Test: Directive Principles of State Policy - 1 - UPSC MCQ

All three statements provided are correct:

1. Statement 1: The Directive Principles are indeed not legally enforceable. Critics often describe them as 'pious superfluities,' suggesting they are like resolutions that are easily broken or ignored, much like New Year's resolutions.

2. Statement 2: Sir Ivor Jennings criticized the Directive Principles for being based on 19th-century England's political philosophy. He argued that they reflect Fabian Socialism without actual socialism, making them potentially outdated for the 21st century.

3. Statement 3: K. Santhanam highlighted the potential for conflicts between different levels of government due to the Directive Principles. He pointed out that the Centre could direct states on these principles, leading to possible dismissal of state governments or conflicts between the President and the Prime Minister, as well as between governors and chief ministers at the state level.

Therefore, all three statements are accurate reflections of the criticisms and potential issues related to the Directive Principles of State Policy.

Let's evaluate the statements regarding the Directive Principles of State Policy (DPSP) in the Indian Constitution:

Statement-I: "Directive Principles of State Policy (DPSP) in the Indian Constitution are legally enforceable by courts."

• This statement is incorrect. DPSPs are not legally enforceable by courts. They are guidelines for the state to follow in order to establish a just society but are not enforceable by law.

Statement-II: "The Directive Principles of State Policy encompass economic, social, and political aspects, aiming for justice, liberty, equality, and fraternity, aligning with the Constitution's Preamble."

• This statement is correct. DPSPs cover a broad range of goals and principles that aim to create social and economic conditions under which citizens can lead a good life, and they align with the ideals stated in the Preamble of the Constitution.

Therefore, the correct option is:

   2. Statement-I is incorrect, but Statement-II is correct.

Critics have argued that the Directive Principles of State Policy lack enforceability, being labeled as 'pious superfluities' and 'New Year's resolutions' that are only implementable when resources allow. This criticism stems from the perception that these principles, although significant guidelines, are not legally binding like fundamental rights but rather aspirational in nature, dependent on the practicality of their implementation.

1. Article 38: Correctly matched. It promotes people's welfare and strives for a just social, economic, and political order.
2. Article 39A: Incorrectly matched. Article 39A promotes equal justice and provides free legal aid to the poor, not guaranteeing the right to work, education, and public assistance during unemployment, old age, sickness, and disability.
3. Article 42: Correctly matched. It provides just and humane working conditions and maternity relief.
4. Article 47: Incorrectly matched. Article 47 aims to improve public health, raise nutrition levels, and enhance people's standard of living, not encouraging worker participation in industrial management.
Thus, only pairs 1 and 3 are correctly matched, making the correct answer Option B: Only two pairs.

Article 37 of the Indian Constitution states that the provisions of Part IV shall not be enforceable by any court. However, these principles are fundamental in the governance of the country, and it is the duty of the State to apply these principles in making laws.

- Statement 1 is correct. Article 40 of the Indian Constitution indeed mandates the organization of village panchayats, empowering them to function as units of self-government. This is one of the Gandhian Principles aimed at promoting decentralized governance.

- Statement 2 is incorrect. Article 44 does not emphasize the promotion of cottage industries. Instead, Article 44 deals with the Uniform Civil Code for all citizens across the country. The promotion of cottage industries in rural areas is covered under Article 43.

- Statement 3 is correct. Article 48A was introduced by the 42nd Amendment Act of 1976, and it specifically aims to protect and improve the environment by safeguarding forests and wildlife. This reflects the Liberal-Intellectual Principles within the Directive Principles of State Policy.

Thus, the correct answer is Option C: 1 and 3 Only.

Article 36 defines the term 'state' as in Part III of the Indian Constitution. It is important to understand the meaning of the term 'state' to comprehend the scope and applicability of the Directive Principles of State Policy.

The Directive Principles of State Policy (DPSP) are enshrined in Part IV of the Indian Constitution. Let's evaluate each statement:

1. The Directive Principles are justiciable and can be enforced by the courts: This statement is incorrect. DPSPs are non-justiciable, meaning they are not enforceable by any court. They are guidelines for the state to follow in the governance of the country, but no legal action can be taken if they are not implemented.

2. Article 39A of the Indian Constitution promotes equal justice and provides free legal aid to the poor: This statement is correct. Article 39A specifically aims to ensure that opportunities for securing justice are not denied to any citizen by reason of economic or other disabilities, and it mandates the state to provide free legal aid.

3. Directive Principles are inspired by the "Instrument of Instructions" in the 1935 Government of India Act: This statement is correct. The DPSPs are indeed inspired by the "Instrument of Instructions" provided in the Government of India Act, 1935. Dr. B.R. Ambedkar referred to them as instructions to the legislature and the executive.

Based on the above analysis, the correct statements are 2 and 3.

Hence, the correct answer is Option C: 2 and 3 Only.

The Directive Principles of State Policy are contained in Part IV of the Indian Constitution. These principles reflect a mix of humanitarian socialist precepts, Gandhian ideals, and democratic socialism.

The correct answer is:

3. Statement-I is correct, but Statement-II is incorrect

Here's why:

• Statement-I is correct because the Directive Principles of State Policy (DPSP) in India are not legally enforceable by courts. They are guidelines for the government to follow while making laws and policies.

• Statement-II is incorrect because DPSPs are not justiciable, meaning they cannot be enforced through legal mechanisms or courts. They are intended to guide the state in policy-making and governance but do not have the same legal force as Fundamental Rights.