Section 1 · 7.1–7.2
Meaning and Classification of Directive Principles of State Policy
Textbook pp. 69–71
Core Concept / Definition
The Constitution of India aims not only at political democracy but also at socio-economic justice and the establishment of a welfare state. For this purpose, Part IV of the Constitution lays down desirable principles and guidelines known as the Directive Principles of State Policy.
The Directive Principles are in the form of instructions or guidelines to governments at the Centre as well as in the States. Although they are non-justiciable, the chapter states that they are fundamental in the governance of the country. The idea of Directive Principles was taken from the Irish Republic. They were incorporated to provide economic justice and to avoid concentration of wealth in the hands of a few. They therefore serve as directions to future governments when making decisions and policies.
Four Categories
| Category | Central purpose / examples stated in the chapter |
|---|
| Economic and Social Principles | Social and economic welfare, livelihood, equal pay, healthy work conditions, education, public assistance, maternity relief and participation of workers in management. |
| Gandhian Principles | Village Panchayats, cottage industries in rural areas, prohibition of intoxicating drinks and drugs, and preservation and improvement of cattle breeds. |
| International Peace and Security | International peace and security, just and honourable relations, respect for international law and treaty obligations, and settlement of international disputes by mutual agreement. |
| Miscellaneous | Uniform civil code, protection of historical monuments, protection of environment and wildlife, and free legal justice through suitable legislation. |
Economic and Social Principles
The State shall endeavour to provide adequate means of livelihood for men and women; reorganize the economic system to avoid concentration of wealth in a few hands; secure equal pay for equal work; provide suitable employment and healthy working conditions; protect children against exploitation and moral degradation; make effective provisions for work, education and public assistance in unemployment, old age, sickness and disablement; secure just and humane working conditions and maternity relief; encourage worker participation in management; and promote education and economic interests of working sections, especially the SCs and STs.
The chapter also lists reasonable leisure and cultural opportunities for workers, efforts to raise the standard of living and public health, and early childhood care and education until children complete the age of six years.
Significance
The basic purpose of these directions is to guide government towards economic and social democracy and a welfare state. Their non-justiciable character does not, according to the chapter, make them unimportant; they remain fundamental to governance.
Section 2 · 7.3
Universalisation of Education, Child Labour and Status of Women
Textbook pp. 72–73
Universalisation of Education
The chapter identifies illiteracy as a major hindrance to socio-economic justice and the welfare state. It states that at the time of independence the percentage of literate people was only 14%. The foremost effort required was the spread and universalisation of elementary education. The chapter also links the problem with increasing numbers of primary-stage dropouts and the resulting rise in illiteracy among people aged 15 to 35.
According to the National Policy on Education, 1986, the government launched the National Literacy Mission and “Operation Blackboard” for mass literacy at the primary stage. For those deprived of childhood education, special efforts included night schools and adult literacy centres. Distance education, correspondence courses and open learning were also used. The National Institute of Open Schooling and several Open Universities were established to pursue the goal of universalisation of education.
The chapter states that the Directive Principle providing free and compulsory education for children up to age 14 was included through the 86th Amendment Act, 2002 in the list of Fundamental Rights under Article 21A. It concludes that substantial progress had been made, but there was still a long way to go to achieve the objective of a welfare state.
Child Labour
One Directive Principle provides opportunities and facilities for children to develop in a healthy manner. The chapter also refers to the Fundamental Right against Exploitation of children and states that employment of children below 14 years in mines and industries hazardous to their health is prohibited.
Yet the desired results had not been reached. The chapter identifies parental attitudes, poverty, social stigma and lack of will as constraints. It emphasizes that government efforts at various levels would prove futile unless willingness and awareness to remove the social challenge also arose from within. Children should not be deprived of their childhood or education.
Status of Women
The chapter describes Indian society as basically male dominated and notes the subordinate position historically assigned to women within the family. It identifies cruel social customs and religious practices such as pardah and dowry as causes of suffering. The Constitution, through Fundamental Rights and Directive Principles, provides for adequate means of livelihood and equal pay for women, while women workers are provided for health-care and maternity relief.
Fundamental Duties also stress that every citizen should renounce practices derogatory to the dignity of women. The chapter lists measures concerning family property, bride burning for dowry, wife beating, sati, female infanticide, foeticide, discrimination against the girl child and child marriage. It also notes reservation of one-third of seats for women in Panchayats and Municipalities through the 73rd and 74th Amendment Acts and mentions a similar proposal for Parliament and State Legislatures.
Section 3 · 7.4
Critical Analysis and Implementation of Directive Principles
Textbook pp. 74–75
Criticism
Critics, as reported by the chapter, have called the Directive Principles no better than “New Year Greetings” and have questioned the rationale of inserting such high-sounding promises. They argue that the Directives are like holy wishes without legal sanction, because governments are not legally bound to implement them. Critics also say that some ideals were not formulated with sufficient attention to practical considerations.
