Executive Summary:
The Ministry of Law and Justice addresses a question regarding the practical implementation of Fundamental Duties for strengthening democracy. The response highlights the government's awareness of initiatives like "Kartavyam" by Delhi University, emphasizes the importance of a duty-centered approach for civic discipline and social harmony, and clarifies the government's stance on the constitutional priority and legal enforceability of Fundamental Duties. The response also lists key legislations enacted to give legal effect to the values embedded in fundamental duties.
Key Points / Main Content:
* **Importance of Fundamental Duties:**
* Implementation of Fundamental Duties under Article 51A is vital for responsible citizenship and national progress.
* These duties balance individual liberty with collective responsibility.
* The government promotes awareness through programs, education, and outreach.
* **"Kartavyam" Initiative:**
* The government acknowledges the "Kartavyam" initiative by Delhi University, in collaboration with 21 other institutions.
* It aims to promote a duty-centric approach and develop duty jurisprudence.
* The initiative includes the Kartavyam Lecture Series, fostering civic awareness and accountable citizenship.
* **Duty-Centered Approach:**
* The government believes a duty-centered approach fosters civic discipline, social harmony, ideological balance, and strengthens democracy.
* It encourages law-abiding behavior and mutual respect.
* **Constitutional and Legal Framework:**
* Fundamental Duties (Part IVA, Article 51A) are moral obligations and non-justiciable.
* Key legislations give legal effect to the values embedded in these duties.
* Judicial interpretations also reinforce Fundamental Duties (e.g., environmental protection).
* Existing laws protect national honor, environment, cultural heritage, gender dignity, education, and public property.
* Examples of such legislation:
* The Environment Protection Act 1986 and the Biological Diversity Act, 2002
* The Prevention of Damage to Public Property Act, 1984, The Bhartiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 Section 325 to 327.
* Right to Education Act, 2009.
Impact Analysis:
* **Citizens:**
* Impact: Encouraged to understand and fulfill their Fundamental Duties alongside enjoying Fundamental Rights. The aim is to improve civic responsibility, social harmony, and participation in democratic processes.
* Action Required: Become aware of Fundamental Duties and integrate them into daily life, contributing to national progress and responsible citizenship.
* **Educational Institutions:**
* Impact: Encouraged to integrate Fundamental Duties into curricula and promote awareness among students. Collaboration with initiatives like "Kartavyam" is supported.
* Action Required: Incorporate Fundamental Duties into educational programs, participate in relevant initiatives, and foster a culture of responsible citizenship among students.
* **Law Universities and Legal Professionals:**
* Impact: Expected to engage in the discourse on duty jurisprudence and contribute to its development. Initiatives like "Kartavyam" provide a platform for this engagement.
* Action Required: Participate in discussions, research, and initiatives related to duty jurisprudence to shape legal and constitutional thought.
* **Government and Policymakers:**
* Impact: Tasked with promoting awareness and understanding of Fundamental Duties through various channels, including public campaigns and academic collaborations.
* Action Required: Continue and enhance efforts to raise awareness of Fundamental Duties and consider ways to further integrate them into policy and legal frameworks.
Key Entities Referenced
Fundamental Duties: Moral obligations of citizens under Article 51A of the Indian Constitution, forming Part IVA. They are non-justiciable but vital for responsible citizenship.
Kartavyam: A national initiative by the Campus Law Centre, University of Delhi, in collaboration with other universities, to promote a duty-centric approach and duty jurisprudence.
Campus Law Centre, University of Delhi: The organizing body of the Kartavyam initiative and the Kartavyam Lecture Series.
Article 51A of the Indian Constitution: Article within the Indian Constitution that defines the Fundamental Duties of citizens.
Fundamental Rights Part III: A section of the Indian Constitution that guarantees fundamental rights to citizens, complementing the Fundamental Duties in Part IVA.
Environment Protection Act 1986: An Indian legislation enacted to protect and improve the environment, reflecting the duty to protect the environment.
