Gandhian Principles (Articles 40, 43, 46, 47, 48)
Indian Polity › Directive Principles of State Policy (DPSP) · Topic 7.3
The Gandhian Directive Principles, Articles 40, 43, 43B, 46, 47 and 48, direct the State to organise village panchayats, promote cottage industries and co-operatives, protect weaker sections, prohibit intoxicants and protect cattle.
5 min read · UPSC Prelims · Polity · Directive Principles
At a Glance
- What it is The Directive Principles based on Gandhian ideology, from the programme of reconstruction during the national movement
- Articles Articles 40, 43, 43B, 46, 47 and 48
- Themes Village panchayats, cottage industries, co-operatives, weaker sections, prohibition and cattle
- Added later Article 43B by the 97th Amendment (2011)
- Exam link UPSC Prelims, Polity: Directive Principles
Where Does It Fit?
This is the third topic of the category on Directive Principles. After the socialistic group, the Gandhian group represents the programme of reconstruction enunciated by Gandhi during the national movement, and in order to fulfil his dreams some of his ideas were included as Directive Principles.
What Do the Gandhian Principles Require?
| Article | Requires the State to |
|---|---|
| 40 | Organise village panchayats and endow them with powers to function as units of self-government |
| 43 | Promote cottage industries on an individual or co-operation basis in rural areas |
| 43B | Promote voluntary formation, autonomous functioning, democratic control and professional management of co-operative societies (added by the 97th Amendment Act, 2011) |
| 46 | Promote the educational and economic interests of SCs, STs and other weaker sections and protect them from social injustice and exploitation |
| 47 | Prohibit the consumption of intoxicating drinks and drugs injurious to health |
| 48 | Prohibit the slaughter of cows, calves and other milch and draught cattle and improve their breeds |
How Have They Been Implemented?
- Village panchayats (Article 40): a three-tier panchayati raj system at village, taluka and zila levels was introduced to translate into reality Gandhiji’s dream of every village being a republic. The 73rd Amendment Act (1992) gave these institutions constitutional status and protection.
- Cottage industries (Article 43): the Khadi and Village Industries Board, Khadi and Village Industries Commission, Small-Scale Industries Board, National Small Industries Corporation, Handloom Board, Handicrafts Board, Coir Board and Silk Board were set up.
- Weaker sections (Article 46): seats are reserved for SCs, STs and other weaker sections in educational institutions, government services and representative bodies. The Untouchability (Offences) Act, 1955, renamed the Protection of Civil Rights Act in 1976, and the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989 protect them. The 65th Amendment (1990) established the National Commission for SCs and STs, and the 89th Amendment (2003) split it into two separate commissions.
- National commissions: the National Commission for Women (1992), Backward Classes (1993), Minorities (1993) and Protection of Child Rights (2007) promote the interests of weaker sections. The 102nd Amendment (2018) gave constitutional status to the Backward Classes Commission.
- Cattle (Article 48): laws to prohibit the slaughter of cows, calves and bullocks have been enacted in some states.
Constitutional Amendments Linked to These Principles
| Amendment | Linked directive and effect |
|---|---|
| 73rd Amendment Act, 1992 | Article 40: constitutional status and protection to panchayati raj institutions |
| 65th Amendment Act, 1990 | Article 46: National Commission for SCs and STs |
| 89th Amendment Act, 2003 | Article 46: split into two separate commissions for SCs and STs |
| 97th Amendment Act, 2011 | Article 43B: co-operative societies |
| 102nd Amendment Act, 2018 | Article 46: constitutional status to the National Commission for Backward Classes |
Directives Outside Part IV
Some other directives are contained in other Parts: the claims of SCs and STs to services, consistently with the maintenance of efficiency (Article 335); instruction in the mother tongue at the primary stage for linguistic minority children (Article 350-A); and the development of the Hindi language (Article 351). They too are non-justiciable, but the judiciary gives them equal importance since all parts of the Constitution must be read together.
