Directive Principles of State Policy: UPSC Previous Year Questions (Polity)
18 previous year UPSC Prelims questions on the Directive Principles of State Policy are on this page, from 2002 to 2021. UPSC tests what Part IV contains, which principles were added later, how they differ from Fundamental Rights, and which ideals, such as the welfare state and international peace, they carry. Use the explanations to sort Directive Principles from Fundamental Rights and Duties.
Explanations state facts as of the year each question was asked; words like “recently” refer to that year.
Showing 11–18 of 18 questions
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UPSC 2013Polity · Directive Principles of State Policy
Q11. According to the Constitution of India, which of the following are fundamental for the governance of the country?
Explanation
According to Article 37 of the Indian Constitution, though Directive Principles of State Policy (DPSP) are not enforceable by any court, but the principles therein laid down are nevertheless fundamental in the governance of the country and it shall be the duty of the State to apply these principles in making laws. DPSP constitutes a comprehensive socio-economic and political programme for a modern democratic State. DPSP are ‘positive in nature’, which embodies the concept of a ‘welfare state’ and not that of a ‘police state’. DPSP are the constitutional instructions or recommendations to the State in legislative, executive and administrative matters.
UPSC 2012Polity · Directive Principles of State Policy
Q12. Consider the following provisions under the Directive Principles of State Policy as enshrined in the Constitution of India: 1. Securing for citizens of India a uniform civil code. 2. Organizing village Panchayats. 3. Promoting cottage industries in rural areas. 4. Securing for all the workers reasonable leisure and cultural opportunities. Which of the above are the Gandhian Principles that are reflected in the Directive Principles of State Policy?
Explanation
The Directive Principles of State Policy (DPSP) are mentioned under Articles 36 to 51 of the Indian Constitution. Directive Principles of State Policy are classified into Socialist, Gandhian and Liberal-Intellectual.
Article 40 of the Constitution deals with Organising Village Panchayats and endows them with necessary powers and authority to enable them to function as units of self-government. The idea of Promoting Cottage Industries on an individual or co-operation basis in rural areas is based on Gandhian Principles and is mentioned under Article 43.
Socialistic principles
Gandhian principles
Liberal-intellectual principles
Article 38: social justice
Article 40: village panchayats
Article 44: uniform civil code
Article 39: equal pay, resource distribution
Article 43: promotion of cottage industries
Article 45: early childhood care
Article 41: right to work, education and public assistance
Article 46: education and economic interests of SCs and STs
Article 48A: protection of environment
Article 42: maternity relief
Article 47: nutrition and public health
Article 49: protection of monuments
Article 43A: workers’ participation in management
Article 48: prohibition of cow slaughter and agriculture reforms
Article 50: separation of judiciary and executive
Article 47: public health
Article 51: promotion of international peace
UPSC 2012Polity · Directive Principles of State Policy
Q13. Which of the following provisions of the Constitution of India have a bearing on Education? 1. Directive Principles of State Policy. 2. Rural and Urban Local Bodies. 3. Fifth Schedule 4. Sixth Schedule 5. Seventh Schedule Select the correct answer using the codes given below:
Explanation
Option (1) is correct: Directive Principle of State lays down the provisions of education under:
Article 45: Provides for early childhood care and education. Article 46: Promotes educational and economic interests of weaker sections (SCs, STs, and other disadvantaged groups).
Option (2) is correct: Rural and Urban Local Bodies The Schedule 11 added by the 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act of 1992, specifies the powers, responsibilities and authority of Panchayat and under Article 243-G the Panchayati Raj Institutions have allowed 29 subjects to work in their local areas and Education is one of them. The Schedule 12 added by the 74th Constitutional Amendment Act of 1992, specifies the powers, responsibilities and authority of Municipalities and under the Article 243-W the Constitution provides for 18 subjects to the Municipalities including education. Options (3) and (4) are correct:
Fifth Schedule: Governs Scheduled Areas and Tribes, ensuring educational development for tribal communities through special provisions. Sixth Schedule: Grants Autonomous District Councils (ADCs) in the Northeast the power to make laws on primary and secondary education.
Option (5) is correct: The 42nd Amendment Act, 1976 shifted the education from State list to Concurrent list in Seventh Schedule. Now, Education is in the Concurrent List (Entry 25), meaning both the Centre and States can legislate on it.
UPSC 2008Polity · Directive Principles of State Policy
Q14. Which of the following is/are included in the Directive Principles of the State Policy? 1. Prohibition of traffic in human beings and forced labour 2. Prohibition of consumption except for medicinal purposes of intoxicating drinks and of other drugs which are injurious to health Select the correct answer using the code given below: Code:
Explanation
Statement 1 is Incorrect: The prohibition of traffic in human beings and forced labour is covered under Article 23, which is part of the Fundamental Rights, not the Directive Principles of State Policy (DPSP).
Statement 2 is correct: The prohibition of intoxicating drinks and drugs which are injurious to health, except for medicinal purposes, is included in the Directive Principles of State Policy under Article 47, which directs the state to improve public health and to prohibit harmful substances.
