Directive Principles of State Policy: Articles, DPSP of Indian Constitution UPSC

What are the Directive Principles of State Policy?

The Directive Principles of State Policy provides guidelines to the governing bodies of India explicitly mentioned as articles in the Indian Constitution. These articles in the Indian Constitution range from Articles 36 to 51 of Part 4. It was also included in the GOI Act 1935 as an instrument of instruction. DPSP is an essential topic for candidates aiming to crack UPSC Mains and Prelims exams.

Directive Principles of State Policy Borrowed From

The Directive Principles of State Policy were borrowed from the Irish Constitution.

In contrast to fundamental rights, these Directive principles are ‘non-binding,’ implying that there are no such enforcement guidelines and that their violation is not enforceable by the courts. They only impose a moral obligation on government officials to provide basic amenities to Indian citizens.

Directive Principles of State Policy Notes

Candidates preparing for the exams conducted by UPSC can download the Directive Principles of State Policy notes to enhance their preparation. These notes strictly follow the UPSC syllabus and help score high marks in the exam:

DPSP Full Form

The full form of DPSP is Directive Principles of State Policy. Our constitution’s economic and social democracy finds its footing here. The primary goal of incorporating Directive Principles of State Policy was establishing India as a “Modern Welfare State.” DPSP was also incorporated into the Indian Constitution to prevent wealth accumulation among a few segments of society. DPSP is considered one of the salient features of the Indian Constitution.

Below mentioned are some important highlights of the Directive Principles:

Highlights of Directive Principles – DPSP

DPSP Aspects	Highlights
DPSP Full-Form	Directive Principles of State Policy
DPSP Articles	Part IV of the constitution- Article 35 to Article 51
DPSP Borrowed from	Article 45 of the Irish Constitution
The basic concept behind DPSP	To create a welfare state
Classification of DPSP	Socialist Principles, Gandhian Principles, and Liberal-Intellectual Principles.

Directive Principles of State Policy in the Indian Constitution

The Sapru Committee of 1945 suggested a set of Justiciable Rights and a set of Non-Justiciable Rights. The former became the Fundamental Rights, and the latter became the Directive Principles of State Policy, which are essential and serve as the backbone of Indian democracy. Here are a few points about these principles:

• They act as ‘instruments of instruction,’ as enumerated in the Government of India Act of 1935.
• The DPSP, though non-justiciable, isn’t less important. They serve as ideals to be kept in the head while the Centre and State formulate policies for the country.
• The Directive Principles were not subject to compulsory enforcement but rather a guide for the central and state governments to improve people and provide all the necessary facilities and basic needs.

DPSP Articles

There are a total of 17 articles in the Indian Constitution that are based on the DPSP. These Articles (36 to 51) are classified based on their ideological roots and the objectives they chase. The three major classifications of these articles can be done as shown below:

• Socialist Principles [Articles 38, 39, 39 A, 41, 42, 43, 43 A and 47]
• Gandhian Principles [Articles 40, 43, 43 B, 46, 47 and 48]
• Liberal-Intellectual Principles [Articles 44, 45, 48, 49, 50 and 51]

Let us understand these principles in brief.

Socialist Principles

The primary purpose of the DPSP of the Indian Constitution based on socialist principles is to provide socio-economic justice to the masses by bridging the gaps created on the economic, social, and political fronts. Below are the articles that cover the socialistic principles of DPSP.

Socialist Principles of DPSP	Details
Article 39	The State shall work towards direct objectives concerning; Sufficient Livelihood means. Resources control shall be done to help the common good. Avoiding improper distribution of wealth among the citizens. Equality of pay between genders. Health and strength of the workers. Childhood protection No exploitation of youth.
Article 41	This article states that the State shall ensure the right to education, work, and public assistance despite unemployment, ill health, disability, and old age.
Article 42	This article states that the State should make arrangements that secure humane conditions for work and assures maternity relaxation.
Article 43	This article of Directive Principles says that the State is to provide a livable wage to its workers, enabling them to have a good standard of living.
Article 43 A	This article states that a State is to move towards securing workers’ involvement in a company’s functioning.
Article 47	This article guides the State to increase the nutritional level to work on public health and uplift the masses’ standard of living.

Gandhian Principles

The Gandhian Principles of Directive Principles of State Policy are true to their name and follow the Gandhian ideology established by the Indian independence struggle. These ideas and articles of Directive Principles of State Policy serve as a representation of Gandhi’s reconstruction plan put forth during the national struggle.

