Understanding the 86th Amendment and Fundamental Duties

The question asks about a specific duty added to the Fundamental Duties section of the Indian Constitution by the 86th Amendment Act. Let's break down what this means and evaluate the options.

What are Fundamental Duties?

Fundamental Duties are a set of guidelines for citizens of India. They were added to the Constitution by the 42nd Amendment Act, 1976, based on the recommendations of the Swaran Singh Committee. These duties, listed in Article 51A of the Constitution, remind citizens of their social and moral obligations towards the nation. They complement the Fundamental Rights granted to citizens.

The 86th Amendment Act, 2002

The 86th Amendment Act of 2002 brought significant changes to the Indian Constitution, particularly concerning education. It introduced two key provisions:

• Made education a Fundamental Right by adding Article 21A, which states that the State shall provide free and compulsory education to all children between the ages of 6 and 14 years.
• Added a new Fundamental Duty under Article 51A.

The New Fundamental Duty (Article 51A(k))

The 86th Amendment specifically inserted clause (k) into Article 51A. This new duty states:

"It shall be the duty of every citizen who is a parent or guardian to provide opportunities for education to his child or, as the case may be, ward between the age of six and fourteen years."

This duty directly links the right to education with the responsibilities of parents or guardians towards their children in a specific age group.

Analyzing the Options

Let's examine each option in light of the 86th Amendment's addition to Fundamental Duties:

• Option 1: Respecting the privacy in public spaces - This concept is related to privacy rights and social conduct but was not the specific duty added by the 86th Amendment.
• Option 2: Responsibility of social media usage - This is a contemporary issue and has no direct connection to the Fundamental Duty introduced by the 86th Amendment Act, which predates widespread social media concerns.
• Option 3: Responsibility of parents/guardians to provide opportunities of education to child (between the age 6-14) - This option precisely matches the text and intent of the Fundamental Duty added by the 86th Amendment under Article 51A(k).
• Option 4: Respecting the State symbols & monuments - Respecting national symbols and preserving heritage are covered under other Fundamental Duties (like Article 51A(c)), not the specific one added concerning education by the 86th Amendment.

Conclusion

The 86th Amendment Act, 2002, significantly impacted the Indian Constitution by making education a fundamental right and by introducing a specific Fundamental Duty. This duty explicitly places the responsibility on parents and guardians to ensure their children, aged between 6 and 14 years, receive educational opportunities.