Directive Principles of State Policy: DPSP Features
Gajendra Singh Godara
Oct 29, 2025
20
mins read
The Directive Principles of State Policy in Indian Constitution are broad guidelines in Part IV (Articles 36–51) of the Indian Constitution that direct the State to achieve social and economic justice. Borrowed from the Irish Constitution (itself influenced by Spain), DPSPs aim to establish India as a welfare state by promoting social, economic and political justice for all citizens. In effect, DPSPs serve as a moral and policy compass for the government, guiding legislation on education, health, labor, environment, and equality.
Definition and Key Characteristics of Directive Principles of State Policy
Constitutional basis: DPSPs are listed under Part IV (Articles 36–51) of the Constitution. They consist of ideals and policy goals that the State should strive to achieve in governance.
Welfare state vision: They aim to promote the welfare of the people by ensuring a social order of justice (social, economic, political) and by reducing inequalities.
Non-justiciable: Article 37 explicitly states that DPSPs are not enforceable by any court, yet they are “fundamental in the governance of the country” and it is the State’s duty to apply them when making laws.
Affirmative vs. negative: DPSPs place positive duties on the State (e.g. provide education, health, fair wages), whereas Fundamental Rights impose negative constraints on government (e.g. prohibition of discrimination).
Complementarity with FRs: While Fundamental Rights and DPSPs serve different roles, both are core to India’s constitutional ideals. FRs enable political and civil democracy; DPSPs advance social and economic democracy.
DPSP Articles in Indian Constitution
The Directive Principles span Articles 36-51. Key provisions include:
Article 36 (Definition of “State”): For DPSPs, “State” has the same meaning as in Article 12 (Part III).
Article 37 (Application): DPSPs “shall not be enforceable by any court, but are fundamental in the governance of the country, and it shall be the duty of the State to apply these principles in making laws”.
Article 38: The State shall strive to promote the welfare of the people by securing a social order in which justice – social, economic and political – shall inform all the institutions of national life.
Clause (2) which was added through 44th Amendment Act of 1978, says that the State shall strive to minimise inequalities in income, status and opportunities.Article 39: Directs the State to frame policies that ensure:
adequate means of livelihood for all;
equitable distribution of wealth and resources;
prevention of wealth concentration;
equal pay for equal work for men and women;
protection of workers’ health and strength;
opportunities for healthy development of children. (42nd Amendment Act of 1976)
Article 39A: It directs the State to promote equal justice and provide free legal aid so justice is not denied for economic or other disabilities. (42nd Amendment Act of 1976).
Article 40: The State shall take steps to organize village panchayats (local self-government) and endow them with necessary powers for self-rule.
Article 41: Within its economic capacity, the State shall provide the right to work, education and public assistance in cases of unemployment, old age, sickness and disablement.
Article 42: The State shall make provision for just and humane conditions of work and for maternity relief.
Article 43: The State shall endeavor to secure a living wage and a decent standard of life for all workers.
Article 43A: The State shall take steps to secure workers’ participation in management of industries. (42nd Amendment Act of 1976).
Article 43B: The State shall promote formation and democratic management of cooperative societies. (97th Amendment Act of 2011)
Article 44: The State shall endeavor to secure for citizens a uniform civil code throughout India.
Article 45: The State shall endeavor to provide early childhood care and education for children below the age of six. It originally mandated that the state provide free and compulsory education for children up to age 14, was amended by the 86th Amendment Act of 2002 to focus on Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) for children under six years old
Article 46: The State shall promote the educational and economic interests of weaker sections (especially SCs/STs) and protect them from social injustice and exploitation.
Article 47: The State shall regard raising the level of nutrition and the standard of living of people and improving public health as primary duties (e.g. prohibition of intoxicants).
Article 48: The State shall endeavor to organize agriculture and animal husbandry on modern, scientific lines, and take steps for breeding improvement and prohibiting slaughter of cows and calves.
Article 48A: The State shall endeavor to protect and improve the environment and safeguard forests and wildlife. (42nd Amendment Act of 1976)
Article 49: The State shall protect monuments, places and objects of national importance from spoliation and destruction.
Article 50: The State shall take steps to separate the judiciary from the executive in public services of the State.