Below are the articles that cover the Gandhian principles of DPSP:

Articles	Details
Article 40	This article guides the State to fashion village panchayats into units of Self Government.
Article 43	This article suggests the State to promote cottage industries; on an individual and cooperative basis in rural parts of the country.
Article 43 B	This DPSP article indicates the State to promote the ideals of autonomy of function, voluntary formation, and democratic control of cooperative organizations.
Article 46	This article shall guide the State to promote the educational and economic interest of the marginalized section of society (SCs, STs, etc.)
Article 47	This article of DPSP guides the State to work toward improving public health by prohibiting alcohol and drugs that risk health and being.
Article 48	This article guides against slaughtering calves, cows, and other milch to improve their breeds.

Liberal-Intellectual Principles

As the name suggests, this part of the Directive Principles of State Policy has been influenced by the ideas of liberalism. Six articles cover this ideology. Below are the articles that follow the liberal-intellectual principles:

Articles	Details
Article 44	This article of Directive Principles of State Policy guides the State to attempt to secure a Uniform Civil Code for every citizen throughout the Indian territory.
Article 45	This article asks the State to provide adequate education and care for children till six years of age.
Article 48	This article gives provisions for the better organization of agriculture.
Article 48 A	This article aims to protect, improve and safeguard the environment and wildlife.
Article 49	This article guides safeguarding every monument of historical interest and value.
Article 50	This Directive Principles of State Policy article works toward separating the Judiciary and the Executive for smoother functioning.
Article 51	This article wishes to work on international peace.

Read other important Articles of the Indian Constitution:

• Finance Bill and Article 117
• Article 371
• Article 311 of Indian Constitution
• Article 370 of Indian Constitution
• Cultural and Educational Rights
• Financial Emergency and Article 360
• Attorney General of India and Article 76
• Article 356 of Indian Constitution
• Right Against Exploitation: Article 23 and 24 of Indian Constitution
• Important Articles of Indian Constitution
• Article 12 of Indian Constitution
• Article 21 of Indian Constitution

Amendments in Directive Principles of State Policy

The Directive Principles of State Policy is an amendable section of the constitution as it has undergone some work over the years. These amendments are discussed below:

• The 42nd Constitutional Amendment brought a few changes and additions to Part IV of the Indian constitution.
• The 44th Constitutional Amendment added a new section (Section 2) in Article 38. According to this, the State shall make strides toward minimizing the widening wage gap, dependent on status, uneven opportunities, and facilities.

Below, we have listed the area where the acts and reforms that have been passed in alignment with the DPSP:

• Land Reforms
• Labour Reforms
• Panchayati Raj
• Cottage Industries
• Education
• Rural Area Development(RAD)
• Health and Environment
• Heritage Preservation

Difference Between Fundamental Rights and Directive Principles

DPSP and fundamental rights are termed as the ‘conscience of the constitution. The Sapru Committee of 1945 made suggestions for both; the DPSP and the Fundamental Rights. A few important differences between FR and DPSP have been discussed below:

• The Directive Principles of State Policy is a non-justiciable part of the constitution, meaning one cannot legally challenge their violation. On the other hand, Fundamental rights are legally binding, and their violation can cause legal trouble.
• Fundamental rights work on the micro-level, while the DPSP has a limitless scope as it operates on a more comprehensive/macro level.
• DPSP is the idealistic branch that guides the conduct of the State for the maximum betterment of the country and its masses before making and enacting the laws.
• While DPSP acts as an affirmative hand, fundamental rights are negative and prohibitive in their approach as they work as limitations on the State.
• Despite their differences, DPSP and Fundamental Rights go hand in hand. And in no way is the DPSP inferior to Fundamental rights.

Cases Associated with DPSP

Directive Principles of State Policy were placed to guide the State governments to make laws keeping the betterment of the country’s masses in mind. Due to the nature of fundamental rights and DPSP, there have been some clashes. These clashes have been well-documented in the cases listed below:

• Champakam Dorairajan vs. State of Madras (1951)
• Golaknath vs. State of Punjab (1967)
• Kesavananda Bharati vs. State of Kerala (1973)
• Minerva Mills vs. Union of India (1980)

Directive Principles of State Policy Questions

Check out a few questions on the DPSP previously asked in the UPSC Prelims exam which will help aspirants have a fair idea about expected questions in the upcoming exam to score well in the exam:

Question: Which part of the Indian Constitution deals with the Directive Principles of State Policy?

1. Part 3
2. Part 4
3. Part 5
4. None of the Above

Answer: 2

Question: Which of the following committees is regarded as the suggesting committee of DPSP?

1. Sapru Committee
2. Bhurelal committee
3. None of the above

Answer: 1

UPSC Notes
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Pegasus Spyware	Polar Vortex
Indian Ocean Dipole	Contempt of Court in India
Project Tiger	Index of Industrial Production (IIP)
16 Mahajanapadas	National Education Policy