DPSPs: Implementation, Expansion, and Directives Beyond Part IV
Implementation of Directive Principles
The Directive Principles were never meant to be merely ornamental. Since 1950 successive Central and State governments have translated many DPSPs into laws, institutions and programmes. Implementation has been piecemeal, pragmatic and driven by political will, resources and administrative capacity.
Below I group the major measures, say why each maps to the DPSPs, and indicate the practical effect.
1. Planning and policy architecture
- Planning Commission (1950) — created to plan socio-economic development through Five Year Plans aimed at reducing inequalities and achieving social justice (DPSPs: Articles 38, 39, 41, etc.).
- NITI Aayog (2015) replaced the Planning Commission — a shift from a centralized planning model to cooperative federal, strategy-and-policy institution.
Why it matters: Planning bodies convert DPSP goals into prioritized policy actions and budget allocations.
2. Agrarian reform and rural welfare
- Land reform laws across states: abolition of intermediaries (zamindari, jagirs), tenancy reforms, land ceiling laws, redistribution of surplus land, cooperative farming.
- Why: Directly implements socialistic and Gandhian DPSPs (secure livelihood, minimise concentration of wealth, rural self-reliance).
Effect: Helped transform rural land ownership, though effectiveness varied by state and period.
3. Labour welfare and regulation
Key statutes:
- Minimum Wages Act, 1948
- Payment of Wages Act, 1936; Payment of Bonus Act, 1965
- Factories Act, 1948; Mines Act, 1952; Industrial Disputes Act, 1947
- Bonded Labour System (Abolition) Act, 1976
- Child Labour (Prohibition & Regulation) Act, 1986 (amended/renamed in 2016 as Child & Adolescent Labour Prohibition & Regulation Act)
- Contract Labour (Regulation & Abolition) Act, 1970
- Trade Unions Act, 1926
Why: Implements DPSPs on decent conditions of work, child protection, living wage, and prevention of exploitation.
4. Gender-focused labour laws
- Maternity Benefit Act, 1961; Equal Remuneration Act, 1976 — protect women workers (DPSPs on equal pay and humane conditions).
5. Public ownership and redistribution measures
- Nationalisation episodes: life insurance (1956), major bank nationalisation (1969), general insurance (1971), abolition of Privy purses (1971).
Why: Moves toward equitable distribution, state control of strategic sectors (socialistic DPSPs).
6. Access to justice
- Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987 — created national/state/district legal services authorities and lok adalats for free legal aid and alternate dispute resolution (DPSP: Article 39A).
Why: Strengthens equal justice for poor/weak sections.
7. Cottage & small industries (Gandhian thrust)
Institutions: Khadi & Village Industries Commission, Small-Scale Industries Board, Handloom/Handicrafts Boards, NSIC, coir/silk boards.
Why: Promotes rural cottage industries and self-employment (Gandhian DPSPs).
8. Anti-poverty & rural employment programmes
Major schemes over decades: Community Development (1952), Integrated Rural Development, Minimum Needs Programme, NREG (MGNREGA, 2006), Jawahar Rozgar Yojana, SGSY/SGS (Swarnajayanti Gram Swarozgar Yojana), etc.
Why: Directly advances DPSPs on right to work, public assistance, and raising standards of living.
9. Environment, forests & wildlife protection
- Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972; Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980
- Air/Water Acts → Pollution Control Boards; National Forest Policy (1988).
Why: Implements Article 48A and related DPSPs on environment and forests.
10. Agriculture & animal husbandry modernization
- Programs to improve seeds, fertilisers, irrigation; veterinary & animal husbandry modernization to implement Article 48.
11. Panchayati Raj — decentralisation (Gandhian ideal)
- Three-tier Panchayati Raj and 73rd Constitutional Amendment (1992) — constitutional status for local self-government (Article 40).
Why: Institutionalises Gram Swaraj and local democracy.
12. Social justice: reservation & protective laws
- Reservation for SCs/STs and weaker sections in jobs/education; Protection of Civil Rights Act (renamed), Prevention of Atrocities Act (1989).
- Constitutional commissions: National Commissions for SC/ST (and later separate bodies), NCBC (1993; constitutional status by 102nd Amendment, 2018), NCW (1992), NCPOCR (2007).
- EWS Reservation (10%) introduced via 103rd Amendment (2019) for economically weaker sections outside existing categories.
Why: Implements DPSPs on protection and upliftment of weaker sections (Articles 15, 16 read with DPSPs such as Article 46).
13. Separation of judiciary and executive
- CrPC (1973 amendment)/reforms ensured judicial functions shifted firmly to judicial officers — implementing Article 50 (separation of judiciary from executive).
14. Cultural heritage protection
- Ancient Monuments & Archaeological Sites & Remains Act (1951) — protection of national heritage (Article 49).
15. Health & public welfare
- Primary health centres, national disease control programmes (malaria, TB, leprosy, immunisation drives, etc.) — implementing Article 47 (public health & nutrition).
16. Cattle protection laws
- State laws prohibiting cow slaughter in some states (Gandhian/DPSP inputs).
17. Social security measures for the elderly
- Some states provide old age pensions and social assistance schemes.
