UPSC CSE Prelims
Nature and Characteristics of DPSPs Previous Year Questions (PYQs)

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 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:

✅ 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:

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:

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.