Extra 20 important long-answer questions from the chapter Directive Principles of State Policy (DPSP) for Class 11 Political Science

1. What are the Directive Principles of State Policy (DPSP)? Explain their significance.

Answer:
Directive Principles of State Policy (DPSP) are guidelines given to the state to establish social and economic justice and promote a welfare state. They are listed in Part IV (Articles 36-51) of the Indian Constitution.

Significance of DPSP:

Welfare State:

Helps in establishing a just and equitable society.

Social & Economic Justice:

Reduces inequality in society.

Guidance for the Government:

Helps in formulating laws and policies.

Complements Fundamental Rights:

Ensures citizens' well-being along with their rights.

Promotion of International Peace:

Encourages friendly relations with other countries.

 

2. How are DPSPs classified? Explain with examples.

Answer:
DPSPs are classified into three main categories:

Socialist Principles

(Focus on economic and social justice)

Article 38: Promote social welfare and reduce inequalities.

Article 39: Equal pay for equal work, right to livelihood.

Article 41: Right to work, education, and public assistance.

Gandhian Principles

(Based on Gandhian ideology)

Article 40: Establishment of village panchayats.

Article 43: Promotion of cottage industries.

Article 48: Protection of cows and improvement of agriculture.

Liberal-Intellectual Principles

(Focus on individual rights and legal reforms)

Article 44: Uniform Civil Code for all citizens.

Article 48A: Protection of the environment and forests.

Article 50: Separation of judiciary from the executive.

 

3. What is the difference between Fundamental Rights and DPSPs?

Answer:

Fundamental Rights	Directive Principles of State Policy (DPSP)
Given in Part III (Articles 12-35)	Given in Part IV (Articles 36-51)
Legally enforceable by courts	Not legally enforceable
Focus on individual rights	Focus on social and economic welfare
Negative obligations on the state (restrict state actions)	Positive obligations on the state (directs the state to take actions)
Examples: Right to Equality, Right to Freedom	Examples: Uniform Civil Code, Environmental Protection

 

4. Discuss the importance of Article 38 in achieving social justice.

Answer:

Article 38

directs the state to promote

welfare, reduce inequality, and eliminate discrimination

in society.

It ensures:

Social justice

– Equal opportunities for all.

Economic justice

– Fair distribution of wealth.

Political justice

– Equal political rights.

Laws such as

Right to Education (RTE), MGNREGA, and reservation policies

follow this directive.

 

5. Explain the role of Article 39 in promoting economic justice.

Answer:

Article 39

directs the state to ensure:

Equal access to resources

for all citizens.

Right to adequate means of livelihood

.

Equal pay for equal work

.

Protection of children from exploitation

.

Laws such as

Minimum Wages Act, Child Labour (Prohibition) Act, and Maternity Benefit Act

support this directive.

 

6. What is the significance of Article 44 (Uniform Civil Code)?

Answer:

Article 44

directs the state to establish a

Uniform Civil Code (UCC)

for all citizens, ensuring a common law on marriage, divorce, inheritance, etc.

Importance:

 

Promotes

national unity and equality

.

Removes

religious-based discrimination

.

Encourages

secularism

in India.

 

7. How does Article 45 ensure free and compulsory education?

Answer:

Article 45

originally directed the state to provide

free and compulsory education

to children below

14 years

.

Later,

Article 21A

(added by the

86th Amendment Act, 2002

) made education a

Fundamental Right

.

 

8. What is the role of Article 47 in improving public health?

Answer:

Article 47

directs the state to

improve nutrition, raise the standard of living, and promote public health

.

It also calls for the

prohibition of intoxicating drinks and drugs

.

 

9. What are the Gandhian principles in DPSPs?

Answer:
Gandhian DPSPs reflect Mahatma Gandhi’s ideals:

Article 40:

Establishment of village panchayats.

Article 43:

Promotion of cottage industries.

Article 46:

Protection of weaker sections.

Article 48:

Prohibition of cow slaughter.

 

10. How do DPSPs promote environmental protection?

Answer:

Article 48A

directs the state to protect the

environment and wildlife

.

The

42nd Amendment (1976)

added this provision.

Laws such as

Environment Protection Act, 1986

support this directive.

 

11. Discuss the impact of the 42nd Amendment Act, 1976 on DPSPs.

Answer:
The 42nd Amendment Act, 1976 made significant changes to DPSPs:

Added new DPSPs:

 

Article 39A

: Free legal aid for weaker sections.

Article 43A

: Workers' participation in management.

