Directive Principles of State Policy
Last updated: 3 October 2026
The Directive Principles of State Policy (DPSP) are given in Part IV of the Constitution, in Articles 36 to 51. They are guidelines for the Central and State governments to make laws and policies for a welfare state. The idea was taken from the Constitution of Ireland.
Nature of the Directive Principles
- They are not enforceable in a court (non-justiciable) – Article 37.
- But they are fundamental in the governance of the country, and the State must apply them while making laws.
- Dr B. R. Ambedkar called them a “novel feature” of the Constitution.
Important articles
| Article | Directive |
|---|---|
| 38 | Promote the welfare of the people by securing a social order based on justice. |
| 39 | Adequate means of livelihood, equal pay for equal work, prevent concentration of wealth. |
| 39A | Equal justice and free legal aid (added by the 42nd Amendment, 1976). |
| 40 | Organise village panchayats. |
| 41 | Right to work, to education and to public assistance in certain cases. |
| 42 | Just and humane conditions of work and maternity relief. |
| 43 | Living wage for workers; promote cottage industries. |
| 43A | Participation of workers in management of industries (42nd Amendment). |
| 43B | Promote co-operative societies (97th Amendment, 2011). |
| 44 | Uniform Civil Code for all citizens. |
| 45 | Early childhood care and education for children below 6 years (as changed by the 86th Amendment, 2002). |
| 46 | Promote the educational and economic interests of SCs, STs and weaker sections. |
| 47 | Raise the level of nutrition and public health; prohibit intoxicating drinks and drugs harmful to health. |
| 48 | Organise agriculture and animal husbandry on modern lines; prohibit slaughter of cows and calves. |
| 48A | Protect the environment, forests and wildlife (42nd Amendment). |
| 49 | Protect monuments of national importance. |
| 50 | Separate the judiciary from the executive. |
| 51 | Promote international peace and security. |
Three broad groups
| Group | Idea behind it | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Socialistic | Social and economic justice | Articles 38, 39, 41, 42, 43 |
| Gandhian | Ideas of Mahatma Gandhi | Articles 40, 43 (cottage industries), 46, 47, 48 |
| Liberal-intellectual | Liberal ideas | Articles 44, 45, 48A, 49, 50, 51 |
Directive Principles and Fundamental Rights
- Fundamental Rights are enforceable in courts; Directive Principles are not.
- Fundamental Rights limit the State (negative); Directive Principles ask the State to act (positive).
- In the Minerva Mills case (1980), the Supreme Court said the Constitution rests on the balance between Fundamental Rights and Directive Principles.
Quick revision
- Part IV, Articles 36 to 51; taken from the Irish Constitution.
- Article 37: Directive Principles are not enforceable in courts.
- Article 40: village panchayats – given constitutional status by the 73rd Amendment (1992).
- Article 44: Uniform Civil Code.
- Article 50: separation of judiciary from executive.
- The 42nd Amendment (1976) added Articles 39A, 43A and 48A.