Directive Principles of State Policy (Article 36–51)
Polity
Directive Principles are ideals that guide the State in policymaking and lawmaking. They act as constitutional instructions in legislative, executive and administrative matters. They aim to establish a welfare state and promote justice, liberty, equality and fraternity as mentioned in the Preamble. Though non-justiciable, they help courts examine the validity of laws.
Article 36
Meaning of “State” same as Part III – includes central and state governments, local bodies and all public authorities.
Article 38
State to ensure:
- Social, economic and political justice.
- Minimise inequalities in income.
- Reduce inequalities among individuals and groups in different areas or occupations.
Article 39
State to ensure:
- Right to adequate means of livelihood for all citizens.
- Distribution of material resources to serve the common good.
- Prevention of concentration of wealth.
- Equal pay for equal work for men and women.
- Protection of health and strength of workers and children.
- Proper development of children with dignity and protection from exploitation.
Article 39A
State to promote equal justice and provide free legal aid so that justice is not denied due to economic disabilities.
Article 40
Organisation of village panchayats as units of self-government.
Article 41
Within economic capacity, State to secure:
- Right to work.
- Right to education.
- Public assistance in cases of unemployment, old age, sickness, disability and undeserved want.
Article 42
Provision for just and humane conditions of work and maternity relief.
Article 43
State to secure:
- Living wage and decent standard of life for all workers.
- Promotion of cottage industries in rural areas.
Article 43A
Participation of workers in management of industries.
Article 43B
Promotion of voluntary formation, democratic control and professional management of cooperative societies.
Article 44
State to secure a uniform civil code for all citizens without affecting freedom of religion.
Article 45
Provision for early childhood care and education for children below six years.
Article 46
Promotion of educational and economic interests of SCs, STs and weaker sections; protection from social injustice and exploitation.
Article 47
Duty of the State to raise nutrition levels, living standards and improve public health; prohibition of intoxicating drinks and harmful drugs except for medical purposes.
Article 48
Organisation of agriculture and animal husbandry on scientific lines; preservation and improvement of breeds; prohibition of slaughter of cows, calves and milch/draught cattle.
Article 48A
Protection and improvement of environment and safeguarding forests and wildlife.
Article 49
State’s obligation to protect monuments and objects of national importance against destruction and misuse.
Article 50
Separation of judiciary from executive in public services.
Article 51
State to:
- Promote international peace and security.
- Maintain honourable relations with nations.
- Foster respect for international law.
- Encourage settlement of disputes by arbitration.
Classification of DPSPs
1. Socialist Principles – aim at social and economic justice.
2. Gandhian Principles – based on Gandhian ideology such as village panchayats, cottage industries.
3. Liberal–Intellectual Principles – reflect liberal ideas like UCC, independent judiciary, protection of environment.
Amendments
42nd Amendment Act, 1976:
- Added protection of environment (Art. 48A).
- Free legal aid (Art. 39A).
- Participation of workers in industries (Art. 43A).
- Children’s development emphasis in Article 39.
44th Amendment Act, 1978:
- Added directive to minimise inequalities (Art. 38).
86th Amendment Act, 2002:
- Modified Article 45 to early childhood care.
- Made elementary education a Fundamental Right (Art. 21A).
97th Amendment Act, 2011:
- Added Article 43B on cooperative societies.
Why DPSPs Are Non-Justiciable
- Country lacked adequate financial resources.
- Social and economic backwardness hindered immediate implementation.
- Newly independent India needed flexibility to decide timing and manner of implementation.
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Subject: Polity
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