UPSC Prelims 2011 · GS Paper I

Question 44: Polity and Governance

Under the Constitution of India, which one of the following is not a fundamental duty ?

aTo vote in public elections

bTo develop the scientific temper

cTo safeguard public property

dTo abide by the Constitution and respect its ideals

AnswerThe answer is (a).

Article 51A lists the fundamental duties, added by the 42nd Amendment in 1976. They include abiding by the Constitution and respecting its ideals, safeguarding public property, and developing scientific temper, humanism and the spirit of inquiry. Voting is not listed as a duty. It is a legal right of citizens, regulated by election law, and voting is not compulsory in India. So (a) is not a fundamental duty.

Why each option is right or wrong

(a) Right: voting is not a fundamental duty.
(b) A duty: to develop scientific temper, humanism and the spirit of inquiry.
(c) A duty: to safeguard public property and abjure violence.
(d) A duty: to abide by the Constitution and respect its ideals.

Explanation: written by UPSC Grade, not by UPSC.

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Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 2011, General Studies Paper I, Series A. The paper on upsc.gov.in.