Laxmikanth Summary: Fundamental Duties - Indian Polity for UPSC CSE

SWARAN SINGH COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS 
In 1976, the Congress Party set up the Sardar Swaran Singh Committee to make recommendations about fundamental duties, the need and necessity of which was felt during the operation of the internal emergency (1975-1977).Though the Swaran Singh Committee suggested the incorporation of eight Fundamental Duties in the Constitution, the 42nd Constitutional Amendment Act (1976) included ten Fundamental Duties.

List Of Fundamental Duties
According to Article 51 A, it shall be the duty of every citizen of India:
(a) to abide by the Constitution and respect its ideals and institutions, the National Flag and the National Anthem;
(b) to cherish and follow the noble ideals that inspired the national struggle for freedom;
(c) to uphold and protect the sovereignty, unity and integrity of India;
(d) to defend the country and render national service when called upon to do so;
(e) to promote harmony and the spirit of common brotherhood amongst all the people of India transcending religious, linguistic and regional or sectional diversities and to renounce practices derogatory to the dignity of women;
(f) to value and preserve the rich heritage of the country’s composite culture;
(g) to protect and improve the natural environment including forests, lakes, rivers and wildlife and to have compassion for living creatures;
(h) to develop scientific temper, humanism and the spirit of inquiry and reform;
(i) to safeguard public property and to abjure violence;
(j) 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; and
(k) to provide opportunities for education to his child or ward between the age of six and fourteen years. This duty was added by the 86th Constitutional Amendment Act, 2002.

Characteristics

• Moral and civic duties
• Highlight values of India traditions, religions, practices and mythology
• Codify tasks integral to the Indian way of Life
• Non-justiciable
• No legal sanction against their violation 

Significance

• Remind citizens to be conscious of their duties while enjoying their rights
• Inspire citizens towards nation building and discipline
• Remind citizens of their necessity in achieving national goals.
• Strengthens democracy (Indira Gandhi) 

Criticism Of Fds (Upscsummarynotes.com) 

• List not exhaustive 
• Non-justiciable: Just a code of moral precepts 
• Unnecessary inclusion in the Constitution 
• Included after DPSPs, not after FRs (Part III). This reduces their value and significance.