Directive Principles of State Policy (DPSP) in Part IV of the Indian Constitution

www.hinsoli.com July 11, 2025

Directive Principles of State Policy (Part IV)

📜 Articles 36 to 51

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.
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

DPSPs are broadly divided into three categories:

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

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

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

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

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)

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