional rights with citizens’ responsibilities. Fundamental Duties remind individuals that democratic membership involves obligations towards society and the country. Their inclusion was intended to encourage responsible citizenship, rather than create another catalogue of enforceable rights.

Q29. How many Fundamental Duties were mentioned when the Constitution came into force in 1950?

[RPF Constable 2024 recruitment, 10 March 2025, Shift 2]

• (A) 8
• (B) 11
• (C) 0
• (D) 10

Answer: (C) 0

Explanation: No Fundamental Duties appeared in the original Constitution when it commenced on 26 January 1950. The 42nd Amendment inserted ten duties in 1976. One further duty concerning educational opportunities for children aged six to fourteen was added in 2002.

Q28. How many Fundamental Duties are there for citizens of India?

[SSC GD Constable, 20 February 2025, Shift 2]

• (A) 8
• (B) 6
• (C) 10
• (D) 11

Answer: (D) 11

Explanation: India presently has eleven Fundamental Duties under Article 51A. Ten were inserted by the 42nd Amendment in 1976, while the 86th Amendment added a parent’s or guardian’s duty to provide educational opportunities for children aged six to fourteen.

Q27. Which of the following is NOT a Fundamental Duty of Indian citizens?

[SSC CGL Tier-I, 12 September 2024, Shift 2]

• (A) To develop scientific temper, humanism and the spirit of inquiry and reform
• (B) To safeguard public property and to abjure violence
• (C) To cherish and follow the noble ideals that inspired the national freedom struggle
• (D) Mandatory national service of five years

Answer: (D) Mandatory national service of five years

Explanation: Article 51A(d) requires citizens to defend India and render national service when called upon. It does not prescribe a compulsory five-year service term. Scientific temper, protection of public property and remembrance of freedom-struggle ideals are all expressly included in Article 51A.

Q26. Which committee is related to Fundamental Duties?

[SSC CHSL Tier-I, 5 July 2024, Shift 4]

• (A) L. M. Singhvi Committee
• (B) Verma Committee
• (C) Vasantrao Naik Committee
• (D) Rajamannar Committee

Answer: (B) Verma Committee

Explanation: The Justice J. S. Verma Committee examined how Fundamental Duties could be taught and operationalised, including existing legal measures relevant to them. The earlier Swaran Singh Committee had recommended constitutional inclusion. These committees played different roles in the development of duties.

Q25. How many Fundamental Duties were recommended for insertion in the Indian Constitution by the Swaran Singh Committee?

[SSC CHSL Tier-I, 4 July 2024, Shift 2]

• (A) 9
• (B) 8
• (C) 7
• (D) 6

Answer: (B) 8

Explanation: The Swaran Singh Committee recommended eight duties. The government ultimately inserted ten through the 42nd Amendment in 1976. A later addition by the 86th Amendment of 2002 brought the constitutional total to eleven, so committee recommendations and enacted duties differ.

Q24. How many Fundamental Duties of citizens were enumerated by the 42nd Amendment adopted in 1976?

[SSC JE Mechanical, 7 June 2024, Shift 2]

• (A) 9
• (B) 10
• (C) 11
• (D) 13

Answer: (B) 10

Explanation: The 42nd Constitutional Amendment inserted ten duties, not the eleven now in force. The eleventh, linked to providing opportunities for children’s education, came through the 86th Amendment in 2002. This distinction is crucial in questions about the original list.

Q23. Which of the following is not a Fundamental Duty under the Indian Constitution?

[WBCS (Executive) Preliminary Examination 2023]

• (A) To protect monuments of national importance
• (B) To develop scientific temper
• (C) To uphold the unity and integrity of the nation
• (D) None of the above

Answer: (A) To protect monuments of national importance

Explanation: Protection of monuments of national importance is addressed through other constitutional and statutory arrangements; it is not listed in Article 51A. By contrast, developing scientific temper and protecting India’s unity and integrity are explicit duties under clauses (h) and (c), respectively.

Q22. Which of the following Fundamental Duties was added by the 86th Constitutional Amendment Act, 2002?

[SSC MTS, 14 September 2023, Shift 1]

• (A) To respect the Constitution, National Flag and National Anthem
• (B) To protect the natural environment and show compassion for living creatures
• (C) To provide opportunities for education to a child or ward aged six to fourteen
• (D) To cherish the noble ideals of the national freedom struggle

Answer: (C) To provide opportunities for education to a child or ward aged six to fourteen

Explanation: Article 51A(k), inserted by the 86th Amendment, places responsibility on parents and guardians to provide educational opportunities for children aged six to fourteen. The same amendment introduced Article 21A on the right to education. Other listed duties date from 1976.

