Directive Principles of State Policy (DPSP) – Indian Constitution
Complete Notes for Competitive Exams (Home Academy)
Directive Principles of State Policy (DPSP)
Introduction
The Directive Principles of State Policy (DPSP) are guidelines given to the Central and State Governments to establish a social, economic and political democracy in India. They aim to create a welfare state where justice, equality and dignity are available to every citizen.
Unlike Fundamental Rights, DPSPs cannot be enforced by courts, but they are fundamental in the governance of the country.
Constitutional Provisions
| Topic | Details |
|---|---|
| Part | Part IV |
| Articles | Articles 36–51 |
| Borrowed From | Constitution of Ireland |
| Nature | Non-Justiciable |
| Purpose | Welfare State |
| Applicable To | Union & State Governments |
Definition (Article 36)
Unless the context otherwise requires, the term State has the same meaning as under Article 12.
State includes:
Central Government
State GovernmentsParliament
State Legislatures
Local Authorities
Other authorities under government control
Article 37
This is the most important article regarding DPSP.
It says:
DPSPs are not enforceable by any court.
They are fundamental in the governance of the country.It is the duty of the State to apply these principles while making laws.
Exam Point: Article 37 explains why DPSPs are called non-justiciable.
Why were DPSPs included?
The Constituent Assembly included DPSPs to:
Reduce poverty
Eliminate inequalitiesPromote social justice
Improve living standards
Protect weaker sections
Establish economic democracy
Build a welfare state
Sources of DPSP
| Source | Features Borrowed |
|---|---|
| Ireland | Directive Principles |
| Spain | Social justice ideas |
| Gandhian Philosophy | Village Panchayats, Cottage Industries |
| Socialist Ideas | Equal wealth distribution |
| Liberal Philosophy | Judiciary separation, International peace |
Objectives of DPSP
Establish Welfare State
Economic JusticeSocial Justice
Political Justice
Reduce inequality
Protect environment
Promote education
Promote international peace
Improve public health
Protect workers
Classification of DPSP
The Constitution does not classify DPSPs, but constitutional experts divide them into:
Socialist Principles
Gandhian Principles
Liberal-Intellectual Principles
I. Socialist Principles
Aim:
To establish social and economic justice.
Article 38
Promote welfare of the people.
Minimize inequalities.Secure social, economic and political justice.
Article 39
State shall ensure:
Equal livelihood opportunities
Equal pay for equal workDistribution of wealth for public good
No concentration of wealth
Protection of workers
Protection of children
Exam Favourite
Article 39A
Added by:
42nd Constitutional Amendment (1976)
Provides:
Equal justice
Free legal aid to poorArticle 41
Right to:
Work
Education
Public assistance
Applicable in:
Old age
Sickness
Disability
Unemployment
Article 42
State shall ensure:
Humane working conditions
Maternity relief
Article 43
Living wage for workers.
Promote:
Cottage industries
Decent standard of life
Article 43A
Added by:
42nd Amendment (1976)
Workers shall participate in management of industries.
Article 47
State shall:
Improve nutrition
Improve public health
Raise standard of living
Prohibit intoxicating drinks and harmful drugs (except medicinal purposes)
II. Gandhian Principles
Based on Mahatma Gandhi's ideals.
Article 40
Organize Village Panchayats.
Foundation of local self-government.
Article 43
Promote cottage industries in rural areas.
Article 43B
Added by:
97th Constitutional Amendment (2011)
Promote cooperative societies.
Article 46
Promote educational and economic interests of:
SCs
STs
Other weaker sections
Protect them from exploitation.
Article 47
Improve public health.
Article 48
Organize agriculture scientifically.
Protect cows, calves and milch animals.
III. Liberal-Intellectual Principles
Article 44
Uniform Civil Code (UCC)
State shall try to establish one civil law for all citizens.
Very important for current affairs.
Article 45
Originally:
Free education up to 14 years.
After 86th Amendment (2002):
Early childhood care and education for children below six years.
Article 48
Modern agriculture and animal husbandry.
Article 48A
Added by:
42nd Amendment (1976)
Protect environment.
Protect forests and wildlife.
Article 49
Protect monuments and historical places.
Article 50
Separate Judiciary from Executive.
Ensures judicial independence.
