Fundamental Duties — MCQs

All questions with answers and explanations

Read the full set here, or use the practice card above to test yourself one question at a time.

1. The Fundamental Duties were inserted into the Constitution by which amendment?

   • 24th Amendment
   • 42nd Amendment (correct answer)
   • 44th Amendment
   • 86th Amendment

   Explanation. The 42nd Amendment, 1976 inserted Part IVA and Article 51A, on the recommendation of the Swaran Singh Committee.

2. Which committee recommended the introduction of Fundamental Duties?

   • Sarkaria Commission
   • Sardar Swaran Singh Committee (correct answer)
   • Ranganath Misra Committee
   • National Commission to Review the Working of the Constitution

   Explanation. The Sardar Swaran Singh Committee, appointed during the Emergency, recommended a chapter of Fundamental Duties.

3. Article 51A originally set out how many Fundamental Duties?

   • 8
   • 10 (correct answer)
   • 11
   • 14

   Explanation. The original 1976 text set out ten duties, clauses (a) to (j).

4. Which amendment added the eleventh Fundamental Duty, on a parent's duty to educate a child?

   • 44th Amendment
   • 73rd Amendment
   • 86th Amendment (correct answer)
   • 97th Amendment

   Explanation. The 86th Amendment, 2002, which also inserted Article 21A, added clause (k) to Article 51A.

5. Unlike the Directive Principles, the Fundamental Duties are addressed to:

   • The State alone
   • Every citizen (correct answer)
   • Only public servants
   • Only members of Parliament

   Explanation. Directive Principles instruct the State; Fundamental Duties instruct every citizen.

6. Which clause of Article 51A requires citizens to protect and improve the natural environment?

   • Clause (e)
   • Clause (g) (correct answer)
   • Clause (i)
   • Clause (k)

   Explanation. Article 51A(g) requires every citizen to protect and improve the natural environment and have compassion for living creatures.

7. Which ordinary statute gives practical, enforceable effect to the duty to respect the National Flag and Anthem?

   • Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, 1971 (correct answer)
   • Prevention of Damage to Public Property Act, 1984
   • Environment (Protection) Act, 1986
   • Right to Information Act, 2005

   Explanation. The Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, 1971 gives Article 51A(a)'s duty practical enforceable effect.

8. Which of these correctly describes the enforceability of a breach of a Fundamental Duty under Article 51A itself?

   • Article 51A itself prescribes fines for every violation
   • Article 51A creates no independent offence or penalty on its own (correct answer)
   • Fundamental Duties can be enforced through a writ petition under Article 32
   • Only the Supreme Court can enforce Fundamental Duties

   Explanation. Article 51A itself creates no offence; enforcement, where it exists, comes from separate ordinary legislation.

9. Fundamental Duties were introduced during which period of India's constitutional history?

   • During the framing of the original Constitution, 1950
   • During the National Emergency, 1975–77 (correct answer)
   • After the Kesavananda Bharati judgment, in the same year
   • During the drafting of the 73rd Amendment

   Explanation. Fundamental Duties were introduced by the 42nd Amendment, enacted during the 1975–77 National Emergency.

10. The Verma Committee (1999) reported on how to make the Fundamental Duties real. It recommended:

    • Compulsory military service
    • Education and civic awareness (correct answer)
    • Amending Article 32 to allow their direct enforcement
    • Abolishing the Directive Principles

    Explanation. Reports say the Verma Committee recommended that awareness of the duties be created in educational institutions. In Rangnath Misra v. Union of India (2003), the Supreme Court took note of the recommendations.