Govt. dusts off Emergency-era provision on Basic Duties

Syllabus subtopic: Indian Constitution- historical underpinnings, evolution, features, amendments, significant provisions and basic structure.

News: The NDA govt. is dusting off an Emergency-era provision introduced in the Constitution by Indira Gandhi via her controversial 42^nd Amendment- its’s invoking “Fundamental Duties” asking Ministries to spread awareness about them.

Prelims and Mains Focus: about Fundamental Duties and the implications of the govt.’s move

Context:

This emphasis on fundamental duties will play out as part of the year-long celebration of the 70^th anniversary of Constitution Day that falls on November 26.
On Constitution Day the Premble of the Constitution will be read out in various govt. offices.

About Fundamental Duties

The Fundamental Duties, inducted as Article 51A under Part-IV A of the Constitution, is inspired from the Constitution of Russia.

Note: Only one of the 11 fundamental duties mentioned under Article 51A was inducted during the Vajpayee govt. as the 86^th Constitution Amendment in 2002 about educational opportunities for children.

Under Article 51-A, the fundamental duties are statutory and not enforceable by law. The idea behind their incorporation was to emphasize the obligation of the citizens in exchange of the fundamental rights enjoyed by them.
Part IV of the Constitution deals with Directive Principles of State Policy (DPSPs) that includes among its many items, the state’s obligation to enforce a uniform civil code and prevent cow slaughter.

Source: Indian Express

Join Our Telegram

Anti-Defection Law in India

Anti-Defection Law in India

18 Mar, 26
SHARE

The Supreme Court of India recently gave a final three-week deadline to the Telangana Assembly Speaker to decide pending disqualification petitions against defecting MLAs under the Anti-Defection Law. What is the Anti-Defection Law? The Anti-Defection Law was introduced through the 52nd Amendment (1985), which added the Tenth Schedule to the

Rat-Hole Mining

18 Mar, 26
SHARE

A major disaster unfolded in East Jaintia Hills, Meghalaya, when at least 18 workers died following an explosion in an illegally operating rat-hole coal mine. This incident highlights the continued prevalence of rat-hole mining despite bans imposed by the National Green Tribunal (NGT) and the Supreme Court of India. Rat-hole mining is driven

India’s Aviation Sector

17 Mar, 26
SHARE

India’s aviation sector has grown rapidly, becoming a major economic success story. However, regulatory oversight has not evolved at the same pace. Data-driven monitoring of fares and market behavior is essential to ensure fair competition, prevent market abuse, and shift from reactive crisis management to proactive regulation. Challen

Federalism in India

14 Mar, 26
SHARE

Recently, a high-level committee on Union–State relations submitted its first report to the Government of Tamil Nadu. The report examines the distribution of powers and responsibilities between the Union and the States, highlighting ongoing debates regarding the balance between central authority and state autonomy. This discussion is clos

India–UAE Economic Partnership

14 Mar, 26
SHARE

The relationship between India and the United Arab Emirates has evolved from a traditional energy-based partnership into a comprehensive economic and strategic relationship. Over the years, strong political trust, growing trade, and expanding investments have transformed bilateral ties into a diversified economic corridor. The economic partnership