Article 48A

: Protection of the environment.

Increased importance of DPSPs:

Strengthened their role in policymaking.

Weakened Fundamental Rights:

The amendment stated that

DPSPs cannot be challenged on the basis of Fundamental Rights

.

However, the 44th Amendment Act, 1978 restored the balance by upholding the supremacy of Fundamental Rights.

 

12. Explain the importance of Article 50 in ensuring an independent judiciary.

Answer:

Article 50

directs the state to

separate the judiciary from the executive

in public services.

Importance:

 

Ensures

judicial independence

and fairness.

Prevents

political interference in justice delivery

.

Strengthens

democratic principles

.

This directive has been implemented through

separation of powers and judicial reforms

.

 

13. What is the role of DPSPs in promoting workers’ rights?

Answer:
Several DPSPs promote workers’ rights:

Article 39(a):

Right to adequate means of livelihood.

Article 39(d):

Equal pay for equal work.

Article 41:

Right to work, education, and public assistance.

Article 43:

Promotion of

cottage industries

.

Article 43A:

Workers' participation in

management

.

Laws such as the Minimum Wages Act, 1948, and Factories Act, 1948 implement these principles.

 

14. Discuss how DPSPs promote the idea of a welfare state.

Answer:
A welfare state aims to ensure social and economic justice. DPSPs promote this by:

Social Justice (Article 38, 39A)

– Equal opportunities for all.

Economic Welfare (Article 39, 41, 43)

– Fair distribution of wealth, right to work, cottage industries.

Public Health (Article 47)

– Improved nutrition and prohibition of harmful substances.

Education (Article 45)

– Free and compulsory education.

Environmental Protection (Article 48A)

– Conservation of natural resources.

Various government schemes like MGNREGA, Mid-Day Meal Scheme, and Rural Health Missions are based on these principles.

 

15. Explain the significance of Article 39A in providing free legal aid.

Answer:

Article 39A

, added by the

42nd Amendment

, directs the state to provide

free legal aid

to weaker sections.

Importance:

 

Ensures

equal justice

for all.

Helps

poor and marginalized

people access courts.

Promotes

fair trial and rule of law

.

The

Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987

was passed to implement this.

 

16. Discuss the role of DPSPs in ensuring women’s empowerment.

Answer:
DPSPs play a crucial role in promoting gender equality:

Article 39(d):

Equal pay for men and women.

Article 42:

Maternity benefits and humane working conditions.

Article 44:

Uniform Civil Code (equal personal laws for all religions).

Article 46:

Protection of weaker sections, including women.

Laws like Maternity Benefit Act, Dowry Prohibition Act, and Domestic Violence Act support these principles.

 

17. How do DPSPs promote international peace and security? (Article 51)

Answer:

Article 51

directs the state to:

Promote

international peace

.

Maintain

friendly relations with other nations

.

Respect

international law and treaties

.

Support

disarmament and conflict resolution

.

India follows this through United Nations participation, diplomatic relations, and peacekeeping missions.

 

18. Discuss the importance of Article 49 in protecting historical monuments.

Answer:

Article 49

directs the state to protect

monuments, places, and objects of historical and cultural importance

.

Importance:

 

Preserves

India’s rich heritage

.

Promotes

tourism and cultural identity

.

Prevents

destruction and illegal encroachments

.

Laws like the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites Act, 1958, implement this directive.

 

19. Explain how the government has implemented DPSPs through various laws and policies.

Answer:
The government has implemented DPSPs through:

Social Justice

Right to Education Act (2009)

– Implements

Article 45

.

Reservation Policy

– Supports

Article 46

.

Economic Welfare

MGNREGA (2005)

– Right to work (

Article 41

).

Minimum Wages Act (1948)

– Equal pay for equal work (

Article 39(d)

).

Public Health & Environment

Food Security Act (2013)

– Ensures

Article 47

.

Environment Protection Act (1986)

–

Fulfils

 

Article 48A

.

These policies show how DPSPs guide law making and governance.

 

20. Discuss the judicial interpretation of DPSPs in the Minerva Mills case (1980).

Answer:

The

Minerva Mills case (1980)

was a landmark Supreme Court judgment.

Issue:

Whether DPSPs could override Fundamental Rights.

Judgment:

 

Balanced relationship

– Neither DPSPs nor Fundamental Rights can destroy each other.

Harmony required

– Both should work together for a just society.

Strengthened judicial review

– Courts can strike down laws that violate the Constitution.

This case reaffirmed that DPSPs and Fundamental Rights are equally important in governance.