NDA MCQs of Fundamental Duties (Article 51A) for UPSC NDA Preparation

Anand Classes presents an extensive collection of 20 practice MCQs on Fundamental Duties (Article 51A) specifically designed for UPSC NDA aspirants preparing for the Polity section. This comprehensive question bank covers all 11 fundamental duties, constitutional amendments, historical background, and judicial interpretations essential for NDA written examination. Our expert faculty has carefully selected these questions based on previous year NDA papers and examination trends to provide maximum coverage of high-probability topics. Each MCQ includes detailed explanations with constitutional context, amendment details, and examination strategy to enhance your conceptual understanding and scoring ability in both NDA written exam and SSB interview rounds. For comprehensive preparation, also explore our detailed study materials on Constitutional Development and other NDA Polity topics. Click the print button to download study material and notes.

Fundamental Duties (Article 51A) – MCQs for UPSC NDA Preparation with Detailed Explanations

Question 1

Fundamental Duties were inserted into the Indian Constitution through which Constitutional Amendment?

a) 41st Constitutional Amendment, 1975
b) 42nd Constitutional Amendment, 1976
c) 43rd Constitutional Amendment, 1977
d) 44th Constitutional Amendment, 1978

✅ Correct Answer: b) 42nd Constitutional Amendment, 1976

📚 Detailed Explanation: The 42nd Constitutional Amendment Act, 1976 added the original 10 Fundamental Duties during the Emergency period (1975-77). This amendment was based on Swarn Singh Committee recommendations and inspired by the former USSR Constitution. The timing aimed to balance individual rights with civic responsibilities and promote constitutional awareness among citizens.

🎯 Why Other Options are Wrong:

• Option a) 41st Amendment, 1975 – This dealt with reservation in promotions for SCs/STs, not Fundamental Duties
• Option c) 43rd Amendment, 1977 – This was related to anti-defection provisions and electoral reforms
• Option d) 44th Amendment, 1978 – This amendment reversed some Emergency-era provisions and restored civil liberties

Question 2

The concept of Fundamental Duties in the Indian Constitution was borrowed from which country’s constitution?

a) United States of America
b) United Kingdom
c) Former USSR (Soviet Union)
d) France

✅ Correct Answer: c) Former USSR (Soviet Union)

📚 Detailed Explanation: The former USSR Constitution emphasized both rights and duties of citizens, providing the philosophical foundation for India’s Fundamental Duties. The Soviet model influenced the 42nd Amendment framers to create a balanced constitutional framework combining individual freedoms with collective responsibilities.

🎯 Why Other Options are Wrong:

• Option a) USA – The US Constitution focuses on individual rights without emphasizing duties; source of Fundamental Rights, not duties
• Option b) UK – The British system has no written constitution and emphasizes parliamentary sovereignty, not citizen duties
• Option d) France – The French Constitution emphasizes liberty, equality, fraternity but not specific fundamental duties

Question 3

Which committee recommended the inclusion of Fundamental Duties in the Constitution?

a) Sarkaria Commission
b) Swarn Singh Committee
c) Shah Commission
d) Administrative Reforms Commission

✅ Correct Answer: b) Swarn Singh Committee

📚 Detailed Explanation: The Swarn Singh Committee examined constitutional amendments and recommended adding Fundamental Duties to balance the elaborate provisions for rights. The committee observed the need for civic responsibility, national integration, and constitutional awareness through these moral obligations.

🎯 Why Other Options are Wrong:

• Option a) Sarkaria Commission – This commission examined Centre-State relations, not constitutional duties
• Option c) Shah Commission – This investigated Emergency excesses and civil liberties violations, not duties
• Option d) Administrative Reforms Commission – This dealt with government administration and bureaucratic reforms

Question 4

How many Fundamental Duties are currently mentioned in Article 51A of the Indian Constitution?

a) 10
b) 11
c) 12
d) 15

✅ Correct Answer: b) 11

📚 Detailed Explanation: Currently, Article 51A contains 11 Fundamental Duties. Originally, 10 duties were added in 1976 through the 42nd Amendment, and the 11th duty regarding education of children was added in 2002 through the 86th Amendment.

🎯 Why Other Options are Wrong:

• Option a) 10 – This was the original number added in 1976, but the 11th was added in 2002
• Option c) 12 – No 12th duty has been added to the Constitution yet
• Option d) 15 – This number is incorrect; only 11 duties exist in Article 51A

Question 5

The 11th Fundamental Duty was added through which Constitutional Amendment?

a) 85th Amendment, 2001
b) 86th Amendment, 2002
c) 87th Amendment, 2003
d) 88th Amendment, 2003

✅ Correct Answer: b) 86th Amendment, 2002

📚 Detailed Explanation: The 86th Constitutional Amendment Act, 2002 added the 11th Fundamental Duty concerning education of children between 6-14 years. This amendment also inserted Article 21A making education a Fundamental Right, creating a dual obligation framework.

