Directive Principles of State Policy (DPSPs) are the ideals which the state should follow while formulating policies and enacting laws. They resemble the Instrument of Instructions enumerated in the Government of India Act 1935. They emphasize the idea of a Welfare State whose aim is to establish economic and social democracy. Articles 36-51 of Part IV of the Indian Constitution deal with Directive Principles of State Policy(DPSP). They can be classified into three categories namely Socialistic Principles, Gandhian Principles, Liberal-Intellectual Principles. Candidates need to be well acquainted with the concepts and facts related to this topic. This article 'Classification of Directive Principles of State Policy - Indian Polity Notes ' is useful for UPSC Prelims as well as Mains 2024.

Directive Principles of State Policy

• The Indian Constitution has a "novel feature" called Directive Principles of State Policy.
• Part IV of the Constitution enumerates them.
• They fall into three basic categories:
  • Socialist,
  • Gandhian,
  • Liberal-intellectual.
• The Directive Principles are intended to further the goal of social and economic democracy.
• They want India to become a "welfare state." However, unlike the Fundamental Rights, the instructions are not justiciable, which means they cannot be enforced by the courts if they are violated.
• Despite this, the Constitution states that "these principles are vital in the governing of the country, and it shall be the obligation of the state to implement these principles in establishing legislation."
• As a result, they put a moral duty on state officials to apply them.

Classification of Directive Principles of State Policy

Socialist Principles

In the eyes of the law, freeman and slave, patrician and plebeian, lord and serf, guild-master and journeyman, in a word, oppressor and oppressed, are now on equal footing, but there are still huge inequalities in society. To address these social hierarchical problems, the Constituent Assembly included the following Articles of the Constitution that reflect the ideology of Socialism.

• These principles are adopted with the goal to provide socio-economic justice in society and to set the path towards the welfare state.
• They directs the state:

1. To secure a social order permeated by Justice social, political and economic and to minimise the inequalities in income, status, facilities and opportunities(Articles 38)
2. Securing (a) right to an adequate means of livelihood (b) equitable distribution of the material resources of the community for the common good(c)prevention of concentration of wealth and means of production(d) equal pay for equal work for both men and women(e) preservation of health and strength of workers and children against forcible abuse. (f) opportunities for healthy development of children(Article 39)
3. To promote equal justice, on the basis of equal opportunity, and provide free legal aid to poor and vulnerable sections of society.(Article 39A)
4. To secure the right to work, education and public assistance in cases of unemployment, old age, sickness and disablement within the limits of its economic capacity (Article 41)
5. To make provision for securing just and humane conditions of work and for maternity relief(Article 42)
6. To secure a living wage, a decent standard of life and social and cultural opportunities for all workers. (Article 43)
7. To secure the participation of workers in the management of industries. (Article 43A)
8. To raise the level of nutrition and the standard of living of people and to improve public health. (Article 47)

Gandhian Principles

These Principles are founded on Gandhi's beliefs, as the name implies. These provisions were inserted in the constitution in order to realize Gandhi's goals and create a Gandhian state. The following are the articles.

• Article 40: States will take initiatives to build village panchayats and decentralize power and authority in order to establish self-government.
• Article 43: The state will provide a living wage to industrial and agricultural workers, as well as a good place to work and develop cottage enterprises in rural areas on an individual or cooperative basis.
• Article 43B: To promote cooperative societies' voluntary formation, autonomous functioning, democratic control, and professional administration.
• Article 46: To prevent exploitation and injustice against Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes, their educational and economic interests must be encouraged.
• Article 47: The state shall seek to improve the nutrition and living standards of its citizens. To increase people's nutrition and standard of living while also improving public health.
• Article 48: Organization of agriculture and animal husbandry along scientific lines, with initiatives taken to preserve and improve breeds, including the prohibition of slaughter of cows, calves, and other milch and draught cattle.

Liberal-Intellectual Principles

Individual freedom and autonomy are central to the liberalism ideology. These ideas are included with the liberalism philosophy in mind. These are the following:

• Article 44: To ensure that all citizens, regardless of faith or social class, have access to a unified civil code across the country.
• Article 45: To give basic education to children until they reach the age of fourteen, which is now a fundamental right under Article 21A.
• Article 48: Organization of agriculture and animal husbandry along scientific lines, with initiatives taken to preserve and improve breeds, including the prohibition of slaughter of cows, calves, and other milch and draught cattle.
• Article 48 A: It is the state's responsibility to maintain and conserve the country's environment, forest, and wildlife.
• Article 49: Every monument, site, or object of aesthetic or historic interest identified by law as a monument of national importance must be protected by the state.
• Article 50: In the state's public services, the judicial and the executive must be separated.
• Article 51: To promote international peace and security, as well as just and honorable relations among nations; to promote respect for international law and treaty obligations, and to encourage the use of arbitration to settle international disputes.