Q21. In India, which of the following statements is NOT correct about Fundamental Duties?

[SSC CHSL Tier-I, 17 August 2023, Shift 1]

• (A) To encourage common brotherhood
• (B) To develop scientific temper
• (C) To organise village panchayats
• (D) To protect the country

Answer: (C) To organise village panchayats

Explanation: Organising village panchayats is a Directive Principle in Article 40, addressed to the State. Article 51A instead places duties on citizens, including promoting brotherhood, developing scientific temper and defending the country when called upon. The distinction separates public-policy directions from citizen obligations.

Q20. Which of the following is NOT a feature of Fundamental Duties in the Indian Constitution?

[SSC CHSL Tier-I, 11 August 2023, Shift 3]

• (A) There is a legal sanction against their violation
• (B) They are civic duties
• (C) They are part of Indian tradition
• (D) They are not sacrosanct or permanent

Answer: (A) There is a legal sanction against their violation

Explanation: The Constitution does not itself prescribe a general penalty for violating every Fundamental Duty. Duties are non-justiciable in that sense, although specific laws may enforce related conduct. They are civic and moral expectations, and constitutional amendments can alter their wording or number.

Q19. Which clause of Article 51A concerning Fundamental Duties relates to respect for the National Anthem?

[SSC CHSL Tier-I, 9 August 2023, Shift 4]

• (A) Article 51A(b)
• (B) Article 51A(c)
• (C) Article 51A(a)
• (D) Article 51A(d)

Answer: (C) Article 51A(a)

Explanation: Article 51A(a) directs citizens to abide by the Constitution and respect its ideals, institutions, National Flag and National Anthem. Clause (b) addresses freedom-struggle ideals, clause (c) national sovereignty and integrity, and clause (d) defence of the country when called upon.

Q18. Which Constitutional Amendment added Fundamental Duties to the Constitution?

[SSC CGL Tier-I, 14 July 2023, Shift 4]

• (A) Forty-second Amendment Act, 1976
• (B) Forty-seventh Amendment, 1984
• (C) Forty-fourth Amendment Act, 1978
• (D) Fifty-second Amendment, 1985

Answer: (A) Forty-second Amendment Act, 1976

Explanation: The Forty-second Amendment Act, passed in 1976, added Fundamental Duties under Article 51A. The Forty-seventh Amendment expanded the Ninth Schedule, the Forty-fourth introduced several post-Emergency changes, and the Fifty-second added the anti-defection framework. Only the first option introduced duties.

Q17. Which Part of the Constitution of India reflects the Fundamental Duties?

[SSC CGL Tier-I, 2 December 2022, Shift 3]

• (A) Part X
• (B) Part XII
• (C) Part IV-A
• (D) Part IX-B

Answer: (C) Part IV-A

Explanation: Fundamental Duties appear in Part IV-A, inserted by the 42nd Amendment in 1976. Part X concerns Scheduled and Tribal Areas; Part XII covers finance, property and related matters; Part IX-B concerns cooperative societies. The separate Part IV holds Directive Principles.

Q16. Which among the following are Fundamental Duties?

[UPSSSC PET, 15 October 2022, Shift 2]

• (A) All of these
• (B) Safeguard public property
• (C) Develop scientific temper and humanism
• (D) Protect the sovereignty, integrity and unity of India

Answer: (A) All of these

Explanation: Every substantive activity listed is a Fundamental Duty under Article 51A. Safeguarding public property is clause (i), developing scientific temper and humanism is clause (h), and protecting sovereignty, unity and integrity is clause (c). Therefore the inclusive option is correct.

Q15. Which committee recommended that Fundamental Duties be included in the Constitution of India?

[RRB Group D, 1 September 2022, Shift 1]

• (A) Swaran Singh Committee
• (B) J. B. Kripalani Committee
• (C) H. C. Mookherjee Committee
• (D) A. V. Thakkar Committee

Answer: (A) Swaran Singh Committee

Explanation: India added Fundamental Duties in 1976 following recommendations made by the Swaran Singh Committee. The 42nd Amendment created Part IV-A. The other names are associated with different constitutional or public activities, not the specific recommendation to introduce this constitutional list.

