UPSC Prelims 2017 Question:

In the context of India, which one of the following is the correct relationship between Rights and Duties?

Explanation: 

• Without certain fundamental conditions of social life, no one can generally be his or her best self. These are the necessary conditions for the individual's and society's health. Only when individuals obtain and exercise their rights are they able to develop their personalities and contribute their best services to society.
  
  
• A duty generally prescribes what we ought to do and what we ought not do. It is a reason for action. Duty specifies the terms that are binding on individuals and groups in their social practices.
  
  
• Rights and duties are inextricably linked and cannot be separated. Both go hand in hand. Rights are correlative with duties. E.g. If the state grants a citizen the right to life, it also imposes an obligation on him to avoid dangers to his life and to respect the lives of others.
  
  
• Only in the world of duties can rights be possessed. Each right is accompanied by a corresponding obligation.
  
  
• When individuals fail to carry out their duties properly, all rights become meaningless. "I can exercise my rights only if others permit me to do so as well. I have a "right to life," and it is the responsibility of others to respect that right and refrain from causing me harm."
  
  
• Laski asserts that a man's right is also his obligation. Societies give birth to rights. As a result, while exercising rights, we must always seek to advance social interests. Each of us has a responsibility to use our rights to advance the general welfare of society. Thus, a citizen possesses both rights and obligations. He has rights and fulfills his duties.
  
  

Therefore, option (1) is the correct answer.

Subject: Polity | Fundamental Rights