Fundamental Duties MCQ: Related Legislation, the Flag Code & Criticism of Fundamental Duties

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

1. Q1.Which committee recommended that 'paying taxes' should be a Fundamental Duty?

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

   Explanation: The Swaran Singh Committee recommended the duty to pay taxes, but the Congress government did not accept this recommendation.

2. Q2.Which Article allows the Parliament to impose penalties for non-compliance with Fundamental Duties (though not yet fully utilized)?

   • A.There is no specific article, but Parliament has general legislative power✓ Correct Answer
   • B.Article 51A itself
   • C.Article 368
   • D.Article 13

   Explanation: The Constitution doesn't provide for direct penalty in Art 51A, but Parliament can enforce them through general legislation (as per Verma Committee observations).

3. Q3.The Fundamental Duties were inspired by the constitution of which ideology?

   • A.Socialist✓ Correct Answer
   • B.Capitalist
   • C.Monarchist
   • D.Feudalist

   Explanation: Fundamental Duties are a characteristic feature of socialist constitutions (like the former USSR), where rights and duties are inseparable.

4. Q4.What does the duty 'to safeguard public property' imply?

   • A.Not to destroy buses, trains, and public buildings✓ Correct Answer
   • B.To pay for public services
   • C.To buy government bonds
   • D.To clean public parks only

   Explanation: It implies non-violence towards public assets like preventing damage to buses, trains, and government buildings during protests or strikes.

5. Q5.According to H.R. Gokhale (then Law Minister), Fundamental Duties were meant to have a:

   • A.Sobering effect on democracy✓ Correct Answer
   • B.Destabilizing effect
   • C.Legal binding effect immediately
   • D.Financial burden

   Explanation: H.R. Gokhale stated that the inclusion of fundamental duties would have a 'sobering effect' on the exercise of rights.

6. Q6.Which Act was enacted to prohibit the proselytization of religion using force or allurement, supporting the duty of harmony?

   • A.Freedom of Religion Acts (in various states)✓ Correct Answer
   • B.The Passport Act
   • C.The Citizenship Act
   • D.The Foreigners Act

   Explanation: Various states have Freedom of Religion Acts to prevent forced conversions, which aligns with promoting harmony and brotherhood.

7. Q7.Fundamental Duties constitute the _______ of the Indian Constitution.

   • A.Conscience
   • B.Basic Structure
   • C.Moral obligation✓ Correct Answer
   • D.Legal framework

   Explanation: While 'Conscience' usually refers to DPSPs and Fundamental Rights together, Fundamental Duties are seen as the moral obligations of citizens.

8. Q8.Which Fundamental Duty implies that every citizen should respect the diverse culture of the country?

   • A.Article 51A(f) - Composite Culture✓ Correct Answer
   • B.Article 51A(c) - Sovereignty
   • C.Article 51A(a) - Constitution
   • D.Article 51A(g) - Environment

   Explanation: Article 51A(f) mandates valuing and preserving the rich heritage of India's composite culture.

9. Q9.The 11th Fundamental Duty (Education) applies to parents/guardians of children in which age group?

   • A.6 to 14 years✓ Correct Answer
   • B.0 to 6 years
   • C.14 to 18 years
   • D.6 to 18 years

   Explanation: Article 51A(k) applies to children between the age of six and fourteen years.

10. Q10.Which political party set up the Swaran Singh Committee?

    • A.Congress Party✓ Correct Answer
    • B.Janata Party
    • C.BJP
    • D.CPI

    Explanation: The Congress Party set up the Swaran Singh Committee in 1976.

11. Q11.The Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967, relates to which Fundamental Duty?

    • A.Sovereignty, Unity and Integrity of India✓ Correct Answer
    • B.Composite Culture
    • C.Scientific Temper
    • D.Environment

    Explanation: UAPA enforces the duty to uphold and protect the sovereignty, unity, and integrity of India by banning unlawful associations.

12. Q12.Before 1976, duties of citizens were mentioned in the Constitution only in:

    • A.Nowhere explicitly as a list✓ Correct Answer
    • B.Preamble
    • C.Directive Principles
    • D.Fundamental Rights (implied)

    Explanation: Before 1976, there was no specific list of Fundamental Duties in the Constitution. They were only implied in some Fundamental Rights or laws.

13. Q13.Which Fundamental Duty is about 'individual and collective activity'?

    • A.Striving for excellence✓ Correct Answer
    • B.Defending the country
    • C.Protecting environment
    • D.Abjuring violence

    Explanation: Article 51A(j) urges citizens to strive towards excellence in all spheres of individual and collective activity.

14. Q14.The 'Flag Code of India' is relevant to which Fundamental Duty?

    • A.Article 51A(a) - Respecting the National Flag✓ Correct Answer
    • B.Article 51A(b) - Cherishing ideals
    • C.Article 51A(c) - Sovereignty
    • D.Article 51A(d) - National Service

    Explanation: The Flag Code of India governs the display and use of the National Flag, directly relating to the duty to respect the National Flag under Article 51A(a).

15. Q15.Who stated that 'rights and duties are the two wheels of the chariot of life' in the context of Indian Constitution?

    • A.Indira Gandhi
    • B.Mahatma Gandhi✓ Correct Answer
    • C.Dr. B.R. Ambedkar
    • D.Justice Verma

    Explanation: While not in Laxmikanth directly as a quote on the 1976 amendment, this philosophy is attributed to Mahatma Gandhi, whom the inclusion of duties sought to emulate (Gandhian ideals).

16. Q16.Critics argued that Fundamental Duties should have been added to which part of the Constitution to make them more effective?

    • A.Part III (Fundamental Rights)✓ Correct Answer
    • B.Part IV (Directive Principles)
    • C.Part V (The Union)
    • D.Part II (Citizenship)

    Explanation: Critics argued that including Fundamental Duties in Part IV (as an appendage to Directive Principles) reduced their value and significance. They should have been added to Part III to be on par with Fundamental Rights.

17. Q17.Which of the following is NOT a Fundamental Duty under Article 51A?

    • A.To defend the country
    • B.To practice family planning✓ Correct Answer
    • C.To develop scientific temper
    • D.To safeguard public property

    Explanation: Family planning is not listed as a Fundamental Duty in Article 51A. It is often confused with population control measures but is not a constitutional duty.

18. Q18.The Swaran Singh Committee recommended penalty for non-compliance. What was the proposed protection for such a law?

    • A.It could not be challenged in any court for violating Fundamental Rights✓ Correct Answer
    • B.It required President's prior assent
    • C.It required a referendum
    • D.It could be challenged only in the Supreme Court

    Explanation: The Committee recommended that no law imposing such penalty shall be called in question in any court on the ground of infringement of any Fundamental Rights (specifically Art 19 and 32).

19. Q19.Fundamental Duties are considered 'fundamental' because:

    • A.They are basic to the welfare of society
    • B.They are contained in the supreme law of the land (Constitution)✓ Correct Answer
    • C.They are enforceable by police
    • D.They are ancient traditions

    Explanation: Like Fundamental Rights, they are termed 'fundamental' because they are enshrined in the Constitution, which is the supreme law of the land.

20. Q20.Which phrase is used in Article 51A(h) regarding the 'spirit' to be developed?

    • A.Spirit of Inquiry and Reform✓ Correct Answer
    • B.Spirit of Nationalism
    • C.Spirit of Tolerance
    • D.Spirit of Sacrifice

    Explanation: Article 51A(h) mandates the development of the 'spirit of inquiry and reform' alongside scientific temper and humanism.