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Summary
The Directive Principles of State Policy in the Indian Constitution serve as guiding principles for the government to create laws and policies aimed at establishing social and economic welfare. They are detailed in Part IV of the Constitution, covering Articles 36 to 51. These principles are not enforceable by law, meaning that citizens cannot take the government to court for failing to implement them. However, they remain significant as a framework for good governance, helping to build a just society.
The framers of the Constitution drew inspiration from several sources. These include the Constitution of Ireland, Mahatma Gandhi’s ideas, and international documents like the Declaration of the Rights of Man and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. The Directive Principles outline goals such as ensuring justice, equality, and dignity for citizens. They serve as a moral obligation for governments to follow while making decisions.
One of the key aims of these principles is to shape India into a Welfare State, which focuses on ensuring the well-being of all its citizens, especially those who are economically and socially weaker. Governments have introduced policies based on these principles. For example, the Right to Education Act provides free education to children aged 6 to 14, and laws have been made to abolish untouchability.
Although Directive Principles do not hold legal weight in court, they reflect the country’s long-term aspirations. Amendments like the 42nd Amendment of 1976 make it clear that laws made under the Directive Principles cannot be declared unconstitutional, even if they limit some individual rights. This places the welfare of society above individual interests.
Textbook solutions
Multiple-Choice Questions
1. Which of the following constitute the guidelines given in the Constitution for governance of the country?
A. Laws in the Constitution
B. Fundamental Rights
C. Directive Principles of State Policy
D. None of the above
Answer: C. Directive Principles of State Policy
2. Which of the following formed the sources for drafting the Directive Principles of State Policy?
A. Irish Constitution
B. UN Human Rights Charter
C. Mahatma Gandhi’s ideas
D. All of the above
Answer: D. All of the above
3. The Directive Principles are mere ______ to the State to attain certain set objectives.
A. Orders
B. Requests
C. Directions
D. Promises
Answer: C. Directions
4. Directive Principles are ______.
A. Enforceable by courts
B. Not Justiciable
C. Obligatory
D. Mandatory
Answer: B. Not Justiciable
5. Which of the following is incorrect regarding the Directive Principles?
A. They provide a measure to judge a government’s performance.
B. They provide a framework for political, social and economic programmes for a modern democratic state.
C. They enlighten and educate people about profitability for the nation.
D. They provide a direction to courts in respect of safeguarding rights of the citizens.
Answer: C. They enlighten and educate people about profitability for the nation.
6. Identify the statements about Fundamental Rights which are correct.
P. They are provided in Part III of the Constitution.
Q. They are a certain kind of restriction on the State.
R. Their aim is to establish a Welfare State.
S. They provide a measure to judge a government’s performance.
A. P and Q
B. P and S
C. R and S
D. Q and R
Answer: A. P and Q
7. Which of the following measures reflect the implementation of Directive Principles by the government?
A. Untouchability made a punishable offence
B. The Right to Education Act
C. Reservations for Economically Weaker Sections (EWS)
D. All of the above
Answer: D. All of the above
8. Pradhan Mantri Gramin Awaas Yojana: Housing :: Ayushman Bharat : ______.
A. Employment
B. Health
C. Insurance
D. None of the above
Answer: B. Health
Short Answer Questions
1. What are known as Directive Principles of State Policy? In which part of the Constitution are Directive Principles incorporated?
Answer: The Directive Principles are the guidelines to be followed by the government in the governance of the country. They are incorporated in Part IV of the Constitution under Articles 36 to 51.
2. Name four important sources of Directive Principles.
Answer: (i) The Constitution of the Irish Republic, which contains the Principles of Social Policy for the guidance of legislators.
(ii) The Declaration of the Rights of Man and Citizens of revolutionary France.
(iii) The ideas of Mahatma Gandhi.
(iv) The Charter of Human Rights framed by the United Nations.
3. When the Directive Principles are not enforceable by law courts, why have they been incorporated in the Constitution?
Answer: The Directive Principles are important because they provide a framework, political, social and economic programme for a modern democratic State, and give guidelines to the government to make laws and draft their policies. They also provide a measure to judge a government’s performance and direct the government towards the goal of a Welfare State.
4. What happens in case of any conflict between the Directive Principles and Fundamental Rights? Give reason to support your answer.
Answer: In case of any conflict between the Directive Principles and Fundamental Rights, the former shall prevail. This is because the welfare of the people as a whole is of paramount importance over that of an individual.
5. Name any two measures taken by the Government towards implementation of the Directive Principles of State Policy.
Answer:
- The Right to Education Act has made it mandatory for every child between the ages of 6-14 to be provided free education in all government and government-aided schools.
- Special scholarships are provided to socially and economically weaker sections of the society. There is a system of reservation of seats in jobs and educational institutions for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes.
Structured Questions
1. There are differences of opinion regarding the significance of both the Directive Principles and the Fundamental Rights. In this context explain the following:
(a) State any three differences between the Fundamental Rights and Directive Principles of State Policy.
