The Constitution of India, originally did not have any Fundamental Duties. The Soviet Union’s Constitution contained a list of fundamental rights and fundamental duties. It was on the Soviet model that fundamental duties were added to the Indian Constitution by 42nd amendment of the Constitution in 1976. The fundamental duties are contained in Article 51 A.

Article 51A, Part IVA of the Indian Constitution, specifies Fundamental Duties of the Indian citizens. They are as follows:

It shall be the duty of every citizen of India –

1. to abide by the Constitution and respect its ideals and institutions, the National Flag and the National Anthem;
2. to cherish and follow the noble ideals which inspired our national struggle for freedom;
3. to uphold and protect the sovereignty, unity and integrity of India;
4. to defend the country and render national service when called upon to do so;
5. 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;
6. to value and preserve the rich heritage of our composite culture;
7. to protect and improve the natural environment including forests, lakes, rivers and wild life, and to have compassion for living creatures;
8. to develop the scientific temper, humanism and the spirit of inquiry and reform;
9. to safeguard public property and to abjure violence;
10. 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;
11. 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. (added to the list by 86th Amendment of the Constitution in 2002)