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| Directive Principles of State Policy (DPSP) in Part IV of the Indian Constitution |
🇮🇳 Directive Principles of State Policy (Part IV)
📜 Articles 36 to 51
✅ What are Directive Principles?
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Directive Principles are the guidelines or principles laid down in the Constitution for the State (i.e., government) to follow while making laws and policies.
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They are non-justiciable (not enforceable by courts) but fundamental to the governance of the country (Article 37).
🧠Inspired by: Irish Constitution
🧾 Aim: To establish social and economic democracy
📚 Classification of DPSPs
DPSPs are broadly divided into three categories:
1️⃣ Socialistic Principles (Ensuring Social & Economic Justice)
| Article |
Directive |
| 38 |
Promote welfare of people through social, economic & political justice |
| 39 |
Equal pay for equal work, no gender-based inequality, right to livelihood |
| 39A |
Free legal aid and access to justice for all |
| 41 |
Right to work, education & public assistance in cases of need |
| 42 |
Just and humane conditions for workers; maternity relief |
| 43 |
Living wage and decent standard of life for all workers |
| 43A |
Participation of workers in management |
| 47 |
Duty of State to raise the level of nutrition and improve public health |
2️⃣ Gandhian Principles (Reflecting Gandhiji's Ideals)
| Article |
Directive |
| 40 |
Promote Panchayati Raj system at the village level |
| 43 |
Promote cottage industries in rural areas |
| 46 |
Promote education and economic interests of SCs, STs and weaker sections |
| 47 |
Prohibit consumption of intoxicating drinks and drugs |
| 48 |
Prohibit slaughter of cows and improve animal husbandry |
3️⃣ Liberal-Intellectual Principles (Modern Democratic Ideas)
| Article |
Directive |
| 44 |
Uniform Civil Code for all citizens across religions |
| 45 |
Free early childhood care and education for children below 6 years (updated) |
| 48 |
Organization of agriculture and animal husbandry |
| 48A |
Protect and improve environment and wildlife (added by 42nd Amendment) |
| 49 |
Protect monuments and heritage sites of national importance |
| 50 |
Separation of judiciary from executive in public services |
| 51 |
Promote international peace and respect for international law |
🧾 Important Highlights
| Feature |
Description |
| Part |
IV (Articles 36 to 51) |
| Inspired by |
Irish Constitution |
| Nature |
Non-justiciable, but mandatory for government |
| Objective |
Establish Social and Economic Democracy |
| Can Be Enforced By Laws |
Parliament or State legislatures can pass laws to give effect to them |
💡 Key Differences: Fundamental Rights vs DPSPs
| Feature |
Fundamental Rights |
DPSPs |
| Legal Enforceability |
Yes – can be enforced in court |
No – not enforceable in court |
| Purpose |
Protect individual liberty |
Guide the state in governance |
| Nature |
Negative obligations on the State |
Positive directions to the State |
| Source |
Inspired by USA Constitution |
Inspired by Irish Constitution |
| Articles |
12 to 35 (Part III) |
36 to 51 (Part IV) |
📘 Summary Table
| Article |
Directive Principle |
| 38 |
Welfare of people |
| 39 |
Equal pay, no gender bias, adequate livelihood |
| 39A |
Free legal aid |
| 40 |
Panchayati Raj |
| 41–43A |
Work, education, maternity relief, workers’ rights |
| 44 |
Uniform Civil Code |
| 45 |
Early childhood education |
| 47–48A |
Public health, environment, animal protection |
| 49–51 |
Heritage protection, separation of powers, world peace |
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