UPSC Prelims 2015 Q7: Indian Polity – Directive Principles Of State Policy
Consider the following statements regarding the Directive Principles of State Policy:
1. The Principles spell out the socio - economic democracy in the country.
2. The provisions contained in these Principles are not enforceable by any court.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- (a) 1 only
- (b) 2 only
- (c) Both 1 and 2
- (d) Neither 1 nor 2
Answer: (c) Both 1 and 2
Explanation
Directive Principles of State Policy (Part IV, Articles 36 to 51)
| Statement | Verdict | Fact |
|---|---|---|
| 1. The Principles spell out the socio-economic democracy in the country | Correct | They aim at a welfare state; Dr Ambedkar said they lay down economic democracy |
| 2. The provisions contained in these Principles are not enforceable by any court | Correct | Article 37 says so in plain words |
Key facts:
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Borrowed from | The Irish Constitution |
| Nature | Non-justiciable, yet fundamental in the governance of the country |
| Types | Socialist, Gandhian and liberal-intellectual |
| Compared with | Fundamental Rights give political democracy |
Answer: (c) Both 1 and 2.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Incorrect. Statement 2 is also true: they are not enforceable by any court.
- (b) Incorrect. Statement 1 is also true: they spell out socio-economic democracy.
- (c) CORRECT. The Principles stand for socio-economic democracy and are non-justiciable.
- (d) Incorrect. Both statements regarding the Directive Principles are true.
Key point
DPSPs (Part IV, Articles 36-51): socio-economic democracy and welfare state; not enforceable by courts (Article 37); taken from the Irish Constitution.
Remember
DPSPs: socio-economic democracy, not enforceable.
Common mistakes
- Thinking 'not enforceable' means not important; Article 37 calls them fundamental in governance.
- Mixing up political democracy (Fundamental Rights) and socio-economic democracy (DPSPs).
- Crediting the idea to the British Constitution instead of the Irish.
Exam tip
Rights = political democracy. Directives = socio-economic democracy.
Sources
- Constitution of India — Article 37
- NCERT Class XI — Indian Constitution at Work, Ch 2 (Rights in the Indian Constitution: Directive Principles)