Previous Year Question
Which of the following is/are among the Fundamental Duties of citizens laid down in the Indian Constitution?
To preserve the rich heritage of our composite culture.
To protect the weaker sections from social injustice.
To develop the scientific temper and spirit of inquiry.
To strive towards excellence in all spheres of individual and collective activity.
Select the correct answer using the code given below.
1 and 2 only
2 only
1, 3 and 4 only
All of the above
Correct Answer: C
Detailed Solution
Fundamental Duties of Indian citizens are contained in Article 51A of Part IVA.
Statement 1 is correct. Article 51A(f) makes it the duty of every citizen to value and preserve the rich heritage of India’s composite culture.
“Composite culture” refers to India’s shared civilisational heritage developed through its diverse linguistic, religious, regional and cultural traditions.
Statement 2 is incorrect. Protection of weaker sections from social injustice and exploitation is not a Fundamental Duty of citizens. It is a Directive Principle of State Policy under Article 46.
Article 46 directs the State to promote with special care the educational and economic interests of weaker sections, particularly Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes, and to protect them from social injustice and all forms of exploitation.
Statement 3 is correct. Article 51A(h) imposes a duty upon every citizen to develop scientific temper, humanism and the spirit of inquiry and reform.
It includes reliance on reason and evidence, intellectual curiosity, willingness to question, rejection of superstition and support for social reform.
Statement 4 is correct. Article 51A(j) requires every citizen to strive towards excellence in all spheres of individual and collective activity so that the nation constantly rises to higher levels of endeavour and achievement.
Important facts about Fundamental Duties are:
They were inserted by the 42nd Constitutional Amendment Act, 1976.
Ten duties were originally inserted.
The eleventh duty, Article 51A(k), was added by the 86th Constitutional Amendment Act, 2002.
They apply only to Indian citizens.
They are not directly enforceable by courts, although Parliament may legislate on their subject matter.
Courts may consider them while interpreting laws and examining constitutional validity.