Answer:
- Directive Principles are provided in Part-IV of the Constitution, whereas Fundamental Rights are provided in Part-III.
- Directive Principles are not justiciable or enforceable by any court of law, whereas Fundamental Rights are justiciable and citizens can seek protection from a High Court or Supreme Court in case of infringement.
- Directive Principles aim to establish a Welfare State, while Fundamental Rights aim to establish political democracy.
(b) How do the Directive Principles complement Fundamental Rights?
Answer: The Directive Principles complement Fundamental Rights by providing a framework of policies for the government to implement, which promote the social, economic, and political welfare of the citizens. While Fundamental Rights provide individual privileges and freedoms, the Directive Principles aim to guide the government in creating conditions that help in the realization of these rights, thereby ensuring a harmonious balance between individual rights and the broader goals of social welfare.
(c) What is the importance of Directive Principles?
Answer:
- Directive Principles provide a political, social, and economic framework for a modern democratic state.
- They guide the government to make laws and draft policies based on fundamental principles, summarizing the objectives of the Constitution.
- They help to assess a government’s performance.
2. With reference to the concept of a ‘Welfare State,’ answer the following questions:
(a) What is meant by a ‘Welfare State’?
Answer: A Welfare State is a state that seeks to ensure the maximum happiness of the maximum number of people living within its territory. It aims to provide social and economic justice, ensuring dignity for every individual and catering to the well-being of its citizens.
(b) How does the Constitution of India seek to establish India as a Welfare State?
Answer: The Constitution of India seeks to establish India as a Welfare State through the Directive Principles of State Policy. These directives emphasize the goal of Indian polity as a Welfare State where the government has the duty to provide social and economic justice, ensuring dignity and equality for every citizen. Over the decades, both the Union and State governments have worked towards implementing these principles to establish social and economic democracy, the cornerstone of a Welfare State.
(c) Mention any four government schemes aimed at social upliftment of the poor.
Answer:
- Ayushman Bharat Yojana: A health scheme providing insurance coverage of up to 5 lakh rupees per family per year.
- Pradhan Mantri Samaan Nidhi Yojana: Providing Rs. 6000 annually to small and marginalised farmers.
- Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana: Providing LPG connections to Below Poverty Line households.
- Pradhan Mantri Gramin Awaas Yojana: Financial assistance for constructing pucca houses for the houseless and those living in dilapidated houses.
Thinking Skills
1. Why do you think the Directive Principles of State Policy are not justiciable by any court of law? Give reasons to support your answer.
Answer: The Directive Principles of State Policy are not justiciable by any court of law because they are mere guidelines for the government to frame policies and laws. They do not confer legal rights on individuals which can be enforced by courts. These principles are meant to ensure the government’s focus on the welfare and development of the nation and its people. Since they provide directions rather than impose legal obligations, they cannot be subject to judicial intervention.
2. Suppose you are made the Minister for Social Welfare. What measures would you initiate for the welfare of weaker sections of the society?
Answer: If I were made the Minister for Social Welfare, I would initiate the following measures for the welfare of weaker sections of the society:
- Implementation of free and quality education for all children from weaker sections.
- Providing affordable healthcare services and ensuring health insurance coverage for economically disadvantaged groups.
- Ensuring job reservations and financial aid to socially and economically backward communities.
- Launching housing schemes for the homeless and providing financial assistance for building houses.
- Creating skill development programs aimed at empowering weaker sections of society to gain employment or start their own businesses.
Extras MCQs
1. In which part of the Indian Constitution are the Directive Principles of State Policy found?
A. Part II
B. Part III
C. Part IV
D. Part V
Answer: C. Part IV
31. What is one of the key principles of India’s foreign policy related to disarmament?
A. Support for partial disarmament
B. Complete disarmament
C. Arms race with neighboring countries
D. Limited disarmament for small countries
Answer: B. Complete disarmament
Extra Questions and Answers
1. What are the Directive Principles?
Answer: The Directive Principles are guidelines for the government to follow in the governance of the country. They are outlined in Part IV of the Constitution, under Articles 36 to 51. The Directive Principles are not laws but are meant to be considered by the government when making laws. These principles contain lofty ideas and reflect deep human thought, belief, and knowledge. The Directive Principles are unique to the Constitutions of India and Ireland.
25. What is the purpose of the Pradhan Mantri Gramin Awaas Yojana?
Answer: The Pradhan Mantri Gramin Awaas Yojana aims to:
- Provide financial assistance for constructing pucca houses for houseless people and those living in dilapidated houses.
- Share the cost between Central and State Governments in a 60:40 ratio in plain areas and 90:10 for North East and hilly areas.
- Offer Rs. 1,20,000 in assistance in plain areas and Rs. 1,30,000 in hilly or backward districts.
- Include additional support such as 90 days of unskilled labour from MNREGA and access to loans up to Rs. 70,000 for construction.
Ron’e Dutta is a journalist, teacher, aspiring novelist, and blogger. He manages Online Free Notes and reads Victorian literature. His favourite book is Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte and he hopes to travel the world. Get in touch with him by sending him a friend request.
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