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Directive Principles

Political Science / Civics

Useful for: UPSC Civil Services, OSSC RHT — Regular High School Teacher, OSEPA Upper Primary — Arts, OSSC Political Science, OSSSC Govt TGT Arts, SSB Lecturer (Degree Colleges), SSB TGT Arts

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Overview

Directive Principles (Part IV) guide policy towards a welfare state but are non-justiciable; Fundamental Duties (Part IVA) list citizens’ obligations.

Key points

DPSP are non-justiciable but "fundamental in the governance of the country" (Article 37).
Socialist principles include Articles 38, 39, 41, 42 and 43; Gandhian include 40 (village panchayats), 43 (cottage industries), 46, 47 and 48.
Liberal-intellectual principles include 44 (uniform civil code), 45 (early childhood care), 48A (environment), 50 (separation of judiciary) and 51 (international peace).
Minerva Mills (1980) held that harmony and balance between Fundamental Rights and DPSP is part of the basic structure.
Fundamental Duties were added by the 42nd Amendment (1976) on the Swaran Singh Committee’s advice; the 11th duty (education of children 6–14) by the 86th Amendment (2002).
Fundamental Duties apply only to citizens and are not directly enforceable.

Explanation

Article 31C (25th Amendment) protects laws giving effect to Articles 39(b) and (c).
Champakam Dorairajan (1951) held that Fundamental Rights prevail over DPSP in conflict.
Articles 48A and 51A(g) together underpin environmental jurisprudence.
The Verma Committee (1999) suggested ways to operationalise Fundamental Duties.
Many DPSP were later implemented by laws (e.g. Article 45 through RTE).

Step by step

Identify the concept, law or fact asked.
Recall the definition, formula, example or year.
Apply it and eliminate mismatched options.

Examples

Statement: "Article 40 directs the State to organise village panchayats." → Correct.
Statement: "Fundamental Duties were part of the original Constitution." → Incorrect (1976).
Statement: "Article 48A on environment was added by the 42nd Amendment." → Correct.

Traps and advanced points

Trap: Treating DPSP as enforceable.
Trap: Dating the 11th duty to 1976.
Trap: Placing the uniform civil code in Gandhian principles.

Quick revision

Art 37 non-justiciable.
Minerva Mills 1980 balance.
42nd (1976) duties; 86th (2002) 11th duty.

Practice MCQs

From the perspective of definition and scope, which one of the following statements about DPSP & Fundamental Duties is correct?
1. Directive Principles are non-justiciable but fundamental in governance.
2. Directive Principles can be directly enforced by a writ petition exactly like Fundamental Rights.
3. DPSP & Fundamental Duties is unrelated to institutions, processes or real-world applications.
4. DPSP & Fundamental Duties has no exceptions or limitations in exam analysis.
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Answer: (a) Directive Principles are non-justiciable but fundamental in governance.. Directive Principles are non-justiciable but fundamental in governance.
Consider the following statements on DPSP & Fundamental Duties, focusing on definition and scope: 1. Directive Principles are non-justiciable but fundamental in governance. 2. Courts often seek harmony between Fundamental Rights and Directive Principles rather than treating them as mutually exclusive. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
1. 1 only
2. 2 only
3. Both 1 and 2
4. Neither 1 nor 2
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Answer: (c) Both 1 and 2. Both statements are correct.
With reference to DPSP & Fundamental Duties (definition and scope), consider the following statements: 1. Courts try to harmonise FRs and DPSPs (Minerva Mills case). 2. Fundamental Duties are listed in Article 51A. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
1. 1 only
2. 2 only
3. Both 1 and 2
4. Neither 1 nor 2
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Answer: (c) Both 1 and 2. Both statements are correct.
From the perspective of practical application, which one of the following statements about DPSP & Fundamental Duties is correct?
1. Some Directive Principles reflect social-democratic goals while others reflect Gandhian or liberal-intellectual principles.
2. Legislative subjects are distributed through the Union, State and Concurrent Lists.
3. The Supreme Court has original, appellate and advisory jurisdictions in constitutionally specified matters.
4. Independence of the judiciary is protected through institutional safeguards relating to tenure, removal and conditions of service.
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Answer: (a) Some Directive Principles reflect social-democratic goals while others reflect Gandhian or liberal-intellectual principles.. Some Directive Principles reflect social-democratic goals while others reflect Gandhian or liberal-intellectual principles.
Consider the following statements on DPSP & Fundamental Duties, focusing on practical application: 1. Directive Principles can be directly enforced by a writ petition exactly like Fundamental Rights. 2. Some Directive Principles reflect social-democratic goals while others reflect Gandhian or liberal-intellectual principles. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
1. 1 only
2. 2 only
3. Both 1 and 2
4. Neither 1 nor 2
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Answer: (b) 2 only. Statement 2 is correct; Statement 1 is a common misconception.
From the perspective of institutional design, which one of the following statements about DPSP & Fundamental Duties is correct?
1. Fundamental Duties are listed in Article 51A.
2. Inter-State Council and Finance Commission perform distinct coordinating and fiscal roles.
3. The basic-structure doctrine limits Parliament’s amending power without freezing every constitutional provision.
4. The Finance Commission recommends principles for fiscal devolution between Union and States.
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Answer: (a) Fundamental Duties are listed in Article 51A.. Fundamental Duties are listed in Article 51A.
Consider the following statements on DPSP & Fundamental Duties, focusing on working mechanism: 1. Courts often seek harmony between Fundamental Rights and Directive Principles rather than treating them as mutually exclusive. 2. Some Directive Principles reflect social-democratic goals while others reflect Gandhian or liberal-intellectual principles. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
1. 1 only
2. 2 only
3. Both 1 and 2
4. Neither 1 nor 2
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Answer: (c) Both 1 and 2. Both statements are correct.
With reference to DPSP & Fundamental Duties (institutional design), consider the following statements: 1. Some Directive Principles reflect social-democratic goals while others reflect Gandhian or liberal-intellectual principles. 2. Directive Principles are non-justiciable but fundamental in governance. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
1. 1 only
2. 2 only
3. Both 1 and 2
4. Neither 1 nor 2
Read chapter notes · Similar questions
Show answer
Answer: (c) Both 1 and 2. Both statements are correct.
From the perspective of working mechanism, which one of the following statements about DPSP & Fundamental Duties is correct?
1. Courts often seek harmony between Fundamental Rights and Directive Principles rather than treating them as mutually exclusive.
2. The Supreme Court has original, appellate and advisory jurisdictions in constitutionally specified matters.
3. The Preamble states the nature of the Indian state and constitutional goals such as justice, liberty, equality and fraternity.
4. State Finance Commissions review the financial position of local bodies.
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Answer: (a) Courts often seek harmony between Fundamental Rights and Directive Principles rather than treating them as mutually exclusive.. Courts often seek harmony between Fundamental Rights and Directive Principles rather than treating them as mutually exclusive.
With reference to DPSP & Fundamental Duties (practical application), consider the following statements: 1. Directive Principles can be directly enforced by a writ petition exactly like Fundamental Rights. 2. Directive Principles are non-justiciable but fundamental in governance. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
1. 1 only
2. 2 only
3. Both 1 and 2
4. Neither 1 nor 2
Read chapter notes · Similar questions
Show answer
Answer: (b) 2 only. Only statement 2 is correct, so the answer is (B) 2 only. Statement 1 is incorrect — it is an overstated or wrong claim. Correct position: Courts often seek harmony between Fundamental Rights and Directive Principles rather than treating them as mutually exclusive. Statement 2 is correct.