NIOS Class 12 Introduction to Law Chapter 20 Directive Principles of State Policy

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NIOS Class 12 Introduction to Law Chapter 20 Directive Principles of State Policy

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Directive Principles of State Policy

Chapter: 20

Module – 5 The Constitution of India – I

INTEXT QUESTIONS 20.1 

Fill in the blanks: 

(i) Directive Principles make India a _________ State. (Socialist/Welfare). 

Ans: Welfare.

(ii) Directive Principles are ______________. (non justiciable/justiciable). 

Ans: Nor- justiciable.

(iii) Thoughts and Ideas of ______________ have been incorporated in the Constitution in the form of Directive Principles of State Policy. (C. Rajgopalachari/Mahatma Gandhi). 

Ans: Mahatma Gandhi.

(iv) Socialistic pattern of society can be achieved by______________ distribution of wealth. (unequal/equitable) 

Ans: Equitable.

(v) _________ System has been abolished completely in India. (Caste/Capitalist/Zamidari)

Ans: Zamidari.

INTEXT QUESTIONS 20.2 

For each multiple choice question given below, choose the correct answer/ alternative: 

1. Directive Principles of State Policy in India have been taken from the Constitution of– 

(i) Britain. 

(ii) Germany. 

(iii) France. 

(iv) Ireland.

Ans: (iv) Ireland.

 2. Who amongst the following was great advocate of ‘Panchayati Raj System’? 

(i) Pt. Jawahar Lal Nehru. 

(ii) Mahatma Gandhi.

(iii) Sardar Patel. 

(iv) Dr. B.R. Ambedkar. 

Ans: (ii) Mahatma Gandhi.

3. Directive Principles of State Policy strive to make India a: 

(i) Welfare State. 

(ii) Capitalist State. 

(iii) Communist State. 

(iv) Authoritarian State. 

Ans: (i) Welfare State. 

4. In which of the following there is a provision for “equal pay for equal work” for both men and women? 

(i) Fundamental Rights.

(ii) Preamble of the Constitution. 

(iii) Directive Principles of State Policy. 

(iv) Fundamental Duties.

Ans: (iii) Directive Principles of State Policy. 

5. Which Article of the Constitution directs the State to establish Panchayati Raj Institutions in rural areas? 

(i) Article 40. 

(ii) Article 45. 

(iii) Article 37. 

(iv) Article 36.

Ans: (i) Article 40.

INTEXT QUESTIONS 20.3 

Write True or False against each of these statements: 

(i) Fundamental Rights are justiciable. (True/False) 

Ans: True.

(ii) People can appeal to the court if Directive Principles are not being implemented. (True/False) 

Ans: False.

(iii) Directive Principles aim at socio-economic justice. (True/False) 

Ans: True.

(iv) Right to Property is a Fundamental Right. (True/False) 

Ans: False.

(v) Parliament cannot alter the “Basic Structure” of the Constitution through constitutional amendment. (True/False)

Ans: True.

INTEXT QUESTIONS 20.4 

Fill in the blanks:

(i) 73rd Constitutional Amendment introduced ________ Panchayati Raj system in rural areas. (two tier/three tier) 

Ans: Three tier.

(ii) Right to Education Act was passed by Parliament in year ____________. (2006/2009). 

Ans: 2009

(iii) Right to Education Act is applicable from the age ________________ to ____________ years. (0–6/6–14) 

Ans: 6 to 14.

(iv) 86th Constitutional Amendment was adopted in the year __________ . (2009/2002) 

Ans: 2002

TERMINAL EXERCISES

1. Describe the Directive Principles of State Policy? Are they justiciable? 

Ans: The Directive Principles of State Policy (DPSPs) are the guidelines or principles given to the central and state governments in Part IV of the Indian Constitution (Articles 36–51). They aim to create a welfare state where social, economic, and political justice is ensured for all citizens.

These principles are not laws but act as moral directions to the government to frame policies for the well-being of people. They reflect the idea of justice, equality, and welfare mentioned in the Preamble of the Constitution.

No, the Directive Principles are not justiciable, which means they cannot be enforced by any court of law. If the government fails to follow them, citizens cannot go to court for their implementation.

However, they are very important for governance, as they guide the government to make laws and policies that promote public welfare, equality, and justice.

2. Classify the Directive Principles of State Policy. 

Ans: The Directive Principles are classified on the basis of their ideological source and objectives. For the sake of making their study convenient, we can broadly place them in four categories, These are:

(i) Economic and Social Principles: These principles are socialistic in nature and aim to ensure social and economic justice for all citizens and to build a welfare state.

Main Articles:

Article 38: The State shall promote the welfare of the people by securing a social order based on justice—social, economic, and political.

