Background and Context

To mark the anniversary of the adoption of India’s Constitution on November 26, 1949, in 2015 the Government decided to observe 26th November as ‘Constitution Day’ or Samvidhan Diwas. On this day in 1949, the Indian Constitution was adopted which came into force on January 26, 1950 marking the beginning of a new era in the history of India.

The 'Constitution Day' will be a part of year-long nationwide celebrations starting from 26th November, 2019 during which number of activities with special emphasis on Fundamental Duties have been planned by UGC throughout the year with active participation of HEIs .

Historical Background

The Swaran Singh Committee appointed by the Government for a review of the Indian Constitution, inits report submitted in 1976 recommended that certain Fundamental Duties and obligations which every citizen owed the nation should be included in the Constitution.

Article 51 'A', contained in Part IV A of the Constitution deals with Fundamental Duties. These enjoin upon a citizen among other things, to abide by the Constitution, to cherish and follow noble ideals, which inspired India's struggle for freedom, to defend the country and render national service when called upon to do so, and to promote harmony and spirit of common brotherhood transcending religious, linguistic and regional or sectional diversities. Fundamental Duties of the citizens have been enumerated as follows:

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 endeavour and achievement;
11. *[who is a parent or guardian to provide opportunities for education to his child or, as the case may be, ward between the age of six and fourteen years.]

1 Ins. by the Constitution (Forty-second Amendment) Act, 1976, s. 11 (w.e.f. 3-1-1977).
*Ins. by the Constitution (Eighty-sixth Amendment) Act, 2002, s. 4 (which is yet not in force, date to be notified later on).

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Justice Verma Committee on Operationalization of Fundamental Duties, 1999, was constituted to work out a strategy as well as the methodology of operationalizing a countrywide programme for teaching fundamental Duties in every educational institution as a measure of in-service training”

Objective of the Event

UGC shall coordinate organising various yearlong awareness and sensitization programes through identified National Coordinating University and State Coordinating Universities covering HEIs in all Universities and UTs, starting from the Constitution Day, i.e., 26th November, 2019 on a large pan India scale and with greater focus on Fundamental Duties

These include National level essay competition and state level debate , mock parliament and moot court competitions will be held. Various activities like workshops, guest lectures by eminent jurists, poster making, slogan writing and street plays .

Expected Outcomes

• Wider dissemination of information and generating greater awareness in regard to the Fundamental Duties amongst students, faculty and educational administrators
• Encouragement towards acting, implementing and invigorating compliance with Fundamental Duties enshrined in article 51A of the Constitution.