Articles 36-51 under Part-IV of Indian Constitution deal with Directive Principles of State Policy (DPSP). They are borrowed from the constitution of Ireland which had copied it from the Spanish Constitution. DPSP and Fundamental Rights form the soul of the constitution and are also important topics for IAS Exam and its three stages- Prelims, Mains and Interview.
This article will solely discuss the Directive Principles of State Policy, its importance in the Indian Constitution and the history of its conflict with Fundamental Rights.
What are the Directive Principles of State Policy?
The Sapru Committee in 1945 suggested two categories of individual rights. One being justiciable and the other being non-justiciable rights. The justiciable rights, as we know, are the Fundamental rights, whereas the non-justiciable ones are the Directive Principles of State Policy.
DPSP are ideals which are meant to be kept in mind by the state when it formulates policies and enacts laws. There are various definitions to Directive Principles of State which are given below:
- They are an ‘instrument of instructions’ which are enumerated in Government of India Act, 1935
- They seek to establish economic and social democracy in the country
- DPSPs are ideals which are not legally enforceable by the courts for their violation
Directive Principles of State Policy – Classification
Indian Constitution has not originally classified DPSPs but on the basis of their content and direction, they are usually classified into three types- Socialistic Principles, Gandhian Principles and, Liberal-Intellectual Principles.
The details of the three types of DPSPs are given below:
| DPSP – Socialistic Principles | |
| Definition: They are the principles that aim at providing social and economic justice and set the path towards the welfare state. Under various articles, they direct the state to: | |
| Article 38 | Promote the welfare of the people by securing a social order through justice—social, economic and political—and to minimise inequalities in income, status, facilities and opportunities |
| Article 39 | Secure citizens:
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| Article 39A | Promote equal justice and free legal aid to the poor |
| Article 41 | In cases of unemployment, old age, sickness and disablement, secure citizens:
|
| Article 42 | Make provision for just and humane conditions of work and maternity relief |
| Article 43 | Secure a living wage, a decent standard of living and social and cultural opportunities for all workers |
| Article 43A | Take steps to secure the participation of workers in the management of industries |
| Article 47 | Raise the level of nutrition and the standard of living of people and to improve public health |
| DPSP – Gandhian Principles | |
| Definition: These principles are based on Gandhian ideology used to represent the programme of reconstruction enunciated by Gandhi during the national movement. Under various articles, they direct the state to: | |
| Article 40 | Organise village panchayats and endow them with necessary powers and authority to enable them to function as units of self-government |
| Article 43 | Promote cottage industries on an individual or co-operation basis in rural areas |
| Article 43B | Promote voluntary formation, autonomous functioning, democratic control and professional management of co-operative societies |
| Article 46 | Promote the educational and economic interests of SCs, STs, and other weaker sections of the society and to protect them from social injustice and exploitation |
| Article 47 | Prohibit the consumption of intoxicating drinks and drugs which are injurious to health |
| Article 48 | Prohibit the slaughter of cows, calves and other milch and draught cattle and to improve their breeds |
| DPSP – Liberal-Intellectual Principles | |
| Definition: These principles reflect the ideology of liberalism. Under various articles, they direct the state to: | |
| Article 44 | Secure for all citizens a uniform civil code throughout the country |
| Article 45 | Provide early childhood care and education for all children until they complete the age of six years |
| Article 48 | Organise agriculture and animal husbandry on modern and scientific lines |
| Article 49 | Protect monuments, places and objects of artistic or historic interest which are declared to be of national importance |
| Article 50 | Separate the judiciary from the executive in the public services of the State |
| Article 51 |
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Directive Principles of State Policy notes about its classification is important for UPSC 2020 and aspirants should learn these with articles mentioned.
What are the new DPSPs added by the 42nd Amendment Act, 1976?
42nd Amendment Act, 1976 added four new Directive Principles in the list:
| S.No | Article | New DPSPs |
| 1 | Article 39 | To secure opportunities for the healthy development of children |
| 2 | Article 39A | To promote equal justice and to provide free legal aid to the poor |
| 3 | Article 43A | To take steps to secure the participation of workers in the management of industries |
| 4 | Article 48A | To protect and improve the environment and to safeguard forests and wildlife |
To read more on the 42nd Amendment Act, 1976, aspirants may check the linked article.
Facts about Directive Principles of State Policy:
- A new DPSP under Article 38 was added by the 44th Amendment Act of 1978, which requires the State to minimise inequalities in income, status, facilities and opportunities.
- The 86th Amendment Act of 2002 changed the subject-matter of Article 45 and made elementary education a fundamental right under Article 21A. The amended directive requires the State to provide early childhood care and education for all children until they complete the age of six years.
- A new DPSP under Article 43B was added by the 97th Amendment Act of 2011 relating to co-operative societies. It requires the state to promote voluntary formation, autonomous functioning, democratic control and professional management of co-operative societies.
