UPSC CSE Prelims
Directive Principles of State Policy Previous Year Questions (PYQs)

Detailed Explanation:

Answer: Option 2 — The Directive Principles of State Policy

The concentration of wealth violates the Directive Principles of State Policy, specifically Article 39(b) and 39(c) of the Constitution. Article 39(b) directs the State to ensure that the ownership and control of material resources of the community are distributed to best serve the common good, while Article 39(c) mandates that the operation of the economic system does not result in the concentration of wealth and means of production to the common detriment. These provisions form the constitutional basis for preventing economic inequality and ensuring distributive justice.

📝 Short Notes: Directive Principles of State Policy (DPSP) - Economic Justice

• Article 39(b): Directs the State to ensure that ownership and control of material resources are distributed to subserve the common good and prevent concentration in few hands.
• Article 39(c): Ensures that the economic system does not result in concentration of wealth and means of production to the common detriment.
• Article 38: The State shall strive to promote the welfare of people by securing a social order permeated by justice—social, economic, and political—and minimize inequalities.
• Article 39A: Provides for equal justice and free legal aid to ensure that opportunities for justice are not denied due to economic or other disabilities.
• Nature: DPSPs are non-justiciable (not enforceable by courts) but fundamental in governance as per Article 37.
• Objective: To establish a welfare state based on principles of economic democracy and social justice.

Detailed Explanation:

Answer: Option 4 — 2 and 3 only

Part IV of the Constitution contains the Directive Principles of State Policy (DPSs), which are non-justiciable guidelines for governance. According to Article 37, these principles are not enforceable by any court but are fundamental in the governance of the country, and it is the duty of the State to apply them while making laws.

❌ Statement 1 – Incorrect: DPSPs are explicitly non-justiciable and cannot be enforced by courts under Article 37.
✅ Statement 2 – Correct: Article 37 clearly states that provisions in Part IV shall not be enforceable by any court.
✅ Statement 3 – Correct: Article 37 mandates that these principles are fundamental in governance and must guide the State in making laws to establish social and economic democracy.

📝 Short Notes: Directive Principles of State Policy (Part IV)

• Nature: Non-justiciable rights (cannot be enforced by courts) but fundamental in governance (Article 37)
• Purpose: To establish social and economic democracy; guide State policy and law-making
• Classification: Socialistic principles (Articles 38-41), Gandhian principles (Articles 40, 43, 46-48), Liberal-intellectual principles (Articles 44, 45, 49-51)
• Contrast with Fundamental Rights: Part III rights are justiciable and enforceable; DPSPs are non-justiciable but supplementary
• Constitutional Status: Added by the Constituent Assembly to balance individual rights with social welfare goals
• Judicial Interpretation: Supreme Court has held that DPSPs and Fundamental Rights are complementary; both must be harmoniously interpreted (Minerva Mills case)

Detailed Explanation:

Answer: Option 1 — Directive Principles of State Policy

The Directive Principles of State Policy (DPSP) declare the ideal of a Welfare State in the Indian Constitution. Article 38(1) mandates that the State shall strive to promote the welfare of the people by securing and protecting a social order in which social, economic, and political justice shall inform all institutions of national life. These principles guide the State in establishing policies aimed at socio-economic welfare, making them the constitutional foundation of the Welfare State concept.

📝 Short Notes: Welfare State and Constitutional Provisions

• Directive Principles of State Policy (Part IV): Non-justiciable guidelines for the State to establish a just society and welfare state
• Article 38: State to secure a social order for the promotion of welfare of the people with justice (social, economic, political)
• Article 39: Directs the State to ensure adequate means of livelihood, equal pay for equal work, and prevent concentration of wealth
• Article 41: Right to work, education, and public assistance in cases of unemployment, old age, sickness, and disablement
• Article 42: Provision for just and humane conditions of work and maternity relief
• Article 43: Living wage and conditions of work ensuring a decent standard of life
• Welfare State Concept: State actively intervenes to promote social and economic welfare of citizens, ensuring equitable distribution of resources and opportunities
• Contrast with Fundamental Rights: While Fundamental Rights are justiciable individual rights, DPSPs are programmatic goals for state policy to achieve welfare objectives

Detailed Explanation:

Answer: Option 2 — a Directive Principle of State Policy.

Article 50 of the Indian Constitution, which falls under the Directive Principles of State Policy (Part IV), explicitly directs the State to take steps to separate the judiciary from the executive in the public services of the State. This provision aims to ensure judicial independence and impartial administration of justice.

📝 Short Notes: Separation of Judiciary from Executive

• Article 50: Part of Directive Principles of State Policy (Part IV), mandates separation of judiciary from executive in public services
• Nature: Not legally enforceable but fundamental in governance (Article 37)
• Purpose: Ensures judicial independence, prevents executive interference, promotes impartial justice delivery
• Implementation: Most states have separated judiciary from executive at district and subordinate levels
• Contrast with Legislature: Separation from legislature is ensured through specific Constitutional provisions (Articles 121, 122, 211, 212)
• Historical Context: Borrowed from Irish Constitution; reflects commitment to rule of law

Detailed Explanation:

Answer: Option 4 — Neither 1 nor 2

Directive Principles of State Policy (DPSPs) enshrined in Part IV of the Constitution are not limitations but positive guidelines for the State. They are non-justiciable under Article 37, meaning they cannot be enforced in courts but serve as fundamental principles for governance. DPSPs guide both legislative and executive functions towards achieving socio-economic justice, rather than constraining or limiting these functions.