Significance and Direction
The chapter rejects the conclusion that the Directive Principles are absolutely useless. It compares them with a polestar that provides direction. Their basic aim is to persuade government to provide social and economic justice in all spheres of life while keeping limited material resources in view. The chapter says many of the principles have been implemented successfully and that no government can afford to ignore them because they mirror public opinion and reflect the spirit of the Preamble.
Measures Listed in the Chapter
| Area | Implementation measure stated in the chapter |
|---|
| Land and property | Land reforms; abolition of Jagirdari and Zamindari systems; ceiling on land and property holdings. |
| Agriculture and industry | Rapid industrialisation and increased agricultural production through Green Revolution. |
| Women | National Commission for the Welfare of Women and measures to improve status and equality. |
| Former privileges | Abolition of privy purses of ex-princes. |
| Public ownership | Life Insurance, General Insurance and most banks nationalised. |
| Economic disparity | Right to Property deleted from the chapter on Fundamental Rights; subsidized public distribution schemes for poor people. |
| Equality and social uplift | Equal wages for equal work; abolition of untouchability; efforts for SCs, STs and other Backward Classes. |
| Local self-government | 73rd and 74th Amendments gave Panchayati Raj constitutional status with more powers. |
| Rural economy | Small-scale and village industries and Khadi Gram Udyog encouraged for rural prosperity. |
| International peace | Active cooperation with the U.N. to promote international peace and security. |
Remaining Hindrances
The chapter says that many Directive Principles have helped lay the foundations of a secular, socialist and welfare state, but that there is still a long way to go. It identifies three main reasons for non-implementation: lack of political will on the part of the states, lack of awareness and organized action among people, and limited material resources.
Section 4 · 7.5–7.5.1
Fundamental Rights and Directive Principles
Textbook pp. 76
Core Distinction
The chapter explains that Fundamental Rights are claims of citizens recognized by the State. They are negative in nature because they deny certain authority to government. Directive Principles, in contrast, are positive directions to governments at all levels to contribute to social and economic democracy.
| Basis | Fundamental Rights | Directive Principles |
|---|
| Nature | Negative in nature; they deny certain authority to government. | Positive directions to government. |
| Enforcement | Justiciable and enforceable by courts. | Non-justiciable; no legal rights or legal remedies are created by them. |
| Democratic objective | Establish political democracy. | Establish economic and social democracy. |
| Relation | Complementary and supplementary to Directive Principles. | Complementary and supplementary to Fundamental Rights. |
Relationship and Institutional Working
The chapter says that the non-justiciable character of Directive Principles does not make them inferior or subordinate to Fundamental Rights. Together, the two aim at a synthesis and are described as forming the core of the Constitution.
Fundamental Rights establish political democracy, while Directive Principles establish economic and social democracy. No government can afford to ignore the Directive Principles while formulating plans and policies because its actions remain answerable to the people. Although the Directives do not carry legal sanction, the chapter identifies the people and public opinion as the ultimate sanction. Thus, political and socio-economic objectives are intended to work together.
Section 5 · 7.6
Fundamental Duties
Textbook pp. 77–78
Meaning and Origin
The chapter presents Rights and Duties as two sides of the same coin: there are no rights without duties and no duties without rights. The original Constitution of 1950 did not mention Fundamental Duties. It was expected that citizens would perform duties willingly. The 42nd Amendment added a list of ten duties in Chapter IV under Article 51A. The chapter then records a further addition through the 86th Amendment Act, 2002 under Article 51A(k).
Duties Enlisted
- Abide by the Constitution and respect the National Flag and National Anthem.
- Follow the noble ideals that inspired the national freedom movement.
- Protect the unity and integrity of India.
- Defend the country when the need arises.
- Promote harmony and brotherhood among all sections of the people and respect the dignity of women.
- Preserve the rich heritage and composite culture.
- Protect and improve the natural environment, including forests, rivers, lakes and wildlife.
- Develop scientific outlook and humanism.
- Protect public property and not use violence.
- Strive for excellence in all spheres of individual and collective activity.
New Addition: A parent or guardian should provide opportunities for education of his or her child or ward between the age of six and fourteen years.
Nature and Significance
Fundamental Duties are described as a code of conduct for citizens. The chapter says a few duties may be vague and unrealistic, and their non-justiciable character can make them less interesting. Ambiguous language is also mentioned as a hindrance to obedience, illustrated by uncertainty about how a citizen should maintain sovereignty, integrity and glorious heritage.
Even while acknowledging the critics’ argument, the chapter says it would not be proper to call Fundamental Duties only pious declarations. They express expectations of responsible citizenship, and their place in the constitutional framework is linked by the chapter with the broader idea that rights and duties must be adhered to equally for the well-being and progress of society.