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Fundamental Rights & DPSP

General Awareness · Indian Polity

Useful for: SSC CGL

Overview

Fundamental Rights (Part III) are enforceable in courts; Directive Principles (Part IV) guide policy but are not enforceable; Fundamental Duties (Part IVA) list citizens’ duties.

Key points

Six Fundamental Rights: Equality (14–18), Freedom (19–22), Against Exploitation (23–24), Religion (25–28), Cultural & Educational (29–30), Constitutional Remedies (32).
Right to property was removed as a Fundamental Right by the 44th Amendment (1978); it is now a legal right under Article 300A.
Article 21A (free and compulsory education, 6–14 years) was added by the 86th Amendment (2002).
Ambedkar called Article 32 the "heart and soul" of the Constitution.
Five writs: habeas corpus, mandamus, prohibition, certiorari, quo warranto.

Explanation

Important DPSP: Article 40 (village panchayats), 44 (uniform civil code), 45 (early childhood care), 48A (environment), 50 (separation of judiciary from executive).
Fundamental Duties were added by the 42nd Amendment (1976) on the Swaran Singh Committee’s recommendation; there are now 11.
The Supreme Court issues writs under Article 32; High Courts under Article 226 (wider scope).
Article 17 abolishes untouchability; Article 23 prohibits trafficking and forced labour; Article 24 prohibits child labour in factories.

Step by step

Identify the exact fact asked (person, year, article, place).
Recall it from a linked group, not in isolation.
Eliminate options from the wrong period or category.

Examples

Right to property is now under → Article 300A (legal right).
The writ asking a public official to perform a duty → mandamus.
The Directive Principle on village panchayats → Article 40.

Traps and advanced points

Trap: Listing right to property as a Fundamental Right.
Trap: Thinking DPSP are enforceable in courts.
Trap: Mixing Article 32 (Supreme Court) and Article 226 (High Courts).

Quick revision

Six rights with article ranges.
44th Amendment removed property right.
Five writs.

Practice MCQs

How many Fundamental Rights are guaranteed by the Indian Constitution at present?
1. Six
2. Five
3. Eight
4. Seven
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Answer: (a) Six. Abhi 6 Fundamental Rights hain.
Which Article is described by Dr. Ambedkar as the 'heart and soul' of the Constitution?
1. Article 19
2. Article 21
3. Article 14
4. Article 32
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Answer: (d) Article 32. Article 32 (Right to Constitutional Remedies) ko Ambedkar ne 'heart and soul' kaha — kyunki yahi baaki rights ko court me enforce karne ka rasta deta hai (writs: Habeas Corpus, Mandamus, etc.).
The Directive Principles of State Policy are:
1. Part of Preamble
2. Justiciable (enforceable in court)
3. Non-justiciable (not enforceable in court)
4. Fundamental duties
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Answer: (c) Non-justiciable (not enforceable in court). DPSP non-justiciable hain — court me directly enforce nahi hote, ye government ke liye guidelines hain (Part IV).
Fundamental Duties were added to the Constitution on the recommendation of which committee?
1. Balwant Rai Mehta Committee
2. Kothari Commission
3. Sarkaria Commission
4. Swaran Singh Committee
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Answer: (d) Swaran Singh Committee. Fundamental Duties (Part IVA, Art 51A) 42nd Amendment (1976) se Swaran Singh Committee ki sifarish par jode gaye.
Right to Property was removed as a Fundamental Right by which amendment?
1. 42nd Amendment
2. 44th Amendment
3. 1st Amendment
4. 25th Amendment
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Answer: (b) 44th Amendment. 44th Amendment (1978) ne Right to Property (Art 31) ko Fundamental Right se hataakar Article 300A ke tahat legal/constitutional right bana diya.
Which Fundamental Right is available only to citizens and NOT to foreigners?
1. Freedom of speech (Art 19)
2. Protection of life (Art 21)
3. Freedom of religion (Art 25)
4. Right to Equality before law (Art 14)
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Answer: (a) Freedom of speech (Art 19). Article 19 (freedom of speech, assembly, movement, etc.) sirf citizens ko milta hai.
Articles 23 and 24 of the Constitution deal with which Fundamental Right?
1. Cultural and Educational Rights
2. Right to Freedom of Religion
3. Right to Equality
4. Right against Exploitation
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Answer: (d) Right against Exploitation. Art 23-24 = Right against Exploitation.
Which part of the Constitution contains the Directive Principles of State Policy?
1. Part II
2. Part III
3. Part IV
4. Part IVA
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Answer: (c) Part IV. DPSP Part IV (Articles 36-51) me hain.
The concept of 'Procedure established by law' in Article 21 is borrowed from:
1. Japan
2. Britain
3. Ireland
4. USA
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Answer: (a) Japan. 'Procedure established by law' Japan se liya gaya.
When there is a conflict between Fundamental Rights and Directive Principles, which generally prevails (as per current position)?
1. DPSP always prevail
2. Fundamental Rights generally prevail
3. Both are cancelled
4. President decides
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Answer: (b) Fundamental Rights generally prevail. Aam taur par Fundamental Rights ko prathmikta milti hai (Minerva Mills case).