Indian Polity - Fundamental Duties

Under Part IV ‘A’, Article 51A of the Indian Constitution describes the following "Fundamental Duties" (i.e. the duty of every citizen of India).

• To abide by the Constitution and respect its ideals and institutions, the National Flag and the National Anthem;

• To cherish and follow the noble ideals which inspired our national struggle for freedom;

• To uphold and protect the sovereignty, unity and integrity of India;

• To defend the country and render national service when called upon to do so;

• To promote harmony and the spirit of common brotherhood amongst all the people of India transcending religious, linguistic and regional or sectional diversities; to renounce practices derogatory to the dignity of women;

• To value and preserve the rich heritage of our composite culture;

• To protect and improve the natural environment including forests, lakes, rivers and wild life, and to have compassion for living creatures;

• To develop the scientific temper, humanism and the spirit of inquiry and reform;

• To safeguard public property and to abjure violence;

• To strive towards excellence in all spheres of individual and collective activity so that the nation constantly rises to higher levels of achievement; and

• Who is a parent or guardian to provide opportunities for education to his child or, as the case may be, ward between the age of six and fourteen years.