🎯 Why Other Options are Wrong:

• Option a) 85th Amendment, 2001 – This dealt with reservation in promotions for SCs/STs, not education duties
• Option c) 87th Amendment, 2003 – This was related to delimitation of constituencies, not fundamental duties
• Option d) 88th Amendment, 2003 – This dealt with service tax and taxation matters, not constitutional duties

Question 6

Fundamental Duties are contained in which Part of the Indian Constitution?

a) Part III
b) Part IV
c) Part IV-A
d) Part V

✅ Correct Answer: c) Part IV-A

📚 Detailed Explanation: Part IV-A of the Constitution contains Article 51A with all 11 Fundamental Duties. This part was inserted through the 42nd Amendment to create a separate section for civic responsibilities distinct from Part III (Fundamental Rights) and Part IV (Directive Principles).

🎯 Why Other Options are Wrong:

• Option a) Part III – This contains Fundamental Rights (Articles 12-35), not duties
• Option b) Part IV – This contains Directive Principles of State Policy (Articles 36-51), not fundamental duties
• Option d) Part V – This deals with Union Government structure (Parliament, President, etc.), not duties

Question 7

Which of the following best describes the nature of Fundamental Duties?

a) Justiciable and legally enforceable
b) Non-justiciable but morally binding
c) Partially justiciable
d) Neither justiciable nor binding

✅ Correct Answer: b) Non-justiciable but morally binding

📚 Detailed Explanation: Fundamental Duties are non-justiciable, meaning they cannot be directly enforced through courts. However, they are morally and constitutionally binding on every citizen. Courts can use them as interpretative tools and Parliament can make laws to enforce them indirectly.

🎯 Why Other Options are Wrong:

• Option a) Justiciable and legally enforceable – This describes Fundamental Rights, not duties
• Option c) Partially justiciable – Duties are completely non-justiciable, not partially
• Option d) Neither justiciable nor binding – While non-justiciable, they are definitely morally binding

Question 8

The Fundamental Duty “to renounce practices derogatory to the dignity of women” is part of which duty?

a) 4th Fundamental Duty
b) 5th Fundamental Duty
c) 6th Fundamental Duty
d) 8th Fundamental Duty

✅ Correct Answer: b) 5th Fundamental Duty

📚 Detailed Explanation: The 5th Fundamental Duty has dual components: promoting harmony and brotherhood transcending diversities, and renouncing practices derogatory to women’s dignity. This addresses social evils like dowry, female infanticide, and gender discrimination.

🎯 Why Other Options are Wrong:

• Option a) 4th Duty – This deals with defending the country and national service, not women’s dignity
• Option c) 6th Duty – This concerns preserving composite culture, not gender equality
• Option d) 8th Duty – This focuses on scientific temper and humanism, not specifically women’s rights

Question 9

Which Fundamental Duty specifically mentions the National Flag and National Anthem?

a) 1st Fundamental Duty
b) 2nd Fundamental Duty
c) 3rd Fundamental Duty
d) 4th Fundamental Duty

✅ Correct Answer: a) 1st Fundamental Duty

📚 Detailed Explanation: The 1st Fundamental Duty states citizens should “abide by the Constitution and respect its ideals and institutions, the National Flag and the National Anthem.” This establishes constitutional obedience and respect for national symbols.

🎯 Why Other Options are Wrong:

• Option b) 2nd Duty – This deals with noble ideals of freedom struggle, not national symbols
• Option c) 3rd Duty – This concerns sovereignty, unity and integrity, not flag and anthem
• Option d) 4th Duty – This focuses on defending the country, not respecting national symbols

Question 10

The age group specified in the 11th Fundamental Duty for education of children is:

a) 6-12 years
b) 6-14 years
c) 5-14 years
d) 6-16 years

✅ Correct Answer: b) 6-14 years

📚 Detailed Explanation: The 11th Fundamental Duty specifies 6-14 years age group for elementary education. This aligns with the Right to Education Act, 2009 and addresses child labor issues by making education a parental duty.

🎯 Why Other Options are Wrong:

• Option a) 6-12 years – This age range is too narrow and doesn’t align with constitutional provisions
• Option c) 5-14 years – The starting age is incorrect; constitutional provision starts from 6 years
• Option d) 6-16 years – The upper age limit is wrong; constitutional duty ends at 14 years

Question 11

Which Fundamental Duty deals with environmental protection?

a) 6th Fundamental Duty
b) 7th Fundamental Duty
c) 8th Fundamental Duty
d) 9th Fundamental Duty

✅ Correct Answer: b) 7th Fundamental Duty

📚 Detailed Explanation: The 7th Fundamental Duty requires citizens “to protect and improve the natural environment including forests, lakes, rivers and wildlife and to have compassion for living creatures.” This duty supports sustainable development and environmental conservation policies.

