Directive Principles of State Policy and Fundamental Duties: Download as PDF Click Here
The Constitution of India aims to establish not only political democracy but also socio-economic justice to the people to establish a welfare state. With this purpose in mind, our Constitution lays down desirable principle and guidelines in Part IV. These provisions are known as the Directive Principle of State Policy
Therefore, the Fundamental Duties were inserted in Article 51A of our Constitution in 1976 by 42nd Amendment Act. In the original Constitution in 1950, there was no mention of these duties. It was expected that the citizens would fulfill their duties willingly.
Directive Principles of State Policy Directive Principles of State Policy are in the form of instructions/guidelines to the governments at the center as well as states. Though these principles are non-justiciable, they are fundamental in the governance of the country. The idea of Directive Principles of State Policy has been taken from the Irish Republic.
Classification Of The Directive Principles
Directive Principles of State Policy have been grouped into four categories. These are:
(i) The economic and social principles,
(ii) The Gandhian principles,
(iii) Principles and Policies relating to international peace and security and
(iv) miscellaneous
i. The economic and social Principles
The state shall endeavour to achieve Social and Economic welfare of the people by:
(1) providing adequate means of livelihood for both men and women.
(2) reorganizing the economic system in a way to avoid concentration of wealth in few hands.
(3) securing equal pay for equal work for both men and women.
(4) securing suitable employment and healthy working conditions for men, women and children.
(5) guarding the children against exploitation and moral degradation.
(6) making effective provisions for securing the right to work, education and public assistance in case of unemployment, old age, sickness and disablement.
(7) making provisions for securing just and humane conditions of work and for maternity relief.
(8) taking steps to secure the participation of workers in the management of undertakings etc.
(9) promoting education and economic interests of working sections of the people especially the SCs and STs.
(10) securing for all the workers reasonable leisure and cultural opportunities.
(11) making efforts to raise the standard of living and public health.
(12) providing early childhood care and education to all children until they complete the age of 6 years.
ii. The Gandhian Principles
There are certain principles, based on the ideals advocated by Mahatma Gandhi. These
Principles are as follows : -
(1) To organize village Panchayats.
(2) To promote cottage industries in rural areas.
(3) To prohibit intoxicating drinks and drugs that are injurious to health.
(4) To preserve and improve the breeds of the cattle and prohibit slaughter of cows, calves and other milch and drought animals.
iii. Directive Principles of State Policy Relating To International Peace And Security :
India should render active cooperation for world peace and security and for that the state shall endeavour to : -
(1) promote international peace and security.
(2) maintain just and honourable relations between nations.
(3) foster respect for international laws and treaty obligations.
(4) encourage settlements of international disputes by mutual agreement.
iv. Miscellaneous
The Directive Principles in this category call upon the state : -
(1) To secure for all Indians a uniform civil code.
(2) To protect historical monuments.
(3) To save environment from pollution and protect wild life.
(4) To make arrangements for disbursement of free legal justice through suitable legislation.
Directive Principles : Universalisation of Education, Child Labour and Status of Women
Universalisation of Education
The percentage of literate people at the time of independence was only 14%. Our government realized the importance of education and laid stress on the spread of literacy among the masses. Due to increased number
of drop outs at the primary stage, the number of illiterates between 15 to 35 years of age
has constantly increased.
According to National Policy on Education, 1986, the government has launched NationalLiteracy Mission, and ‘Operation Blackboard’ for the spread of mass literacy at primary stage.
The Directive Principles providing free and compulsory education for children up to the age of 14 years has been included through the 86th Amendment Act, 2002 in the list of Fundamental Rights under Article 21A
Child Labour
- You have also read about the Fundamental Right against Exploitation of children. Employment of children below the age of 14 years in mines and industries which are hazardous to their health is prohibited.
- Dr. Abdul Kalam’s ‘dream of developed India 2020’ can be achieved only when the children who are the future of the country are secured and protected from being exploited. The children should not be deprived of their right to enjoy childhood and right to education
Status of Women
- Indian society basically is a male dominated society in which father has been head of the family and mother’s position has been subordinated to him. The position of a woman in such a system is naturally weak.
- 'Women as an integral part, account for 495.74 million and represent 48.3% of the country's total population as per 2001 census.
- They have been provided with the right to an adequate means of livelihood and equal pay with that of men for their work. Women workers have also been provided for health-care and maternity-relies
- To empower women, reservation of one-third of seats through the 73rd and 74th AmendmentAct, 1991,1992 for them has been made in the Panchayats and Municipalities. There is a similar proposal for reservation of seats for them in the Parliament and in the state Legislatures.
Fundamental Duties
- Rights and Duties are two sides of a coin. The original Constitution enforced in 1950, did not mention Fundamental Duties of the citizens. It was hoped that citizens would perform their duties willingly. But, 42ndAmendment to the Constitution added a new list of 10 duties in chapter IV under Article 51A of the Constitution.
Duties Enlisted
(i) To abide by the Constitution and respect our National Flag and National Anthem.
(ii) To follow the noble ideals that inspired our national freedom movement.
(iii) To protect the unity and integrity of India.
(iv) To defend the country when the need arises.
(v) To promote harmony and brotherhood among all sections of the people and to respect the dignity of women.
(vi) To preserve our rich heritage and composite culture.
(vii) To protect and improve our natural environment including forests, rivers, lakes and wildlife.
(viii) To develop scientific outlook and humanism.
(ix) To protect public property and not to use violence.
(x) To strive for excellence in all spheres of individual and collective activity. New Addition
(xi) Clasue (K) Art 51A Amendment Act 86th 2002.
(K) “a parent or guardian to provide opportunities for education of his child or as the case
may be ward between the age of six and fourteen years.
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