Salient Features of the Constitution (B) Directive Principles of
State Policy
Directive Principles of State Policy
Directive principles are guidelines to be followed by the government in the governance of the country.
They are included in Part IV of the Constitution under Articles 36–51. These principles include ideas, deep
human thought, belief and knowledge. These are known as ‘directives’ because the government has to
keep these in mind while formulating and implementing policies.
Sources of the Directive Principles
The sources of the Directive Principles are
The Constitution of the Irish Republic which contains policies on socialist principles for guiding
legislators
The declaration of the rights of man and citizens of revolutionary France
The ideals and principles of Mahatma Gandhi
The Charter of Human Rights framed by the United Nations
The Universal Declaration of Human Rights adopted by the United Nations
Classification of Directive Principles
The directive principles of state policy are related to Gandhian ideologies, economic and social policies,
justice, law and administration.
Economic Principles
The duty of the state is to ensure the following economic principles:
Article 39(a): To provide adequate means of livelihood and to secure equal rights for all citizens
Article 39(b): To promote common good of all citizens through the distribution of material resources
Article 39(c): To prevent concentration of wealth in a few hands
Article 39(d): To secure equal pay for equal work both for men and women
Article 39(e): To protect health and strength of workers, men and women
Article 39(f): To provide for proper care for children and youth against their exploitation
Article 41: To ensure right to work, education and public assistance in old age, sickness, disability and
unemployment
Article 42: To provide just and humane conditions of work for people
Article 43: To secure a decent standard of living through suitable legislation for all workers
Article 43 A: To ensure participation of workers in the management of industries
Gandhian or Socialist Principles
Article Directive Principles
40 To establish Village Panchayats (this principle has become a law by the 73rd Amendment
Act, 1992
43 To promote cottage industries in rural areas
45 To promote educational interests of the weaker section of society and to provide
compulsory education to children till until they complete 14 years of age
46 To protect the interest of the weaker section, especially of Scheduled Castes and
Scheduled Tribes from social injustice
47 To prohibit intoxicating drinks and to improve the standard of living of people
48 To organise agriculture and animal husbandry on modern scientific lines and to prohibit the
slaughter of cows and calves
Directive Principles Related to the Protection of Monuments and Environment
Article 48: To protect and improve our environment by safeguarding forests and wildlife
Article 49: To protect monuments of national importance from destruction, disfigurement and disposal
Law, Justice and Administration
Article 39A: To ensure that the law and legal system promote justice and no discrimination is made
among people
Article 44: Uniform civil code for all citizens
Article 50: To take steps to separate the judiciary from the executive in public services of the state
Principles for Maintaining International Peace and Security
Article Directive Principles
51 To promote international peace and security
To maintain just and honourable relations between nations
To respect international law and treaty obligations
To settle international disputes through arbitration
Welfare State
A welfare state ensures maximum happiness to its people in the country. The Constitution of India seeks
to establish the country as a welfare state. The directive principles of state policy aim at making India a
welfare state because they aim at establishing social, economic and political equality in society.
Social Equality and Justice
The central and state governments have been taking steps to implement directive principles. Some of
these are
The Right to Education Act has been passed by the government, making it mandatory to provide free
and compulsory education to children up to the age of 14 years. The Act also reserves 25% of total
seats in educational institutions for children belonging to economically weaker sections of society.
Special scholarships are given to students belonging to economically weaker sections of society.
One of the major aims of the Five Year Plans is the upliftment of the poor section of society.
Untouchability has been abolished and has been made an offence punishable by law.
Economic Welfare
Zamindari system has been abolished by the government.
Many banks and key industries have been nationalised to ensure that ownership of material resources
are evenly distributed.
Minimum Wages Act has been passed to ensure just payments to workers.
Various rural development programmes such as Rural Integrated Development Programme (IRDP)
and Landless Employment Guarantee Programme (RLEGP).
The Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act, 2005 aims to provide 100 days of
guaranteed wage employment to rural households.
Political, Administrative and Legal Matters
Panchayati Raj has been established to promote the ideal of local self-government.
The government provides free legal aid to the people who cannot afford to engage lawyers for
themselves.
The judiciary is completely independent from the executive to avoid misuse of power.
Foreign Policy
India has always opposed colonialism and racialism. She supported the cause of South Africa against
the policy of apartheid.
India respects international law and believes in settling disputes through peaceful arbitration.
India believes in the policy of complete disarmament.
Importance of Directive Principles
The directive principles provide a framework for establishing a welfare state.
They act as guidelines to the government to make laws and draft bills in accordance with the
objectives which are stressed in the Constitution.
They educate and enlighten the people regarding what they should expect from the politicians of the
country.
They provide directions to the court in regard to safeguard the rights of citizens.
The 42nd Amendment Act, 1976, provides that if a law has been formulated to give effect to any of the
directive principles, it cannot be termed unconstitutional even if it takes away any of the rights
mentioned under Articles 14, 19 and 31.
Limitations of Directive Principles
The directive principles are not enforceable by law. It means that citizens cannot approach the courts if
the state fails to implement these principles.
There are inadequate resources to implement all directive principles.
The directive principles are vague in nature as they are not clearly defined.
There is no time limit for the implementation of directive principles.
Differences between Fundamental Rights and Directive Principles
Fundamental Rights Directive Principles
They are enunciated in Part-III of the Constitution. They are enunciated in Part-IV of the Constitution.
These are justiciable. The citizens can approach They are not enforceable. Citizens cannot approach
the court if their rights are taken away. the court if directive principles are taken away.
They are privileges which citizens enjoy. They are meant for the government to create
certain privileges for citizens.
They aim to establish political and social They aim to establish a welfare state.
democracy.