🎯 Why Other Options are Wrong:

• Option a) 6th Duty – This deals with preserving composite culture, not environmental protection
• Option c) 8th Duty – This focuses on scientific temper and humanism, not environment
• Option d) 9th Duty – This concerns safeguarding public property and abjuring violence, not nature conservation

Question 12

The duty to develop scientific temper is mentioned in which Fundamental Duty?

a) 7th Fundamental Duty
b) 8th Fundamental Duty
c) 9th Fundamental Duty
d) 10th Fundamental Duty

✅ Correct Answer: b) 8th Fundamental Duty

📚 Detailed Explanation: The 8th Fundamental Duty requires “developing scientific temper, humanism and the spirit of inquiry and reform.” This promotes rational thinking, evidence-based decisions, and challenges superstitious practices.

🎯 Why Other Options are Wrong:

• Option a) 7th Duty – This deals with environmental protection, not scientific thinking
• Option c) 9th Duty – This concerns public property protection and non-violence, not scientific temper
• Option d) 10th Duty – This focuses on striving for excellence, not specifically scientific attitude

Question 13

Which Supreme Court case emphasized the importance of Fundamental Duties?

a) Kesavananda Bharati Case
b) Minerva Mills Case
c) AIIMS Student Union Case
d) Golaknath Case

✅ Correct Answer: c) AIIMS Student Union Case

📚 Detailed Explanation: In AIIMS Student Union v. AIIMS (2001), the Supreme Court emphasized that Fundamental Duties are not empty rhetoric but constitutional mandates that should guide citizen behavior. The court used duties as interpretative guidelines for balancing rights and responsibilities.

🎯 Why Other Options are Wrong:

• Option a) Kesavananda Bharati Case – This established basic structure doctrine, not fundamental duties importance
• Option b) Minerva Mills Case – This dealt with parliamentary power limitations, not duties
• Option d) Golaknath Case – This concerned fundamental rights amendments, not fundamental duties

Question 14

The duty to safeguard public property is combined with which other obligation?

a) Promoting harmony
b) Defending the country
c) Abjuring violence
d) Developing scientific temper

✅ Correct Answer: c) Abjuring violence

📚 Detailed Explanation: The 9th Fundamental Duty combines “safeguarding public property” with “abjuring violence.” This establishes non-violence as constitutional principle and protects public infrastructure through peaceful means.

🎯 Why Other Options are Wrong:

• Option a) Promoting harmony – This is part of the 5th Fundamental Duty, not 9th
• Option b) Defending the country – This constitutes the 4th Fundamental Duty, separate from property protection
• Option d) Developing scientific temper – This belongs to the 8th Fundamental Duty, not property-related duty

Question 15

Which Fundamental Duty specifically mentions “composite culture”?

a) 5th Fundamental Duty
b) 6th Fundamental Duty
c) 7th Fundamental Duty
d) 8th Fundamental Duty

✅ Correct Answer: b) 6th Fundamental Duty

📚 Detailed Explanation: The 6th Fundamental Duty requires citizens “to value and preserve the rich heritage of our composite culture.” This protects India’s multi-cultural diversity, traditional arts, historical monuments, and regional cultural practices.

🎯 Why Other Options are Wrong:

• Option a) 5th Duty – This promotes harmony and brotherhood, but doesn’t specifically mention composite culture
• Option c) 7th Duty – This deals with environmental protection, not cultural heritage
• Option d) 8th Duty – This focuses on scientific temper, not cultural preservation

Question 16

The duty to “strive towards excellence” is mentioned in which Fundamental Duty?

a) 8th Fundamental Duty
b) 9th Fundamental Duty
c) 10th Fundamental Duty
d) 11th Fundamental Duty

✅ Correct Answer: c) 10th Fundamental Duty

📚 Detailed Explanation: The 10th Fundamental Duty requires “striving towards excellence in all spheres of individual and collective activity” so that the nation “constantly rises to higher levels of endeavour and achievement.” This promotes personal development and national progress.

🎯 Why Other Options are Wrong:

• Option a) 8th Duty – This deals with scientific temper and humanism, not excellence in all spheres
• Option b) 9th Duty – This concerns public property protection and non-violence, not excellence
• Option d) 11th Duty – This focuses on education of children, not general excellence

Question 17

Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of Fundamental Duties?

a) Non-justiciable nature
b) Moral obligations
c) Direct court enforcement
d) Constitutional significance

✅ Correct Answer: c) Direct court enforcement

📚 Detailed Explanation: Fundamental Duties cannot be directly enforced by courts, unlike Fundamental Rights. They are non-justiciable but serve as moral obligations with constitutional significance. Courts can use them as interpretative tools but cannot impose direct penalties for violations.

