The Directive Principles of State Policy (DPSP) are instructions to the government to create a just society. They are listed in Part IV of the Constitution, from Articles 36 to 51. Unlike Fundamental Rights, they are not enforceable in court, but they are fundamental in the governance of the country.
Source of DPSP
The concept of DPSP was borrowed from the Constitution of Ireland, which had taken it from Spain. Dr. B.R. Ambedkar described them as a novel feature of the Indian Constitution.
Classification of DPSP
The Directive Principles are usually divided into three groups:
- Socialist Principles – aim at social and economic justice, such as equal pay and a living wage.
- Gandhian Principles – such as promotion of village panchayats, cottage industries and prohibition of liquor.
- Liberal-Intellectual Principles – such as a uniform civil code and separation of judiciary from executive.
Important Articles
- Article 39A – Equal justice and free legal aid.
- Article 40 – Organisation of village panchayats.
- Article 44 – Uniform Civil Code for citizens.
- Article 45 – Early childhood care and education.
- Article 48A – Protection of environment and wildlife (added by 42nd Amendment).
- Article 50 – Separation of judiciary from executive.
DPSP versus Fundamental Rights
Fundamental Rights are justiciable, but DPSP are non-justiciable. The Minerva Mills case (1980) held that there must be a balance between the two. The 42nd Amendment, 1976 added new directives like Articles 39A, 43A and 48A.
Quick Revision Points
- DPSP are in Part IV, Articles 36-51.
- Borrowed from the Irish Constitution.
- They are non-justiciable (not enforceable in court).
- Divided into Socialist, Gandhian and Liberal principles.
- Article 44 deals with the Uniform Civil Code.
- The 42nd Amendment added several new directives.
- Ambedkar called them a novel feature of the Constitution.