❌ Statement 1 – Incorrect: DPSPs are not limitations on legislative function; they are positive instructions and guiding principles that the legislature should strive to implement while making laws.
❌ Statement 2 – Incorrect: DPSPs are not limitations on executive function; being non-justiciable, they serve as policy goals and guiding ideals for the executive to pursue in governance and administration.

Detailed Explanation:

Answer: Option 1 — The intelligence and character of ordinary men and women.

The superior virtue of democracy lies in its ability to call into activity the intelligence and character of ordinary men and women, making them active participants rather than passive subjects in governance. Democracy is fundamentally built on the principle of citizen participation, where collective wisdom of informed and engaged people leads to better decision-making and promotes societal welfare. While strong leadership and dedicated party workers have their roles, the true strength of democracy rests in empowering the citizenry, ensuring that governance reflects the will, values, and character of the common people rather than an elite few.

Detailed Explanation:

✅ Statement 1 – Correct: The DPSP (Part IV, Articles 36-51) spell out the framework for socio-economic democracy, encompassing social justice, economic justice, and political justice that the State should strive to achieve.

✅ Statement 2 – Correct: Article 37 explicitly states that DPSPs are not enforceable by any court (non-justiciable), though they remain fundamental in governance and guide law-making and policy formulation.

Detailed Explanation:

The Directive Principles of State Policy (Part IV, Articles 36-51) embody the ideal of a Welfare State by laying down socio-economic goals for the government to achieve, such as securing social order for public welfare (Article 38), ensuring adequate means of livelihood (Article 39), and promoting public health and nutrition (Article 47).

While the Preamble declares India as a socialist republic and Fundamental Rights protect individual freedoms, it is the DPSP that specifically provides the comprehensive framework and guidelines for establishing a welfare state through positive state action.

Detailed Explanation:

Promotion of international peace and security is mandated under Article 51 of the Directive Principles of State Policy (DPSP).

The State shall endeavour to: promote international peace and security, maintain just and honourable relations between nations, foster respect for international law and treaty obligations, and encourage settlement of international disputes by arbitration.

Detailed Explanation:

Economic Justice is explicitly mentioned in the Preamble (securing social, economic and political justice to all citizens) and in Directive Principles of State Policy (Article 38 mandates a social order permeated by social, economic and political justice; Article 39 directs equitable distribution of resources and prevention of wealth concentration).

Fundamental Rights (Part III) primarily ensure political and civil justice (equality, freedoms, protection against discrimination) but do not explicitly mention economic justice as an objective.

Detailed Explanation:

Article 37 of the Constitution explicitly states that the provisions contained in Part IV (Directive Principles of State Policy) are "fundamental in the governance of the country".

Fundamental Rights are enforceable by courts and protect individual liberties, while Fundamental Duties are moral obligations for citizens—neither is described as "fundamental for governance" in the Constitution. Only DPSP carry this specific constitutional mandate.

Detailed Explanation:

❌ Statement 1 – Incorrect: Article 44 (Uniform Civil Code) is a Liberal-Intellectual principle, not a Gandhian principle.

✅ Statement 2 – Correct: Article 40 (organizing village panchayats) is a Gandhian principle reflecting Gandhi's vision of self-governance at the village level.

✅ Statement 3 – Correct: Article 43 (promoting cottage industries in rural areas) is a Gandhian principle emphasizing rural economic self-reliance.

❌ Statement 4 – Incorrect: Article 43 (securing leisure and cultural opportunities for workers) is a Socialist principle, not a Gandhian principle.

Detailed Explanation:

✅ Statement 1 – Correct: Directive Principles of State Policy directly address education through Article 21A (Right to Education), Article 41 (education in certain cases), and Article 45 (Early Childhood Care and Education for children below 6 years).

✅ Statement 2 – Correct: Eleventh Schedule (Panchayats) and Twelfth Schedule (Municipalities) empower Rural and Urban Local Bodies to manage primary education, secondary education, and technical training institutions.

✅ Statement 3 – Correct: Fifth Schedule (Para 4) mandates promotion of educational and economic interests of Scheduled Tribes in Scheduled Areas through State Governors' reports.

✅ Statement 4 – Correct: Sixth Schedule (Para 3) grants Autonomous District Councils powers to establish, construct, and manage primary schools, dispensaries, and markets in tribal areas of Northeast India.

✅ Statement 5 – Correct: Seventh Schedule - Concurrent List (Entry 25) places education under joint jurisdiction of Parliament and State Legislatures, enabling both to legislate on educational matters.

All five provisions have constitutional bearing on education.