Today, you will cover:
✅ Fundamental Duties (FDs) – Article 51A
✅ Amendment Process of the Indian Constitution (Article 368)
Both topics are crucial for UPSC Prelims and often appear in MCQs. Let’s break them down with the right approach.
1️⃣ Fundamental Duties (FDs) – Article 51A
The Fundamental Duties in the Indian Constitution are a set of moral and ethical obligations for citizens to uphold towards the nation. These duties, outlined in Article 51A of the Constitution in Part IV-A, serve as a reminder that citizens have responsibilities in addition to the rights they enjoy.
There are 11 fundamental duties listed in Article 51A of the Indian Constitution:
- To respect the Constitution, the National Flag, and the National Anthem.
- To cherish the ideals that inspired the national struggle for freedom.
- To protect the sovereignty, unity, and integrity of India.
- To defend the country and perform national service if called upon.
- To promote harmony and brotherhood among all people, transcending religious, linguistic, regional, or sectional diversities, and to renounce practices derogatory to the dignity of women.
- To value and preserve the rich heritage of India’s composite culture.
- To protect and improve the natural environment, including forests, lakes, rivers, and wildlife, and to have compassion for living creatures.
- To develop scientific temper, humanism, and the spirit of inquiry and reform.
- To safeguard public property and to abjure violence.
- To strive for excellence in all spheres of individual and collective activity so that the nation constantly rises to higher levels of endeavour and achievement.
- For parents or guardians, to provide opportunities for education to their child or ward between the ages of six and fourteen years.
The fundamental duties were added to the constitution in 1976 by the 42nd Amendment, based on the recommendations of the Swaran Singh Committee. The 86th Amendment in 2002 added the eleventh duty regarding education. The Supreme Court has ruled that these duties can help the court decide the constitutionality of a law passed by the legislature. These duties also promote a sense of civic consciousness and responsibility, promote education, reinforce democratic principles, and complement fundamental rights by balancing individual freedoms with societal obligations.
🔹 Origin: Added by the 42nd Amendment (1976) based on the Soviet Constitution.
🔹 Current Number: 11 Duties (Originally 10, 11th added by 86th Amendment, 2002).
🔹 Nature: Non-enforceable & non-justiciable, meaning not legally punishable, but courts can interpret laws to uphold them.
📌 Must-Know Points
✅ Who should follow them? – Only Indian citizens (not foreigners).
✅ Key Examples:
- Respect the National Flag & Anthem 🎵
- Protect India’s sovereignty & integrity 🇮🇳
- Preserve the rich heritage of our culture 🎭
- Promote scientific temper & spirit of inquiry 🧪
✅ Relevance in Judiciary – SC in AIIMS Students Union Case (2001) ruled that FDs are as important as Fundamental Rights.
📝 Revision Tip
🔹 Use mnemonics to memorize 11 duties.
🔹 Example: “WISH RIHANA” (W – Welfare of environment, I – Integrity, S – Scientific temper, H – Heritage, etc.).
🔹 Make short notes with bullet points.
📚 Recommended Sources
📖 NCERT Class 11 Indian Constitution at Work (Chapter: Fundamental Duties)
📖 Laxmikanth: Indian Polity (Fundamental Duties)
READ: Fundamental Duties
2️⃣ Amendment Process: Article 368
Article 368 in Part XX of the Indian Constitution outlines the process and scope for amending the Constitution. It empowers the Parliament to amend the Constitution by way of addition, variation, or repeal of any provision, while also laying down the procedure to be followed. However, the Parliament cannot amend provisions that form the basic structure of the Constitution, as ruled by the Supreme Court in the Kesavananda Bharati case of 1973.
The procedure for amending the Constitution under Article 368 is as follows:
- Introduction of the Bill: An amendment can only be initiated by introducing a bill in either House of Parliament, not in state legislatures. The bill can be introduced by a minister or a private member and does not require the President’s prior permission.
- Passage in Each House: The bill must be passed in each House by a special majority. This means a majority of the total membership of the House and a majority of not less than two-thirds of the members present and voting. Each House must pass the bill separately. In case of disagreement between the two houses, there is no provision for a joint sitting.
- Presidential Assent: After being passed by the required majority in both houses, the bill is presented to the President for assent. The president can give assent to the bill.
- Ratification by States: If the amendment seeks to change any provisions mentioned in the proviso to Article 368, it must be ratified by the legislatures of not less than one-half of the states. These provisions relate to matters concerning the federal structure or of common interest to both the Union and the States.
The Constitution can be amended in three ways: by a simple majority of Parliament, by a special majority of Parliament, and by a special majority of Parliament with ratification by half of the state legislatures. Amendments made by a simple majority are not considered amendments to Article 368.
🔹 The Indian Constitution is neither rigid nor too flexible, meaning amendments can be made but with proper procedures.
🔹 Types of Amendments:
✅ Simple Majority (Outside Article 368, e.g., formation of new states)
✅ Special Majority (Most constitutional amendments need this, e.g., Fundamental Rights changes)
✅ Special Majority + State Ratification (For federal structure matters like GST).
📌 Must-Know Amendments
🛑 42nd Amendment (1976) – Called the “Mini Constitution,” added FDs, changed Preamble, and weakened Judiciary.
🛑 44th Amendment (1978) – Reversed some changes of the 42nd Amendment, especially restoring fundamental rights protection.
🛑 73rd & 74th Amendments (1992) – Strengthened Panchayati Raj & Municipalities.
🛑 101st Amendment (2016) – Introduced GST.
📝 Revision Tip
🔹 Prepare flashcards for important amendments.
🔹 Practice previous year’s MCQs on amendments.
📚 Recommended Sources
📖 NCERT Class 11 Indian Constitution at Work (Chapter: Amendment of the Constitution)
📖 Laxmikanth: Indian Polity (Amendment of the Constitution)
Read: Amendment Process
🎯 How to Complete Day 3 Successfully?
✅ Step 1 (2 Hours): Read NCERT & Laxmikanth on Fundamental Duties + make short notes.
✅ Step 2 (2 Hours): Read NCERT & Laxmikanth on the Amendment Process, noting key amendments.
✅ Step 3 (1 hour): Watch revision videos to reinforce learning.
✅ Step 4 (1 hour): Practice 50+ MCQs from UPSC PYQs on these topics.
🔎 Final Takeaways
🔹 Fundamental duties are non-enforceable but significant for governance.
🔹 Amendment Process maintains constitutional flexibility & stability.
🔹 Previous year questions (PYQs) & revision are crucial for retention.
🔥 Day 3 completed! Move to Day 4 with confidence. 🚀
Disclaimer
This 100-day UPSC Prelims Preparation Plan is a structured guideline designed to help aspirants streamline their studies effectively. However, UPSC preparation is highly dynamic, and the depth of understanding required may vary based on individual strengths, weaknesses, and prior knowledge.
1️⃣ This plan does not guarantee success—your results depend on consistent effort, revision, and test practice.
2️⃣ The suggested sources are recommendations; aspirants should cross-check their relevance and supplement with additional materials if needed.
3️⃣ Current affairs, answer writing, and mock tests are crucial components—ensure regular practice alongside this schedule.
4️⃣ Flexibility is key! Adapt the plan according to your learning pace, job schedule, and retention capacity.
🔹 Final Note: Success in UPSC demands discipline, patience, and a positive mindset. Stick to the strategy, revise consistently, and trust the process! 🚀