✨ Directive Principles of State Policy (DPSP)
🏛 Guiding Lights of India’s Constitution
👉
Introduction: DPSPs are like the “eyes of the mind” of the Constitution. Unlike Fundamental Rights, they are not enforceable in courts,
but they guide the state in law-making and policy formulation. 🌟
1️⃣ Overview of DPSP
- 🔹 Definition / Meaning: Guidelines provided by the Constitution to the state to ensure citizens’ welfare and social justice.
- 🔹 Features:
- Non-Justiciable → Not enforceable in courts
- Based on Social & Economic Justice
- Inspired from Ireland
- 🔹 Structure: Articles 36-51, Part IV of the Constitution
- 🔹 Key Contributors:
- Dr. B.R. Ambedkar → Novel feature of the Constitution
- Granville Austin → Conscience of the Constitution
- K.C. Wheare → India’s federalism is quasi-federal
- Prof. K.T. Shah → Like a cheque on a bank payable at the convenience of the bank
- ⭐️ Why Important? → DPSPs guide the state in citizen welfare and policy-making.
2️⃣ Article 36 – Definition of “The State”
- 🔹 ‘The State’ has the same meaning as in Part-III (Article 12).
- ⭐️ Why Important? → Determines which entities DPSPs apply to.
3️⃣ Article 37 – Non-justiciability
- 🔹 Provisions of this Part cannot be enforced by courts.
- ⭐️ Why Important? → DPSPs are policy guidelines, not Fundamental Rights.
4️⃣ Article 38 – Promotion of Welfare
- 🔹 Duty of the state → Promote people’s welfare and reduce inequalities in income, status, and opportunities.
- 🔹 (44th Constitutional Amendment, 1978)
- ⭐️ Why Important? → Ensures economic and social justice.
5️⃣ Article 39 – Policy Principles for Citizens
- 🔹 39(a) → Adequate livelihood for all citizens
- 🔹 39(b) → Equitable distribution of material resources
- 🔹 39(c) → Prevent concentration of wealth
- 🔹 39(d) → Equal pay for equal work (men & women)
- 🔹 39(e) → Protection of health and strength
- 🔹 39(f) → Development, freedom & dignity of children (42nd CA, 1976)
- ⭐️ Why Important? → Lays the foundation for economic and social justice.
6️⃣ Article 39A – Free Legal Aid
- 🔹 State shall provide free legal aid to poor citizens to ensure access to justice (42nd CA, 1976).
- ⭐️ Why Important? → Ensures equal justice for all citizens.
7️⃣ Article 40 – Panchayati Raj
- 🔹 State shall organize Panchayats and endow them with necessary powers.
- ⭐️ Why Important? → Strengthens local self-governance and grassroots democracy.
8️⃣ Article 41 – Right to Work & Education
- 🔹 Right to work
- 🔹 Right to public assistance (unemployment, old age, sickness, disability)
- 🔹 Right to education (up to 14 years)
- ⭐️ Why Important? → Ensures social security and human development.
9️⃣ Article 42 – Humane Conditions & Maternity Relief
- 🔹 Provide safe and healthy working conditions.
- 🔹 Ensure maternity benefits.
- ⭐️ Why Important? → Promotes labor rights and women’s welfare.
🔟 Article 43 – Living Wage & Cottage Industries
- 🔹 Ensure a living wage and decent standard of living.
- 🔹 Promote cottage industries.
- ⭐️ Why Important? → Supports rural economy and dignity of labor.
1️⃣1️⃣ Article 43A – Workers’ Participation
- 🔹 Grant workers the right to participate in industry management (42nd CA, 1976).
- ⭐️ Why Important? → Strengthens industrial democracy.
1️⃣2️⃣ Article 43B – Cooperative Societies
- 🔹 Voluntary formation, autonomous functioning & professional management (97th CA, 2011).
- ⭐️ Why Important? → Promotes transparency and self-reliance in the cooperative sector.
1️⃣3️⃣ Article 44 – Uniform Civil Code
- 🔹 State shall implement a uniform civil code throughout India.
- ⭐️ Why Important? → Ensures national unity and social equality.
1️⃣4️⃣ Article 45 – Education for Children
- 🔹 Free and compulsory education for children aged 6–14 years (86th CA).
- ⭐️ Why Important? → Right to education and development of human capital.
1️⃣5️⃣ Article 46 – Welfare of SC/ST & Weaker Sections
- 🔹 Special care in education and economic interests.
- ⭐️ Why Important? → Ensures social justice and equal opportunities.
1️⃣6️⃣ Article 47 – Nutrition & Prohibition
- 🔹 Improve nutrition and standard of living.
- 🔹 Prohibit intoxicating drinks and drugs (except medicinal use).
- ⭐️ Why Important? → Ensures public health and social reform.
1️⃣7️⃣ Article 48 – Agriculture & Animal Husbandry
- 🔹 Promote modern and scientific agriculture.
- 🔹 Prohibit slaughter of cows, calves, and bulls.
- ⭐️ Why Important? → Promotes agricultural development and animal protection.
1️⃣8️⃣ Article 48A – Environment Protection
- 🔹 Protect environment, forests, and wildlife (42nd CA, 1976).
- ⭐️ Why Important? → Ensures sustainable development.
1️⃣9️⃣ Article 49 – Protection of Monuments
- 🔹 Preserve historical and artistic monuments.
- ⭐️ Why Important? → Safeguards India’s cultural heritage.
2️⃣0️⃣ Article 50 – Separation of Judiciary & Executive
- 🔹 Keep judiciary independent from the executive.
- ⭐️ Why Important? → Ensures Rule of Law and independent judiciary.
2️⃣1️⃣ Article 51 – International Peace & Relations
- 🔹 Promote world peace and international cooperation.
- ⭐️ Why Important? → Strengthens India’s global image and diplomacy.
🏁 Conclusion
- DPSPs are the Constitution’s moral compass guiding policy and governance.
- They ensure citizens’ welfare, social justice, and economic equality.
- In democratic India, they are the cornerstone of policy-making and social reform.
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