UPSC 2006Polity · Directive Principles of State Policy
Q15. Consider the following statements: 1. Free and compulsory education to the children of 6-14 years age-group by the State by the seventy-sixth Amendment to the Constitution of India. 2. Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan seeks to provide computer education even in rural areas. 3. Education was included in the Concurrent List by the Forty-second Amendment, 1976 to the Constitution of India’. Which of the statements given above are correct?
Explanation
Statement 1 is Incorrect: The provision of free and compulsory education for children in the 6-14 age group was included in the Constitution of India through the Eighty-sixth Amendment (not the Seventy-sixth) in 2002, which inserted Article 21A.
Statement 2 is correct: Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA) aims to provide universal education and includes the promotion of computer education in rural areas as part of its broader educational reforms.
Statement 3 is correct: Education was moved to the Concurrent List under Item 25 by the Forty-second Amendment in 1976. This allows both the Centre and states to legislate on education.
UPSC 2006Polity · Directive Principles of State Policy
Q16. Consider the following statements: 1. There is no provision in the Constitution of India to encourage equal pay for equal work for both men and women. 2. The Constitution of India does not define backward classes. Which of the statement(s) given above is/are correct?
Explanation
Statement 1 is incorrect: The Constitution of India does encourage equal pay for equal work for both men and women under Article 39(d), which is part of the Directive Principles of State Policy. The Directive Principles call for the state to ensure that there is no discrimination between men and women in terms of equal pay for equal work.
Statement 2 is correct: The Constitution of India does not provide a specific definition of backward classes. However, it provides for affirmative action through Articles 15(4), 16(4), and 46 to promote the welfare of backward classes, but leaves the identification and classification of such groups to the state.
UPSC 2002Polity · Directive Principles of State Policy
Q17. The purpose of the inclusion of Directive Principles of the State Policy in the Indian Constitution is to establish:
Explanation
The Directive Principles of State Policy (DPSP) aim to establish social and economic democracy in India. These principles serve as guidelines for the state to promote the welfare of the people and create a just society. DPSPs are enshrined in Part IV of the Indian Constitution, spanning from Articles 36 to 51. Unlike Fundamental Rights, DPSPs are non-enforceable by courts. However, they act as instruments of instruction for governments, guiding them to undertake positive actions towards achieving social and economic equity.
UPSC 2002Polity · Directive Principles of State Policy
Q18. Which one of the following Articles of the Directive Principles of State Policy deals with the promotion of international peace and security?
Explanation
The Indian Constitution’s Directive Principles of State Policy (DPSP) include Article 51, which underscores the nation’s commitment to promoting global peace and security. Key provisions of Article 51 covers:
Maintenance of Just and Honorable Relations: Advocates fair and respectful international relations. Respect for International Law: Upholds adherence to global legal principles. Peaceful Resolution of Disputes: Supports resolving conflicts through diplomacy and negotiation
Answer key for these questions
Q
UPSC year
Correct answer
11
2013
(c) Directive Principles of State Policy
12
2012
(b) 2 and 3 only
13
2012
(d) 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5
14
2008
(b) 2 only
15
2006
(c) 2 and 3
16
2006
(b) 2 only
17
2002
(d) social and economic democracy
18
2002
(a) 51
What UPSC has tested in Directive Principles of State Policy
Part IV (Articles 36 to 51) declares the ideal of a Welfare State; Directive Principles aim at social and economic democracy.
Directive Principles are not enforceable in court (Article 37), yet are fundamental in the governance of the country.
The 42nd Amendment (1976) added participation of workers in management of industries, Article 43A, along with Articles 39A and 48A.
Promotion of international peace and security is in Article 51.
Separation of the judiciary from the executive in public services is a Directive Principle, Article 50.
Concentration of wealth violates a Directive Principle, Article 39(c).
Frequently asked questions
How many previous year UPSC questions are there on Directive Principles of State Policy?
This page covers 18 previous year UPSC Prelims GS Paper-I questions on Directive Principles of State Policy (Polity), asked from 2002 to 2021. Each has the correct answer and an explanation.
Are the Directive Principles enforceable in court?
No. Article 37 says they are not enforceable by any court, but they are fundamental in governing the country, and the State must apply them in making laws. Fundamental Rights, by contrast, can be enforced directly.
Which part of the Constitution declares the ideal of a Welfare State?
Part IV, the Directive Principles of State Policy. Its aim is social and economic democracy, which is why questions linking welfare, equitable distribution of resources and living wages to a constitutional part point to Part IV.
Which Directive Principles did the 42nd Amendment add?
Article 39A (equal justice and free legal aid), Article 43A (workers’ participation in management of industries) and Article 48A (protection of the environment). The amendment also widened Article 39 and added Part IVA on duties.
Which Article promotes international peace and security?
Article 51. It directs the State to promote international peace and security, maintain just and honourable relations between nations, respect international law and treaty obligations, and encourage settlement of disputes by arbitration.
