Directive Principles of State Policy (DPSPs) in India:
The Directive Principles of State Policy (DPSPs), outlined in
Part IV of the Indian Constitution, are guidelines or principles aimed
at guiding the Indian government in crafting policies and laws.
Unlike Fundamental Rights, DPSPs are non-justiciable, meaning they
are not enforceable by any court, but they are fundamental in the
governance of the country. The framers of the Constitution
envisioned them as moral obligations for the state to promote the
welfare of the people and establish social and economic democracy.
DPSPs are inspired by the Irish Constitution and are meant to
work alongside Fundamental Rights to create a balance between
individual liberty and social justice. The primary aim of the DPSPs is
to ensure that the state works toward creating a just society by
promoting the welfare of citizens and reducing inequalities in
income, wealth, and opportunities.
Categories of DPSPs
DPSPs are broadly classified into three categories:
1. Socialist Principles:
These directives aim to promote social and economic equality.
They focus on the welfare of the people by directing the state
to secure a just distribution of resources and wealth.
o Article 38: The state shall strive to promote the welfare
of the people by securing and protecting a social order in
which justice—social, economic, and political—shall
inform all institutions.
o Article 39: The state shall strive to ensure equal pay for
equal work, prevent concentration of wealth, and secure
a decent standard of living for all.
o Article 41: The state must ensure the right to work,
education, and public assistance in cases of
unemployment, old age, sickness, and disability.
2. Gandhian Principles:
These principles reflect the ideals of Mahatma Gandhi, focusing
on rural development, self-reliance, and the upliftment of the
disadvantaged sections of society.
o Article 40: The state shall take steps to organize village
panchayats, empowering local self-governance at the
grassroots level.
o Article 43: The state shall promote cottage industries
and support small-scale, village-based industries.
o Article 46: The state shall promote the educational and
economic interests of the weaker sections, particularly
the Scheduled Castes (SC) and Scheduled Tribes (ST).
3. Liberal-Intellectual Principles:
These principles focus on individual liberties, international
relations, and the functioning of the state.
o Article 44: The state shall strive to secure a Uniform
Civil Code for all citizens, promoting unity and equality in
personal laws.
o Article 47: The state shall work to improve public health
and the standard of living, and it shall prohibit the
consumption of intoxicating drinks and drugs.
o Article 51: The state shall promote international peace,
security, and just relations with other nations.
Importance of DPSPs
Although DPSPs are not enforceable by law, they hold immense
significance in shaping India’s policy framework. They serve as a
moral compass for governments, ensuring that they prioritize the
common good and work toward reducing inequalities. Many key
socio-economic reforms have been initiated based on the principles
laid out in the DPSPs.
For example:
The Right to Education Act (2009), which provides free and
compulsory education for children between 6 and 14, was
inspired by the directive in Article 45, which emphasizes free
education for children.
Land reform laws, such as the abolition of the zamindari
system and the redistribution of land to the landless, were
enacted to ensure equitable distribution of resources as per
Article 39.
DPSPs and Fundamental Rights
While DPSPs and Fundamental Rights work together to ensure the
welfare of the citizens, there have been instances where conflicts
arose between the two. In cases like the Minerva Mills case
(1980), the Supreme Court held that Fundamental Rights and
DPSPs must be balanced and harmonized. The court ruled that while
DPSPs cannot override Fundamental Rights, they form an integral
part of the Constitution and must guide government policies.
Some real life examples are:
Free and Compulsory Education: The DPSP advocates for
free and compulsory education for children. This is
implemented through programs like the Right to Education Act,
which ensures that children aged 6 to 14 receive free
education in government schools.
Health Care for All: The principles emphasize the need for
public health and medical care. For example, the Ayushman
Bharat scheme provides health insurance coverage to
economically weaker sections, aiming to make healthcare
more accessible.
Workers' Rights: The DPSP includes provisions for fair wages
and improved working conditions. The implementation of
minimum wage laws and regulations for safe working
environments reflect this principle.
Environmental Conservation: The DPSP calls for the
protection and improvement of the environment. Initiatives like
the Clean Ganga Mission work to reduce pollution and restore
the health of the Ganges River.
Support for Rural Employment: The DPSP promotes
economic and social justice. The Mahatma Gandhi National
Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) provides
guaranteed employment and wages to rural workers, helping
to improve livelihoods in rural areas.
Conclusion
The Directive Principles of State Policy serve as a blueprint for
India’s progress toward becoming a welfare state. They reflect the
aspirations of the Constitution makers to build a society based on
justice, equality, and fraternity. Though not legally enforceable, they
remain crucial in shaping laws and policies aimed at the welfare and
betterment of the country’s citizens. The DPSPs continue to play a
vital role in the realization of socio-economic democracy in India.
