The Directive Principles of State Policy, outlined in Part IV of the Indian Constitution, serve as guidelines for the government to create a just society. Although not enforceable by law, these principles are fundamental in guiding governance, promoting social and economic welfare, and ensuring that the state upholds democratic ideals.
In this article, we present a series of General Knowledge multiple-choice questions (MCQs) focused on the Directive Principles of State Policy, designed to help you enhance your understanding of this crucial aspect of the Constitution.
1. Which part of the Indian Constitution includes the concept of welfare states?
- Preamble
- Fundamental rights
- Directive principles
- Fourth Schedule
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Answer: Directive principles
The Directive Principles of State Policy, contained in Part IV (Articles 36 to 51) of the Constitution of India, are aimed at establishing social and economic democracy and justice through the framework of a welfare state. Unlike fundamental rights, which primarily impose negative injunctions on the state in certain matters, the Directive Principles provide positive injunctions and instructions to the state to actively work toward achieving the objectives of a welfare state.
2. What is correct regarding Directive Principles?
- Positive Injunctions
- Negative Injunctions
- Justifiable Injunctions
- None of the above
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Answer: Positive Injunctions
While fundamental rights are in effect negative injunctions to the state in certain matters, Directive Principles are positive injunctions/instructions to the state to work for the attainment of the objective of a welfare state.
3. In which of the following cases did the Supreme Court propound the doctrine of harmonious construction?
- Kerala Education Bill (1957) Case
- Venkataraman v. State of Madras (1966) Case
- Golaknath & Ors vs State Of Punjab (1967) Case
- Kesavananda Bharati vs the State of Kerala (1973) Case
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Answer: Kerala Education Bill (1957) Case
In Kerala Education Bill (1957), the Supreme Court said that in case of a conflict between Fundamental Rights and Directive Principles, the principle of harmonious construction should be applied.
4. Which committee recommended to set up an “Equal Opportunity Commission”?
- Sarkaria Commission
- Sachar Committee
- Bhagawati Committee
- Chawla Committee
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Answer: Chawla Committee
The Chawla Committee recommended the establishment of an Equal Opportunity Commission to address grievances of deprived groups and promote diversity in education, workplaces, and living spaces. Additionally, it proposed setting up a National Data Bank and an autonomous Assessment & Monitoring Authority to further these objectives.
5. Which article of the Indian Constitution says that directive principles are not enforceable by any court?
- Article 36
- Article 37
- Article 38
- Article 39
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Answer: Article 37
Article 37 of the Constitution clarifies that Directive Principles are not enforceable by any court. However, it underscores their fundamental importance in the governance of the country and emphasizes that it is the duty of the state to apply them when making laws.
6. Who among the following said, “Directive Principles are just like ‘a cheque on a bank payable at the convenience of the bank'”?
- Jawahar Lal Nehru
- Bhim Rao Ambedkar
- Mr. R. K. Sidhwa
- Prof. K T Shah
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Answer: Prof. K T Shah
Professor K.T. Shah, a member of the Constituent Assembly, criticized the Directive Principles by suggesting that they lacked real enforceability. This reflects a common debate about the effectiveness and enforceability of these principles in Indian governance.
7. Which of the following statements is NOT correct regarding Directive Principles?
- DPSPs cannot be enforced automatically and require legislation for implementation.
- DPSPs are non-justiciable in nature
- DPSPs aim to enforce political democracy in the country.
- DPSPs have political and moral sanctions.
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Answer: DPSPs aim to enforce political democracy in the country.
The Directive Principles of State Policy aim at establishing social and economic democracy in the country, complementing the system of political democracy ensured through Fundamental Rights. They form an extensive program for addressing economic, social, and political aspects of governance in a modern democratic state.
8. What is the purpose of the inclusion of Directive Principles of State Policy in the Constitution of India?
- To establish social and religious democracy.
- To establish political democracy.
- To establish social and economic democracy.
- To establish Gandhian democracy.
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Answer: To establish social and economic democracy.
The Directive Principles of State serve the purpose of establishing social and economic democracy. They constitute a very elaborate economic, social, and political program for a modern democratic state.
9. Which articles constitute the Directive Principles of State Policy in the Indian Constitution?
- Article 12 to 35
- Article 36 to 51
- Article 35 to 51
- None of the above
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Answer: Article 36 to 51
The Directive Principles of State Policy are enshrined in Part IV of the Constitution of India from Article 36 to 51. They represent the ideals that the State should keep in mind while formulating policies and enacting laws.
10. From which country’s Constitution have the Directive Principles of State Policy been adopted?
- Canada
- South Africa
- Australia
- Ireland
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Answer: Ireland
The Directive Principles of State Policy in the Constitution of India have been borrowed from the Irish Constitution of 1937. Ireland, in turn, copied them from the Spanish constitution. They are covered from Article 36 to 51.
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