Article 39: The State shall direct its policies to secure:

(a) adequate means of livelihood for all.

(b) fair distribution of wealth and resources.

(c) prevention of concentration of wealth.

(d) equal pay for equal work for men and women.

(e) protection of workers’ health and strength, and.

(f) prevention of exploitation of children.

Article 42: Just and humane conditions of work and maternity relief.

Article 43 & 43A: Living wage and decent standard of life for workers and participation of workers in the management of industries.

(ii) Directives Based on Gandhian Principles: These principles reflect the ideas of Mahatma Gandhi, emphasizing self-sufficiency, rural development, and upliftment of weaker sections.

Main Articles:

Article 40: Organisation of village panchayats as units of self-government.

Article 43: Promotion of cottage industries in rural areas.

Article 45: Provision of free and compulsory education for children up to 14 years (now Article 21-A after 86th Amendment).

Article 46: Promotion of educational and economic interests of Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, and other weaker sections.

Article 47: Improvement of public health and prohibition of intoxicating drinks and drugs.

Article 48: Prohibition of slaughter of cows, calves, and other milch or draught cattle.

(iii) Directive Principles Relating to International Peace and Security: These principles express India’s commitment to global peace and cooperation.

Article 51: The State shall endeavour to—

(a) promote international peace and security.

(b) maintain just and honourable relations with other nations.

(c) foster respect for international law and treaty obligations, and

(d) encourage settlement of international disputes by arbitration.

(iv) Miscellaneous (Liberal) Principles: These principles deal with other important areas that promote justice, culture, and administration.

Main Articles:

Article 44: The State shall secure a Uniform Civil Code for all citizens.

Article 48A: Protection and improvement of the environment, forests, and wildlife.

Article 49: Protection of monuments and places of artistic or historic interest.

Article 50: Separation of the judiciary from the executive in public services.

3. State any four Directive Principles aiming at socio-economic equality. 

Ans: The Directive Principles of State Policy aim to establish social and economic justice and make India a welfare state. 

The following four Directive Principles focus on achieving socio-economic equality:

(i) Article 38: The State shall promote the welfare of the people by securing a social order in which justice—social, economic, and political—shall guide all national institutions.

(ii) Article 39(a): The State shall ensure that all citizens have the right to an adequate means of livelihood.

(iii) Article 39(d): The State shall provide equal pay for equal work for both men and women.

(iv) Article 41: The State shall make effective provision for the right to work, to education, and to public assistance in cases of unemployment, old age, sickness, and disablement.

4. Describe Directive Principles based on Gandhian thought and principles. 

Ans: Mahatma Gandhi was the main guiding force during India’s freedom struggle. His ideas deeply influenced both the people and the framers of the Constitution. The Directive Principles based on Gandhian philosophy aim to translate his vision of rural development, self-government, and social welfare into constitutional goals.

These are as follows:

(i) State shall take steps to organise village panchayats as units of SelfGovernment (Article-40).

(ii) The State shall endeavour to promote cottage industries on an individual or cooperative basis in rural areas, (Article-43). 

(iii) Article-45 provides for free and compulsory education to all children till the age of 14 years. This original provision was amended by 86th Constitutional Amendment Act 2002, it now declares that, “the State shall endeavour to provide early childhood care and education for all children until they complete the age of 14 years.” (Article 21-A).

(iv)Article-46 lays down that the State shall promote educational and economic interests of the weaker sections of the people particularly that of the Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs) and other weaker sections. 

(v) Article-47 states that State shall take steps to improve public health and prohibit consumption of intoxicating drinks and drugs that are injurious to health. 

(vi) Article-48 says that, State shall take steps to prohibit slaughter of cows, calves and other milch and draught cattle. 

5. Distinguish between Fundamental Rights and Directive Principles of State Policy. 

Ans: The Fundamental Rights and the Directive Principles of State Policy (DPSPs) are two important parts of the Indian Constitution. Both aim to build a democratic and just society, but they differ in their nature and purpose.

Fundamental Rights	Directive Principles of State Policy (DPSPs)
Justiciable: Citizens can go to court if their Fundamental Rights are violated.	Non-justiciable: Citizens cannot go to court if the government fails to implement them.
Negative in nature: They place restrictions on the State to prevent misuse of power.	Positive in nature: They are directions to the State to achieve social and economic welfare.
Aim to establish liberal political democracy in India.	Aim to establish social and economic democracy and make India a welfare state.
Focus on protecting the rights and interests of individuals.	Focus on promoting socio-economic equality and protecting weaker sections of society.

6. “Successive governments in India accorded high priority to Directive Principles of State Policy” Do you agree with the statement ? Give suitable argument to support your answer. 