🎯 Why Other Options are Wrong:

• Option a) Non-justiciable nature – This is correct characteristic of Fundamental Duties
• Option b) Moral obligations – This is accurate; duties are morally binding on citizens
• Option d) Constitutional significance – This is true; duties have constitutional importance

Question 18

The duty to “uphold and protect sovereignty, unity and integrity of India” is:

a) 2nd Fundamental Duty
b) 3rd Fundamental Duty
c) 4th Fundamental Duty
d) 5th Fundamental Duty

✅ Correct Answer: b) 3rd Fundamental Duty

📚 Detailed Explanation: The 3rd Fundamental Duty requires citizens “to uphold and protect the sovereignty, unity and integrity of India.” This duty opposes separatist movements, supports territorial integrity, and promotes national unity against divisive forces.

🎯 Why Other Options are Wrong:

• Option a) 2nd Duty – This deals with noble ideals of freedom struggle, not sovereignty protection
• Option c) 4th Duty – This concerns defending the country and national service, different from sovereignty duty
• Option d) 5th Duty – This promotes harmony and brotherhood, not specifically sovereignty

Question 19

Which Fundamental Duty is most directly related to the Right to Education Act, 2009?

a) 8th Fundamental Duty
b) 10th Fundamental Duty
c) 11th Fundamental Duty
d) 2nd Fundamental Duty

✅ Correct Answer: c) 11th Fundamental Duty

📚 Detailed Explanation: The 11th Fundamental Duty regarding education of children (6-14 years) is directly connected to the Right to Education Act, 2009. Both provisions work together to ensure universal elementary education by making it both a child’s right and parental duty. This connection demonstrates how Fundamental Rights and Duties work together in constitutional framework.

🎯 Why Other Options are Wrong:

• Option a) 8th Duty – This deals with scientific temper, not specifically elementary education
• Option b) 10th Duty – This concerns general excellence, not mandatory child education
• Option d) 2nd Duty – This relates to freedom struggle ideals, not education legislation

Question 20

During which period were the original Fundamental Duties added to the Constitution?

a) Pre-Independence period
b) Constituent Assembly period
c) Emergency period (1975-77)
d) Post-Emergency reforms

✅ Correct Answer: c) Emergency period (1975-77)

📚 Detailed Explanation: The original 10 Fundamental Duties were added during the Emergency period (1975-77) through the 42nd Amendment, 1976. This timing reflected the government’s intention to emphasize civic responsibilities alongside individual rights and promote constitutional awareness during a challenging period for Indian democracy.

🎯 Why Other Options are Wrong:

• Option a) Pre-Independence period – The Constitution didn’t exist before 1950; duties added much later
• Option b) Constituent Assembly period – Original Constitution (1950) didn’t include Fundamental Duties
• Option d) Post-Emergency reforms – The duties were added during Emergency, not after it ended Fundamental Duty
  c) 11th Fundamental Duty
  d) 2nd Fundamental Duty

✅ Correct Answer: c) 11th Fundamental Duty

📚 Detailed Explanation: The 11th Fundamental Duty regarding education of children (6-14 years) is directly connected to the Right to Education Act, 2009. Both provisions work together to ensure universal elementary education by making it both a child’s right and parental duty.

Scoring Guide for NDA Aspirants

• 18-20 Correct: Excellent preparation level
• 15-17 Correct: Good grasp, minor revision needed
• 12-14 Correct: Average understanding, focused study required
• Below 12: Comprehensive revision recommended

💡 Strategic Tips for NDA Exam:

• Focus on amendment numbers and years (42nd-1976, 86th-2002)
• Remember specific content of each duty with examples
• Practice application-based questions for SSB interviews
• Link duties with current government policies and schemes

🎯 Download Additional Resources: Access comprehensive UPSC NDA study material PDF, polity notes, and previous year question papers for thorough preparation. These 20 MCQs represent the most frequently asked topics in NDA examinations and provide excellent practice for both written exam and SSB interview preparation.

Related Study Materials from Anand Classes

📖 Essential Polity Topics for NDA:

• Constitutional Development of India – Complete historical evolution
• Fundamental Rights (Articles 12-35) – Detailed analysis with MCQs
• NDA Complete Study Material – All subjects covered
• Previous Year Papers – Practice with real exam questions

💡 Pro Tip: Master the relationship between Fundamental Rights, Directive Principles, and Fundamental Duties as they often appear as integrated questions in NDA examinations.

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