UPSC Prelims 2015— Question 83

Correct answer: Option D. The phrase ‘to uphold and protect the sovereignty, unity and integrity of India’ appears in the Fundamental Duties under Article 51A. Fundamental Duties were added to the Constitution by the 42nd Amendment in 1976. The statement is therefore associated with Fundamental Duties, not the Preamble, Directive Principles or Fundamental Rights. Option-wise analysis: Option A: “Preamble of the Constitution” is incorrect. It does not match the specific fact, definition, institutional role, geographical association, or constitutional/economic principle required here. The key distinction is the one identified in the core explanation, so this option can be eliminated. Option B: “Directive Principles of State Policy” is incorrect. It does not match the specific fact, definition, institutional role, geographical association, or constitutional/economic principle required here. The key distinction is the one identified in the core explanation, so this option can be eliminated. Option C: “Fundamental Rights” is incorrect. It does not match the specific fact, definition, institutional role, geographical association, or constitutional/economic principle required here. The key distinction is the one identified in the core explanation, so this option can be eliminated. Option D: “Fundamental Duties” is correct. It directly matches the factual or conceptual requirement tested by the question and is supported by the principle explained above. Prelims takeaway: Focus on the precise institutional role, constitutional provision, geographical association, or technical definition being tested. UPSC questions often place a broadly familiar fact beside a narrowly incorrect qualifier; identifying that qualifier is essential for elimination.