• FAQ includes why Indians talk of Rights not Dharma, What are Fundamental Duties of Indian citizens under the Constitution and Inspirational Thoughts of Swami Vivekananda.  

The media, courts and people of India mostly refer to fundamental rights. However, rarely are the duties of citizens spoken about. I was very happy to read an article, probably in the MINT, that spoke of fundamental duties.

As a Society, most of us are the first to make demands on the government as a matter of right. Rarely, do we reflect on our duties. Before I share extract from the Constitution on Duties of Indian Citizens some thoughts.   

Why do most Indians talk of Rights (European) rather than Dharma (Indian)?

Probably because India has adopted the Westminster model of democracy that originated in the West.

Our Preamble refers to Justice, Liberty, Equality and Fraternity. The last three terms were inspired by the French Revolution. Most of those who drafted the Constitution were lawyers who were educated in Western jurisprudence so inspiration was the West. Democracy, as understood is found mainly in the West.

Even though the emblem of the Supreme Court is, “Yato Dharmastato jayaha.” Where there is righteousness and moral duty (dharma), there is victory (jayah)” ones rarely hears of respected Judges speak of Dharma or Duties.  

What did Maharshi Aurobindo say on Dharma vs. Democracy?  

He said in 1908, “It has been said that democracy is based on the rights of man; it has been replied that it should rather take its stand on the duties of man; but both rights and duties are European ideas. Dharma is the Indian conception in which rights and duties lose the artificial antagonism created by a view of the world, which makes selfishness the root of action, and regain their deep and eternal unity. Dharma is the basis of democracy which Asia must recognize, for in this lies the distinction between the soul of Asia and the soul of Europe.”

What are Fundamental Duties of Indian citizens under the Constitution?

They are found in Article 51A of Part IV-A. There are 11 duties of which 10 were introduced in 1976 by the late Mrs Indira Gandhi and 11^th in 2002.

I visited this government of India site on 28.8.2026 around 3.55 pm and downloaded the Constitution of India. Here is an extract-

“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 which inspired our 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; to renounce practices derogatory to the dignity of women;

(f) to value and preserve the rich heritage of our composite culture;

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

(h) to develop the 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;) Duties a to j introduced in 1976.  

(k) 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.” Introduced in 2002. 

Duties covered under Article 51A but Fundamental Rights by Articles 12-35.

Indian citizens need to read and reflect on their duties often.

Thoughts that might Inspire

1. “Let noble thoughts come to us from all directions.” Rig Veda 1.89.1 Source

2. “Arise. Awake. Approach the wise and understand.” Katha Upanishad 1.13.14  Source

3. Swami Vivekananda said,

One - “I am thoroughly convinced that no individual or nation can live by holding itself apart from the community of others.. .. Give and take is the law; and if India wants to raise herself once more, it is absolutely necessary that she brings out her treasures and throws them broadcast among the nations of the earth, and in return be ready to receive what others have to give her.”

Two – “With no strength in the body, no enthusiasm at heart, and no originality in the brain, what will they do – these lumps of dead matter! By stimulating them I want to bring life into them – to this I have dedicated my life.”

Three – “To me the very essence of education is concentration of mind, not the collecting of facts. If I had to do my education over again, and had any voice in the matter, I would not study facts at all. I would develop the power of concentration and detachment, and then with a perfect instrument I could collect facts at will.”

Four – “V Srinivas, author of Awakening the Nation-Rediscovering the spirit of India with Swami Vivekananda quoted Swami Vivekananda, “The gift of India is the gift of religion and philosophy and wisdom and spirituality. They do not want to be carried on the floods of blood but come on the wings of peace and love, and that has always been so.”

Maharshi Aurobindo said, “Our first necessity, if India is to survive and do her appointed work in the world, is that the youth of India should learn to think, - to think on all subjects, to think independently, fruitfully, going to the heart of things, not stopped by their surface, free of prejudgments, shearing sophism and prejudice.” India’s Rebirth

“India never rejected the material world. It simply placed it within the framework of Dharma-Artha-Kama-Moksha.”

Also read

1. How India can realize potential

2. Pictures in Handcrafted Constitution of India ,

3. Is India's Colonial Constitution a result of the Drafting Committee being dominated by Lawyers

4. Who Drafted and how Indian is the Indian Constitution

5. Proposed Preamble