Fundamental Duties MCQ: The 42nd Amendment, Swaran Singh Committee & the 86th Amendment

Attempt the quiz above first, then review every question with its correct answer and a short explanation below.

1. Q1.In which part of the Indian Constitution are the Fundamental Duties mentioned?

   • A.Part III
   • B.Part IV
   • C.Part IV-A✓ Correct Answer
   • D.Part V

   Explanation: Fundamental Duties are contained in Part IV-A of the Indian Constitution, which consists of only one Article, 51-A.

2. Q2.Which amendment act added the Fundamental Duties to the Indian Constitution?

   • A.42nd Amendment Act, 1976✓ Correct Answer
   • B.44th Amendment Act, 1978
   • C.86th Amendment Act, 2002
   • D.73rd Amendment Act, 1992

   Explanation: The Fundamental Duties were added by the 42nd Constitutional Amendment Act of 1976 based on the recommendations of the Swaran Singh Committee.

3. Q3.Upon the recommendation of which committee were the Fundamental Duties incorporated into the Constitution?

   • A.Verma Committee
   • B.Sarkaria Commission
   • C.Swaran Singh Committee✓ Correct Answer
   • D.Balwant Rai Mehta Committee

   Explanation: The Swaran Singh Committee was set up in 1976 to make recommendations about fundamental duties, which led to their inclusion in the Constitution.

4. Q4.How many Fundamental Duties were originally added by the 42nd Amendment Act?

   • A.8
   • B.10✓ Correct Answer
   • C.11
   • D.9

   Explanation: Originally, the 42nd Amendment Act of 1976 added 10 Fundamental Duties. The 11th duty was added later in 2002.

5. Q5.From which country’s constitution did India inspire its Fundamental Duties?

   • A.USA
   • B.Canada
   • C.USSR (now Russia)✓ Correct Answer
   • D.Germany

   Explanation: The concept of Fundamental Duties in the Indian Constitution was inspired by the Constitution of the erstwhile USSR.

6. Q6.Which Fundamental Duty was added by the 86th Constitutional Amendment Act, 2002?

   • A.To safeguard public property
   • B.To defend the country
   • C.To provide opportunities for education to his child or ward between the age of 6 and 14 years✓ Correct Answer
   • D.To develop scientific temper

   Explanation: The 86th Amendment Act, 2002 added the 11th Fundamental Duty (Article 51-A (k)), which mandates providing educational opportunities to children between 6 and 14 years.

7. Q7.Fundamental Duties are applicable to whom?

   • A.Only to Citizens✓ Correct Answer
   • B.Only to Foreigners
   • C.Both Citizens and Foreigners
   • D.Only to Government Servants

   Explanation: Fundamental Duties are confined to citizens only and do not extend to foreigners, unlike some Fundamental Rights.

8. Q8.Are the Fundamental Duties justiciable in nature?

   • A.Yes
   • B.No✓ Correct Answer
   • C.Partially
   • D.Only in case of emergency

   Explanation: Fundamental Duties are non-justiciable. The Constitution does not provide for their direct enforcement by the courts.

9. Q9.Which Article of the Indian Constitution lists the Fundamental Duties?

   • A.Article 50
   • B.Article 51
   • C.Article 51A✓ Correct Answer
   • D.Article 52

   Explanation: Article 51A in Part IV-A of the Constitution lists the 11 Fundamental Duties.

10. Q10.Which of the following is NOT a Fundamental Duty?

    • A.To abide by the Constitution
    • B.To cast vote in elections✓ Correct Answer
    • C.To safeguard public property
    • D.To defend the country

    Explanation: Casting a vote in elections is not listed as a Fundamental Duty in Article 51A. The Swaran Singh Committee suggested it, but it was not accepted.

11. Q11.The Verma Committee (1999) is associated with which aspect of Fundamental Duties?

    • A.Inclusion of new duties
    • B.Removal of duties
    • C.Legal provisions for implementation of duties✓ Correct Answer
    • D.Translation of duties

    Explanation: The Verma Committee identified the existence of legal provisions for the implementation of some of the Fundamental Duties.

12. Q12.Which act prevents disrespect to the National Flag and National Anthem, enforcing a Fundamental Duty?

    • A.Protection of Civil Rights Act, 1955
    • B.Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, 1971✓ Correct Answer
    • C.Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967
    • D.Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972

    Explanation: The Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, 1971 prevents disrespect to the Constitution of India, the National Flag, and the National Anthem.

13. Q13.Which Fundamental Duty emphasizes the spirit of common brotherhood?

    • A.Article 51A(c)
    • B.Article 51A(d)
    • C.Article 51A(e)✓ Correct Answer
    • D.Article 51A(f)

    Explanation: Article 51A(e) states it is a duty to promote harmony and the spirit of common brotherhood amongst all the people of India.

14. Q14.Paying taxes was recommended as a Fundamental Duty by which committee?

    • A.Verma Committee
    • B.Swaran Singh Committee✓ Correct Answer
    • C.Mandal Commission
    • D.Shah Commission

    Explanation: The Swaran Singh Committee recommended that 'Duty to pay taxes' should be a Fundamental Duty, but this was not incorporated in the Constitution.

15. Q15.Which Fundamental Duty speaks about protecting the sovereignty, unity, and integrity of India?

    • A.Article 51A(a)
    • B.Article 51A(b)
    • C.Article 51A(c)✓ Correct Answer
    • D.Article 51A(d)

    Explanation: Article 51A(c) states the duty to uphold and protect the sovereignty, unity, and integrity of India.

16. Q16.Fundamental Duties serve as a warning against what?

    • A.Anti-national and anti-social activities✓ Correct Answer
    • B.Political corruption
    • C.Judicial overreach
    • D.Executive tyranny

    Explanation: Fundamental Duties serve as a warning against anti-national and anti-social activities like burning the national flag or destroying public property.

17. Q17.To cherish and follow the noble ideals which inspired our national struggle for freedom is a duty under which clause?

    • A.51A(a)
    • B.51A(b)✓ Correct Answer
    • C.51A(c)
    • D.51A(d)

    Explanation: Article 51A(b) mandates citizens to cherish and follow the noble ideals which inspired our national struggle for freedom.

18. Q18.Which of the following acts enforces the duty to protect and improve the natural environment?

    • A.Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972
    • B.Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980
    • C.Both A and B✓ Correct Answer
    • D.None of the above

    Explanation: Both the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 and the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980 enforce the duty to protect the natural environment (Article 51A(g)).

19. Q19.Does the Parliament have the power to enforce Fundamental Duties by legislation?

    • A.No
    • B.Yes✓ Correct Answer
    • C.Only with Supreme Court permission
    • D.Only during emergency

    Explanation: Yes, the Parliament is free to enforce Fundamental Duties by suitable legislation, as stated by the Verma Committee.

20. Q20.Which Fundamental Duty relates to the composite culture of India?

    • A.To value and preserve the rich heritage of our composite culture✓ Correct Answer
    • B.To promote harmony
    • C.To safeguard public property
    • D.To develop scientific temper

    Explanation: Article 51A(f) states the duty to value and preserve the rich heritage of our composite culture.