Fundamental Duties

11 Fundamental Duties of Indian citizens, as enshrined in Article 51A of the Indian Constitution:

Fundamental Duties

1. *To abide by the Constitution and respect its ideals and institutions*: Every citizen must respect and abide by the Constitution and its institutions.

2. *To cherish and follow the noble ideals which inspired our national struggle for freedom*: Citizens must remember and follow the ideals of the freedom struggle.

3. *To uphold and protect the sovereignty, unity, and integrity of India*: Citizens must protect India's sovereignty, unity, and integrity.

4. *To defend the country and render national service when called upon to do so*: Citizens must be prepared to defend the country and serve the nation when required.

5. *To promote harmony and the spirit of common brotherhood amongst all the people of India, transcending religious, linguistic, and regional or sectional diversities*: Citizens must promote harmony and brotherhood among all people, regardless of their background.

6. *To value and preserve the rich heritage of our composite culture*: Citizens must respect and preserve India's diverse cultural heritage.

7. *To protect and improve the natural environment, including forests, lakes, rivers, and wildlife, and to have compassion for living creatures*: Citizens must protect the environment and have compassion for all living beings.

8. *To develop the scientific temper, humanism, and the spirit of inquiry and reform*: Citizens must promote scientific thinking, humanism, and a spirit of inquiry and reform.

9. *To safeguard public property and to abjure violence*: Citizens must protect public property and avoid violence.

10. *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*: Citizens must strive for excellence in all areas of life.

11. *To provide opportunities for education by the parent or the guardian to his child or ward between the age of 6-14 years*: Parents or guardians must provide education to their children between the ages of 6-14.

Amendments to Fundamental Duties

The Fundamental Duties were added to the Constitution by the 42nd Amendment Act, 1976. Since then, there have been no amendments to the Fundamental Duties themselves. However, the 86th Amendment Act, 2002, added a new clause (k) to Article 51A, which makes it a duty of every parent or guardian to provide opportunities for education to their child or ward between the ages of 6-14 years.