According to Article 51A of the Indian Constitution, which of the following Fundamental Duties requires citizens to uphold and protect the sovereignty, unity and integrity of India?

1. A

   Second Fundamental Duty

2. B

   Fourth Fundamental Duty

3. C

   Third Fundamental Duty

4. D

   Seventh Fundamental Duty

Appeared in: DSSSB 14 August 2024

Explanation

• The Third Fundamental Duty, as listed under Article 51A(c) of the Indian Constitution, explicitly requires every citizen 'to uphold and protect the sovereignty, unity and integrity of India.'.
• This duty is a cornerstone of civic responsibility, directly addressing the foundational principles of the nation's existence and stability.
• The question directly quotes the text of this specific duty, making it the only correct match among the options.

Why Other Options Were Wrong

• Option A: The Second Fundamental Duty (Article 51A(b)) pertains to cherishing the ideals of the freedom struggle, not directly to protecting the nation's sovereignty and integrity.
• Option B: The Fourth Fundamental Duty (Article 51A(d)) relates to defending the country and performing national service when required. While related to national protection, it is distinct from the duty to uphold sovereignty, unity, and integrity.
• Option D: The Seventh Fundamental Duty (Article 51A(g)) concerns the protection of the natural environment and compassion for living creatures.

Related Visual

Clinical Relevance

• Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Fundamental Duties under the Indian Constitution as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
• Understanding Fundamental Duties is crucial for responsible citizenship, as they serve as a moral compass for citizens to contribute positively to society and the nation.
• These duties, though non-enforceable in court, are often used by courts to interpret the constitutionality of laws. A law promoting these duties is more likely to be upheld.
• What if the question asked about the duty added by the 86th Amendment Act, 2002? The answer would be the Eleventh Fundamental Duty (Article 51A(k)), which is the duty of a parent or guardian to provide opportunities for education to their child between the age of six and fourteen years.

How to Approach the Question

• First, identify the key phrase in the question: 'uphold and protect the sovereignty, unity and integrity of India'.
• Recognize that this is a direct quote from one of the Fundamental Duties listed in Article 51A of the Indian Constitution.
• This is a factual recall question. You need to know the list of Fundamental Duties and their order.
• Recall or determine that the duty to 'uphold and protect the sovereignty, unity and integrity of India' is the third duty listed, corresponding to Article 51A(c).
• Match this fact with the given options to select 'Third Fundamental Duty' as the correct answer.

Concept Tested & Keywords

• Concept Tested: Fundamental Duties under the Indian Constitution
• Stem keywords: Article 51A, Indian Constitution, Fundamental Duties, sovereignty, unity and integrity
• Lead-in keywords: which of the following
• Negative lead-in flag: false

Question ID

QLgYsnfb_LXThT_6Pc-yhp

Copy ID

Reference Book

E6 Handbook of Forensic Nursing Suresh Sharma p. 49-51