Directive Principles of the State Policy (Indian Polity)

 

Directive Principles of the State Policy (DPSPs)

1. Directive Principles of the State Policy have been mentioned in Part-4 and cover articles from 36-51 of the Constitution of India.
2. They are also called as Novel Features of the Indian Constitution.
3. The DPSPs are inspired by the Irish constitution.
4. They are similar to the Implements of Directions mentioned in the Government of India Act, 1935.
5. Along with the fundamental rights (FRs), they (DPSPs) are termed as the morals of the constitution.
6. ‘Directive Principles of State Policy’ should be the ideals for the State to keep in mind while formulating policies and enacting laws. These are the constitutional recommendations or instructions to the State in legislative, executive, and administrative matters.

7. The Directive Principles of the State Policy (DPSPs) build a very comprehensive economic, social, and political program for a modern democratic State. Their aim is to realize the State from the high ideals of justice, liberty, equality, and fraternity as outlined in the Preamble to the Indian Constitution. They consist of the concept of a ‘welfare state’.
8. The Directive Principles of State Policy are non-justiciable in nature, that is, they can not be legally enforced by the courts for their violation. Therefore, the government (Central, state, and local) cannot be compelled to implement them by any court. Nevertheless, the Constitution (Article 37) itself says that these principles are fundamental to the governance of the country and it will be the duty of the State to apply these principles in making and enacting new laws.

9. The provisions of the Directive Principles are broadly classified into-
   (a) Socialist principles
   (b) Gandhian principles
   (c) Liberal intellectual principles

10. Some Important Articles of DPSPs are :

1. To promote the welfare of the citizens by securing a social order percolated by social, economic, and political justice and to minimize the inequalities in income, facilities, status, and opportunities (Article 38).
2. To secure (a) the right to adequate resources of livelihood for all citizens of India; (b) the equitable distribution of material resources for the community for the common goods; (c) prevention of concentration of resources of production and wealth; (d) equal payment for equal work for both men and women; (e) preservation of the health and strength of workers and children against coercive ill-usage; and (f) opportunities for the healthy development of children (Article 39).
3. To promote equal justice and to provide free legal aid to the poor (Article 39 A). This DPSP was added by the 42^nd constitutional amendment act, 1976.
4. To secure the right to work, right to education, and right to public assistance in cases of unemployment, disablement, sickness, and old age (Article 41).
5. To make provision just for humane conditions for work and maternity relief (Article 42).
6. To take steps for securing the participation of workers in the management of industries (Article 43 A). This DPSP was added by the 42^nd constitutional amendment act, 1976.
7. To arrange village panchayats and provide them with the necessary powers and authority to make them capable of doing functions as parts of self-government (Article 40).
8. To promote the cottage industries on an individual or co-operation basis in countryside areas. (Article 43).
9. To prohibit the selling and consumption of drugs and intoxicating drinks which are injurious and harmful to health (Article 47).
10. To prohibit the butchery of cows, calves, and other milch and check cattle to improve their races. (Article 48).
11. To ensure a uniform civil code for all citizens everywhere in the country (Article 44).
12. To provide initial childhood care and primary education to all children until they complete the age of 6 years (Article 45). Also, amended by the 86^th constitutional amendment act, 2002.
13. To isolate the judiciary system in the public services of the State from the executive.  (Article 50).
14. To promote global harmony, security and maintain honorable relations between countries.
15.  to respect the international law and agreement commitments, and to promote the establishment of international conflicts by reconciliation. (Article 51).

10. The 86th Amendment Act of 2002 changed the subject-matter of Article 45 and made primary education a fundamental right ND added Article 21A in part 3 pf the constitution.

11.  A new DPSP was added by the 97th Amendment Act of 2011, related to the co-operative societies. It is required to promote the voluntary organization, independent functioning, democratic control, and professional administration of co-operative societies by the state (Article 43B).

12. The DPSPs are just directions and guidances to the State.