2015 GS Paper I, all questions

UPSC Prelims 2015 · GS Paper I

Question 83: Polity and Governance

"To uphold and protect the Sovereignty, Unity and Integrity of India" is a provision made in the

aPreamble of the Constitution
bDirective Principles of State Policy
cFundamental Rights
dFundamental Duties

AnswerUPSC’s answer is (d).

Article 51A(c), in Part IVA, makes it a fundamental duty of every citizen to uphold and protect the sovereignty, unity and integrity of India. Fundamental Duties were added by the 42nd Amendment in 1976 on the Swaran Singh Committee's recommendation. The Preamble speaks of unity and integrity of the nation, but this exact wording is from the duty.

Why each option is right or wrong
  • (a) The Preamble secures the unity and integrity of the nation but does not carry this wording.
  • (b) The Directive Principles guide State policy; this duty is addressed to citizens.
  • (c) Fundamental Rights are guarantees to individuals, not a duty to uphold sovereignty.
  • (d) Correct: this is a Fundamental Duty under Article 51A.

Answer: UPSC’s key. Explanation: written by UPSC Grade, not by UPSC.

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Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 2015, General Studies Paper I, Series A. The paper on upsc.gov.in.