The Fundamental Duties were added to the Indian Constitution on the recommendations of the:

The Fundamental Duties were inserted into the Constitution on the basis of the recommendations of the Sardar Swaran Singh Committee, set up in 1976.

About the committee:

• Sardar Swaran Singh was a senior Congress leader who had served as the Union Minister of External Affairs and of Defence.
• The committee was set up by the Congress party in 1976, during the internal emergency, to suggest changes to the Constitution.
• It felt that citizens should be aware of their duties as well as their rights.

How its suggestions were used:

• The government accepted its main recommendation and inserted a new Part IVA, with Article 51A, through the 42nd Amendment Act, 1976.
• Ten Fundamental Duties were added at that time.

Some recommendations were not accepted:

• The committee had suggested that Parliament could provide penalties for failure to perform the duties.
• It had also suggested a duty to pay taxes.
• These were not included in the 42nd Amendment.

Later addition:

The eleventh duty, on providing educational opportunities to children aged 6 to 14, was added by the 86th Amendment Act, 2002.

Why duties were added:

• Supporters said that rights and duties go together, and that citizens should respect the Constitution and the nation.
• Critics said the duties were vague and could not be enforced.
• Some critics also pointed out that important duties, such as voting in elections and paying taxes, were left out.
• Others felt that adding duties during an emergency, when rights were suspended, sent the wrong message.
• Over time, however, courts have used the duties to interpret laws on the environment, the National Flag and public property.

Why not the other options?

• ✗The Santhanam Committee dealt with the prevention of corruption.
• ✗The Wanchoo Committee examined direct taxes and black money.
• ✗The Kothari Commission dealt with education and recommended a common school system.