Directive Principles of State Policy (DPSP) – Complete Guide for UPSC & PCS Exams

Q1. Consider the following statements regarding Directive Principles of State Policy:

1. They are enforceable by courts in India.
2. They aim at establishing a welfare state.
3. They are contained in Part IV of the Constitution.

Select the correct answer:

(a) 2 and 3 only

(b) 1 and 2 only

(c) 1 and 3 only

(d) 1, 2 and 3

निम्नलिखित कथनों पर विचार कीजिए:

1. ये न्यायालय द्वारा प्रवर्तनीय हैं।
2. इनका उद्देश्य कल्याणकारी राज्य की स्थापना है।
3. ये संविधान के भाग IV में निहित हैं।

सही उत्तर चुनिए।

Answer: (a) 2 and 3 only

Explanation:

DPSPs are non-justiciable, meaning courts cannot enforce them, but they guide the state in policymaking. They are placed in Part IV (Articles 36–51).

Q2. Which of the following countries influenced the Directive Principles of State Policy in India?

(a) USA

(b) Ireland

(c) Canada

(d) France

भारत के संविधान में राज्य के नीति निदेशक तत्व किस देश से प्रेरित हैं?

(a) अमेरिका

(b) आयरलैंड

(c) कनाडा

(d) फ्रांस

Answer: (b) Ireland

Explanation:

The DPSPs were borrowed from the Constitution of Ireland, which itself was inspired by Spanish constitutional principles.

Q3. Assertion (A): Directive Principles are fundamental in the governance of the country.

Reason (R): They impose legal obligations enforceable by courts.

(a) Both A and R are correct and R explains A

(b) Both A and R correct but R not explanation

(c) A correct but R incorrect

(d) A incorrect but R correct

कथन (A): नीति निदेशक तत्व देश के शासन में मौलिक हैं।

कारण (R): वे न्यायालयों द्वारा लागू किए जाने वाले कानूनी दायित्व हैं।

Answer: (c) A correct but R incorrect

Explanation:

Article 37 states DPSPs are fundamental in governance, but not enforceable by courts.

Q4. Which Article directs the State to organize Village Panchayats?

(a) Article 40

(b) Article 43

(c) Article 48

(d) Article 39

राज्य को ग्राम पंचायतों का संगठन करने का निर्देश किस अनुच्छेद में है?

Answer: (a) Article 40

Explanation:

Article 40 promotes local self-government through village panchayats.

Q5. Match the following:

List I List II

A. Article 44 1. Uniform Civil Code

B. Article 48A 2. Protection of Environment

C. Article 39A 3. Equal Justice

D. Article 45 4. Early childhood care

Options:

(a) A-1 B-2 C-3 D-4

(b) A-2 B-1 C-4 D-3

(c) A-3 B-1 C-2 D-4

(d) A-4 B-3 C-1 D-2

Answer: (a)

Explanation:

• Art 44 – Uniform Civil Code
• Art 48A – Environment protection
• Art 39A – Equal justice & legal aid
• Art 45 – Early childhood care.

**Q6. Which DPSP was added by the 42nd Constitutional Amendment Act (1976)?

1. Equal justice and free legal aid
2. Protection of environment
3. Participation of workers in management

Select the correct answer:

(a) 1 and 2 only

(b) 2 and 3 only

(c) 1, 2 and 3

(d) 1 only

Answer: (c)

Explanation:

All three were inserted by the 42nd Amendment (1976).

Q7. Consider the following statements:

1. DPSPs are negative obligations on the state.
2. Fundamental Rights impose limitations on state power.

Which is correct?

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 only

(c) Both

(d) None

Answer: (b)

Explanation:

DPSPs are positive obligations, not negative.

Q8. Which Article deals with living wage for workers?

(a) Article 43

(b) Article 42

(c) Article 39

(d) Article 41

Answer: (a)

Explanation:

Article 43 promotes living wage and decent standard of life.