Ans: Yes, I agree with the statement that successive governments in India have accorded high priority to the Directive Principles of State Policy (DPSPs). Although the DPSPs are non-justiciable (not enforceable by courts), they have guided every government in framing laws and policies aimed at achieving social and economic justice and building a welfare state.

Arguments in Support:

(i) Land Reforms: To fulfill Article 39, governments abolished the zamindari system, imposed land ceilings, and distributed surplus land among landless farmers to reduce inequality in land ownership.

(ii) Promotion of Panchayati Raj (Article 40): The 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act, 1992 established a three-tier Panchayati Raj system, giving people real power of self-government in rural areas.

(iii) Education for All (Article 45): The 86th Constitutional Amendment Act, 2002 and the Right to Education Act, 2009 made free and compulsory education a Fundamental Right for children aged 6 to 14 years.

(iv) Social and Economic Welfare: Many welfare programmes like MGNREGA (2006), Integrated Rural Development Programme, and Community Development Programme (1952) were launched to raise the living standards of the poor and unemployed.

(v) Health and Nutrition: Schemes such as the National Rural Health Mission (NRHM), Mid-Day Meal Scheme, and Maternity Benefit Programmes were introduced to promote public health and nutrition (Article 47).

(vi) Cottage and Small Industries: Boards like the Village Industries Board, Silk Board, and Coir Board were created to promote rural employment and small-scale industries (Article 43).

7. What steps have been taken by the Government so far to implement Directive Principles of State Policy? 

Ans: Although the Directive Principles of State Policy (DPSPs) are non-justiciable and cannot be enforced by courts, successive governments in India have taken several steps to implement them in practice. Over the years, many laws and constitutional measures have been adopted to realize the goals of social, economic, and political justice.

Some important steps taken by the government are:

(i) Implementation of Article 39: To ensure that ownership and control of material resources serve the common good, the government introduced several measures:

(a) Land Reforms: Abolition of the zamindari system, imposition of ceilings on landholdings, and distribution of surplus land to landless labourers.

(b) Economic Measures: Enactment of the Minimum Wages Act, and taxation policies aimed at reducing income inequality by taxing higher income groups and providing relief to weaker sections.

(ii) Panchayati Raj System (Article 40): Through the 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act, 1992, the government established a three-tier Panchayati Raj system at the village, block, and district levels to promote local self-government.

(iii) Promotion of Cottage Industries (Article 43): Various boards were set up such as the Village Industries Board, All India Handicrafts Board, Silk Board, and Coir Board to encourage small-scale and cottage industries by providing financial and marketing support.

(iv) Free and Compulsory Education (Article 45): The 86th Constitutional Amendment Act, 2002, and the Right to Education Act, 2009, made elementary education a Fundamental Right for all children aged 6 to 14 years.

(v) Raising Standard of Living (Article 47): The government launched major development programmes such as the Community Development Programme (1952), Integrated Rural Development Programme (1978–79), and the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA, 2006) to improve the standard of living in rural areas.

(vi) Health and Nutrition Schemes: Various programmes have been launched to improve health and nutrition, especially for women and children, including maternity relief schemes and the Mid-Day Meal Programme for school children.

(vii) Public Health and Social Welfare Schemes: Central government initiatives such as the Pradhan Mantri Gram Swasthya Yojana (PMGSY), National Rural Health Mission (NRHM), and other health-related programmes have been started to fulfill the social sector responsibilities of the State.

8. “In a poor country like India socio-economic justice should be given priority over the individual freedom” Do you agree with the statement? Justify your answer with suitable arguments.

Ans: Yes, I agree with the statement that in a poor country like India, socio-economic justice should be given priority over individual freedom. While individual freedom is important in a democracy, true freedom has no meaning for people who suffer from poverty, hunger, and inequality.

Justification / Arguments:

(i) Basic Needs Before Freedom: For a person struggling for food, shelter, and employment, political rights such as freedom of speech or expression have little meaning. Ensuring economic and social security is more urgent than formal freedoms.

(ii) Objective of the Constitution: The Preamble of the Indian Constitution aims to secure justice — social, economic, and political — for all citizens. This shows that socio-economic justice is essential to achieve real democracy.

(iii) Directive Principles Support It: The Directive Principles of State Policy (Part IV) direct the government to reduce inequality, provide livelihood, education, and healthcare. These principles aim to make fundamental rights more meaningful for the poor.

(iv) Balanced Development: If only a few people enjoy freedom while others remain poor and illiterate, democracy becomes hollow. Economic equality creates the foundation for everyone to enjoy their individual freedom equally.

(v) Long-term National Interest: By ensuring social and economic justice, the State promotes stability, peace, and unity, which are necessary for national progress.