Fundamental duties of an Indian citizen

Indian Air Force tricolour flag formation flying

I think we have wandered very far from these, and these are really beautiful guidelines on how to be as a citizen of India.

So posting them here in the hope that seeing them in a new form may trigger people to think about what they mean:

  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 endeavor and achievement.

I think this is the most life-affirming and wise advice I have ever received on how to live and how to be and I think it is incredible that it is sarkari and “free” and in the first document of relevance to us as Indians itself.

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3 thoughts on “Fundamental duties of an Indian citizen”

  1. in now a days every one in our india is talking about their rights but not giving attention to their duties thats why our india is down and down day by day

  2. I think the whole notion of “duties” is flawed. Either something is a law the penalty for violation of which is jail time, or it’s not a law.

    This nebulous concept of duties needs to go. No other modern democracy has it. We live in a contract with the state. We pay our taxes and obey the laws. In return, the state protects us and allows us to go about our business. That’s it.

    Imagine if you and I sign a contract between us and I then insert another clause saying that these are your “duties” for which there’s no punishment as such, but “I expect you to do them ethically anyway!”

    Ridiculous no?

  3. I think the whole notion of “duties” is flawed. Either something is a law the penalty for violation of which is jail time, or it’s not a law.

    This nebulous concept of duties needs to go. No other modern democracy has it. We live in a contract with the state. We pay our taxes and obey the laws. In return, the state protects us and allows us to go about our business. That’s it.

    Imagine if you and I sign a contract between us and I then insert another clause saying that these are your “duties” for which there’s no punishment as such, but “I expect you to do them ethically anyway!”

    Ridiculous no?

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