NEW! FREE Current Affairs | CGL Papers

General Knowledge for SSC Exams (Directive Principles Part IV)

(Articles 36-51)

Part IV of the Constitution deals with the Directive Principles of state policy. The main Directive Principles are:

1. Provision of adequate means of livelihood to all.
2. Equitable distribution of wealth among all.
3. Protection of children and youth.
4. Equal pay for equal work to both men and women.
5. Free and compulsory education for children up to the age of 14 years.
6. Prevention of cow slaughter.
7. The right to work, to education, to public assistance in case of unemployment, old age, sickness and disability.
8. Prohibition of liquor.
9. Establishment of village panchayats.
10. Protection of historical and national monuments.
11. Separation of the judiciary from the Executive to secure for all citizens, a uniform civil code.
12. Promotion of international cooperation and world security.
13. Free legal aid from the state to the weaker sections of society.
14. State to protect natural environment, forests and wildlife.

Difference between Fundamental Rights and Directive Principles

(a) Fundamental Rights constitute a limitation upon the state actions whereas, Directive Principles are instruments of instruction to a government to carry out certain responsi-bilities.

(b) Directive Principles cannot be enforced in a court of law and do not create any justifiable right in favour of an individual.
The 42nd Amendment Bill, 1976 had given the Directive Principles precedence over the Fundamental Rights. This amendment also added two more Directive Principles:

(a) Free legal aid from state to weaker sections.
(b) State to protect natural environment, forests and wildlife.