📑 Topics on this page (Jump to Topic):
📌 1. Nature
- Source: Irish Constitution; Ambedkar: "novel feature"; Granville Austin called FR and DPSP the "conscience of the Constitution".
- Art. 37: DPSP are not enforceable by courts but are fundamental in governance; the state shall apply them in making laws.
- Aim: social and economic democracy and a "welfare state"; FRs establish political democracy.
📌 2. Classification
| Category | Articles & subjects |
|---|---|
| Socialist | 38 welfare, minimise inequality of income; 39 livelihood, distribution of resources, equal pay for equal work; 39A equal justice and free legal aid; 41 work, education, public assistance; 42 just conditions of work and maternity relief; 43 living wage; 43A workers in management; 47 nutrition and standard of living |
| Gandhian | 40 village panchayats; 43 cottage industries; 43B co-operatives; 46 interests of SC/ST and weaker sections; 47 prohibition of intoxicants; 48 ban on slaughter of cows, calves and milch cattle |
| Liberal-intellectual | 44 Uniform Civil Code; 45 early childhood care and education up to 6; 48 modern agriculture and animal husbandry; 48A environment, forests and wildlife; 49 monuments; 50 separation of judiciary from executive; 51 international peace and security |
| Amendment | Added/changed |
|---|---|
| 42nd (1976) | 39(f) healthy development of children; 39A; 43A; 48A |
| 44th (1978) | 38(2) minimise inequalities in income, status, facilities |
| 86th (2002) | New Art. 45 — ECCE up to 6 years |
| 97th (2011) | 43B co-operative societies |
⚠️ Exam Traps:
- Uniform Civil Code = Art. 44 (already in Goa; Uttarakhand enacted a UCC Act in 2024, in force since Jan 2025).
- Village panchayats = Art. 40 (DPSP) — but constitutional status came via Part IX (73rd Amendment).
📌 3. FR vs DPSP
| Fundamental Rights | DPSP |
|---|---|
| Justiciable | Non-justiciable |
| Negative — restrain the state | Positive — direct the state |
| Political democracy | Socio-economic democracy |
| From USA | From Ireland |
- Champakam Dorairajan (1951): FRs prevail in conflict. Minerva Mills (1980): balance between FR and DPSP is basic structure. Art. 31C (25th Amendment) — laws implementing 39(b),(c) not void on grounds of Art. 14/19.
- Laws based on DPSP: MGNREGA (Art. 41), minimum wages, equal remuneration, Legal Services Authorities Act (39A), Wildlife Protection (48A).
📌 4. Practice MCQs
📝 Practice MCQs (prepared by SF Prep — not PYQs)
Q1. DPSP are inspired by the constitution of: Practice
Correct answer: (A)
From Ireland (which borrowed from Spain).
From Ireland (which borrowed from Spain).
Q2. Which Article says DPSP are not enforceable by courts? Practice
Correct answer: (D)
Art. 37: not enforceable, but fundamental in governance.
Art. 37: not enforceable, but fundamental in governance.
Q3. The Uniform Civil Code is in which Article? Practice
Correct answer: (A)
Art. 44 — the state shall endeavour to secure a UCC.
Art. 44 — the state shall endeavour to secure a UCC.
Q4. The directive to organise village panchayats is in which Article? Practice
Correct answer: (B)
Art. 40 is a Gandhian principle.
Art. 40 is a Gandhian principle.
Q5. Separation of judiciary from executive is in which Article? Practice
Correct answer: (C)
Art. 50 (liberal-intellectual principle).
Art. 50 (liberal-intellectual principle).
Q6. Equal justice and free legal aid (Art. 39A) was added by which amendment? Practice
Correct answer: (C)
The 42nd Amendment (1976) added 39A, 43A and 48A.
The 42nd Amendment (1976) added 39A, 43A and 48A.
Q7. Protection of environment, forests and wildlife is directed in which Article? Practice
Correct answer: (D)
48A is the DPSP; 51A(g) is the corresponding fundamental duty.
48A is the DPSP; 51A(g) is the corresponding fundamental duty.
Q8. "Equal pay for equal work" is in which Article? Practice
Correct answer: (A)
Art. 39(d).
Art. 39(d).
Q9. Participation of workers in management of industries is in: Practice
Correct answer: (B)
43A (42nd Amendment).
43A (42nd Amendment).
Q10. Art. 43B on promoting co-operative societies was added by: Practice
Correct answer: (A)
By the 97th Amendment (2011).
By the 97th Amendment (2011).
Q11. Which case held that the balance between FR and DPSP is part of the basic structure? Practice
Correct answer: (C)
Minerva Mills struck down parts of the 42nd Amendment and held this.
Minerva Mills struck down parts of the 42nd Amendment and held this.
Q12. Prohibition of intoxicating drinks is directed in which Article? Practice
Correct answer: (D)
Art. 47 — nutrition, standard of living, health; prohibition of intoxicants.
Art. 47 — nutrition, standard of living, health; prohibition of intoxicants.
Q13. After the 86th Amendment, Art. 45 deals with: Practice
Correct answer: (B)
6–14 education moved to 21A; Art. 45 now covers ECCE up to 6.
6–14 education moved to 21A; Art. 45 now covers ECCE up to 6.
Q14. What did Granville Austin call the "conscience of the Constitution"? Practice
Correct answer: (B)
Austin called Parts III and IV the conscience of the Constitution.
Austin called Parts III and IV the conscience of the Constitution.
Q15. Which of these is a Gandhian principle? Practice
Correct answer: (C)
Cottage industries (43), panchayats (40), prohibition (47), cow protection (48) are Gandhian.
Cottage industries (43), panchayats (40), prohibition (47), cow protection (48) are Gandhian.
Q16. DPSP mainly aim to establish which kind of democracy? Practice
Correct answer: (D)
FRs establish political, DPSP socio-economic democracy.
FRs establish political, DPSP socio-economic democracy.
Q17. MGNREGA gives effect to which DPSP? Practice
Correct answer: (A)
Art. 41 relates to the right to work, education and public assistance.
Art. 41 relates to the right to work, education and public assistance.
Q18. Protection of monuments of national importance is in which Article? Practice
Correct answer: (D)
Art. 49.
Art. 49.
Q19. Promotion of international peace and security is in which Article? Practice
Correct answer: (A)
Art. 51 (the last DPSP article).
Art. 51 (the last DPSP article).
Q20. Which early case held that FRs prevail over DPSP in case of conflict? Practice
Correct answer: (B)
After Champakam Dorairajan (1951), the First Amendment (1951) followed.
After Champakam Dorairajan (1951), the First Amendment (1951) followed.