This Article has been written by Nidash Prashar, a First Year Student at Rajiv Gandhi National University Of Law, Patiala.

Introduction

The Directive Principles of State Policy (DPSP) are a part of the Indian Constitution since its inception. These principles were first introduced as an amendment to the constitution by Jawaharlal Nehru in 1955. They were incorporated into the constitution by way of an amendment to Article 48(b) in 1993. The main objective of DPSP is to ensure that government works for benefit of all citizens through providing basic amenities like education and health care facilities while also protecting our environment from pollution caused by industrial activity etc.

The Principles of State Policy

The principles of state policy are a part of the Indian Constitution since its inception. These principles were first introduced as an amendment to the constitution by Jawaharlal Nehru in 1955. They were incorporated into the constitution by way of an amendment to Article 48(b) in 1993. The main objective of DPSP is to ensure that government works for the benefit of all citizens with equal rights and opportunities without discrimination on grounds such as religion, caste or gender etc., as long as these principles are not contrary to law or public order or morality.

Objectives

The main objective of DPSP is to ensure that the government works for the benefit of all citizens. These principles form part of our secular democratic values enshrined in the Constitution but some have criticized them saying that they have not been able to bring about any meaningful change in society.The DPSP are a set of principles that guide the government in its policy making process and help them act on behalf of all citizens. The DPSP are meant to ensure that governments work for all segments of society including Dalits, women and minorities etc., who otherwise may be marginalised due to their social status or caste background etc.

Classification of Principles: The Directive Principles are classified on the basis of their ideological source and objectives. These are Directives based on:

Socialist Principles: These principles aim to promote the welfare of the people by ensuring social and economic justice. They emphasize on the need for the state to take steps to reduce inequalities in income and wealth, promote equitable distribution of resources, and provide for basic necessities of life such as food, clothing, shelter, and education.

Gandhian Principles: These principles are inspired by the teachings and philosophy of Mahatma Gandhi. They focus on rural development, promotion of cottage industries, promotion of education and promotion of peace and non-violence.

Liberal and Intellectual Principles: These principles emphasize on the importance of individual freedom, equality before the law, and protection of personal liberties. They aim to promote the principles of liberty, equality and fraternity and provide for a secular, democratic and federal polity.

The Directive Principles of State Policy based on socialist principles aim to promote social and economic justice in India. Some of the key directives based on socialist principles include:

Provision of basic necessities of life(Article 47): The state shall strive to provide its citizens with the basic necessities of life, such as food, clothing, shelter, and medical care. The state shall take steps to promote the welfare of the people by providing social security and improving the standard of living.

Promotion of education (Article 41): The state shall take steps to promote educational and economic interests of the weaker sections of society and the economically and educationally backward areas.

Reduction of inequalities in wealth and income(Article 39): The state shall take steps to reduce the concentration of wealth and means of production in the hands of a few and ensure a more equitable distribution of resources.

Promotion of scientific and economic development: The state shall promote scientific and technological research and development and also encourage the development of small-scale industries, cottage industries and khadi.

These directives are based on the socialist ideals of equality, social and economic justice, and the need for the state to play a more active role in promoting the welfare of its citizens. They aim to build a more equitable and just society where everyone has access to basic necessities and opportunities for growth and development.

Directives based on Gandhian Principles

Article 40: The State shall take steps to organise village panchayats as units of Self Government

Article 43: The State shall endeavour to promote cottage industries on an individual or cooperative basis in rural areas.

Article 43B: To promote voluntary formation, autonomous functioning, democratic control and professional management of cooperative societies.

Article 46: The State shall promote educational and economic interests of the weaker sections of the people particularly that of the Scheduled Castes (SCs), Scheduled Tribes (STs) and other weaker sections.

Article 47: The State shall take steps to improve public health and prohibit consumption of intoxicating drinks and drugs that are injurious to health.

Article 48: To prohibit the slaughter of cows, calves and other milch and draught cattle and to improve their breeds.

Directives based on Liberal-Intellectual Principles

Article 44: The State shall endeavour to secure for the citizen a Uniform Civil Code through the territory of India.

Article 45: To provide early childhood care and education for all children until they complete the age of six years.

Article 48: To organise agriculture and animal husbandry on modern and scientific lines.

Article 48A: To protect and improve the environment and to safeguard the forests and wildlife of the country.

Article 49: The State shall protect every monument or place of artistic or historic interest.

Article 50: The State shall take steps to separate judiciary from the executive in the public services of the State.

Article 51: It declares that to establish international peace and security the State shall endeavour to:

Maintain just and honourable relations with the nations.

Foster respect for international law and treaty obligations.

Encourage settlement of international disputes by arbitration.

AMENDMENTS 

The Directive Principles of State Policy (DPSP) in India have not been amended as a separate entity in the Constitution of India. However, several provisions of the Constitution, including the DPSP, have been amended over the years through constitutional amendment acts. Some of the significant amendments that have affected the DPSP include:

42nd Amendment Act, 1976: This amendment reorganized the Directive Principles and added several new provisions to the list, including the promotion of cottage industries, protection of monuments and places of national importance, and protection of the environment and wildlife.

86th Amendment Act, 2002: This amendment added the right to education as a fundamental right under Article 21A and made it the duty of the state to provide free and compulsory education to all children between the ages of 6 and 14.

93rd Amendment Act, 2005: This amendment added provisions for reservation of seats in higher educational institutions for socially and economically disadvantaged groups.

116th Amendment Bill, 2011: This bill sought to provide reservation for economically weaker sections of society, regardless of their caste or religion, in higher educational institutions and government jobs.

Overall, while the DPSP have not been amended as a separate entity, several provisions within the DPSP have been added, altered or modified through constitutional amendment acts to reflect changing priorities and social and economic conditions in the country.

Conclusion

The DPSP is a set of principles, which aims to promote the welfare of all citizens. The DPSP was first introduced in 1955 by Jawaharlal Nehru, who later became the first Prime Minister of India. The principles were incorporated into the constitution by way of an amendment to Article 48(b) in 1993 after which they have been included as part of the Directive Principles of State Policy (DPSP). DPSP is said to be used by left-leaning parties while liberal intellectual principles promote individual freedom and liberty while also emphasizing social equality and fraternity among people.

REFERENCES:

Directive Principles of State Policy (DPSP) (drishtiias.com)

Directive Principles of State Policy under the Indian Constitution – Indian Law Portal

Profile – Directive Principles Of State Policy – Know India: National Portal of India

Constitutional Provision | Government of India, Ministry of Education

Constitution of India

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