**Q9. Assertion (A): Directive Principles can influence judicial interpretation.

Reason (R): Courts sometimes read DPSPs with Fundamental Rights.**

(a) Both correct and R explains A

(b) Both correct but not explanation

(c) A correct but R incorrect

(d) A incorrect but R correct

Answer: (a)

Explanation:

Courts have used DPSPs to interpret Fundamental Rights in cases like Minerva Mills v. Union of India.

Q10. Which of the following DPSP aims at promoting international peace?

(a) Article 51

(b) Article 49

(c) Article 44

(d) Article 43

Answer: (a)

Explanation:

Article 51 directs India to promote international peace and security.

Q11. Consider the following regarding Article 39:

1. Equal pay for equal work
2. Protection of childhood
3. Right to work

Which are correct?

(a) 1 and 2 only

(b) 2 and 3 only

(c) 1 and 3 only

(d) 1, 2 and 3

Answer: (a)

Explanation:

Right to work belongs to Article 41, not Article 39.

Q12. Which DPSP promotes cooperative societies?

(a) Article 43B

(b) Article 45

(c) Article 48

(d) Article 49

Answer: (a)

Explanation:

Article 43B added by 97th Constitutional Amendment.

Q13. Match the following categories of DPSP:

Category Feature

A. Socialist 1. Environment protection

B. Gandhian 2. Village Panchayats

C. Liberal-Intellectual 3. International peace

Options:

(a) A-1 B-2 C-3

(b) A-2 B-1 C-3

(c) A-1 B-3 C-2

(d) A-3 B-2 C-1

Answer: (a)

Explanation:

• Socialist → Environment protection
• Gandhian → Panchayats
• Liberal → International peace.

Q14. Which Article directs the State to promote educational and economic interests of weaker sections?

(a) Article 46

(b) Article 45

(c) Article 41

(d) Article 39

Answer: (a)

Explanation:

Article 46 protects SC/ST and weaker sections.

**Q15. Assertion (A): DPSPs cannot override Fundamental Rights.

Reason (R): Fundamental Rights are justiciable.**

(a) Both correct and R explains A

(b) Both correct but not explanation

(c) A correct but R incorrect

(d) A incorrect but R correct

Answer: (a)

Explanation:

FRs are enforceable; DPSPs are not.

Q16. Which Article provides for just and humane conditions of work and maternity relief?

(a) Article 42

(b) Article 41

(c) Article 43

(d) Article 39

Answer: (a)

Q17. Which Directive Principle relates to animal husbandry and cow protection?

(a) Article 47

(b) Article 48

(c) Article 49

(d) Article 43

Answer: (b)

**Q18. Assertion (A): The Constitution seeks harmony between Fundamental Rights and DPSPs.

Reason (R): Both together aim at establishing a welfare state.**

Answer: (a)

Q19. Which Article directs the State to improve public health?

(a) Article 47

(b) Article 41

(c) Article 48

(d) Article 43

Answer: (a)

Q20. Which of the following case emphasized harmony between FR and DPSP?

(a) Kesavananda Bharati v. State of Kerala

(b) Minerva Mills v. Union of India

(c) Golaknath v. State of Punjab

(d) Both (a) and (b)

Answer: (d)

Q21. Which Directive Principle aims at separating judiciary from executive?

(a) Article 50

(b) Article 48

(c) Article 46

(d) Article 49

Answer: (a)

Q22. Which Article deals with protection of monuments of national importance?

(a) Article 49

(b) Article 48

(c) Article 46

(d) Article 44

Answer: (a)

Q23. Match the following:

Article Provision

A. 41 1. Right to work

B. 42 2. Humane work conditions

C. 43 3. Living wage

D. 44 4. Uniform Civil Code

Answer: A-1 B-2 C-3 D-4

Q24. Which DPSP deals with free legal aid?

(a) Article 39A

(b) Article 40

(c) Article 41

(d) Article 43

Answer: (a)

Q25. Consider the following statements:

1. DPSPs are enforceable by courts.
2. They promote socio-economic democracy.
3. They are fundamental in governance.

Which are correct?

(a) 2 and 3 only

(b) 1 and 2 only

(c) 1 and 3 only

(d) 1, 2 and 3

Answer: (a)

Explanation:

DPSPs promote social and economic justice but remain non-justiciable.