Article 51
Promote:
International peace
Respect for international law
Arbitration
Friendly relations
Complete List of Articles
| Article | Provision |
|---|---|
| 36 | Definition of State |
| 37 | Application of DPSP |
| 38 | Welfare State |
| 39 | Social and Economic Justice |
| 39A | Free Legal Aid |
| 40 | Village Panchayats |
| 41 | Right to Work |
| 42 | Humane Conditions & Maternity Relief |
| 43 | Living Wage |
| 43A | Workers' Participation |
| 43B | Cooperative Societies |
| 44 | Uniform Civil Code |
| 45 | Early Childhood Care |
| 46 | SC/ST Welfare |
| 47 | Nutrition & Public Health |
| 48 | Agriculture & Animal Husbandry |
| 48A | Environment Protection |
| 49 | Monuments Protection |
| 50 | Separation of Judiciary |
| 51 | International Peace |
Important Constitutional Amendments
| Amendment | Contribution |
|---|---|
| 42nd (1976) | Added Articles 39A, 43A, 48A |
| 44th (1978) | Strengthened welfare orientation |
| 86th (2002) | Modified Article 45 |
| 97th (2011) | Added Article 43B |
DPSP vs Fundamental Rights
| Fundamental Rights | DPSP |
|---|---|
| Part III | Part IV |
| Articles 12–35 | Articles 36–51 |
| Justiciable | Non-Justiciable |
| Enforceable by courts | Not enforceable |
| Individual rights | Duties of the State |
| Legal obligation | Moral and constitutional obligation |
DPSP vs Fundamental Duties
| DPSP | Fundamental Duties |
|---|---|
| Part IV | Part IVA |
| State | Citizens |
| Articles 36–51 | Article 51A |
| Welfare State | Responsible Citizenship |
Important Supreme Court Judgments
1. State of Madras v. Champakam Dorairajan (1951)
Fundamental Rights prevail over DPSPs if there is a direct conflict.
2. Kesavananda Bharati v. State of Kerala (1973)
Harmony should exist between Fundamental Rights and DPSPs.
Introduced the Basic Structure Doctrine.
3. Minerva Mills v. Union of India (1980)
Balance between Fundamental Rights and DPSPs is part of the Constitution's basic structure.
4. Unni Krishnan v. State of Andhra Pradesh (1993)
Linked the right to education with Article 21, paving the way for the later constitutional amendment.
Welfare Schemes Based on DPSP
Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA)
Mid-Day Meal Scheme (PM POSHAN)
National Food Security Act
Ayushman Bharat
Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS)
Legal Services Authorities Act
National Rural Health Mission
PM Awas Yojana
Home Academy Exam Booster
Most Important Articles
Article 37 – DPSP not enforceable
Article 39 – Distribution of wealth
Article 39A – Free Legal Aid
Article 40 – Panchayats
Article 44 – Uniform Civil Code
Article 45 – Early Childhood Care
Article 46 – SC/ST Welfare
Article 47 – Public Health
Article 48A – Environment
Article 50 – Separation of Judiciary
Article 51 – International Peace
Frequently Asked MCQs
DPSPs are contained in Part IV of the Constitution.
DPSPs cover Articles 36–51.
DPSPs are borrowed from the Constitution of Ireland.
DPSPs are non-justiciable.
Article 37 declares DPSPs fundamental in the governance of the country.
Article 39A was added by the 42nd Constitutional Amendment (1976).
Article 43B was added by the 97th Constitutional Amendment (2011).
Article 48A deals with protection of the environment.
Article 44 relates to the Uniform Civil Code.
Article 50 provides for the separation of the judiciary from the executive.
Article 51 promotes international peace and security.
The concept of a Welfare State is the central objective of DPSPs.
The 42nd Amendment is often called the "Mini Constitution" because it introduced several significant changes, including new DPSPs.
Minerva Mills (1980) emphasized a balance between Fundamental Rights and DPSPs.
Equal pay for equal work is provided under Article 39.
One-Line Revision (Last-Minute)
Part IV = Articles 36–51
Ireland = Source of DPSPArticle 37 = Non-Justiciable but Fundamental
Article 39 = Wealth Distribution & Equal Pay
Article 39A = Free Legal Aid
Article 40 = Village Panchayats
Article 42 = Maternity Relief
Article 43 = Living Wage
Article 43A = Workers' Participation
Article 43B = Cooperative Societies
Article 44 = Uniform Civil Code
Article 45 = Early Childhood Care
Article 46 = SC/ST Welfare
Article 47 = Nutrition & Public Health
Article 48 = Agriculture & Animal Husbandry
Article 48A = Environment
Article 49 = Monuments
Article 50 = Separation of Judiciary
Article 51 = International Peace