- The Indian Constitution under Article 37 makes it clear that ‘DPSPs are fundamental in the governance of the country and it shall be the duty of the state to apply these principles in making laws.’
Criticism of Directive Principles of State Policy
The following reasons are responsible for the criticism of Directive Principles of State Policy:
- It has no legal force
- It is illogically arranged
- It is conservative in nature
- It may produce constitutional conflict between centre and state
What is the conflict between Fundamental Rights & DPSPs?
With the help of four court cases given below, candidates can understand the relationship between Fundamental Rights and Directive Principles of State Policy:
Champakam Dorairajan Case (1951)
Supreme Court ruled that in any case of conflict between Fundamental Rights and DPSPs, the provisions of the former would prevail. DPSPs were regarded to run as a subsidiary to Fundamental Rights. SC also ruled that Parliament can amend Fundamental Rights through constitutional amendment act ti implement DPSPs.
Result: Parliament made the First Amendment Act (1951), the Fourth Amendment Act (1955) and the Seventeenth Amendment Act (1964) to implement some of the Directives.
Golaknath Case (1967)
Supreme Court ruled that Parliament cannot amend Fundamental Rights to implement Directive Principles of State Policy.
Result: Parliament enacted the 24th Amendment Act 1971 & 25th Amendment Act 1971 declaring that it has the power to abridge or take away any of the Fundamental Rights by enacting Constitutional Amendment Acts. 25th Amendment Act inserted a new Article 31C containing two provisions:
- No law which seeks to implement the socialistic Directive Principles specified in Article 39 (b)22 and (c)23 shall be void on the ground of contravention of the Fundamental Rights conferred by Article 14 (equality before law and equal protection of laws), Article 19 (protection of six rights in respect of speech, assembly, movement, etc) or Article 31 (right to property).
- No law containing a declaration for giving effect to such policy shall be questioned in any court on the ground that it does not give effect to such a policy.
Kesavananda Bharti Case (1973)
Supreme Court ruled out the second provision of Article 31C added by the 25th Amendment Act during Golaknath Case of 1967. It termed the provision ‘unconstitutional.’ However, it held the first provision of Article 31C constitutional and valid.
Result: Through the 42nd amendment act, Parliament extended the scope of the first provision of Article 31C. It accorded the position of legal primacy and supremacy to the Directive Principles over the Fundamental Rights conferred by Articles 14, 19 and 31.
Minerva Mills Case (1980)
Supreme Court held the extension of Article 31C made by the 42nd amendment act unconstitutional and invalid. It made DPSP subordinate to Fundamental Rights. Supreme Court also held that ‘the Indian Constitution is founded on the bedrock of the balance between the Fundamental Rights and the Directive Principles.’
Supreme Court’s rulings following the case were:
- Fundamental Rights & DPSPs constitute the core of the commitment to social revolution.
- The harmony and balance between Fundamental Rights and Directive Principles of State Policy is anessential feature of the basic structure of the Constitution.
- The goals set out by the Directive Principles have to be achieved without the abrogation of the means provided by the Fundamental Rights.
Conclusion: Today, Fundamental Rights enjoy supremacy over the Directive Principles. Yet, Directive Principles can be implemented. The Parliament can amend the Fundamental Rights for implementing the Directive Principles, so long as the amendment does not damage or destroy the basic structure of the Constitution.
Directive Principles of State Policy – Facts relevant for UPSC Prelims
The table below mentions a few specific points about DPSPs that aspirants can take help from, for UPSC prelims:
| DPSP for UPSC Prelims | |
| What is its full form? | Directive Principles of State Policy |
| From which country is it borrowed? | Ireland (Which had copied it from Spanish Constitution) |
| How many articles are under DPSP? | Article 36-51 belong to DPSP |
| Which part in Indian Constitution deals with DPSP? | Part-IV belongs to DPSP |
| How many types of DPSP are there? | There are three types: 1. Socialist 2. Gandhian 3. Liberal-Intellectual |
| Have Directive Principles ever amended? | Yes, 42nd Amendment Act, 44th Amendment Act, and 86th Amendment Act have added/deleted a few DPSPs. |
| Are DPSP justiciable? | No, DPSPs are non-justiciable in nature. |
| Are DPSP sub-ordinate to Fundamental Rights? | There is a balance between both. Fundamental Rights can be amended to implement Directive Principles until it does not harm basic structure of the Constitution. |
| Who described DPSP as ‘novel feature’ of Constitution? | Dr. B.R. Ambedkar |
| From where does Indian DPSPs find its motivation? | Irish Home Rule Movement |
| What are the recent developments in favor of DPSPs? | There are various such acts enacted to enforce DPSP. They are: · Prevention of Atrocities Act (In favor of Article 46) · Minimum Wages Act (In favor of Article 43) · Consumer Protection Act · Equal Remuneration Act (In favor of Article 39) |