18. Foreign policy orientation
- Non-alignment & Panchsheel approach reflects Article 51 objectives on international peace and relations.
Why full implementation remains incomplete — practical constraints
- Inadequate financial resources — many DPSPs require sustained fiscal capacity (e.g., universal social security, full employment).
- Socio-economic backwardness & diversity — varied regional capacities and priorities make uniform implementation hard.
- Population pressures — large population raises cost and complexity of welfare delivery.
- Centre–State strains — federal tensions can slow or block implementation of centrally framed DPSP-linked programmes.
- Administrative capacity & corruption — delivery failures and leakages reduce impact.
- Political choices — governments prioritize differently; DPSPs require sustained political will across electoral cycles.
DIRECTIVES OUTSIDE PART IV — “The Silent Companions” of DPSPs
So far, we’ve studied all Directive Principles listed in Part IV of the Constitution (Articles 36–51).
But the story doesn’t end there.
👉 The framers also placed certain Directive-like provisions in other Parts of the Constitution — outside Part IV — which share the same spirit and objective.
They too guide the State in achieving the ideals of social justice, equality, and national integration.
Let’s look at these “external” directives one by one.
1️⃣ Claims of SCs and STs in Services — Article 335 (Part XVI)
It says:
“The claims of the members of the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes shall be taken into consideration, consistently with the maintenance of efficiency of administration, in making appointments to services and posts in connection with the affairs of the Union or a State.”
Meaning:
While filling government posts, the State should make sure that members of SCs and STs get fair representation, but without compromising administrative efficiency.
🧠 In essence: It tries to balance social justice with merit and efficiency.
This continues the idea of Article 46 (in Part IV), which directs the State to promote the educational and economic interests of these weaker sections.
2️⃣ Instruction in Mother Tongue for Linguistic Minorities — Article 350A (Part XVII)
It says:
“It shall be the endeavour of every State and every local authority to provide adequate facilities for instruction in the mother tongue at the primary stage of education to children belonging to linguistic minority groups.”
Meaning:
Each linguistic group has the right to learn in its own mother tongue at least in the primary stage of education.
This ensures cultural preservation, emotional comfort, and equal opportunity for minority children.
It aligns with the Directive Principle under Article 45 (early childhood care and education).
3️⃣ Development of the Hindi Language — Article 351 (Part XVII)
It says:
“It shall be the duty of the Union to promote the spread of the Hindi language and to develop it so that it may serve as a medium of expression for all the elements of the composite culture of India.”
Meaning:
The Union has to develop Hindi — not in a way that suppresses other languages — but in a way that helps it unite the diverse cultures of India and express India’s composite heritage.
So, it’s a cultural directive — aiming at linguistic development without linguistic dominance.
⚖️ Nature and Legal Standing
These “outside” directives are also non-justiciable — meaning they can’t be enforced by courts.
But the judiciary treats them with equal respect, because of a simple interpretative principle:
The Constitution must be read as a whole — harmoniously.
So, even if they’re not in Part IV, they still form part of the Directive Spirit of the Constitution.
Directive Principles at a Glance
To wrap up the entire topic, let’s quickly revise all the Articles (36–51) in one glance — the constitutional map of DPSPs.
This is a must-memorize table for UPSC.
| Article | Subject Matter / Directive |
|---|---|
| 36 | Definition of the term “State” (same as in Part III). |
| 37 | Directive Principles are fundamental in governance, but non-justiciable. |
| 38 | State to secure a social order based on justice — social, economic, political — and minimize inequalities. |
| 39 | Principles of policy: adequate livelihood, equitable distribution, prevention of wealth concentration, equal pay, protection of health, childhood development. |
| 39A | Equal justice and free legal aid. |
| 40 | Organisation of village panchayats as self-governing units. |
| 41 | Right to work, education, and public assistance in certain cases (unemployment, old age, sickness, disability). |
| 42 | Humane work conditions and maternity relief. |
| 43 | Living wage, decent standard of life, and social/cultural opportunities for workers. |
| 43A | Participation of workers in management of industries. |
| 43B | Promotion of co-operative societies (added by 97th Amendment, 2011). |
| 44 | Uniform Civil Code for citizens. |
| 45 | Early childhood care and education (children below 6 years). |
| 46 | Educational and economic upliftment of SCs, STs, and weaker sections. |
| 47 | Raising nutrition, living standards, and improving public health. |
| 48 | Organisation of agriculture and animal husbandry on modern lines; prohibition of cow slaughter. |
| 48A | Protection of environment, forests, and wildlife (added by 42nd Amendment, 1976). |
| 49 | Protection of monuments and national heritage. |
| 50 | Separation of judiciary from the executive. |
| 51 | Promotion of international peace, just relations, and respect for international law. |
🌼 Understanding the Larger Picture
If we step back, the Directive Principles — inside and outside Part IV — together form the philosophical backbone of India’s Constitution.
They tell us why we have democracy — not just to give rights, but to build a society rooted in justice, equality, and dignity.
Let’s end this section — with a reflective note:
“Fundamental Rights protect freedom;
Directive Principles define purpose.
Rights are the means — Directives are the ends.
Together, they make our Constitution not just a legal document,
but a moral promise to every Indian.”