UPSC Prelims 2017 Q47: Indian Polity – Political Theory & Concepts
In the context of India,
which one of the following is the correct relationship between Rights and Duties?
- (a) Rights are correlative with Duties.
- (b) Rights are personal and hence independent of society and Duties.
- (c) Rights, not Duties, are important for the advancement of the personality of the citizen.
- (d) Duties, not Rights, are important for the stability of the State.
Answer: (a) Rights are correlative with Duties.
Explanation
Relationship between Rights and Duties
Rights and Duties are two sides of the same coin.
My right is another person's duty, and their right is my duty.
| Option | Verdict | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| (a) Rights are correlative with Duties | Correct | Every right carries a matching duty |
| (b) Rights are personal and independent of society and Duties | Incorrect | Rights exist only in society |
| (c) Rights, not Duties, are important for the advancement of the personality of the citizen | Incorrect | Both are needed |
| (d) Duties, not Rights, are important for the stability of the State | Incorrect | Both are needed |
In the Constitution of India:
| Part | Content |
|---|---|
| Part III | Fundamental Rights |
| Part IVA (Article 51A) | Fundamental Duties, added in 1976 |
Answer: (a) Rights are correlative with Duties.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) CORRECT. Rights and Duties are correlative; one cannot exist without the other.
- (b) Incorrect. Rights are claims recognised by society, so they cannot be independent of it.
- (c) Incorrect. The citizen's personality needs both rights and the duties that protect them.
- (d) Incorrect. The stability of the State rests on both rights and duties, not duties alone.
Key point
Rights and Duties are correlative: Part III gives Fundamental Rights and Part IVA (Article 51A) gives Fundamental Duties.
Remember
Rights and Duties = two sides of one coin.
Common mistakes
- Treating rights as absolute personal claims with no social limits.
- Choosing an option with 'not' that pits rights against duties.
- Forgetting that Gandhi held that rights flow from duties well performed.
Exam tip
Options that set Rights against Duties are wrong. Pick the one that links them.
Sources
- Constitution of India — Part III and Article 51A
- NCERT Class XI — Political Theory, Ch 5 (Rights)