Which of the following amendments included Fundamental Duties in the Indian Constitution?

Key Points

• The 42nd Amendment Act, also known as the Mini-Constitution, was enacted in 1976 during the Emergency period.
• This amendment added Part IV-A to the Constitution, which consists of Article 51A that specifies the Fundamental Duties of Indian citizens.
• There are ten Fundamental Duties listed in Article 51A, which were later increased to eleven by the 86th Amendment in 2002.
• The Fundamental Duties are moral obligations intended to promote patriotism and uphold the unity of India.

Additional Information

• Fundamental Duties:
  • Fundamental Duties are derived from the Constitution of the Soviet Union and are aimed at instilling a sense of responsibility among citizens.
  • These duties are non-justiciable, meaning they are not enforceable by law but are expected to be observed by citizens.
  • They include duties such as respecting the national flag and anthem, cherishing the heritage of India, protecting the sovereignty of the nation, etc.
  • The inclusion of Fundamental Duties was recommended by the Swaran Singh Committee.
• 42nd Amendment Act, 1976:
  • Besides introducing Fundamental Duties, this amendment made several other significant changes to the Constitution.
  • It gave the Directive Principles of State Policy precedence over Fundamental Rights during the enactment of laws.
  • It extended the duration of the Lok Sabha and State Legislative Assemblies from five to six years.
  • It curtailed the power of the judiciary and strengthened the power of the Parliament.
• Other Related Amendments:
  • 44th Amendment Act, 1978: This amendment reversed several changes made by the 42nd Amendment, including restoring the power of judicial review and reducing the term of the Lok Sabha and State Legislative Assemblies back to five years.
  • 46th Amendment Act, 1982: This amendment dealt with issues related to the taxation of goods and services and provided for the levy of sales tax on certain services.
  • 48th Amendment Act, 1984: This amendment extended President's rule in Punjab due to the disturbed conditions in the state.