UPSC CSE Prelims
Socialistic Principles 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 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:

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:

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.