What is Directive Principles of State Policy (DPSP)?
Part IV of the Constitution of India deals with the directive principles of state policy (DPSP), articles from 36 to 51 are dedicated to the DPSP. DPSP in the Indian Constitution is borrowed from the Irish Constitution.
Directive principles of state policy (DPSP) are described as the “Conscience of the Constitution” by Granville Austin.
Importance and Features of Directive Principles of State Policy (DPSP) in Indian constitution
The importance and the features of the DPSP are given below:
- As the name suggests “Directive principles of state policy (DPSP)” that the ideals which every state should take care of while formulating or making the laws and policies.
- Directive principles of state policy (DPSP) embody the concept of the welfare state, it constitutes a comprehensive program of the social, economic, and political program for a modern democratic state.
- DPSP are not legally enforceable by the court because they are non-justiciable in nature.
- The Union, state government, and local government cannot be compelled for the implementation of the Directive Principles of state policy (DPSP).
- DPSP helps the judiciary/courts in examining the constitutional validity of the law.
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Directive principles of state policy (DPSP) Classification
The Constitution of India does not have any classification for the Directive principles of state policy (DPSP), but on the basis of their nature and direction, the DPSP are broadly classified into three categories. These categories of the DPSP classification are given below:
- Socialistic Principles
- Gandhian Principles
- Liberal and Intellectual Principles
Socialistic Principles
The ideology of socialism is reflected in this principle. It lays the direction for the state to be a democratic socialist society, it aims at providing economic and social justice and set the framework for the path towards the ‘welfare state’.
Gandhian Principles
These principles are based on the path of Gandhian ideology. These Gandhian principles try to reconstruct the Indian society on the path of Gandhi’s national movement and ideologies. The important key points of the Gandhian principles are given below:
- To organize village panchayats.
- Promote cottage industries.
- Promotion of Co-operative societies.
- Prohibition on the consumption of intoxicant drinks.
- Prohibiting cow slaughtering.
Liberal Principles
This liberal category of the DPSP represents the ideology of liberalism. The key points of the liberal principles are given below:
- Uniform Civil Code.
- Education for all children and early childhood care.
- On the scientific line organization of the animal husbandry and agriculture.
- Protection and safeguard of the environment, wildlife, and forests.
- Protection of monuments and places of historical importance.
- Promotion of international security and peace.
- Separation of judiciary from the executive.
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DPSP Articles
The important articles of the Directive Principles of state policy (DPSP) are given below:
S.NO |
Article-No. |
Description |
1. |
Article 36 |
Definition of state |
2. |
Article 37 |
Application of part IV principles. |
3. |
Article 38 |
Promotion of welfare by securing the social order by state. |
4. |
Article 39 |
The state should follow few principles of policy. |
5. |
Article 39 A |
Free legal aid and equal justice. |
6. |
Article 40 |
Organization of village panchayats. |
7. |
Article 41 |
Right to education and works. |
8. |
Article 42 |
Humane conditions of work and maternity relief. |
9. |
Article 43 |
Living wage etc. |
10. |
Article 43 A |
Participation of workers in industries management. |
11. |
Article 43 B |
Co-operative societies promotion. |
12. |
Article 44 |
Uniform civil code. |
13. |
Article 45 |
Education and early childhood care to children below 6 years. |
14. |
Article 46 |
For SC, ST, and Other weaker sections promotion of economic interests and education. |
15. |
Article 47 |
To improve public health, the standard of living, and level of nutrition. |
16. |
Article 48 |
Organization of animal husbandry and agriculture. |
17. |
Article 48 A |
Protection and safeguard of the environment, wildlife, and forests. |
18. |
Article 49 |
Protection of monuments and places of historical importance. |
19. |
Article 50 |
Separation of judiciary from the executive. |
20. |
Article 51 |
Promotion of international security and peace. |
Difference Between Fundamental Rights and Directive Principles of State Policy (DPSP)
To read the fundamental rights in detail: click here
S.NO |
Fundamental Rights |
Directive Principles (DPSP) |
1. |
They are negative in nature because it puts some restriction on the state. |
They tell the state to do something so they are positive in nature. |
2. |
They are justiciable. |
They are non-justiciable. |
3. |
The main focus is on political democracy. |
The main focus is on economic and social democracy. |
4. |
Have legal sanction. |
Have political and moral sanctions. |
5. |
They are individualistic and personal because they promote the welfare of individuals. |
They are socialistic and societarian because they promote the welfare of the community. |
6. |
For implementation, legislation is not required. |
For implementation, legislation is required. |
7. |
If any law is violating any fundamental rights court declares it invalid and unconstitutional. |
If any law is violating any fundamental rights court does not declare it invalid and unconstitutional. |
FAQ on DPSP
Q.) What is the DPSP Full Form?
Ans.) The full form of DPSP is Directive Principles of State Policy which is mention in part IV of the Constitution of India.
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