Right to Education Act, 2009: An Indian legislation that provides free and compulsory education to children, giving legal effect to the values embedded in fundamental duties
The Bhartiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023: A new criminal code in India which has sections related to damage to public property
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF LAW AND JUSTICE
DEPARTMENT OF LEGAL AFFAIRS
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3260
TO BE ANSWERED ON FRIDAY, THE 08TH AUGUST, 2025
Cultivation of Duty-Centred Values
†3260. Dr. Anand Kumar:
Will the Minister of LAW AND JUSTICE be pleased to state:
(a) whether practical implementation of the Fundamental Duties is essential for
strengthening democracy, if so, the details thereof;
(b) whether the Government is aware of the recently launched national initiative called
‘Kartavyam’ by Delhi University in collaboration and participation of other Law
Universities which seeks to make the duty-centric approach and duty jurisprudence
a part of the national legislative discourse, if so, the details thereof;
(c) whether adopting a duty-centred approach will contribute to positive civic discipline,
social harmony, ideological balance and the long-term strengthening of democracy;
and
(d) if so, whether the Government is contemplating upon any policy/legal framework
to give equal constitutional priority to fundamental duties as compared to
fundamental rights so as to develop duty jurisprudence in the country?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) OF THE MINISTRY OF LAW AND
JUSTICE; AND MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF PARLIAMENTARY
AFFAIRS
(SHRI ARJUN RAM MEGHWAL)
(a): The implementation of Fundamental duties under article 51A of the Indian Constitution
is a vital step toward fostering responsible citizenship within a constitutional democracy.
The Hon’ble Prime Minister has emphasized that fulfilling these Fundamental duties is
essential for national progress, referring to the present era as 'Kartavya Kaal'. These
duties serve as moral obligations that complement legal rights, helping to balance
individual liberty with collective responsibility in a democratic society.
They reflect a constitutional philosophy wherein citizens, endowed with Fundamental
Rights (Part III), are also expected to fulfil their Fundamental duties (Part IV-A) for the
greater good of the nation. Initiatives such as the Citizen’s Duties Awareness Programme
(2020), integration of duties into educational curricula, and outreach efforts through
Constitution Day observances and media broadcasts among other legal, educational, and
public initiatives have been undertaken to promote awareness of Fundamental duties.
These efforts recognise that democracy can only truly thrive when citizens uphold both
their rights and responsibilities.(b): The Government is aware of the recently launched initiative titled “Kartavyam” by the
Campus Law Centre, University of Delhi. This national initiative, undertaken in
collaboration with 21 universities and institutions, aims to promote a duty-centric approach
and develop duty jurisprudence within the framework of constitutional and legislative
discourse.
In celebration of 75 glorious years of the Constitution of India, the Campus Law Centre,
University of Delhi, inaugurated the Kartavyam Lecture Series on April 22 Rooted in the
concept of constitutional duty, the series aspires to inspire a profound shift in public
consciousness- transitioning from a rights-centric discourse to one that equally honours
responsibilities. It represents a meaningful step toward fostering civic awareness and
cultivating a culture of accountable citizenship.
“Kartavyam” is not just a lecture series- it is an unprecedented platform where courtroom
legends, eminent jurists, and leading legal minds converge to explore and redefine
constitutional thought. Seize this opportunity to engage in thought-provoking discussions,
gain invaluable insights, and be part of a transformative dialogue on law, governance, and
justice.
(c): The Government is of the view that adopting a duty-centred approach, in line with the
Fundamental Duties enshrined under Article 51A of the Constitution, can significantly
contribute to fostering civic discipline, promoting social harmony, ensuring ideological
balance, and strengthening democratic values in the long term.
Fundamental Duties serve as moral and civic responsibilities for every citizen. A culture
that emphasizes these duties alongside fundamental rights encourages law-abiding
behaviour, mutual respect among communities, and greater participation in democratic
processes. Such an approach complements the rights-based framework of the
Constitution by promoting a balanced and responsible citizenship. The Government
promotes awareness and understanding of these duties through school curricula, public
campaigns, and academic collaborations.
(d): Fundamental duties, included in Part IV-A of the Constitution through article 51A, are
moral obligations rather than legally enforceable mandates. Unlike Fundamental Rights,
which are justiciable and enforceable through courts, Fundamental duties remain non-
justiciable. However, several key legislations in India have been enacted to give legal
effect to the values embedded in these duties.
In addition to statutory provisions, many Fundamental duties have been reinforced
through judicial interpretation rather than explicit laws, for example, the M.C. Mehta series
of cases, where the courts interpreted article 51A(g) (mandating duty to protect the
environment) as binding on state actions. Over the decades, India has introduced so many
laws aimed at protecting national honour, preserving the environment, safeguarding
cultural heritage, promoting gender dignity, advancing education, and protecting public
property. Such as: -
(a) The Environment Protection Act 1986 and the Biological Diversity Act, 2002.
(b) The Prevention of Damage to Public Property Act, 1984, The Bhartiya Nyaya
Sanhita, 2023 (Section 325 to 327).
(c) Right to Education Act, 2009.
******