Fundamental Duties – NDA Polity PYQs

Practice NDA Polity previous-year questions with detailed solutions and explanations.

Chapter-wise PYQs • Concept-based explanations • Exam insights

NDA 2023-I

Q. 1. By which one of the following amendments, was Article 51A, relating to the Fundamental Duties, inserted into the Constitution of India?

(a) The Constitution (42nd Amendment) Act

(b) The Constitution (44th Amendment) Act

(d) The Constitution (92nd Amendment) Act

Answer: (a) The Constitution (42nd Amendment) Act

Explanation: Article 51A and Part IV-A were inserted into the Constitution by the 42nd Constitutional Amendment Act, 1976. This amendment was enacted during the internal Emergency under the Indira Gandhi government. The 42nd Amendment added ten Fundamental Duties simultaneously alongside other major changes: including additions to the Preamble (‘Socialist,’ ‘Secular,’ ‘Integrity’) and new DPSPs (Articles 39A, 43A, 48A). The 44th Amendment (1978) reversed several Emergency-era changes but did not add Fundamental Duties. The 85th Amendment (2001) relates to SC/ST reservation in promotions. The 92nd Amendment (2003) added languages to the Eighth Schedule. None of these has any connection to Fundamental Duties.
Concept Tested: 42nd Constitutional Amendment Act 1976: insertion of Article 51A and Part IV-A (Fundamental Duties)

★ JOVIK Exam Insight: The 42nd Amendment (1976) created an entirely new Part: Part IV-A: adding it to the Constitution. No other amendment has created a new Part. 42nd Amendment’s four impacts on the Constitution: Preamble (added 3 words), Part IV DPSPs (added 3 articles), Part IV-A (created Fundamental Duties), Part III Fundamental Rights (curtailed). All four changes are from the same 1976 amendment.

NDA 2021-I

Q. 2. Which one of the following is included in Article 51A (Part IV A) of the Constitution of India?

(a) Fundamental Duties

(b) Suspension of Fundamental Rights

(d) Writs

Answer: (a) Fundamental Duties

Explanation: Article 51A is the single article that constitutes Part IV-A of the Constitution, and it contains the Fundamental Duties of citizens. The 42nd Constitutional Amendment Act, 1976 created Part IV-A and inserted Article 51A, listing ten Fundamental Duties. An eleventh duty was added by the 86th Amendment, 2002. Option (b): Suspension of Fundamental Rights: is covered under Article 359 (during National Emergency). Option (c): Special Powers of Governors: falls under Part VI. Option (d): Writs: are issued under Articles 32 (Supreme Court) and 226 (High Courts). None of these are in Part IV-A. Concept Tested: Article 51A and Part IV-A: constitutional location of Fundamental Duties

NDA 2015-I

Q. 3. Which one among the following is not a fundamental duty?

(a) To abide by the Constitution of India and respect the national flag and national anthem

(b) To safeguard public property

(d) To render compulsory military service

Answer: (d) To render compulsory military service

Explanation: Options (a), (b), and (c) are genuine Fundamental Duties under Article 51A. Option (a) corresponds to Article 51A(a): abide by the Constitution; respect the national flag and national anthem. Option (b) corresponds to Article 51A(i): safeguard public property and abjure violence. Option (c) corresponds to Article 51A(c): uphold and protect the sovereignty, unity, and integrity of India. Option (d) is not a Fundamental Duty. Article 51A(d) requires citizens to defend the country and render national service when called upon: but this is a moral-patriotic obligation, not a compulsory military service requirement. India has no law mandating conscription for all citizens.
Concept Tested: Article 51A: Fundamental Duties versus non-duties; duty to defend country ≠ compulsory military service

★ JOVIK Exam Insight: Article 51A(d) says ‘defend the country and render national service when called upon’: this is voluntary patriotic obligation, not conscription. Compulsory military service does not exist as a legal obligation in India. Fundamental Duties are also non-justiciable and cannot by themselves create enforceable conscription.

NDA 2014-II

Q. 4. Which of the following is/are not related to fundamental duties?

1. To cherish and follow the noble ideals which inspired our national struggle for freedom

2. To value and preserve the rich heritage of our composite culture

3. To promote the educational and economic interests of the weaker sections of the people, especially the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes

4. To protect all monuments of historic interest and national importance

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

(a) 1 and 2

(b) 2 and 3

(d) 4 only

Answer: (c) 3 and 4

Explanation: Statement 1 is a Fundamental Duty: Article 51A(b): to cherish and follow the noble ideals that inspired the national struggle for freedom. Statement 2 is a Fundamental Duty: Article 51A(f): to value and preserve the rich heritage of the country’s composite culture. Statement 3 is NOT a Fundamental Duty. The promotion of educational and economic interests of the Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, and weaker sections is a Directive Principle of State Policy: Article 46 of Part IV. It is an obligation on the State, not on citizens. Statement 4 is NOT a Fundamental Duty. Protection of monuments of national importance is a Directive Principle of State Policy: Article 49 of Part IV. It is an obligation on the State, not on citizens. Statements 3 and 4 are not related to Fundamental Duties. The answer is (c).
Concept Tested: DPSP–Fundamental Duty boundary: Articles 46 and 49 are DPSPs, not Fundamental Duties

★ JOVIK Exam Insight: This question places two DPSP provisions (Articles 46 and 49) within a list of genuine Fundamental Duties. The key distinction: Fundamental Duties are obligations on citizens (Part IV-A). DPSPs are obligations on the State (Part IV). Monument protection and SC/ST educational interests are addressed to the State, not to individual citizens.

Quick Revision

Concept	Key Point
What are Fundamental Duties?	Constitutional obligations on citizens of India. Part IV-A, Article 51A. Non-justiciable: cannot be enforced in courts.
Constitutional location	Part IV-A, Article 51A. Distinct from Part III (Fundamental Rights) and Part IV (DPSPs). A single article forming its own Part.
Amendment that inserted Fundamental Duties	42nd Constitutional Amendment Act, 1976. Created Part IV-A and inserted Article 51A with ten duties.
11th Fundamental Duty	Added by the 86th Constitutional Amendment Act, 2002. Article 51A(k): duty of parents/guardians to provide education opportunities to children aged 6 to 14 years.
Who do Fundamental Duties apply to?	Citizens of India only. Non-citizens are not bound by Article 51A.
Source / inspiration	Inspired by the Constitution of the Soviet Union (USSR). Recommended by the Swaran Singh Committee (1976).
Article 51A(b)	To cherish and follow the noble ideals that inspired the national struggle for freedom. IS a Fundamental Duty.
Article 51A(c)	To uphold and protect the sovereignty, unity, and integrity of India. IS a Fundamental Duty.
Article 51A(d)	To defend the country and render national service when called upon. IS a Fundamental Duty. Does NOT mean compulsory military service.
Article 51A(f)	To value and preserve the rich heritage of the country’s composite culture. IS a Fundamental Duty.
Article 51A(i)	To safeguard public property and abjure violence. IS a Fundamental Duty.
Article 46 (DPSP)	Promote educational and economic interests of SC/ST and weaker sections. NOT a Fundamental Duty: it is a Directive Principle addressed to the State.
Article 49 (DPSP)	Protection of monuments and places of national importance. NOT a Fundamental Duty: it is a Directive Principle addressed to the State.
Compulsory military service	NOT a Fundamental Duty. Article 51A(d) requires defending the country and rendering national service when called upon: not conscription.
Total number of Fundamental Duties	11 (10 original under 42nd Amendment 1976 + 1 added by 86th Amendment 2002).