Previous Year Question
Other than the Fundamental Rights, which of the following parts of the Constitution of India reflect/reflects the principles and provisions of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (1948)?
Preamble
Directive Principles of State Policy
Fundamental Duties
Select the correct answer using the code given below.
1 and 2
Only 2
1 and 3
1, 2 and 3
Correct Answer: D
Detailed Solution
Apart from the Fundamental Rights, the Preamble, Directive Principles of State Policy and Fundamental Duties all reflect principles contained in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, 1948.
Statement 1 is correct. The Preamble promises social, economic and political justice; liberty of thought, expression, belief, faith and worship; equality of status and opportunity; and fraternity assuring the dignity of the individual.
These ideals correspond to UDHR principles relating to:
Freedom, equality and inherent human dignity.
Life, liberty and personal security.
Freedom of thought, conscience, religion and expression.
Equal protection and prohibition of discrimination.
Statement 2 is correct. The Directive Principles reflect the socio-economic rights recognised in the UDHR. Important examples include:
Article 38—social order based on justice.
Article 39—adequate livelihood, equal pay and protection of workers and children.
Article 39A—equal justice and free legal aid.
Article 41—work, education and public assistance.
Article 42—humane working conditions and maternity relief.
Article 43—living wage and a decent standard of life.
Article 47—improvement of nutrition and public health.
These correspond to UDHR principles concerning social security, work, just remuneration, education, health and an adequate standard of living.
Statement 3 is correct. Fundamental Duties under Article 51A also reflect human-rights principles. Article 29 of the UDHR recognises that every person has duties towards the community in which the free and full development of their personality is possible.
Indian Fundamental Duties concerning harmony and fraternity, protection of composite culture and the environment, development of scientific temper and safeguarding public property express this idea of social responsibility.
Fundamental Duties were inserted by the 42nd Constitutional Amendment Act, 1976. Originally, there were ten duties; the eleventh was added by the 86th Constitutional Amendment Act, 2002.