Question

Which Constitutional Amendment Act introduced the Fundamental Duties in the Constitution of India?

• A. 24th Amendment
• B. 42nd Amendment
• C. 44th Amendment
• D. 52nd Amendment

Hint:

The 42nd Amendment of 1976 is often referred to as the "Mini-Constitution" because of the vast number of changes it brought to the Indian Constitution.
Whenever you are asked about the insertion of major socialistic concepts, secularism, or duties during the 1970s, the 42nd Amendment is highly likely to be the correct answer.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is B

Step 1: Understanding the Question:
The question asks for the specific Constitutional Amendment Act that incorporated the Fundamental Duties into the Indian Constitution.

Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
1. The original Constitution of India adopted in 1950 did not contain any provisions regarding Fundamental Duties for its citizens.
2. In 1976, during the national emergency, the Government of India set up the Swaran Singh Committee to make recommendations about fundamental duties.
3. Based on these recommendations, the Parliament passed the 42nd Constitutional Amendment Act in 1976.
4. This amendment added a new part, Part IV-A, and a single article, Article 51A, to the Constitution.
Originally, this article listed 10 Fundamental Duties for citizens.
5. Let us evaluate Option (A) "24th Amendment": The 24th Amendment Act of 1971 affirmed the power of Parliament to amend any part of the Constitution, including Fundamental Rights.
It is not related to Fundamental Duties.
6. Let us evaluate Option (B) "42nd Amendment": This is the correct option as it introduced the Fundamental Duties in 1976.
7. Let us evaluate Option (C) "44th Amendment": The 44th Amendment Act of 1978 was passed to undo many of the changes made by the 42nd Amendment, but it did not remove the Fundamental Duties.
8. Let us evaluate Option (D) "52nd Amendment": The 52nd Amendment Act of 1985 introduced the anti-defection law under the Tenth Schedule.

Step 3: Final Answer:
The 42nd Constitutional Amendment Act introduced the Fundamental Duties, making Option (B) the correct choice.