Why Is This Topic Important?
- Gandhian ideology The group links the Constitution to the national movement
- Article-wise lists Matching Articles to subjects is a frequent Prelims type
- Panchayati raj link Article 40 leads to the 73rd Amendment
What Came Next?
The next topic covers the liberal-intellectual principles.
Key People and Terms
- Gandhian principles Directives based on Gandhi’s ideas of village self-government and cottage industries
- Cottage industry Small industry in rural areas run on individual or co-operative basis
- Co-operative society A body formed voluntarily; Article 43B concerns it
- Weaker sections Groups such as SCs and STs protected by Article 46
- Prohibition Ban on intoxicating drinks and drugs injurious to health
Exam Corner
Points to Remember
- Article 40: village panchayats; 73rd Amendment (1992) gave constitutional status.
- Article 43B: 97th Amendment, 2011, co-operatives.
- Article 46: SCs, STs and weaker sections.
- Article 48: cattle; Article 47: intoxicating drinks and drugs.
Do Not Confuse With
- Article 43 and Article 43B Cottage industries versus co-operative societies
- Article 47 and Article 48 Nutrition, public health and prohibition versus cattle and agriculture
- Article 40 and the 73rd Amendment The directive is the idea; the Amendment gave constitutional status
Memory Hook
Forty villages, forty-three cottage and co-operatives, forty-six the weak, forty-seven drink, forty-eight cattle.
Mains Angle
Questions on this topic usually ask how the Gandhian ideas are reflected in the Constitution. Use these points to add depth.
- Village self-government Article 40 led to panchayati raj and the 73rd Amendment
- Rural economy Cottage industries and co-operatives
- Social justice Article 46 supports reservation and commissions
- Prohibition Article 47 on intoxicants injurious to health
A Question You May Face
An original practice question, not a past paper question.
“How far have the Gandhian Directive Principles been implemented? Discuss with examples.”
How to Answer
- Introduction Gandhian principles and their origin.
- Articles Articles 40, 43, 43B, 46, 47, 48.
- Implementation Panchayati raj, boards for rural industries, commissions.
- Conclusion Progress with continuing challenges.
GS Relevance
Frequently Asked Questions
Which Directive Principles are Gandhian?
The Gandhian principles are Articles 40 (village panchayats), 43 (cottage industries), 43B (co-operative societies), 46 (weaker sections), 47 (prohibition of intoxicants) and 48 (prohibition of slaughter of cows and calves, and improving breeds). They reflect the programme of reconstruction enunciated by Gandhi.
Which Article directs the State to organise village panchayats?
Article 40 directs the State to organise village panchayats and endow them with the powers and authority to function as units of self-government. The 73rd Amendment Act (1992) gave constitutional status to the panchayati raj institutions.
Which Amendment added Article 43B?
The 97th Amendment Act of 2011 added Article 43B to Part IV. It requires the State to promote the voluntary formation, autonomous functioning, democratic control and professional management of co-operative societies in the country, as a Gandhian principle.
What does Article 46 aim at?
Article 46 requires the State to promote the educational and economic interests of Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and other weaker sections and protect them from social injustice and exploitation, supported by reservation, commissions and atrocity laws such as the Protection of Civil Rights Act and the 1989 Atrocities Act. Several national commissions work on this.
Are there Directive Principles outside Part IV?
Yes. Article 335 on claims of SCs and STs to services, Article 350-A on instruction in the mother tongue at the primary stage, and Article 351 on the development of Hindi. They are non-justiciable, but courts give them equal importance.
PYQ Practice — Statement Analysis
1 Article 40 deals with the organisation of village panchayats.
It is a Gandhian principle.
2 Article 43B on co-operative societies was added by the 97th Amendment Act.
In 2011.
3 Article 48 prohibits consumption of intoxicating drinks.
That is Article 47; Article 48 is about cattle and agriculture.
4 Article 46 protects the educational and economic interests of SCs and STs.
It also covers other weaker sections.
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