DIRECTIVE PRINCIPLES OF STATE POLICY
The concept of directive principles has been borrowed from the Irish Constitution. Part IV of
the constitution deals with Directive Principles of State Policy (Articles 36 to 51). Directive
principles act as a tool for social control and welfare measures enabling the organization of a
‘socialistic pattern’ of society. The Directive Principles may be grouped under three categories
i.e. Socialistic Principles, Gandhian Principles and Liberal Principles.
Socialistic Principles
• To secure and protect a social order which stands for the welfare of the people (Article
38).
• The State shall direct its policy towards securing: adequate means of livelihood to all
citizens, a proper distribution of the material resources of the community for the
common good, the prevention of concentration of wealth to the common detriment,
equal pay for equal work for both men and women, the protection of the strength and
health of workers and avoiding circumstances which force citizens to enter vocations
unsuited to their age or strength, protection of childhood and youth against exploitation
of moral and material abandonment (Article 39).
• The State shall secure equal justice and free legal aid to the poor (Article 39A).
• All people should get employment, education and public assistance in the case of
unemployment (Article 41).
• To secure just human conditions of work and maternity relief (Article 42).
• Weaker sections of the society are given a proper care (Article 46).
Gandhian Principles
• State shall organize village panchayats as units of self-government (Article 40).
• To secure work, a living wage, a decent standard of life, leisure and social and cultural
opportunities for people and in particular to promote cottage industries (Article 43).
• To promote with special care, the educational and economic interest of the weaker
sections of the people, especially the scheduled castes and tribes (Article 46).
• To secure the improvement of the public health and the prohibition of intoxicating
drinks and drugs (Article 47).
• To organize agriculture and animal husbandry on scientific lines and preserve and
improve the breeds and prohibit the slaughter of cows, calves and draught cattle (Article
48).
Liberal Intellectual Principles
• To secure a uniform civil code applicable to the entire country (Article 44).
• To provide within ten years from the commencement of the Constitution, free and
compulsory education to all children up to the age of 14 years (Article 45).
• To protect all monuments of historical interest and national importance (Article 49).
• To bring about the separation of the judiciary from the executive (Article 50).
• To endeavour to secure, the promotion of international peace and security, the
maintenance of just and honourable relations between nations, the settlement of
international disputes by arbitration (Article 51).
Though the object of directive principles is to embody the concept of a welfare state, the
Directive Principles of State Policy do not confer any enforceable rights. Any alleged breach
of Directive Principles of State Policy by a law does not invalidate the law. The citizen cannot
complain of any violation of Directive Principles of State Policy and seek mandatory relief
against the State for that. Similarly, the legislature must enact law to implement the Directive
Principles of State Policy based on the powers conferred and the subjects entrusted on them by
the constitution. The Directive Principles of State Policy aim to establish a ‘social’ and
‘economic’ democracy by striking a balance between the individual interest and the collective
interest of the society
