he Directive Principles of State Policy (DPSP) are the guidelines or principles given to the federal institutes governing the

state of India, to be
kept in citation while framing laws and policies. These provisions, contained in Part IV (Article 36-51) of the Constitution of India, are not
enforceable by any court, but the principles laid down therein are considered irrefutable in the governance of the country, making it the duty of the
State[1] to apply these principles in making laws to establish a just society in the country. The principles have been inspired by the Directive
Principles given in the Constitution of Ireland relate to social justice, economic welfare, foreign policy, and legal and administrative matters.

Directive Principles are classified under the following categories: economic and socialistic, political and administrative, justice and legal,
environmental, protection of monuments and peace and security.

Contents
[hide]

1History

2Characteristics

3Directives

4Implementation

5Amendments

6See also

7Notes

8References

History[edit]
See also: Indian independence movement

The concept of Directive Principles of State Policy was borrowed from the Irish Constitution. The makers of the Constitution of India were
influenced by the Irish nationalist movement, particularly the Irish Home Rule Movement. Hence, the Directive Principles of the Indian constitution
have been greatly influenced by the Directive Principles of Social Policy.[2] The idea of such policies "can be traced to the Declaration of the Rights
of Man proclaimed by Revolutionary France and the Declaration of Independence by the American Colonies." [3] The Indian constitution was also
influenced by the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

In 1919, the Rowlatt Acts gave extensive powers to the British government and police, and allowed indefinite arrest and detention of individuals,
warrant-less searches and seizures, restrictions on public gatherings, and intensive censorship of media and publications. The public opposition
to this act eventually led to mass campaigns of non-violent civil disobedience throughout the country, demanding guaranteed civil freedoms, and
limitations on government power. Indians, who were seeking independence and their own government, were particularly influenced by the
independence of Ireland and the development of the Irish constitution. Also, the Directive Principles of State Policy in the Irish Constitution were
looked upon by the people of India as an inspiration for the independent India's government to comprehensively tackle complex social and
economic challenges across a vast, diverse nation and population.

In 1928, the Nehru Commission composing of representatives of Indian political parties proposed constitutional reforms for India that apart from
calling for dominion status for India and elections under universal suffrage, would guarantee rights deemed fundamental, representation for
religious and ethnic minorities, and limit the powers of the government. In 1931, the Indian National Congress (the largest Indian political party of
the time) adopted resolutions committing itself to the defence of fundamental civil rights, as well as socio-economic rights such as the minimum
wage and the abolition of untouchability and serfdom.[4] Committing themselves to socialism in 1936, the Congress leaders took examples from
the constitution of the erstwhile USSR, which inspired the fundamental duties of citizens as a means of collective patriotic responsibility for
national interests and challenges.

When India obtained independence on 15 August 1947, the task of developing a constitution for the nation was undertaken by the Constituent
Assembly of India, composing of elected representatives under the presidency of Dr. Rajendra Prasad. While members of Congress composed of
a large majority, Congress leaders appointed persons from diverse political backgrounds to responsibilities of developing the constitution and
national laws.[5] Notably, Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar became the chairperson of the drafting committee, while Jawaharlal Nehru and Sardar
Vallabhbhai Patel became chairperson of committees and sub-committees responsible for different subjects. A notable development during that
period having significant effect on the Indian constitution took place on 10 December 1948 when the United Nations General Assembly adopted
the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and called upon all member States to adopt these rights in their respective constitutions.

Both the Fundamental Rights and the Directive Principles of State Policy were included in the I Draft Constitution (February 1948), the II Draft
Constitution (17 October 1948) and the III and final Draft Constitution (26 November 1949), prepared by the Drafting Committee.

Characteristics[edit]
Directive Principles of State Policy aim to create social and economic conditions under which the citizens can lead a good life. They also aim to
establish social and economic democracy through a welfare state. They act as a check on the government, theorised as a yardstick in the hands
of the people to measure the performance of the government and vote it out of power if it does not fulfil the promises made during the elections.
Though the Directive Principles are non-justiciable rights of the people but fundamental in the governance of the country. It shall be the duty of the
State to apply these principles in making laws per Article 37 Besides, all executive agencies should also be guided by these principles. [1] Even
the judiciary has to keep them in mind in deciding cases.[6][7]

Per Article 37, state and union governments, as duty, shall make further detailed policies and laws for implementation considering DPSPs as
fundamental policy. In contrary to Article 37, many policies have been implemented by state and union governments which go against the DPSPs
such as using intoxicating drinks as source of major tax revenue instead of implementing prohibition for better health of people, separation of
judiciary from executive, uniform civil code for the citizen, etc. When the union government feels that a DPSP is no longer useful to the nation, it
shall be deleted from Constitution by bringing a constitutional amendment to remove ambiguity in policy making / direction. Judiciary can repeal
any policy/law devised by the government which is diametrically opposite to any DPSP.

Directives[edit]
The directive principles ensure that the State[1] shall strive to promote the welfare of the people by promoting a social order in
which social, economic and political justice is informed in all institutions of life. Also, the State shall work towards reducing economic inequality as
well as inequalities in status and opportunities, not only among individuals, but also among groups of people residing in different areas or
engaged in different vocations per Article 38. The State shall aim for securing right to an adequate means of livelihood for all citizens, both men
and women as well as equal pay for equal work for both men and women. The State should work to prevent concentration of wealth and means of
production in a few hands, and try to ensure that ownership and control of the material resources is distributed to best serve the common
good. Child abuse and exploitation of workers should be prevented. Children should be allowed to develop in a healthy manner and should be
protected against exploitation and against moral and material abandonment per Article 39. The State shall provide free legal aid to ensure that
equal opportunities for securing justice is ensured to all, and is not denied by reason of economic or other disabilities perArticle 39A. The State
shall also work for organisation of village panchayats and help enable them to function as units of self-government perArticle 40. The State shall
endeavour to provide the right to work, to education and to public assistance in cases of unemployment, old age, sickness and disablement,
within the limits of economic capacity per Article 41 as well as provide for just and humane conditions of work and maternity relief per Article 42.

The State should also ensure living wage and proper working conditions for workers, with full enjoyment of leisure and social and cultural
activities. Also, the promotion of cottage industries in rural areas is one of the obligations of the State per Article 43 The State shall take steps to
promote their participation in management of industrial undertakings per Article 43A