Question

Which of the following statements is true regarding the Directive Principles of State Policy contained in Part IV of the Constitution?
1. They constitute the fundamental duties of the citizens.
2. It is the duty of the state to make necessary laws.
3. They are enforceable by any court.
4. It is not mandatory for the state to implement them.

Answer 1

Correct Answer - Option 2 : It is the duty of the state to make necessary laws.

The correct answer is It is the duty of the state to make necessary laws.

• The main feature borrowed from the Irish Constitution is the provision of the Directive Principles of State Policy (DPSP).
• The DPSPs are listed in Part IV of the Indian Constitution and it clearly states that it is the duty of the State to apply these principles in the process of law-making.
• There are mainly three categories of these principles: Socialist Directives, Gandhian Directives, and Liberal Intellectual Directives.
• The procedure for the nomination of members to the Rajya Sabha is also borrowed from Ireland.

Gandhian Principles	These principles are based on the Gandhian ideology used to represent the programme of reconstruction enunciated by Gandhi during the national movement. Under various articles, they direct the state to: Article 40 Organise village panchayats and endow them with necessary powers and authority to enable them to function as units of self-government Article 43 Promote cottage industries on an individual or co-operation basis in rural areas Article 43B Promote voluntary formation, autonomous functioning, democratic control and professional management of cooperative societies Article 46 Promote the educational and economic interests of SCs, STs, and other weaker sections of the society and protect them from social injustice and exploitation Article 47 Prohibit the consumption of intoxicating drinks and drugs which are injurious to health. Article 48 Prohibit the slaughter of cows, calves and other milch and draught cattle and improve their breeds.
Socialistic Principles	They are the principles that aim at providing social and economic justice and set the path towards the welfare state. Article 38 Promote the welfare of the people by securing a social order through justice—social, economic and political and to minimise inequalities in income, status, facilities and opportunities. Article 39 Secure citizens: Right to adequate means of livelihood for all citizens Article 39A Promote equal justice and free legal aid to the poor Article 41 In cases of unemployment, old age, sickness and disablement, secure citizens: Right to work, Right to education, Right to public assistance. Article 42 Make provision for just and humane conditions of work and maternity relief. Article 43 Secure a living wage, a decent standard of living and social and cultural opportunities for all workers. Article 43A Take steps to secure the participation of workers in the management of industries. Article 47 Raise the level of nutrition and the standard of living of people and improve public health.
Liberal-Intellectual Principles	Article 44 Secure for all citizens a uniform civil code throughout the country Article 45 Provide early childhood care and education for all children until they complete the age of six years Article 48 Organise agriculture and animal husbandry on modern and scientific lines Article 49 Protect monuments, places and objects of artistic or historic interest which are declared to be of national importance Article 50 Separate the judiciary from the executive in the public services of the State Article 51 Promote international peace and security and maintain just and honourable relations between nations.