How Many Directive Principles of State Policy

Introduction

There is a total of 36 Directive Principles of State Policy as mentioned in Part IV of the Indian Constitution. These principles are not enforceable by any court, but the principles have been considered to be fundamental in the governance of the country, and it is the duty of the State to apply these principles in making laws. The principles aim to establish social and economic democracy in the country and provide guidance to the government in making policies for the welfare of the people.

In this article, we will discuss the Directive Principles of State Policy and its importance in the Indian Constitution and the history of its conflict with Fundamental Rights.

Directive Principles and its Types

Directive Principles of State Policy

The Sapru Committee in 1945 stated two categories of individual rights. One is being justiciable and the other one is being non-justiciable rights. The justiciable rights are stated as Fundamental rights, whereas on the other hand, non-justiciable ones are the Directive

Principles of State Policy.

DPSPs are ideals which are meant to be kept in mind by the state when it formulates policies and enacts laws and there are various definitions of Directive Principles of State which are given below.

They are

• DPSPs are an ‘instrument of instructions’ which are enumerated in the Government of India Act, 1935.

• DPSPs seek to establish economic as well as social democracy in the country.

• They are the ideals which are not legally enforceable by the courts for their violation.

Classification of Directive Principles of State Policy (DPSP )-

Indian Constitution has not originally classified DPSPs but based on their content and direction, they are usually divided into three types. They are-

1. DPSPs' Socialistic Principles,

2. DPSPs Gandhian Principles

3. DPSPs Liberal-Intellectual Principles.

1. DPSP – Socialistic Principles

DPSPs Socialistic Principles define the principles that aim at providing social and economic justice and setting the path towards the welfare state and under various articles, they direct the state to:

• Article 38

• Article 39

• Article 39A

• Article 41

• Article 42

• Article 43

• Article 43A

• Article 47

2. DPSP – Gandhian Principles

DPSP – Gandhian Principles defines that these principles are based on Gandhian ideology used to represent the programme of reconstruction enunciated by Gandhi during the national movement and under various articles, they direct the state to:

• Article 40

• Article 43

• Article 43B

• Article 46

• Article 47

• Article 48

3. DPSP – Liberal-Intellectual Principles

DPSP – Liberal-Intellectual Principles defines that these principles reflect the ideology of liberalism and under various articles, they direct the state to:

• Article 44

• Article 45

• Article 48

• Article 49

• Article 50

• Article 51

’Criticism of Directive Principles of State Policy-

The criticism of Directive Principles of State Policy (DPSP ) are

1. DPSP have no legal force

2. DPSP is illogically arranged

3. DPSP is conservative

4. DPSP may produce constitutional conflict between the centre and the state

Conclusion

Directive Principles of State Policy ( DPSP) have been grouped into four categories. They are:

1. The economic and social principles.

2. The Gandhian principles.

3. Principles and Policies relating to international peace and security.

4. Miscellaneous.