Dalvoy Logo
Dalvoy
BPSC MainsGeneral Studies Paper IIIndian PolityPractice question

Realisation of Directive Principles of State Policy

Assess the extent to which the Directive Principles of State Policy (DPSP) have been realised in India. What more needs to be done to fulfil their constitutional vision?

Assess~250 words3 min readmedium
Attempt it first, timed · optional

Write the answer on paper, as in the exam. Start the timer, keep to the word target.

00:00/ 11 min · 250 words

Done writing? Photograph the sheet and see how it scores against this model answer, with feedback on what to fix.

Upload your answer sheet

How to approach

Begin by contextualising Directive Principles of State Policy (DPSPs) as the blueprint for India's socio-economic democracy and cite relevant judicial backing. Then, evaluate their implementation across economic justice, local governance, and human development, drawing on national and Bihar-specific examples. Conclude with a focused roadmap of reforms needed to actualise their complete constitutional mandate.

Model answer

423 words

Introduction

Enshrined in Part IV (Articles 36–51) of the Indian Constitution, the Directive Principles of State Policy (DPSPs) serve as a blueprint for establishing a welfare state and securing socio-economic democracy. As the Supreme Court observed in the landmark Minerva Mills case (1980), the Indian Constitution is founded on the bedrock of balance between Fundamental Rights and Directive Principles.

Extent of Realisation of DPSPs

Over the decades, legislative enactments, executive programs, and judicial interventions have translated various non-justiciable directives into enforceable rights and concrete welfare measures:

  • Economic Justice (Articles 38, 39, 41, and 43): Significant strides have been made in poverty alleviation and livelihood generation. According to NITI Aayog's Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI) Report 2023, approximately 2.25 crore people escaped multidimensional poverty in Bihar, representing the fastest state-level reduction in India. Similarly, initiatives like Bihar's JEEViKA (mobilising around 1.35 crore women across 10.6 lakh self-help groups) have operationalised rural employment and economic empowerment.
  • Decentralisation and Grassroots Equity (Articles 40 and 46): The 73rd and 74th Constitutional Amendment Acts institutionalised local self-governance across rural and urban India. Demonstrating substantive social inclusion, Bihar became the first state to mandate 50% reservation for women in Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs), strengthening grassroots democracy and gender equity.
  • Health and Education (Articles 45 and 47): The Supreme Court in Unni Krishnan v. State of Andhra Pradesh (1993) interpreted Article 45 to read the right to education into Article 21, which culminated in the 86th Constitutional Amendment and the Right to Education (RTE) Act (Article 21A). In public health, nationwide social protection via Ayushman Bharat and state-level measures such as Bihar's Prohibition and Excise Act, 2016 (implementing prohibition of intoxicating drinks under Article 47) represent significant strides.

Measures Required to Fulfil the Constitutional Vision

Despite substantial progress, critical structural and policy gaps remain to be addressed:

  • Outcome-Based Monitoring: Move beyond the sheer proliferation of welfare schemes by institutionalising rigorous social audits and digital governance to eliminate leakages in public distribution, nutritional support, and healthcare delivery.
  • Social Security for the Informal Sector: Formulate comprehensive, statutory social security and minimum living wage protections for unorganised and gig-economy workers, directly operationalising the mandates of Articles 41 and 43.
  • Consensus on Uniform Civil Code (Article 44): Foster wide deliberative consensus across diverse communities to standardise civil protections, eradicate discriminatory practices, and guarantee gender justice across all personal laws.

Conclusion

The Directive Principles have progressively evolved from moral aspirations into binding policy imperatives and fundamental entitlements. Realising their full constitutional vision requires continuous political commitment, fiscal decentralisation, and outcome-oriented execution to build an equitable and inclusive society.

Key facts to remember

case study
Minerva Mills v. Union of India (1980)

The Supreme Court held that the Indian Constitution is founded on the bedrock of the balance between Fundamental Rights (Part III) and Directive Principles of State Policy (Part IV), ruling that giving absolute primacy to one over the other disturbs the basic structure.

scheme
Bihar Rural Livelihoods Project (JEEViKA)

A World Bank-assisted initiative by the Government of Bihar that mobilises rural women into self-help groups (SHGs) to promote financial inclusion, sustainable livelihoods, and social empowerment.

statistic

Around 2.25 crore people escaped multidimensional poverty between 2015-16 and 2019-21 in Bihar, marking the fastest reduction among all Indian states.

— NITI Aayog National Multidimensional Poverty Index Report (2023)

Frequently asked questions

How have non-justiciable DPSPs been transformed into enforceable rights?

Through progressive judicial interpretation and legislative action, several DPSPs have been elevated to enforceable rights. For example, the directive for free and compulsory education (Article 45) was incorporated as a Fundamental Right under Article 21A via the 86th Constitutional Amendment.

← All questions on this topic (17)