Directive Principles of State Policy

“DPSPs are not justifiable in court of law, but they are justiciable in court of peoples”

Articles 36-51 under Part-IV of the Indian Constitution deal with Directive Principles of State Policy (DPSP). They are borrowed from the Constitution of Ireland, which had copied it from the Spanish Constitution. This article will solely discuss the Directive Principles of State Policy, its importance in the Indian Constitution, and the history of its conflict with Fundamental Rights. This topic is important for UPSC Mains GS-II and also for political science optional papers and aspirants can also make the DPSP notes. It refers to the ideals that the State should keep in mind while formulating policies and enacting laws. e.g. the Government should try to ensure equal pay for equal work for men and women etc. However, they are non-justiciable enforceable, which means the government cannot be compelled to implement them.

To prepare for Indian Polity for any competitive exam, aspirants have to know about the basics of the Directive Principle of State Policy. It gives an idea of all the topics important for IAS Exam and the polity syllabus (GS-II). Directive Principle of State Policy and related topics are extremely important for the UPSC Exam. This is an essential portion of the polity. As IAS aspirants, you should be thorough with the Directive Principle of State Policy. This article will provide you with relevant details about the following topics:

• Basics and Background of DPSP
• Influences on Constitution Makers Behind Sanction of DPSPs
• Object and Purpose behind the Directive Principles
• Nature of DPSPs
• Reasons for Non-Justiciability of DPSPs
• Relevance of Non-Justiciable Nature of DPSPs in Present Context
• Classification of DPSPs
• Criticism of Part IV
• DPSPs could invoke conflict in following ways
• Similarities Between FR and DPSP
• Distinction between FR and DPSP
• Exceptions to DPSPs (Golakhnath Case 1967)
• Directive outside DPSPs
• Importance of DPSP for Citizen
• Significance of DPSP
• Maternity Benefit Act 2017
• MGNREGA
• Liquor Prohibition – Critical Analysis
• Uniform Civil Code (UCC) – Critical Analysis and Way Ahead