Article 51: The State shall endeavor to promote international peace and security; maintain just relations between nations; foster respect for international law; and encourage settlement of international disputes by arbitration.
Classification of DPSP
The Constitution itself does not group DPSPs by ideology, but scholars often sort them into three broad categories based on inspiration and objectives:
Socialist Principles (focus on economic and social justice for all) | Article 38 (promote welfare & justice); Article 39 (livelihood, equitable distribution of resources, preventing wealth concentration, equal pay); Article 39A (importance of equal justice and the provision of free legal assistance to all citizens, regardless of their economic status or any other disabilities); Article 41 (right to work, education, assistance); Article 42 (humane work conditions, maternity); Article 43 (living wage). Article 43A (participation of workers), Article 47 (level of nutrition and standard of living) |
Gandhian Principles (Reflect Mahatma Gandhi’s vision of self-reliance and rural uplift.) | Article 40 (organisation of village panchayats); Article 43 (promotion of cottage industries); Article 43B (support for cooperatives); Article 46 (protect interests of SC/ST); Article 47 (improve public health, prohibit intoxicants); Article 48 (prohibit cow slaughter, improve breeds). |
Liberal-Intellectual Principles | Article 44 (Uniform Civil Code); Article 45 (childhood education); Article 48 (modernise agriculture); Article 48A (environment protection); Article 49 (national monuments); Article 50 (judicial independence); Article 51 (peace and international law). |
Constitutional Amendments & Evolution
42nd Amendment (1976): Inserted Articles 39A, 43A, and 48A. This added DPSPs on free legal aid, workers’ management participation, and environmental protection.
44th Amendment (1978): Renumbered and amended parts of Part IV. Notably, Article 38 was split into clauses (1) and (2); clause (2) on minimizing inequalities was inserted (reflecting socio-economic equality).
86th Amendment (2002): Modified Article 45 on education. The original ten-year target (free education up to age 14) was replaced by a directive for early childhood care (age 6 and below). (The education goal for older children was moved to Fundamental Rights as Article 21A.)
97th Amendment (2011): Added Article 43B, directing the State to promote cooperatives and ensure their democratic functioning.
Importance of Directive Principles of State Policies
Foundation of the Welfare State:
DPSPs represent the vision of social and economic justice as set out in the constitution of India.
These key principles seek to help realize the Preamble’s aim of justice, liberty, equality and fraternity, thereby forming the basis of a comprehensive welfare system.
Instrument of Instruction:
They act like a compass for guiding policy making. Every succeeding government put laws to accomplish objectives of DPSP.
For instance, the Five-Year Plans and land reform acts (Article 39 principles), laws on minimum wage and maternity benefits (Articles 39 to 42), and so on.
Policy-making and Legislation:
DPSPs push for laws related to education, health, nutrition, and equal opportunity.
Some examples are the Right to Education Laws which connect to Article 45, public health initiatives and nutrition programs related to Article 47, and Article 39A which covers legal aid.
They promote rural empowerment too, through Panchayati Raj which is in Article 40, and through affirmative action in Articles 46 and 335.
Benchmark for Governance:
DPSPs are a yardstick against which citizens and court assess state performance.
Public debates regarding poverty, health, or the environment often reference DPSPs.
In landmark cases, the judiciary has recurrently reminded the authorities of these ideals (for example, in right-to-food and health judgments, Article 47 was quoted).
DPSPs, therefore, attests to the accountability of the state to the socio-economic objectives of the Constitution.
Constitutional Ideals:
DPSPs, Alongside Fundamental Rights, serve as the pillars of the Constitution's primary ideals.
DPSPs, while being non-justiciable, help fuel social democracy in the country and encourage laws and policies aimed at the least privileged and the common good.
Directive Principles of State Policy vs Fundamental Rights
Nature:
Fundamental Rights are individual liberties against state infringement (negative rights), enforceable by courts.
DPSPs are collective goals directing state action for citizen welfare (positive duties).
For example, FRs prohibit state discrimination, while DPSPs require the state to reduce social and economic inequalities and protect workers, children and vulnerable groups.
Enforceability:
Fundamental Rights are justiciable (citizens can sue if FRs are violated). In contrast, DPSPs are non-justiciable (courts cannot invalidate a law for violating DPSP), as stated in Article 37.
This means a DPSP itself cannot be directly enforced, though its spirit must influence law-making.
