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Polity & Governance

Directive Principles of State Policy

Part IV of the Constitution (Articles 36–51): the non-justiciable guidelines behind many welfare schemes, and a frequent source of article-matching questions.

Pareto Academy · updated 26 October 2026

At a glance

The Directive Principles of State Policy (DPSP) are guidelines the Constitution gives to the State for making laws and policies, set out in Part IV (Articles 36–51). They aim at a welfare state: social and economic justice, decent work, health, education and a clean environment. Unlike Fundamental Rights, they cannot be enforced in a court, but Article 37 calls them "fundamental in the governance of the country".

Key facts

  • Location: Part IV, Articles 36–51
  • Source of the idea: Irish Constitution (1937)
  • Enforceability: not justiciable (Article 37), but the State has a duty to apply them in making laws
  • Definition of "State": same as in Part III (Article 36 refers to Article 12)
  • Added by the 42nd Amendment (1976): Articles 39A, 43A, 48A (and clause (f) of Article 39)
  • Added by the 44th Amendment (1978): Article 38(2), on reducing inequalities of income and status
  • Changed by the 86th Amendment (2002): Article 45 now covers early childhood care and education below age six (elementary education became a Fundamental Right under Article 21A)
  • Added by the 97th Amendment (2011): Article 43B, promotion of co-operative societies
  • Key case: Minerva Mills (1980), harmony and balance between Fundamental Rights and Directive Principles is a basic feature of the Constitution

How it works

Key articles to memorise.

Article Directive
38 Social order for the welfare of the people
39 Adequate livelihood, fair distribution of resources, equal pay for equal work, protection of children
39A Equal justice and free legal aid
40 Organise village panchayats
41 Right to work, to education and to public assistance in unemployment, old age, sickness and disablement
42 Just and humane conditions of work; maternity relief
43 Living wage for workers; cottage industries
43A Workers' participation in management
43B Co-operative societies
44 Uniform civil code
45 Early childhood care and education
46 Educational and economic interests of SCs, STs and weaker sections
47 Nutrition, public health; prohibition of intoxicating drinks
48 Agriculture and animal husbandry; ban on cow slaughter
48A Environment, forests and wildlife
49 Monuments of national importance
50 Separate the judiciary from the executive
51 International peace and security

Classification (not in the text, but used in textbooks). Socialist (38, 39, 41, 42, 43, 47), Gandhian (40, 43, 46, 47, 48) and liberal-intellectual (44, 45, 48A, 49, 50, 51). Some articles fit more than one group.

Laws and schemes that give effect to them. National Social Assistance Programme (Article 41); MGNREGA (Article 41, right to work); 73rd Amendment on panchayats (Article 40); Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987 and NALSA (Article 39A); Equal Remuneration and Maternity Benefit laws (Articles 39 and 42); Environment Protection Act, 1986 (Article 48A); mid-day meals and nutrition schemes (Article 47).

Recent developments

  • 14 Oct 2026: The Cabinet extended the National Social Assistance Programme to 2030-31 (outlay ₹53,428 crore) and renamed it Pradhan Mantri Samajik Sahayata Yojana; the disability pension threshold falls from 80% to 40%. NSAP gives effect to Article 41.

Exam traps

  • DPSPs are not enforceable in courts; Fundamental Rights (Part III) are.
  • The Irish Constitution inspired DPSPs; Fundamental Rights draw on the US Bill of Rights.
  • Uniform civil code is Article 44; separation of judiciary is Article 50; environment is 48A (Fundamental Duty on environment is 51A(g)).
  • Village panchayats are a DPSP (Article 40); the 73rd Amendment later gave them constitutional status in Part IX.
  • Article 51 (international peace) is a DPSP; Article 51A lists Fundamental Duties (Part IVA).

Quick check

  • Q: Which Article directs the State to provide public assistance in old age, sickness and disablement? A: Article 41.
  • Q: Which Amendment added Article 48A on the environment? A: The 42nd Amendment, 1976.
  • Q: Which Article deals with co-operative societies, and which Amendment added it? A: Article 43B, by the 97th Amendment, 2011.

Further reading

Sources

In the news

Every time this topic has appeared in our current affairs, newest first:

  1. Week of 8–14 October 2026Cabinet extends NSAP to 2030-31 and renames it Pradhan Mantri Samajik Sahayata Yojana