Understanding Fundamental Duties in the Indian Constitution

The Constitution of India outlines certain duties that every citizen is expected to perform. These are known as Fundamental Duties. They were added to the Constitution by the 42nd Amendment Act, 1976, based on the recommendations of the Swaran Singh Committee. Originally ten in number, an eleventh duty was added later. These duties are listed in Part IVA of the Constitution, under Article 51A.

While Fundamental Rights are justiciable (enforceable by courts), Fundamental Duties are non-justiciable. However, they serve as a reminder to citizens that while enjoying their rights, they must also observe certain basic norms of behaviour and perform certain responsibilities towards the nation.

Analyzing the Given Options

Let's examine each provided statement to determine if it is listed among the Fundamental Duties in Article 51A:

• Option 1: Protect every monument or place of artistic or historic importance. This is a provision found in the Constitution, but it is listed under Directive Principles of State Policy (Part IV), specifically Article 49. It is a duty of the State to protect monuments, not explicitly a Fundamental Duty of every citizen, although citizens are expected to respect such heritage.
• Option 2: Provide early childhood care and education. This is also a Directive Principle of State Policy. Article 45 originally directed the State to endeavor to provide free and compulsory education for all children until they complete the age of fourteen years. The 86th Amendment Act, 2002, changed this to providing early childhood care and education for all children until they complete the age of six years. This is a duty of the State.
• Option 3: Prohibit slaughter of cows, calves and other milch animals. This is another provision found in the Directive Principles of State Policy (Part IV), under Article 48. It directs the State to organize agriculture and animal husbandry on modern and scientific lines and take steps for preserving and improving the breeds, and prohibiting the slaughter of cows and calves and other milch and draught cattle. This is a duty of the State.
• Option 4: Duty of parent or guardian to provide opportunities for education to his child between age of six and fourteen years. This specific duty was added to the list of Fundamental Duties by the 86th Amendment Act, 2002. It was inserted as Article 51A(k). It places a responsibility on the parent or guardian to ensure their child or ward receives education between the ages of six and fourteen years. This is explicitly listed as a Fundamental Duty of a citizen.

Identifying the Correct Fundamental Duty

Based on the analysis, the duty mentioned in Option 4 is the one that is explicitly listed as a Fundamental Duty of citizens in Article 51A of the Indian Constitution.

The list of Fundamental Duties in Article 51A is:

• To abide by the Constitution and respect its ideals and institutions, the National Flag and the National Anthem;
• To cherish and follow the noble ideals which inspired our national struggle for freedom;
• To uphold and protect the sovereignty, unity and integrity of India;
• To defend the country and render national service when called upon to do so;
• To promote harmony and the spirit of common brotherhood amongst all the people of India transcending religious, linguistic and regional or sectional diversities; to renounce practices derogatory to the dignity of women;
• To value and preserve the rich heritage of our composite culture;
• To protect and improve the natural environment including forests, lakes, rivers and wild life, and to have compassion for living creatures;
• To develop the scientific temper, humanism and the spirit of inquiry and reform;
• To safeguard public property and to abjure violence;
• 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;
• To provide opportunities for education by the parent or guardian to his child or, as the case may be, ward between the age of six and fourteen years. (Added by the 86th Amendment Act, 2002)

Revision Table: Comparing Constitutional Provisions

Additional Information: The 86th Amendment and Education

The 86th Amendment Act of 2002 was a significant step in the field of education in India. It made three major changes related to education:

1. It inserted Article 21A in Part III, making the Right to Education a Fundamental Right for children between 6 and 14 years. This means the State must provide free and compulsory education to these children.
2. It amended Article 45 in Part IV (Directive Principles), replacing the provision for free and compulsory education for children up to 14 with a directive for early childhood care and education for children up to 6 years.
3. It added an eleventh Fundamental Duty in Part IVA (Article 51A), specifically Article 51A(k), which mandates parents or guardians to provide opportunities for education to their child or ward between the age of six and fourteen years.

This amendment created a three-pronged approach to education, addressing it as a Fundamental Right, a Directive Principle, and a Fundamental Duty, highlighting its importance.