Purpose:
FRs establish political and civil democracy; DPSPs establish socio-economic democracy.
In essence, political democracy is built on FRs, while economic and social democracy is built on DPSPs. Both are essential to the Constitution’s vision.
Fundamental Rights vs Directive Principles of State Policy: How the Conflict Evolved over the years
The Indian Constitution aims to balance individual liberties (Fundamental Rights – FRs) with the welfare and socio-economic goals of the state (Directive Principles of State Policy – DPSPs). However, this balance has often led to friction, especially when laws introduced to implement DPSPs seem to restrict or violate FRs. The judiciary and Parliament have, over the years, shaped this relationship through landmark cases and constitutional amendments.
Early Judicial Stand: Primacy of Fundamental Rights
Champakam Dorairajan Case (1951):
The Supreme Court held that if FRs and DPSPs ever clash, Fundamental Rights must prevail. However, it also clarified that Parliament is free to amend FRs through the constitutional process.
To enable the state to pursue welfare measures aligned with DPSPs, Parliament soon passed the 1st (1951), 4th (1955), and 17th (1964) Amendment Acts.Golaknath Case (1967):
Reinforcing the earlier position, the Supreme Court ruled that Parliament cannot amend or dilute Fundamental Rights to enforce DPSPs, calling FRs “sacrosanct”.
Shift in Approach: Attempt to Empower DPSPs
24th Amendment Act (1971):
Gave Parliament the explicit power to amend Fundamental Rights.25th Amendment Act (1971):
Introduced Article 31C, stating that:Any law made to implement Article 39(b) and 39(c) would not be invalid, even if it violates Article 14, 19, or 31.
Courts cannot question such laws on whether they truly achieve these policy goals.
Kesavananda Bharati Case (1973):
The Supreme Court struck down the second part of Article 31C, as removing judicial review violates the Basic Structure of the Constitution.
However, the first part (giving priority to laws under Art. 39(b) & (c) over FRs) was upheld.42nd Amendment Act (1976):
Extended Article 31C’s shield to all Directive Principles, not just Article 39(b) & (c), effectively giving DPSPs complete primacy over Articles 14, 19, and 31.
Restoring Balance: Reaffirming Rights
Minerva Mills Case (1980):
The Supreme Court struck down this broader extension as unconstitutional. It restored the position that Fundamental Rights cannot be overshadowed by DPSPs, except for the limited protection granted to laws under Article 39(b) & (c).
Importantly, the Court emphasised a balance between FRs and DPSPs — welfare goals must be achieved without destroying individual freedoms.
Where Do Things Stand Today?
Fundamental Rights continue to have supremacy over the Directive Principles.
DPSPs can be implemented, but only through constitutional amendments that do not damage the Basic Structure of the Constitution.
Criticism and Limitations of the Directive Principles of State Policy
No legal enforcement: By design DPSPs are non-justiciable. Critics note that having no legal force (or penalty) can make them merely aspirational. There is no direct legal sanction if the State fails to implement them.
Vagueness: Some DPSPs are broadly or ambiguously worded (e.g. “adequate livelihood”, “just conditions of work”), making implementation subjective. Without clear accountability, delivering on every DPSP is challenging.
Resource and practical constraints: Fully realizing DPSPs often requires massive public expenditure and administrative capacity (e.g. raising nutrition or education levels). In a resource-constrained or federal system, not all ideals can be implemented immediately.
Potential conflicts: A few DPSPs can overlap or conflict (for instance, encouraging cooperative farming vs. modern agriculture), or they may conflict with FRs (though the courts try to minimize this).
Politicization: Since DPSPs are broad goals, governments may selectively pursue those that suit their agenda and ignore others. Political debate can sometimes turn DPSPs into campaign promises rather than enforceable duties.
Implementation: DPSPs in Practice
Agrarian reforms:
After independence, major land reform laws (abolishing feudal intermediaries, redistributing land to the poor) were driven by DPSPs on equity and livelihood (Article 39).
These reforms reflected the Constitution’s call for reducing economic disparity.
Labor welfare laws:
Many labor protections trace to DPSPs.
For example, the Minimum Wages Act, Equal Remuneration Act, Child Labor (Prohibition & Regulation) Act, and Maternity Benefit Act all give effect to Articles 39–42 of DPSP.
