UPSC Prelims 2013 Q28: Indian Polity – Constitutional Framework & Development
'Economic Justice' as one of the objectives of the Indian Constitution has been provided in
- (a) the Preamble and the Fundamental Rights
- (b) the Preamble and the Directive Principles of State Policy
- (c) the Fundamental Rights and the Directive Principles of State Policy
- (d) None of the above
Answer: (b) the Preamble and the Directive Principles of State Policy
Explanation
'Economic Justice' in the Constitution
Economic justice appears in two places.
| Part | What it says |
|---|---|
| Preamble | 'Justice, social, economic and political' |
| Directive Principles | Article 38: reduce inequalities of income; Article 39: fair distribution of resources, equal pay for equal work, no concentration of wealth |
Why not the Fundamental Rights:
| Part | Kind of justice |
|---|---|
| Fundamental Rights (Part III) | Mainly civil and political rights |
| Directive Principles (Part IV) | Social and economic goals |
Three kinds of justice in the Preamble:
| Type | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Social | No discrimination by caste, sex or religion |
| Economic | No discrimination by wealth; fair share for all |
| Political | Equal political rights for all |
Answer: (b) the Preamble and the Directive Principles of State Policy.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Incorrect. The Fundamental Rights do not set out economic justice as a goal.
- (b) CORRECT. Economic justice is in the Preamble and the Directive Principles.
- (c) Incorrect. It is not in the Fundamental Rights, and the Preamble is left out.
- (d) Incorrect. Option (b) is right, so 'None' fails.
Key point
Economic justice: Preamble ('justice, social, economic and political') and Directive Principles (Articles 38, 39).
Remember
Economic justice = Preamble + Directive Principles.
Common mistakes
- Adding Fundamental Rights, which give political democracy.
- Forgetting that the Preamble names three kinds of justice.
- Missing Articles 38 and 39 as the working provisions.
Exam tip
Economic goals live in Part IV; the Preamble announces them.
Sources
- Constitution of India — Preamble and Articles 38 and 39
- M. Laxmikanth — Indian Polity, chapters on Preamble and Directive Principles