Q14. Fundamental Duties were incorporated in the Constitution on the recommendation of:

[RPSC RAS Preliminary Examination, 27 October 2021]

• (A) Swaran Singh Committee
• (B) Shah Commission
• (C) Administrative Reforms Commission
• (D) Santhanam Committee

Answer: (A) Swaran Singh Committee

Explanation: The Swaran Singh Committee specifically recommended adding citizens’ Fundamental Duties during 1976. The 42nd Amendment then inserted Part IV-A and Article 51A. The Shah Commission examined Emergency-era excesses, while the other bodies were concerned with administrative matters or corruption prevention.

Q13. Under the Constitution of India, which of the following is NOT a Fundamental Duty?

[UPPSC Combined State Examination, GS Paper I, 24 October 2021]

• (A) To vote in a general election
• (B) To develop scientific temper
• (C) To safeguard public property
• (D) To abide by the Constitution and respect its ideals

Answer: (A) To vote in a general election

Explanation: Voting is a major democratic activity, but it is not enumerated among the Fundamental Duties of Article 51A. Scientific temper, protecting public property and respecting constitutional ideals are all listed. Election participation should not be confused with constitutionally specified Fundamental Duties.

Q12. Which one of the following is included in Article 51A (Part IV-A) of the Constitution of India?

[UPSC NDA General Ability Test, 18 April 2021]

• (A) Fundamental Duties
• (B) Suspension of Fundamental Rights
• (C) Special powers of Governors
• (D) Writs

Answer: (A) Fundamental Duties

Explanation: Article 51A is devoted exclusively to Fundamental Duties. Part IV-A was added through the 42nd Amendment and now enumerates eleven duties. Constitutional remedies and writs are primarily connected with other provisions, while governors’ powers and emergency restrictions have separate constitutional bases.

Q11. In relation to Fundamental Duties in the Constitution of India, which one of the following is NOT correct?

[UPSC CAPF Assistant Commandants, Paper I, 20 December 2020]

• (A) Fundamental Duties were not originally part of the Constitution
• (B) Safeguarding public property and abjuring violence are Fundamental Duties
• (C) Fundamental Duties are not enforceable through writs
• (D) Fundamental Duties may not be used to determine the constitutionality of laws

Answer: (D) Fundamental Duties may not be used to determine the constitutionality of laws

Explanation: Courts may consider Fundamental Duties when examining the reasonableness or constitutional validity of laws. They were absent from the original Constitution, cannot ordinarily be enforced directly by writs, and expressly include protection of public property and rejection of violence.

Q10. Match List I with List II:
A. Abolition of titles;
B. Organisation of village panchayats;
C. Educational opportunities for children aged 6–14;
D. India, that is Bharat, is a Union of States.

List II:
1. Directive Principles;
2. Union and its Territory;
3. Fundamental Rights;
4. Fundamental Duties.

[CGPSC Civil Service, General Studies Paper I, 2019]

• (A) A-1, B-2, C-3, D-4
• (B) A-3, B-1, C-4, D-2
• (C) A-4, B-3, C-2, D-1
• (D) A-2, B-4, C-1, D-3

Answer: (B) A-3, B-1, C-4, D-2

Explanation: Abolition of titles comes from Article 18 under Fundamental Rights. Village panchayats are a Directive Principle in Article 40. Educational opportunities for children are a Fundamental Duty under Article 51A(k). Article 1 defines India as a Union of States.

Q9. Which of the following terms is NOT mentioned in the Fundamental Duties?

[RPSC Senior Teacher Grade II (Social Science), 17 February 2019]

• (A) Spiritual upliftment
• (B) Scientific temper
• (C) Humanism
• (D) Spirit of inquiry and reform

Answer: (A) Spiritual upliftment

Explanation: Article 51A(h) explicitly mentions scientific temper, humanism, and the spirit of inquiry and reform. Spiritual upliftment is not among those expressions or a separately listed Fundamental Duty. This question tests the precise constitutional language rather than a general understanding of ethics.

Q8. Which statements are true of the Fundamental Duties of an Indian citizen?
1. A legislative process has been provided to enforce these duties.
2. They are correlative to legal duties.

[UPSC Civil Services Preliminary Examination, GS Paper I, 2017]

• (A) 1 only
• (B) 2 only
• (C) Both 1 and 2
• (D) Neither 1 nor 2

Answer: (D) Neither 1 nor 2

Explanation: Article 51A does not establish a general legislative enforcement process for every duty, nor are Fundamental Duties defined as counterparts of legal duties. Parliament can enact specific implementing laws, but that does not make either proposition in the question correct.

