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Q17 (IAS/2017) Polity & Governance › Fundamental Rights, DPSP & Fundamental Duties › Directive Principles framework Official Key

Consider the following statements : With reference to the Constitution of India, the Directive Principles of State Policy constitute limitations upon 1. legislative function. 2. executive function. Which of the above statements is/are correct ?

Result
Your answer: —  ·  Correct: D
Explanation

The correct answer is option D (Neither 1 nor 2). While the Fundamental Rights constitute limitations upon State action, the Directives are in the nature of instruments of instruction to the Government of the day to do certain things and to achieve certain ends by their actions.[2] This clearly establishes that Directive Principles are not limitations but rather positive instructions to guide governmental action.

The Directive Principles denote the ideals that the State should keep in mind while formulating policies and enacting laws, and are constitutional instructions or recommendations to the State in legislative, executive and administrative matters.[3] Unlike the Fundamental Rights, the directives are non-justiciable in nature, that is, they are not enforceable by the courts for their violation.[4]

Since Directive Principles are recommendatory instructions rather than binding limitations, and cannot be enforced by courts, they do not constitute limitations upon either legislative or executive functions. They serve as guiding principles for governance, not constraints on state power.

Sources
  1. [1] Introduction to the Constitution of India, D. D. Basu (26th ed.). > Chapter 9: Directive Principles of State Policy > DIRECTIVE PRINCIPLES OF STATE POLICY > p. 179
  2. [2] Introduction to the Constitution of India, D. D. Basu (26th ed.). > Chapter 9: Directive Principles of State Policy > DIRECTIVE PRINCIPLES OF STATE POLICY > p. 179
  3. [3] Indian Polity, M. Laxmikanth(7th ed.) > Chapter 9: Directive Principles of State Policy > FEATURES OF THE DIRECTIVE PRINCIPLES > p. 108
  4. [4] Indian Polity, M. Laxmikanth(7th ed.) > Chapter 4: Salient Features of the Constitution > IDirective Principles of State Policy > p. 30
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Q. Consider the following statements : With reference to the Constitution of India, the Directive Principles of State Policy constitute lim…
At a glance
Origin: From standard books Fairness: High fairness Books / CA: 10/10 · 0/10
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This is a foundational 'Nature of Constitution' question. It tests the binary distinction between Part III (Negative/Limitations) and Part IV (Positive/Instructions). If you treat DPSP as mere text without understanding their legal character (non-justiciable), you fall into the trap.

How this question is built

This question can be broken into the following sub-statements. Tap a statement sentence to jump into its detailed analysis.

Statement 1
Do the Directive Principles of State Policy in the Constitution of India constitute limitations upon the legislative function of the State?
Origin: Direct from books Fairness: Straightforward Book-answerable
From standard books
Introduction to the Constitution of India, D. D. Basu (26th ed.). > Chapter 9: Directive Principles of State Policy > DIRECTIVE PRINCIPLES OF STATE POLICY > p. 179
Presence: 5/5
“The Directives, however, differ from the Fundamental Rights contained in Part III of the Constitution or the ordinary laws of the land, in the following respects: Directives compared with Fundamental Rights. (i) While the Fundamental Rights constitute limitations upon State action, the Directives are in the nature of instruments of instruction to the Government of the day to do certain things and to achieve certain ends by their actions. (ii) The Directives, however, require to be implemented by legislation, and so long as there is no law carrying out the policy laid down in a Directive, neither the State nor an individual can violate any existing law or legal right under colour of following a Directive.”
Why this source?
  • Explicitly contrasts Directives with Fundamental Rights, stating Fundamental Rights are limitations on State action while Directives are instruments of instruction to the government.
  • Says Directives require implementation by legislation and do not themselves create enforceable limits on State action.
Indian Polity, M. Laxmikanth(7th ed.) > Chapter 4: Salient Features of the Constitution > IDirective Principles of State Policy > p. 30
Presence: 5/5
“a IDirective Principles of State Policy According to Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, the Directive Princ iples of State Policy is a 'novel feature' of the Indian Constitution. They are enumerated in Part IV of the Constitution. They ca n be classified into three broad categoriessocia listic, Gandhian and liberal-intell ectual. The Directive Principles are meant for promoting the ideal of social and economic democracy. They seek to establish a 'welfare state' in India. However, unlike the Fundamental Rights, the directives are 11011 justiciable in nature, that is, they are not enforceable by the courts for their violation.”
Why this source?
  • States Directive Principles are not justiciable/enforceable by courts, implying they do not operate as legal limitations on legislative action.
  • Emphasises Directive Principles aim at welfare goals rather than creating enforceable constraints.
Indian Polity, M. Laxmikanth(7th ed.) > Chapter 9: Directive Principles of State Policy > FEATURES OF THE DIRECTIVE PRINCIPLES > p. 108
Presence: 4/5
“1. The phrase 'Directive Principles of State Policy' denotes the ideals that the State should keep in mind while formulating policies and enacting laws. These are the constitutional instructions or recommendations to the State in legislative, executive and administrative matters. According to Article 36, the term 'State' in Part IV has the same meaning as in Part III dealing with Fundamental Rights. Therefore, it includes the legislative and executive organs of the central and state governments, all local authorities and all other public authorities in the country. • 2. The Directive Principles resemble the 'Instrument of Instructions' enumerated in the Government of India Act of 1935.”
Why this source?
  • Describes Directive Principles as constitutional instructions or recommendations to the State in legislative, executive and administrative matters, i.e., guidance rather than binding limits.
  • Defines the term 'State' broadly but frames Directives as ideals the State should keep in mind while formulating policies and laws.
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