Directive Principles of State Policy (DPSP) – Part IV


Overview (Art. 36–51)

  • Borrowed from Ireland → source of DPSP
  • Use → check constitutional validity of laws
  • Non-justiciable → cannot be enforced by courts
  • Nature → guidelines for governance

Important Statements

  • “Novel feature of Constitution” → B.R. Ambedkar
  • “Conscience of Constitution” → Granville Austin
  • “Quasi-federal” → K.C. Wheare
  • “Cheque payable at convenience of bank” → K.T. Shah
    👉 Shows DPSP are important but not legally enforceable

Article 36 – Definition of State

  • Same as Part III (Art. 12)
    👉 Defines scope of DPSP application

Article 37 – Nature of DPSP

  • Not enforceable by any court
  • Non-justiciable
    👉 Moral obligation on State

Article 38 – Welfare State

  • Promote welfare of people
  • Reduce inequalities (income, status, opportunities)
  • Added provision by 44th Amendment (1978)

Article 39 – Principles of Policy

  • 39(a) → Adequate means of livelihood
  • 39(b) → Equal distribution of resources
  • 39(c) → Prevent concentration of wealth
  • 39(d) → Equal pay for equal work
  • 39(e) → Protect health & strength of workers
  • 39(f) → Child development (42nd Amendment, 1976)

Article 39A – Free Legal Aid

  • Provide free legal aid to poor
  • Ensure justice for all
  • Added by 42nd Amendment (1976)

Article 40 – Panchayati Raj

  • Organize village panchayats
  • Give powers & authority

Article 41 – Social Security

  • Right to work, education, public assistance
  • In cases of:
    • Unemployment
    • Old age
    • Sickness
    • Disablement

Article 42 – Work Conditions

  • Ensure humane working conditions
  • Provide maternity relief

Article 43 – Living Wage

  • Ensure:
    • Living wage
    • Decent standard of living
    • Social & cultural opportunities
  • Promote cottage industries

Article 43A – Workers Participation

  • Workers participation in industry management
  • Added by 42nd Amendment (1976)

Article 43B – Cooperative Societies

  • Promote:
    • Voluntary formation
    • Autonomous functioning
    • Professional management
  • Added by 97th Amendment (2011)

Article 44 – Uniform Civil Code

  • Aim for uniform civil code across India

Article 45 – Education for Children

  • Early care & education for children
  • Free & compulsory education up to 14 years
  • Added/modified by 86th Amendment

Article 46 – Weaker Sections

  • Promote interests of:
    • SCs
    • STs
    • Weaker sections

Article 47 – Nutrition & Health

  • Improve:
    • Nutrition level
    • Standard of living
  • Prohibit intoxicating drinks & drugs (except medicinal use)

Article 48 – Agriculture & Animal Husbandry

  • Promote modern agriculture
  • Ban slaughter of:
    • Cows
    • Calves
    • Milch & draught cattle

Article 48A – Environment

  • Protect:
    • Environment
    • Forests
    • Wildlife
  • Added by 42nd Amendment (1976)

Article 49 – Monuments Protection

  • Protect historical & artistic monuments

Article 50 – Separation of Powers

  • Separate:
    • Judiciary
    • Executive

Article 51 – International Peace

  • Promote:
    • International peace & security
    • Friendly relations between nations

Memory Tricks 🧠

  • 36–37 → Base & Nature (State + Non-justiciable)
  • 38–39 → Welfare + Economic Justice
  • 40–43 → Panchayat → Worker → Wage
  • 44–46 → UCC → Education → SC/ST
  • 47–48A → Health → Cow → Environment
  • 49–51 → Monument → Judiciary → World Peace

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