Q7. When were Fundamental Duties mentioned in the Constitution?

[MPPSC State Service Preliminary Examination, General Studies, 2017]

• (A) At the time of constitution-making
• (B) On 26 January 1950
• (C) By the 42nd Constitutional Amendment
• (D) By the 41st Constitutional Amendment

Answer: (C) By the 42nd Constitutional Amendment

Explanation: Fundamental Duties were missing from the Constitution as originally adopted. They were introduced by the 42nd Amendment Act of 1976, through insertion of Part IV-A and Article 51A. The 41st Amendment did not introduce this chapter of duties.

Q6. According to the Constitution of India, which one of the following is NOT a Fundamental Duty?

[UPSC CDS General Knowledge Paper II, 23 October 2016]

• (A) To respect the National Flag
• (B) To defend the country
• (C) To provide educational opportunities to one’s child
• (D) To promote village and cottage industries

Answer: (D) To promote village and cottage industries

Explanation: Promotion of cottage industries is a Directive Principle under Article 43, not a citizen’s Fundamental Duty. Respect for the National Flag, defence when called upon, and providing educational opportunities to children aged six to fourteen are duties expressly covered by Article 51A.

Q5. Which are among the Fundamental Duties?
1. Preserve the heritage of composite culture.
2. Protect weaker sections from social injustice.
3. Develop scientific temper and inquiry.
4. Strive for excellence in individual and collective activity.

[UPSC Civil Services Preliminary Examination, 2012]

• (A) 1 and 2 only
• (B) 2 only
• (C) 1, 3 and 4 only
• (D) 1, 2, 3 and 4

Answer: (C) 1, 3 and 4 only

Explanation: Article 51A includes preservation of composite culture, scientific temper and striving for excellence. Protecting weaker sections from social injustice is an important constitutional objective but not stated as a Fundamental Duty in this list. Therefore statements 1, 3 and 4 qualify.

Q4. Under the Constitution of India, which one of the following is NOT a Fundamental Duty?

[UPSC Civil Services Preliminary Examination, 2011]

• (A) To vote in public elections
• (B) To develop scientific temper
• (C) To safeguard public property
• (D) To abide by the Constitution and respect its ideals

Answer: (A) To vote in public elections

Explanation: Voting is not expressly listed under Article 51A, even though it is central to representative democracy. The other three obligations appear in the Fundamental Duties. The Swaran Singh Committee suggested certain additional duties, but not every recommendation was adopted in the Constitution.

Q3. The Fundamental Duties of a citizen do not include the duty:

[Uttar Pradesh Lower Subordinate Preliminary Examination, 2008]

• (A) To protect and improve the natural environment
• (B) To cherish and follow the noble ideals which inspired our national struggle for freedom
• (C) To strive towards abolition of untouchability
• (D) To develop scientific temper, humanism and the spirit of inquiry and reform

Answer: (C) To strive towards abolition of untouchability

Explanation: Article 17 abolishes untouchability as part of the Fundamental Rights, but Article 51A does not separately list striving for its abolition as a Fundamental Duty. Protection of the environment, following freedom-struggle ideals and developing scientific temper are expressly named as citizen duties.

Q2. Which of the following statements regarding Fundamental Duties is not true?

[UPPSC Preliminary Examination, 2003]

• (A) They can be enforced by writs
• (B) They can be promoted only by constitutional methods
• (C) They can be used for interpreting ambiguous statutes
• (D) The performance of a particular duty comes within constitutional law for the court to decide

Answer: (A) They can be enforced by writs

Explanation: Fundamental Duties are generally non-justiciable: courts do not issue writs simply to compel compliance with Article 51A. Nevertheless, courts may use these duties as interpretive guides, and legislation can give practical effect to obligations such as environmental protection or respect for national symbols.

Q1. Which of the following Amendment Acts is related to Fundamental Duties in the Indian Constitution?

[Uttar Pradesh Lower Subordinate Preliminary Examination, 2002]

• (A) 38th Amendment
• (B) 41st Amendment
• (C) 42nd Amendment
• (D) 45th Amendment

Answer: (C) 42nd Amendment

Explanation: The 42nd Amendment Act of 1976 incorporated Fundamental Duties into the Constitution through Part IV-A and Article 51A. The change followed the Swaran Singh Committee’s recommendation. The other numbered amendments in the options did not introduce the constitutional list of duties.