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

Correct — A, The Constitution (42nd Amendment) Act. Fundamental Duties (Article 51A) were inserted into Part IV-A of the Constitution by the 42nd Amendment Act, 1976, on the recommendation of the Swaran Singh Committee — originally ten duties.

Why the others are wrong

• (b)
  44th Amendment Act — The 44th Amendment (1978) reversed several Emergency-era changes and made the right to property a legal right; it did not add the Fundamental Duties.
• (c)
  85th Amendment Act — The 85th Amendment (2001) dealt with consequential seniority in reservation for SC/ST government servants — unrelated to Fundamental Duties.
• (d)
  92nd Amendment Act — The 92nd Amendment (2003) added four languages to the Eighth Schedule; it did not concern Article 51A.

The 42nd Amendment Act, 1976 (the 'Mini-Constitution') added Part IV-A with a single Article 51A listing Fundamental Duties. The original ten duties became eleven when the 86th Amendment (2002) added the duty of a parent/guardian to provide education opportunities to a child aged 6–14.

Key facts

• Fundamental Duties (Article 51A) were added by the 42nd Amendment Act, 1976.
• They form Part IV-A of the Constitution.
• They were recommended by the Swaran Singh Committee.
• The 86th Amendment (2002) added the 11th duty (education of children 6–14).

Common traps

• Confusing the 42nd (added duties) with the 44th Amendment (reversed Emergency changes).
• Forgetting the 86th Amendment added the 11th duty.

No directly related past PYQ was found.

• practice — not a real PYQ

  Fundamental Duties were recommended by which committee?

  • (a)Sarkaria
  • (b)Swaran Singh
  • (c)Balwant Rai Mehta
  • (d)Ashok Mehta
  Answer(b) Swaran Singh Committee.
• practice — not a real PYQ

  The 11th Fundamental Duty (education of children) was added by which amendment?

  • (a)42nd
  • (b)44th
  • (c)86th
  • (d)91st
  Answer(c) 86th Amendment (2002).