The Constitution (Forty Second) Amendment Act, 1976, breaks new ground by introducing the innovative concept of Fundamental Duties of the Indian citizens in the Constitution. For this purpose, a new part IV A consisting of Article 51 A has been added to the Constitution. Article 51 A lays down the following ten fundamental duties:-
(a) To abide by the Constitution and respect its ideals and institutions, the National Flag and 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 so ;
(e) to promote harmony and the spirit of common brotherhood amongst all the people of India diversities ; to renounce practices derogatory to the dignity of women ;
(f) to value and preserve the right heritage of our composite culture ;
(g) to protect and improve the natural to have compassion for living creature ;
(h) to develop the scientific temper, humanism and the spirit of inquiry and reform
(i) to safeguard public property and to adjure 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 achievements.
Article 51 A refers only to the Indian citizens unlike some Fundamental Rights, e.g., Articles 14 or 21, which apply to all persons whether citizens or non-citizens.