Directive Principles and Fundamental Duties: The Short Answer
The Directive Principles of State Policy (DPSP) are in Part IV (Articles 36 to 51) of the Constitution. They are guidelines for the government to build a welfare state and are not enforceable by courts (non-justiciable), as Article 37 says. The idea was borrowed from the Irish Constitution. The Fundamental Duties are in Part IVA, Article 51A. They were added by the 42nd Amendment (1976) on the recommendation of the Swaran Singh Committee, inspired by the former USSR Constitution. There were 10 duties at first; the 11th (education of children aged 6 to 14) was added by the 86th Amendment (2002).
Key takeaway for SSC and bank exams: SSC CGL, CHSL, MTS and RRB NTPC ask 1 to 2 polity questions on these parts every year, mainly article numbers (39A free legal aid, 44 Uniform Civil Code, 48A environment, 50 separation of judiciary), the amendments that added articles, the source country, and the number of duties. Every article on this page is checked against the text of the Constitution of India.
This note follows our fundamental rights articles 12 to 35 note and pairs with the important constitutional amendments list.
Directive Principles of State Policy List (Articles 36 to 51)
| Article | Directive principle |
|---|---|
| 36 | Definition of "the State" (same as in Part III) |
| 37 | DPSPs are not enforceable by courts but are fundamental in governance |
| 38 | State to secure a social order for the welfare of the people; 38(2) minimise inequalities in income, status and opportunities (added by the 44th Amendment, 1978) |
| 39 | Principles of policy: adequate means of livelihood, distribution of material resources for the common good, prevent concentration of wealth, equal pay for equal work, protect health of workers and children, and (39(f), 42nd Amendment) opportunities for healthy development of children |
| 39A | Equal justice and free legal aid (42nd Amendment, 1976) |
| 40 | Organisation of village panchayats |
| 41 | Right to work, to education and to public assistance in old age, sickness, disablement and unemployment |
| 42 | Just and humane conditions of work and maternity relief |
| 43 | Living wage and decent standard of life for workers; promote cottage industries |
| 43A | Participation of workers in the management of industries (42nd Amendment) |
| 43B | Promotion of co-operative societies (97th Amendment, 2011) |
| 44 | Uniform Civil Code for citizens throughout India |
| 45 | Early childhood care and education for children below 6 years (substituted by the 86th Amendment, 2002) |
| 46 | Promote educational and economic interests of Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and weaker sections |
| 47 | Raise nutrition, standard of living and public health; prohibit intoxicating drinks and harmful drugs except for medicinal use |
| 48 | Organise agriculture and animal husbandry on modern lines; preserve breeds and prohibit slaughter of cows, calves and other milch and draught cattle |
| 48A | Protect and improve the environment and safeguard forests and wildlife (42nd Amendment) |
| 49 | Protect monuments and places of national importance |
| 50 | Separate the judiciary from the executive in public services |
| 51 | Promote international peace and security |
Classification of Directive Principles (Socialistic, Gandhian, Liberal)
The Constitution does not classify them, but exam books group them like this:
| Group | Articles | Idea |
|---|---|---|
| Socialistic | 38, 39, 39A, 41, 42, 43, 43A, 47 | Social and economic justice, welfare state |
| Gandhian | 40, 43, 43B, 46, 47, 48 | Village panchayats, cottage industries, co-operatives, weaker sections, prohibition, cow protection |
| Liberal–intellectual | 44, 45, 48, 48A, 49, 50, 51 | Uniform Civil Code, child education, modern agriculture, environment, monuments, separation of judiciary, world peace |
Articles 43, 47 and 48 appear in more than one group in different books; follow the table above, which is the common exam version.
