Directive Principles of State Policy (DPSPs) – Part IV (Articles 36–51)
🔹 Introduction
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Part IV (Articles 36–51) of the Constitution.
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Borrowed from: Irish Constitution (1937).
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Aim: To establish social and economic democracy through a welfare state.
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Nature: Non-justiciable (not legally enforceable in courts).
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Binding character: Government must keep them in mind while making laws.
🟢 Categories of DPSPs
1. Socialist Principles (Articles 38, 39, 39A, 41, 42, 43, 43A, 47)
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Art. 38 – State to promote welfare of the people by securing a just social order.
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Art. 39 – State to direct policy towards securing:
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Adequate means of livelihood,
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Equitable distribution of wealth,
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Equal pay for equal work,
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Protection of workers (men, women, children),
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Protection against exploitation.
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Art. 39A – Free legal aid, equal justice for all.
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Art. 41 – Right to work, education, public assistance in case of unemployment, old age, sickness.
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Art. 42 – Just and humane conditions of work, maternity relief.
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Art. 43 – Living wage, decent standard of life for workers.
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Art. 43A – Participation of workers in management of industries.
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Art. 47 – Duty of State to improve public health, nutrition, prohibit intoxicating drinks & drugs.
2. Gandhian Principles (Articles 40, 43, 46, 47, 48)
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Art. 40 – Organisation of village panchayats (basis of Panchayati Raj).
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Art. 43 – Promote cottage industries on individual/cooperative basis.
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Art. 46 – Promotion of education & economic interests of SCs, STs & weaker sections.
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Art. 47 – Promote prohibition of intoxicating drinks (also socialist).
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Art. 48 – Prohibit slaughter of cows, calves & milch cattle, improve breeds.
3. Liberal–Intellectual Principles (Articles 44, 45, 48, 49, 50, 51)
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Art. 44 – Uniform Civil Code (UCC) for all citizens.
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Art. 45 – Early childhood care & education for children below 6 years (amended).
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Art. 48 – Organize agriculture, animal husbandry on modern lines, prohibit cow slaughter.
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Art. 49 – Protection of monuments, places of artistic/historic interest.
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Art. 50 – Separation of judiciary from executive in public services.
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Art. 51 – Promotion of international peace, security, just relations among nations.
📌 Important Points to Remember
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DPSPs are non-justiciable (unlike Fundamental Rights).
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Described as “Fundamental in governance” (Article 37).
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Help in establishing welfare state (economic + social democracy).
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Conflict with Fundamental Rights:
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SC ruled that FRs prevail over DPSPs.
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However, 42nd Amendment, 1976 gave DPSPs more importance.
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Example of laws based on DPSPs:
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MGNREGA (Right to Work – Art. 41),
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Legal Services Authority Act (Free legal aid – Art. 39A),
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Panchayati Raj Act (Art. 40),
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Prohibition Acts in some states (Art. 47).
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📝 Previous Year Questions (PYQs)
✅ UPSC
Q1. The Directive Principles of State Policy are borrowed from which country?
👉 Answer: Ireland
Q2. Which Article deals with Uniform Civil Code?
👉 Answer: Article 44
Q3. Which DPSP directs the State to raise the level of nutrition and standard of living?
👉 Answer: Article 47
✅ SSC
Q4. Which of the following is a Gandhian Directive Principle?
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(a) Equal pay for equal work
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(b) Organisation of village panchayats
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(c) Separation of judiciary from executive
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(d) Promotion of international peace
👉 Answer: (b) Organisation of village panchayats
Q5. The DPSPs are mentioned in which Part of the Constitution?
👉 Answer: Part IV
✅ RRB
Q6. Right to work, education, and public assistance is mentioned under which Article?
👉 Answer: Article 41
Q7. Which Article promotes separation of judiciary from the executive?
👉 Answer: Article 50
✅ JKSSB
Q8. DPSPs are:
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(a) Justiciable
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(b) Non-justiciable
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(c) Enforceable by courts
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(d) None of the above
👉 Answer: (b) Non-justiciable
Q9. Protection of monuments and places of national importance is under which Article?
👉 Answer: Article 49
MCQs on DPSPs
Q1. Directive Principles of State Policy are mentioned in which Part of the Constitution?
a) Part III
b) Part IV
c) Part IVA
d) Part V
✅ Answer: b) Part IV
📝 DPSPs are contained in Articles 36–51, Part IV.
Q2. DPSPs were borrowed from the Constitution of which country?
a) USA
b) Ireland
c) UK
d) Canada
✅ Answer: b) Ireland
📝 Inspired by the Irish Constitution (1937).
Q3. Which Article deals with Uniform Civil Code (UCC)?
a) Article 42
b) Article 43
c) Article 44
d) Article 45
✅ Answer: c) Article 44
📝 UCC is a Liberal–Intellectual Principle under DPSPs.
Q4. “Organisation of village panchayats” is mentioned in which Article?
a) Article 38
b) Article 39
c) Article 40
d) Article 41
✅ Answer: c) Article 40
📝 This is a Gandhian Principle (basis of Panchayati Raj).
Q5. Which DPSP directs the State to provide “equal pay for equal work”?
a) Article 38
b) Article 39
c) Article 41
d) Article 43
✅ Answer: b) Article 39
📝 Article 39 ensures adequate livelihood & equal pay for equal work.
Q6. Protection and improvement of environment and safeguarding of forests and wildlife is mentioned under:
a) Article 47
b) Article 48
c) Article 48A
d) Article 50
✅ Answer: c) Article 48A
📝 Added by the 42nd Amendment, 1976.
Q7. Which DPSP deals with separation of judiciary from executive?
a) Article 49
b) Article 50
c) Article 51
d) Article 39A
✅ Answer: b) Article 50
📝 Ensures independence of judiciary.
Q8. Promotion of international peace and security is mentioned in which Article?
a) Article 44
b) Article 49
c) Article 50
d) Article 51
✅ Answer: d) Article 51
📝 Liberal principle – India to promote peace and friendly relations among nations.
Q9. Right to work, to education, and to public assistance is given under which Article?
a) Article 38
b) Article 39A
c) Article 41
d) Article 43
✅ Answer: c) Article 41
📝 It directs the State to provide support in unemployment, old age, sickness.
Q10. Which of the following is a Gandhian Directive Principle?
a) Free legal aid
b) Cottage industries promotion
c) Uniform Civil Code
d) Separation of powers
✅ Answer: b) Cottage industries promotion
📝 Article 43 directs the State to promote cottage industries on cooperative basis.