Abstract: The Fundamental Duties incorporated into the Indian Constitution through the 42nd Constitutional Amendment Act of 1976 represent an essential yet underdeveloped component of India’s constitutional democracy. Designed to balance Fundamental Rights and cultivate civic consciousness, they remain largely symbolic due to their non-justiciable character and limited public engagement. This study examines the historical development of the duties, their constitutional role, judicial interpretation, the issues and challenges inhibiting their implementation, and the indirect mechanisms by which they acquire legal force. It also compares India’s approach with that of other nations and proposes reforms aimed at strengthening the culture of civic responsibility. The study concludes that a holistic strategy rooted in education, institutional mechanisms, and democratic citizenship is necessary to actualize the transformative aspirations of the Fundamental Duties.

Keywords: Fundamental Duties, Article 51A, Indian Constitution, enforceability, constitutional morality, civic responsibility, constitutional law.