Amendments That Added Directive Principles
| Amendment | Year | DPSP change |
|---|---|---|
| 42nd | 1976 | Added 39(f), 39A, 43A and 48A |
| 44th | 1978 | Added clause (2) to Article 38 |
| 86th | 2002 | Substituted Article 45 (early childhood care below 6); made education for 6–14 a fundamental right under 21A |
| 97th | 2011 | Added 43B (co-operative societies) |
Fundamental Duties List (Article 51A)
It shall be the duty of every citizen of India:
| Clause | Fundamental duty |
|---|---|
| (a) | To abide by the Constitution and respect its ideals and institutions, the National Flag and the National Anthem |
| (b) | To cherish and follow the noble ideals that inspired the national struggle for freedom |
| (c) | To uphold and protect the sovereignty, unity and integrity of India |
| (d) | To defend the country and render national service when called upon |
| (e) | To promote harmony and the spirit of common brotherhood, and renounce practices derogatory to the dignity of women |
| (f) | To value and preserve the rich heritage of our composite culture |
| (g) | To protect and improve the natural environment, including forests, lakes, rivers and wildlife, and to have compassion for living creatures |
| (h) | To develop the scientific temper, humanism and the spirit of inquiry and reform |
| (i) | To safeguard public property and abjure violence |
| (j) | To strive towards excellence in all spheres of individual and collective activity |
| (k) | A parent or guardian to provide opportunities for education to their child between 6 and 14 years (added by the 86th Amendment, 2002) |
Key Facts on Fundamental Duties for SSC CGL
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Part and Article | Part IVA, Article 51A |
| Added by | 42nd Amendment, 1976 |
| Recommended by | Swaran Singh Committee (1976) |
| Source | Constitution of the former USSR |
| Original number | 10 |
| Present number | 11 (11th added by the 86th Amendment, 2002) |
| Apply to | Citizens only (not foreigners) |
| Enforceable? | Not directly enforceable by courts, though Parliament can make laws to enforce them |
Difference Between DPSP, Fundamental Rights and Fundamental Duties
| Basis | Fundamental Rights | DPSP | Fundamental Duties |
|---|---|---|---|
| Part | III (Articles 12–35) | IV (Articles 36–51) | IVA (Article 51A) |
| Source | USA (Bill of Rights) | Ireland | USSR |
| Justiciable? | Yes, enforceable in courts | No | No (not directly) |
| Nature | Limits on the State | Directions to the State | Obligations of citizens |
| In Constitution from | 1950 | 1950 | 1976 (42nd Amendment) |
Important Supreme Court Cases on DPSP and Fundamental Rights
| Case | Year | What the Court held |
|---|---|---|
| State of Madras v. Champakam Dorairajan | 1951 | Where a DPSP conflicts with a Fundamental Right, the Fundamental Right prevails |
| Golaknath v. State of Punjab | 1967 | Parliament cannot amend Fundamental Rights (this view was later replaced by the basic structure doctrine) |
| Kesavananda Bharati v. State of Kerala | 1973 | Parliament can amend any part of the Constitution but not its basic structure |
| Minerva Mills v. Union of India | 1980 | The Constitution rests on a balance between Fundamental Rights and DPSPs; this harmony is part of the basic structure |
In practice, courts now read the two parts together: DPSPs are used to interpret the scope of Fundamental Rights. For example, the right to life under Article 21 has been read with Article 48A to include the right to a clean environment.
DPSP and Fundamental Duties: Common Exam Traps
- Article 44 (Uniform Civil Code) is a DPSP, not a fundamental right.
- Free legal aid is Article 39A, added by the 42nd Amendment.
- Environment appears twice: Article 48A (duty of the State) and Article 51A(g) (duty of citizens).
- The 11th duty was added in 2002 (86th Amendment), not by the 42nd Amendment.
- DPSP source is Ireland; Fundamental Duties source is the USSR.
DPSP and Fundamental Duties Questions (Practice Set with Answers)
- Directive Principles of State Policy are in which Part of the Constitution? Answer: Part IV (Articles 36–51).
- From which country's constitution were the DPSPs borrowed? Answer: Ireland.
- Which Article deals with the Uniform Civil Code? Answer: Article 44.
- Which Article provides for equal justice and free legal aid? Answer: Article 39A.
- Which amendment added the Fundamental Duties? Answer: 42nd Amendment, 1976.
- How many Fundamental Duties are there now? Answer: 11.
- Which committee recommended the Fundamental Duties? Answer: Swaran Singh Committee.
- Which Article directs the State to separate the judiciary from the executive? Answer: Article 50.
- Which Article deals with the organisation of village panchayats? Answer: Article 40.
- Which amendment added Article 43B on co-operative societies? Answer: 97th Amendment, 2011.
For timed practice, take the SSC CGL Polity Mock Test 01 and the SSC CGL GK Mini Mock Test 02.
DPSP and Fundamental Duties FAQs
What are Directive Principles of State Policy?
They are guidelines in Part IV (Articles 36–51) of the Constitution that the government must keep in mind while making laws and policies, aimed at creating a welfare state. Courts cannot enforce them.
Why are DPSPs called non-justiciable?
Article 37 says they shall not be enforceable by any court, though they are fundamental in the governance of the country and the State must apply them in making laws.
How many Fundamental Duties are there in the Indian Constitution?
There are 11 Fundamental Duties in Article 51A. Ten were added by the 42nd Amendment in 1976 and the eleventh by the 86th Amendment in 2002.
Which country's constitution inspired the Fundamental Duties?
The Constitution of the former USSR (Soviet Union).
Which Article of DPSP deals with environment protection?
Article 48A, added by the 42nd Amendment in 1976, directs the State to protect and improve the environment and safeguard forests and wildlife.
Are Fundamental Duties enforceable by courts?
Not directly. They are moral obligations, but Parliament can pass laws to enforce them, and courts may refer to them while interpreting laws.
Practice Next
- Mock tests: SSC CGL Polity Mock Test 01, SSC CGL GK Mini Mock Test 02 and SSC CHSL GK Mini Mock Test 02.
- Related notes: fundamental rights articles 12 to 35, important constitutional amendments list, 12 schedules of Indian Constitution trick and President of India list, plus sources of Indian Constitution, plus important articles of Indian Constitution.
- Exam details: SSC CGL 2026 and SSC CHSL 2026.
- Browse all study notes.