Fundamental Duties for WBP/KP

The Fundamental Duties are 11 constitutional duties of Indian citizens listed under Article 51A in Part IV-A of the Constitution. They are non-justiciable, meaning they are not directly enforceable by courts, but serve as standards of civic conduct and may assist in interpreting laws and constitutional provisions.

Constitutional Basis and Origin

• Constitutional provision: Article 51A, Part IV-A.
• Introduced by: 42nd Constitutional Amendment Act, 1976, on the recommendation of the Swaran Singh Committee.
• Inspiration: Fundamental Duties were modelled on the duties contained in the Constitution of the USSR.
• 11th Duty: Added by the 86th Constitutional Amendment Act, 2002, relating to providing educational opportunities to children.

Key Features

• Applicability: Fundamental Duties primarily apply to citizens, not foreigners.
• Non-justiciability: They cannot ordinarily be directly enforced against citizens by courts. However, they may assist courts in interpreting laws and assessing their constitutional validity.
• Moral and civic character: They prescribe expected standards of conduct rather than directly enforceable obligations. Specific legislation can, however, give legal effect to particular duties, including those concerning environmental protection, public property and education.
• Rights and responsibilities: They emphasise the relationship between Fundamental Rights and civic responsibilities.