Directive Principles and Fundamental Duties

Directive Principles of State Policy: Introduction and Features

The Basics

The Directive Principles of State Policy are guidelines for governance written into the Constitution. The state should keep them in mind while making laws and policies. But no court can force the state to follow them. They are enumerated in Part IV of the Constitution, from Article 36 to Article 51. Doctor B. R. Ambedkar called them a 'novel feature' of the Indian Constitution.

Classification of Directive Principles

The Basics

The Constitution itself does not divide the Directive Principles into any groups. It simply lists them one after another in Part 4. But scholars, looking at what each principle actually tries to achieve, have sorted them into three broad categories: socialistic, Gandhian, and liberal-intellectual. This classification is not official or legal, it is an aid for understanding the variety of goals packed into these principles.

New Directive Principles Added by Amendments

The Basics

Directive Principles were not frozen in 1950. Parliament has used its amending power under Article 368 to add new Directive Principles to Part Four, responding to changing social and economic needs.

Foreign Policy of India: Principles and Determinants

The Basics

India's foreign policy guides its relations with other countries to protect and promote national interests. It is shaped by several factors together: geography, history and tradition, social structure, political organisation, the international environment, economic position, military strength, public opinion and leadership.

Relationship Between Fundamental Rights and DPSP

The Basics

Fundamental Rights and Directive Principles look like two different parts of the same Constitution, but they were designed to work together. Fundamental Rights stop the government from doing certain things to individuals. Directive Principles push the government to do certain things for society. One restrains, the other exhorts; together they were meant to build both political democracy and social and economic democracy.

Implementation and Utility of Directive Principles

Note coming soon.

Criticism of Directive Principles

The Basics

Directive Principles of State Policy aim to build socio-economic democracy in the country, but they are not enforceable by any court. This dual nature, lofty aims without legal teeth, invites criticism from constitutional experts and some members of the Constituent Assembly itself.

Fundamental Duties: Introduction and List (Article 51A)

The Basics

Fundamental Duties are moral obligations listed for every citizen of India, telling them what they owe to the country, society and fellow citizens, even though these duties cannot be enforced by any court.

Background and Addition of Fundamental Duties: Swaran Singh Committee and 42nd Amendment

The Basics

The chapter on Fundamental Duties did not exist in 1950. It was added twenty-six years later. This happened through the 42nd Amendment Act of 1976, during the internal Emergency.

Features and Significance of Fundamental Duties

Note coming soon.

Criticism of Fundamental Duties

Note coming soon.