The Bonded Labour System Abolition Act (1976) and welfare schemes for poor families also reflect DPSP ideals.
Local self-government:
The 73rd and 74th Constitutional Amendments (1992) gave constitutional status to Panchayats and Municipalities, operationalizing Article 40 and related articles.
Education:
The 86th Amendment (2002) re-targeted Article 45 to early childhood education, while the Right to Education Act (2009) made free education for 6–14 year olds a fundamental right (under Article 21A).
Health & nutrition:
Government programs like the National Rural Health Mission, Integrated Child Development Services and Mid-Day Meal Scheme pursue the DPSP goal of improving nutrition and health (Article 47).
Environment & forestry:
Articles 48 and 48A inspired India’s major environmental laws. The Forest (Conservation) Act and Wildlife (Protection) Act directly address the DPSP directive to improve forest and wildlife conservation.
Directives Outside Part IV of the Constitution
Several other constitutional provisions resemble directive principles, though they are located outside Part IV:
Article 335: The claims of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes shall be taken into consideration, “consistently with the maintenance of efficiency of administration,” in appointments to services.
Article 350A: “It shall be the endeavour of every State and every local authority” to provide adequate facilities for instruction in the mother tongue at the primary stage for children of linguistic minorities.
Article 351: The Union shall “promote the spread of the Hindi language”, develop it as a national link language, and enrich it by assimilating expressions from other Indian languages.
These provisions, like DPSPs, place forward-looking obligations on the State in areas of social justice and national development.
UPSC Previous Year Questions
Prelims
Q. Consider the following pairs: (UPSC Prelims 2025)
Provision in the Constitution of India | Stated under |
I. Separation of Judiciary from the Executive in the public services of the State | The Directive Principles of the State Policy |
II. Valuing and preserving of the rich heritage of our composite culture | The Fundamental Duties |
III. Prohibition of employment of children below the age of 14 years in factories | The Fundamental Rights |
How many of the above pairs are correctly matched?
Only one
Only two
All the three
None
Answer: (c)
Q. Under the Indian Constitution, concentration of wealth violates (UPSC Prelims 2021)
the Right to Equality
the Directive Principles of State Policy
the Right to Freedom
the Concept of Welfare
Answer: (b)
Q. Other than the Fundamental Rights, which of the following parts of the Constitution of India reflect/reflects the principles and provisions of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights? (UPSC Prelims 2020)
Preamble
Directive Principles of State Policy
Fundamental Duties
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
1 and 2 only
2 only
1 and 3 only
1, 2 and 3
Answer: (d)
Mains
Q. Discuss the possible factors that inhibit India from enacting for its citizens a uniform civil code as provided for in the Directive Principles of State Policy. (2015)
The Directive Principles of State Policy are a cornerstone of India’s constitutional philosophy. While they have no direct legal enforceability, DPSPs serve as a permanent reminder of the State’s obligations to create a just, equitable society. They function both as a moral compass and a legislative blueprint: guiding lawmakers and evaluating government action against the ideals of the Constitution (justice, welfare, equality).
Despite challenges in implementation, DPSPs remain vital. They reinforce India’s commitment to socio-economic democracy and help gauge progress towards the Preamble’s vision of social, economic and political justice. In short, DPSPs keep India striving towards its welfare-state goals – balancing idealism with pragmatic policy-making – and thus remain key to assessing any government’s performance.
UPSC Notification 2025 was released on 22nd January 2025.
UPSC Prelims Question Paper 2025 and Unofficial Prelims Answer Key 2025 are available now.
UPSC Calendar 2026 is released on 15th May, 2025.
The UPSC Vacancy 2025 were released 1129, out of which 979 were for UPSC CSE and remaining 150 are for UPSC IFoS.
UPSC Mains 2025 will be conducted on 22nd August 2025.
UPSC Prelims 2026 will be conducted on 24th May, 2026 & UPSC Mains 2026 will be conducted on 21st August 2026.
The UPSC Selection Process is of 3 stages-Prelims, Mains and Interview.
UPSC Result 2024 is released with latest UPSC Marksheet 2024. Check Now!
UPSC Toppers List 2024 is released now. Shakti Dubey is UPSC AIR 1 2024 Topper.
