Fundamental Duties MCQ: Swaran Singh Committee's Recommendations & Article 51A Clauses

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

1. Q1.The Swaran Singh Committee suggested how many Fundamental Duties initially?

   • A.8✓ Correct Answer
   • B.10
   • C.12
   • D.11

   Explanation: The Swaran Singh Committee suggested the incorporation of 8 Fundamental Duties, but the 42nd Amendment Act enacted 10 duties.

2. Q2.Which Fundamental Duty urges citizens to strive towards excellence in all spheres of individual and collective activity?

   • A.51A(h)
   • B.51A(i)
   • C.51A(j)✓ Correct Answer
   • D.51A(k)

   Explanation: Article 51A(j) is the duty to strive towards excellence in all spheres of individual and collective activity so that the nation constantly rises to higher levels of endeavour and achievement.

3. Q3.According to M. Laxmikanth, Fundamental Duties help the courts in determining what?

   • A.The punishment for crimes
   • B.The constitutional validity of a law✓ Correct Answer
   • C.The election results
   • D.The appointment of judges

   Explanation: Fundamental Duties help the courts in examining and determining the constitutional validity of a law. If a law seeks to give effect to a fundamental duty, it may be considered reasonable.

4. Q4.Which article prohibits the practice of derogatory practices to the dignity of women?

   • A.Article 51A(e)✓ Correct Answer
   • B.Article 51A(a)
   • C.Article 51A(f)
   • D.Article 51A(i)

   Explanation: Article 51A(e) includes the duty to renounce practices derogatory to the dignity of women.

5. Q5.In which year was the Verma Committee on Fundamental Duties established?

   • A.1998
   • B.1999✓ Correct Answer
   • C.2000
   • D.2002

   Explanation: The Verma Committee on Fundamental Duties of Citizens was established in 1999 to identify legal provisions for their implementation.

6. Q6.Besides India, which is the only other democratic country that contains a list of Fundamental Duties in its constitution?

   • A.USA
   • B.Japan✓ Correct Answer
   • C.France
   • D.Canada

   Explanation: Among democratic countries, only the Japanese Constitution contains a list of duties of citizens. Most western democracies do not have them.

7. Q7.Which recommendation of the Swaran Singh Committee was NOT accepted by the Congress Government?

   • A.Inclusion of Fundamental Duties
   • B.Penalty or punishment for non-compliance of duties✓ Correct Answer
   • C.Respecting the National Flag
   • D.Defending the country

   Explanation: The Swaran Singh Committee recommended penalty or punishment for the non-performance of Fundamental Duties, but this was rejected by the government.

8. Q8.Which Fundamental Duty involves developing 'humanism' and 'the spirit of inquiry'?

   • A.Article 51A(g)
   • B.Article 51A(h)✓ Correct Answer
   • C.Article 51A(i)
   • D.Article 51A(j)

   Explanation: Article 51A(h) states the duty to develop the scientific temper, humanism, and the spirit of inquiry and reform.

9. Q9.According to the Swaran Singh Committee, whose decision regarding punishment for duty violation could not be questioned in court?

   • A.The President
   • B.The Supreme Court
   • C.The Parliament
   • D.Any law imposing such penalty✓ Correct Answer

   Explanation: The Committee recommended that no law imposing such penalty or punishment shall be called in question in any court on the ground of infringement of any Fundamental Rights.

10. Q10.Which Fundamental Duty mandates having 'compassion for living creatures'?

    • A.To protect and improve the natural environment✓ Correct Answer
    • B.To safeguard public property
    • C.To value composite culture
    • D.To develop scientific temper

    Explanation: Article 51A(g) includes the duty to protect and improve the natural environment including forests, lakes, rivers, and wildlife, and to have compassion for living creatures.

11. Q11.What is the specific requirement under Article 51A(d)?

    • A.To defend the country and render national service when called upon to do so✓ Correct Answer
    • B.To pay taxes regularly
    • C.To vote in elections
    • D.To respect the National Anthem

    Explanation: Article 51A(d) states the duty to defend the country and render national service when called upon to do so.

12. Q12.Critics described the inclusion of Fundamental Duties as superfluous because:

    • A.They are already part of Fundamental Rights
    • B.They are generally performed by the people even without constitutional compulsion✓ Correct Answer
    • C.They are too difficult to follow
    • D.They contradict the Preamble

    Explanation: Critics argued they are superfluous because duties like protecting public property or respecting the national flag are generally performed by people even without constitutional mandates.

13. Q13.Which Act of 1951 is mentioned by the Verma Committee in relation to Fundamental Duties?

    • A.The Representation of the People Act✓ Correct Answer
    • B.The Industries (Development and Regulation) Act
    • C.The Plantation Labour Act
    • D.The Finance Commission Act

    Explanation: The Verma Committee observed that the Representation of the People Act, 1951 declares soliciting votes on the ground of religion as a corrupt practice, enforcing secular duties.

14. Q14.Under Article 51A(i), what must a citizen abjure?

    • A.Laziness
    • B.Violence✓ Correct Answer
    • C.Alcohol
    • D.Corruption

    Explanation: Article 51A(i) mandates citizens to safeguard public property and to abjure violence.

15. Q15.Who was the Prime Minister of India when the Fundamental Duties were added to the Constitution?

    • A.Morarji Desai
    • B.Indira Gandhi✓ Correct Answer
    • C.Rajiv Gandhi
    • D.Lal Bahadur Shastri

    Explanation: The Fundamental Duties were added in 1976 during the Emergency, when Indira Gandhi was the Prime Minister.

16. Q16.The Fundamental Duties constitute a constant reminder to citizens that while enjoying their rights, they should also be conscious of their:

    • A.Legal Limitations
    • B.Duties owed to their country, society, and fellow citizens✓ Correct Answer
    • C.Political Ambitions
    • D.Economic Goals

    Explanation: Fundamental Duties remind citizens that they have duties owed to their country, their society, and their fellow citizens while enjoying rights.

17. Q17.Which of the following terms is NOT used in Article 51A(a)?

    • A.Ideals
    • B.Institutions
    • C.National Song✓ Correct Answer
    • D.National Anthem

    Explanation: Article 51A(a) mentions respecting the Constitution, its ideals and institutions, the National Flag and the National Anthem. It does not explicitly mention the 'National Song'.

18. Q18.According to the Supreme Court (1992), fundamental duties can be used to determine the ____________ of any law.

    • A.Validity
    • B.Constitutional validity and reasonableness✓ Correct Answer
    • C.Popularity
    • D.Enforceability

    Explanation: The Supreme Court ruled that in determining the constitutional validity of a law, if the law seeks to give effect to a fundamental duty, it may be considered reasonable in relation to Article 14 or 19.

19. Q19.Which section of the IPC declares imputations and assertions prejudicial to national integration as punishable offenses?

    • A.Section 153B✓ Correct Answer
    • B.Section 144
    • C.Section 302
    • D.Section 420

    Explanation: The Verma Committee noted that Section 153B of the IPC declares imputations and assertions prejudicial to national integration as punishable offenses.

20. Q20.What is the primary criticism regarding the language of the Fundamental Duties?

    • A.It is too harsh
    • B.It is vague, ambiguous and difficult for the common man to understand✓ Correct Answer
    • C.It is too lengthy
    • D.It is copied from the West

    Explanation: Critics argue that terms like 'noble ideals', 'composite culture', and 'scientific temper' are vague and difficult for a common man to understand properly.