Classification of Directive Principles of State Policy (DPSPs)

About Directive Principles of State Policy (DPSPs)

• Articles 36-51 under Part IV of the Indian Constitution deal with Directive Principles of State Policy (DPSP).

Features of Directive Principles of State Policy (DPSPs)

• Borrowed from the Constitution of Ireland, which had copied it from the Spanish Constitution.
• Acts as a guiding principle for the state in formulating various policies and enacting legislation.
• They are similar to the ‘instrument of instructions’ that was enumerated in the Government of India Act, of 1935.
• Aims to establish economic and social democracy in the country.
• Legally not enforceable in a court of law.

Mission Schools of Excellence Project of Gujarat Government

Classification of DPSPs: Gandhian, Socialistic, and Liberal-Intellectual Principles

• Though the Indian Constitution has not originally classified DPSPs, on the basis of their content and direction, they are usually classified into three types- Gandhian, Socialistic, and Liberal-Intellectual Principles.

Gandhian Principles
Article 40	Organize village panchayats and endow them with the necessary powers and authority to enable them to function as units of self-government
Article 43	Promote cottage industries on an individual or cooperation basis in rural areas
Article 43B	Promote voluntary formation, autonomous functioning, democratic control, and professional management of cooperative societies
Article 46	Promote the educational and economic interests of SCs, STs, and other weaker sections of society and protect them from social injustice and exploitation
Article 47	Prohibit the consumption of intoxicating drinks and drugs which are injurious to health
Article 48	Prohibit the slaughter of cows, calves, and other milch and draught cattle and improve their breeds

 

Socialistic Principles
Article 38	To Promote the welfare of the people by securing a social order through justice—social, economic, and political—and to minimize inequalities in income, status, facilities, and opportunities
Article 39	To Secure its citizens: Right to adequate means of livelihood for all citizens Equitable distribution of material resources of the community for the common good Prevention of concentration of wealth and means of production Equal pay for equal work for men and women Preservation of the health and strength of workers and children against forcible abuse Opportunities for the healthy development of children
Article 39A	To Promote equal justice and free legal aid to the poor
Article 41	To secure the right to work, right to education, and right to public assistance in cases of unemployment, old age, sickness, and disablement.
Article 42	To make provision for just and humane conditions of work and maternity relief
Article 43	To secure a living wage, a decent standard of living, and social and cultural opportunities for all workers
Article 43A	To take steps to secure the participation of workers in the management of industries
Article 47	To raise the level of nutrition and the standard of living of people and to improve public health

 

Liberal-Intellectual Principles
Article 44	To secure for all citizens Uniform Civil Code throughout the country
Article 45	To provide early childhood care and education for all children until they complete the age of six years
Article 48	To organize agriculture and animal husbandry on modern and scientific lines
Article 49	To protect monuments, places, and objects of artistic or historic interest which are declared to be of national importance.
Article 50	To separate the judiciary from the executive in the public services of the State
Article 51	Promote international peace and security and maintain just and honorable relations between nations Foster respect for international law and treaty obligations Encourage settlement of international disputes by arbitration

  

Relatable Articles
Emergency in India	Centre State Relations
Special Provisions Act	Cooperative Societies