Conclusion

Directive Principles, while not enforceable by the courts, play a crucial role in shaping policies and legislation, ensuring that the state works towards the broader vision of a welfare state as envisioned by the framers of the Constitution.

FAQs

MCQs

1. Which article under the DPSP promotes the equal distribution of resources?

A) Article 38
B) Article 40
C) Article 39
D) Article 44

2. Which category of DPSPs includes the promotion of village panchayats?

A) Socialistic Principles
B) Gandhian Principles
C) Liberal-Intellectual Principles
D) Judicial Principles

3. Which of the following DPSPs is concerned with the protection of the environment?

A) Article 43
B) Article 45
C) Article 48
D) Article 41

4. Which DPSP principle promotes the welfare of people by securing a social order based on justice?

A) Article 38
B) Article 41
C) Article 44
D) Article 47

5. Which article calls for the implementation of a uniform civil code in India?

A) Article 40
B) Article 44
C) Article 39
D) Article 47

GS Mains Questions and Model Answers

Q1: Analyze the role of Directive Principles of State Policy in promoting social justice in India.

Answer: The Directive Principles of State Policy (DPSP) aim to promote social, economic, and political justice in India. Socialistic Principles, such as Article 38 and Article 39, emphasize reducing economic inequalities and ensuring equal access to resources. By promoting the right to work, education, and public assistance in cases of unemployment, DPSPs create a foundation for a welfare state. Although DPSPs are non-justiciable, their influence on shaping laws and policies, such as the Right to Education Act and the National Food Security Act, has contributed to social justice in India.

Q2: Discuss the significance of Gandhian Principles in the Directive Principles of State Policy and their relevance in modern India.

Answer: Gandhian Principles in the DPSP reflect Mahatma Gandhi’s vision of a self-sufficient rural economy and decentralized governance. Article 40 promotes the organization of village panchayats, which is crucial for grassroot democracy in India. Other Gandhian ideals include the promotion of cottage industries and the prohibition of intoxicating substances. These principles remain relevant in modern India, where decentralized governance through Panchayati Raj institutions and the focus on rural development are key areas of government policy.

Q3: Evaluate the significance of Article 44 in the context of India’s diversity and the challenges of implementing a uniform civil code.

Answer: Article 44, which calls for a uniform civil code for all citizens of India, is one of the most debated articles in the DPSP. The implementation of a uniform civil code is seen as a way to ensure equality and secularism, as it would provide a uniform set of personal laws for all citizens, irrespective of religion. However, the challenges lie in India’s diverse cultural and religious landscape, where personal laws are deeply rooted in religious practices. The significance of Article 44 lies in its potential to promote gender equality and secular governance, but its implementation requires careful consideration of India's pluralistic society.

Previous Year Questions on Directive Principles

1. UPSC CSE Mains 2017 (GS Paper 2)

Question: Discuss the importance of the Directive Principles of State Policy in achieving social and economic justice in India.

Answer: The Directive Principles of State Policy (DPSP) play a crucial role in promoting social and economic justice in India. Although non-justiciable, DPSPs have influenced many progressive legislations aimed at reducing economic inequalities, such as the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) and the Right to Education Act. DPSPs like Article 39 (equal distribution of resources) and Article 41 (right to work and education) emphasize the need for a welfare state where social and economic justice can be achieved. They serve as guiding principles for the government in formulating policies aimed at uplifting marginalized sections of society.

2. UPSC CSE Mains 2018 (GS Paper 2)

Question: Evaluate the role of Article 44 of the Directive Principles in promoting uniformity and secularism in India.

Answer: Article 44 of the Directive Principles of State Policy (DPSP) seeks the establishment of a uniform civil code for all citizens of India, aiming to unify personal laws across different religions. This article is significant in promoting the principles of equality and secularism, as it would ensure that all citizens are governed by the same set of laws, irrespective of their religious affiliations. However, the challenge lies in the country's religious and cultural diversity, where personal laws are deeply intertwined with religious practices. While Article 44 reflects the vision of a secular and unified legal system, its implementation remains contentious due to the diverse nature of Indian society. Nonetheless, it continues to serve as a reminder of the Constitution's commitment to equality and secular governance.

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