Directive Principles of State Policy
Indian Constitution - Delhi Police Exams
Meaning and Objective
Directive Principles of State Policy (DPSPs) are guidelines or principles given to the State to frame laws and policies for achieving social and economic justice.
They are non-justiciable, meaning they cannot be enforced by courts, but they are fundamental in the governance of the country.
Article 37: States that the DPSPs are not enforceable but are "fundamental in the governance of the country."
Simple Definition: DPSPs = "Instructions to the Government for the welfare of people."
Objectives of DPSPs
- To establish a Welfare State
- To ensure social, economic, and political justice
- To reduce inequalities in wealth and status
- To promote international peace and harmony
- To provide basic needs — health, education, livelihood, and equal opportunities
Memory Trick: Welfare through Justice, Equality, and Peace.
Classification of DPSPs (Articles 36-51)
DPSPs are classified into three categories based on their goals — Social, Economic, and Political.
A. Social Principles
| Article | Directive |
|---|---|
| Art. 39A | Equal justice and free legal aid |
| Art. 41 | Right to work, education, and public assistance |
| Art. 42 | Humane conditions for work, maternity relief |
| Art. 43 | Living wage and decent standard of life for workers |
| Art. 45 | Free and compulsory education for children (now part of Article 21A) |
| Art. 47 | Raise nutrition, public health, and ban intoxicating drinks |
Trick: Wages, Work, Women, Welfare, and Wine (ban).
B. Economic Principles
| Article | Directive |
|---|---|
| Art. 38 | Promote welfare of the people by securing a social order |
| Art. 39 | Equitable distribution of wealth, adequate livelihood, prevent wealth concentration |
| Art. 43B | Promotion of cooperatives |
Trick: 38–Order, 39–Wealth, 43B–Coops.
C. Political / Administrative Principles
| Article | Directive |
|---|---|
| Art. 40 | Organisation of village panchayats |
| Art. 44 | Uniform Civil Code (UCC) for all citizens |
| Art. 50 | Separation of judiciary from executive |
| Art. 51 | Promote international peace and respect for international law |
Trick: Panchayat, Personal Law, Peace, and Power Separation.
Difference between Fundamental Rights and DPSPs
| Basis | Fundamental Rights (FRs) | Directive Principles (DPSPs) |
|---|---|---|
| Nature | Legal & enforceable by courts | Moral & non-justiciable |
| Objective | Protect individual liberty | Promote social & economic welfare |
| Type | Negative (restrict State power) | Positive (direct State action) |
| Scope | Civil & political rights | Socio-economic goals |
| Enforcement | Article 32 & 226 | No direct enforcement |
| Example | Article 19 – Freedom | Article 39 – Equal wealth distribution |
Trick: FR = Court Protects You; DPSP = State Directs You.
Relation and Conflict between Fundamental Rights & DPSPs
In the early years, there was a conflict between Fundamental Rights (enforceable) and DPSPs (non-enforceable).
Important Cases
Champakam Dorairajan Case (1951):
Court ruled that Fundamental Rights prevail over DPSPs.
Result: First Amendment Act (1951) added Article 15(4) – enabling reservation.
Golaknath Case (1967):
Parliament cannot amend Fundamental Rights.
Kesavananda Bharati Case (1973):
Upheld Parliament's power to amend Constitution but not destroy the Basic Structure.
Balance established between Rights and DPSPs.
Minerva Mills Case (1980):
Declared Fundamental Rights and DPSPs as complementary, not conflicting.
Both are essential to achieve the "Basic Structure" of the Constitution.
Memory Trick: Champakam fought, Kesavananda balanced, Minerva united.
Important Articles (36-51) Summary
| Article | Directive |
|---|---|
| 36 | Definition of 'State' same as Article 12 |
| 37 | DPSPs not enforceable but fundamental in governance |
| 38 | Promote welfare of people |
| 39 | Equal livelihood, equal pay, avoid wealth concentration |
| 40 | Village panchayats |
| 41-43A | Work, education, living wage, worker participation |
| 44 | Uniform Civil Code |
| 45 | Education for children below 6 years (now in 21A) |
| 47 | Health & nutrition, prohibition on intoxicants |
| 48A | Protect environment & forests |
| 50-51 | Separation of judiciary and international peace |
Trick: 36–State, 37–Spirit, 38–Society, 39–Sharing, 40–Self-rule.
PYQs (Delhi Police, SSC & State Exams)
Directive Principles of State Policy are contained in which part of the Constitution?
A) Part II B) Part III C) Part IV D) Part V
Show Answer
C) Part IV
Articles 36 to 51 of the Indian Constitution deal with —
A) Fundamental Rights B) DPSPs C) Fundamental Duties D) Executive Powers
Show Answer
B) DPSPs
Directive Principles are taken from the Constitution of —
A) USA B) UK C) Ireland D) Canada
Show Answer
C) Ireland
Which Article of the Constitution deals with the Uniform Civil Code?
A) 40 B) 44 C) 45 D) 50
Show Answer
B) 44
Which Article of the Constitution relates to free legal aid?
A) 39A B) 42 C) 43 D) 46
Show Answer
A) 39A
Which case upheld the harmony between Fundamental Rights and DPSPs?
A) Golaknath Case B) Champakam Dorairajan Case C) Kesavananda Bharati Case D) Minerva Mills Case
Show Answer
D) Minerva Mills Case
DPSPs are —
A) Enforceable in Court B) Justiciable C) Non-justiciable D) None
Show Answer
C) Non-justiciable
"Equal pay for equal work" is included in —
A) Fundamental Rights B) Directive Principles C) Preamble D) Fundamental Duties
Show Answer
B) Directive Principles
The provision for Panchayati Raj is mentioned in —
A) Article 38 B) Article 39 C) Article 40 D) Article 42
Show Answer
C) Article 40
DPSPs aim to establish —
A) Democratic State B) Welfare State C) Secular State D) Socialist State
Show Answer
B) Welfare State
Summary Table – DPSPs at a Glance
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Part | Part IV (Articles 36-51) |
| Source | Constitution of Ireland |
| Nature | Non-justiciable, moral obligation |
| Objective | Social, economic, and political justice |
| Key Articles | 38-Welfare, 39-Livelihood, 40-Panchayat, 44-UCC, 47-Health |
| Relation with FRs | Complementary (Minerva Mills, 1980) |
Final Concept Recap
- DPSPs = Directive Principles for a Welfare State
- Non-justiciable but essential for governance
- Articles 36-51 form the base of social & economic justice
- Taken from Ireland
- FRs + DPSPs = Democracy + Welfare
- Key Aim: Balance between liberty and equality
One-Line Memory: Fundamental Rights protect freedom — DPSPs perfect freedom.
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