Directive Principles of State Policy
Directive Principles of State Policy
📜 What are Directive Principles?
The Directive Principles of State Policy are guidelines or principles laid down in Part IV (Articles 36 to 51) of the Indian Constitution.
They are non-justiciable, meaning they cannot be enforced by any court, but are fundamental in governance.
Their purpose is to guide the Central and State governments in making laws and policies aimed at building a just society.
🎯 Objective of DPSP:
To establish a social, economic, and political democracy.
To promote welfare of the people by securing a just social order.
To ensure social justice, economic welfare, and political democracy.
To reduce inequalities in income and status.
To promote uniformity and solidarity among citizens.
🗂️ Classification of Directive Principles:
Socialistic Principles:
Ensure equal pay for equal work.
Provide opportunities and facilities to promote the welfare of children.
Secure a living wage and humane conditions of work.
Gandhian Principles:
Promote cottage industries.
Organize village panchayats.
Prohibit the slaughter of cows and calves.
Liberal-Intellectual Principles:
Provide adequate means of livelihood.
Promote educational and economic interests of Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, and other weaker sections.
Separation of judiciary from the executive.
Environmental Principles:
Protection and improvement of the environment.
Safeguarding forests and wildlife.
⚖️ Key Features of DPSP:
Non-Justiciable: Courts cannot enforce these principles.
Fundamental in Governance: They guide the government’s policy decisions.
Complement Fundamental Rights: Aim to create conditions for the realization of fundamental rights.
Apply to the Union and States: Both levels of government must try to apply these principles.
Require Progressive Realization: Governments are expected to gradually implement these principles as resources permit.
🧑⚖️ Important Cases law :
Kesavananda Bharati v. State of Kerala (1973):
The Supreme Court held that DPSP and Fundamental Rights together form the basic structure of the Constitution.
Minerva Mills v. Union of India (1980):
The Court ruled that the balance between Fundamental Rights and Directive Principles cannot be destroyed.
Unnikrishnan v. State of Andhra Pradesh (1993):
The court interpreted DPSP to mean the right to education (later made a fundamental right).
📜 Examples of Directive Principles:
Article 39: Directs the state to secure equal pay for equal work.
Article 41: Provides for right to work, education, and public assistance.
Article 42: Ensures just and humane conditions of work and maternity relief.
Article 48: Promotes prohibition of animal slaughter and protection of cows.
Article 51A (added as Fundamental Duties): Promotes respect for international law and treaty obligations.
📌 Why are Directive Principles Important?
They guide the state in policy-making.
Help in building a welfare state.
Serve as a bridge between idealism and realism in governance.
Facilitate the progressive transformation of society towards social justice.
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