Under which Constitutional Amendment Act were the fundamental duties added?

The correct answer is 42nd Constitutional Amendment Act.

Key Points

• The 42nd Constitutional Amendment Act, also known as the "Mini-Constitution," was enacted in 1976.
• This amendment introduced the concept of Fundamental Duties for Indian citizens.
• Fundamental Duties were added to Part IV-A of the Indian Constitution.
• The amendment added a new Article 51A, which lists 10 Fundamental Duties for citizens.
• It was enacted during the Emergency period under Prime Minister Indira Gandhi's government.

Additional Information

• Fundamental Duties:
  • The Fundamental Duties are moral obligations for Indian citizens to help promote a spirit of patriotism and uphold the unity of India.
  • They include duties such as respecting the national symbols, protecting the sovereignty and integrity of India, and promoting harmony among all citizens.
• 42nd Amendment:
  • Besides adding Fundamental Duties, the 42nd Amendment made significant changes to the Constitution, including changes to the Preamble.
  • It also curtailed the power of the judiciary and increased the powers of the central government.
• Article 51A:
  • Article 51A lists the Fundamental Duties that are expected to be followed by every citizen of India.
  • Initially, there were 10 duties listed, and an 11th duty was added by the 86th Amendment Act in 2002.
• Emergency Period:
  • The Emergency period (1975-1977) was a significant time in Indian history when civil liberties were suspended.
  • It led to the 42nd Amendment being passed to enhance the power of the central government.
• Constitutional Amendments:
  • Amendments to the Constitution are made to address the changing needs and circumstances of the country.
  • Each amendment requires a specific procedure to be followed for it to be enacted.