Directive Principles Practice Questions
20 free Directive Principles practice questions for the Static GK. Tap an option to answer — you get instant feedback, the correct answer, and a detailed explanation for every question.
Which part of the Indian Constitution deals with the Directive Principles of State Policy (DPSP)?
- A Part IV
- B Part III
- C Part V
- D Part VI
Correct answer: Part IV
The Directive Principles of State Policy are enumerated in Part IV of the Indian Constitution, spanning from Articles 36 to 51. While Part III contains Fundamental Rights which are justiciable, Part IV contains guidelines for the State that are non-justiciable in nature.
The concept of Directive Principles of State Policy in the Indian Constitution was borrowed from which country's constitution?
- A Britain
- B USA
- C Canada
- D Ireland
Correct answer: Ireland
The framers of the Indian Constitution borrowed the idea of DPSP from the Irish Constitution of 1937. The Irish, in turn, had copied it from the Spanish Constitution.
Which article of the Indian Constitution states that the Directive Principles are 'fundamental in the governance of the country'?
- A Article 37
- B Article 36
- C Article 38
- D Article 39
Correct answer: Article 37
Article 37 explicitly mentions that the provisions contained in Part IV shall not be enforceable by any court, but the principles therein laid down are nevertheless fundamental in the governance of the country. It also specifies that it shall be the duty of the State to apply these principles in making laws.
Which of the following articles was added to the DPSP by the 42nd Constitutional Amendment Act of 1976?
- A Article 43A: Participation of workers in management of industries
- B Article 44: Securing a Uniform Civil Code throughout India
- C Article 40: Organization of village panchayats for self-governance
- D Article 47: Duty of the State to raise the level of nutrition
Correct answer: Article 43A: Participation of workers in management of industries
The 42nd Amendment Act added four new Directive Principles: Article 39(f) (opportunities for healthy development of children), Article 39A (equal justice and free legal aid), Article 43A (participation of workers in management), and Article 48A (protection of environment).
Article 44 of the Indian Constitution, which provides for a Uniform Civil Code, is categorized under which type of principles?
- A Liberal-Intellectual Principles
- B Socialistic Principles
- C Gandhian Principles
- D Political and Administrative Principles
Correct answer: Liberal-Intellectual Principles
Article 44 directs the State to secure for the citizens a uniform civil code throughout the territory of India. This is classified as a Liberal-Intellectual principle as it seeks to replace personal laws based on religion with a common set of laws for all citizens.
Which Directive Principle was upgraded to a Fundamental Right by the 86th Constitutional Amendment Act, 2002?
- A Provision for early childhood care and education to children below age 6
- B Organization of village panchayats as units of self-government
- C Promotion of educational and economic interests of weaker sections of society
- D Securing a living wage and humane conditions of work for workers
Correct answer: Provision for early childhood care and education to children below age 6
The 86th Amendment changed the subject matter of Article 45 and made elementary education a Fundamental Right under Article 21A. Article 45 now provides for early childhood care and education for all children until they complete the age of six years.
Which article of the Constitution directs the State to organize Village Panchayats?
- A Article 38
- B Article 40
- C Article 41
- D Article 42
Correct answer: Article 40
Article 40 requires the State to organize village panchayats and endow them with such powers and authority as may be necessary to enable them to function as units of self-government. This is a key Gandhian principle included in the Constitution.
Separation of the judiciary from the executive in the public services of the State is mentioned in which article?
- A Article 48
- B Article 49
- C Article 50
- D Article 51
Correct answer: Article 50
Article 50 provides for the separation of the judiciary from the executive in the public services of the State. This is vital to ensure the independence of the judiciary and the rule of law.
Which of the following is NOT a Socialistic Principle among the DPSPs?
- A To promote equal justice and provide free legal aid to the poor
- B To protect and improve the environment and safeguard forests
- C To secure the right to work, education and public assistance
- D To make provision for just and humane conditions of work
Correct answer: To protect and improve the environment and safeguard forests
The protection and improvement of the environment (Article 48A) is classified as a Liberal-Intellectual Principle. Socialistic Principles (Articles 38, 39, 39A, 41, 42, 43, 43A, 47) focus specifically on social and economic justice and the welfare state.
Which article aims to promote international peace and security?
- A Article 49
- B Article 50
- C Article 51
- D Article 48A
Correct answer: Article 51
Article 51 declares that the State shall endeavor to promote international peace and security, maintain just and honorable relations between nations, and encourage settlement of international disputes by arbitration.
Which Supreme Court case ruled that 'Fundamental Rights and Directive Principles are two wheels of the chariot of the Constitution'?
- A Kesavananda Bharati Case
- B Minerva Mills Case
- C Golaknath Case
- D Champakam Dorairajan Case
Correct answer: Minerva Mills Case
In the Minerva Mills case (1980), the Supreme Court held that the Indian Constitution is founded on the bedrock of the balance between the Fundamental Rights and the Directive Principles. They are complementary to each other and neither is intrinsically superior.
Promotion of cottage industries in rural areas on an individual or co-operative basis is mentioned in which article?
- A Article 41
- B Article 42
- C Article 43
- D Article 43B
Correct answer: Article 43
Article 43 directs the State to endeavor to secure a living wage and a decent standard of life to all workers and to promote cottage industries on an individual or co-operative basis in rural areas. This is one of the Gandhian principles.
The 'Instrument of Instructions' mentioned in the Government of India Act, 1935 is similar to which part of the Constitution?
- A Fundamental Rights
- B Fundamental Duties
- C Preamble to the Constitution
- D Directive Principles
Correct answer: Directive Principles
The DPSPs are like the 'Instrument of Instructions' which were issued to the Governor-General and Governors by the British Government under the 1935 Act. Dr. B.R. Ambedkar noted that DPSP is merely another name for the Instrument of Instructions.
Which article of the DPSP deals with the protection of monuments, places and objects of national importance?
- A Article 47
- B Article 48
- C Article 49
- D Article 50
Correct answer: Article 49
Article 49 places an obligation on the State to protect every monument or place or object of artistic or historic interest, declared by or under law made by Parliament to be of national importance, from spoliation, disfigurement, destruction, removal, disposal or export.
Under Article 39(b) and (c) of the Constitution, the State is directed to ensure that the ownership and control of material resources are distributed to serve the common good and that there is no:
- A Inequality in status
- B Concentration of wealth
- C Discrimination in employment
- D Illiteracy in rural areas
Correct answer: Concentration of wealth
Article 39(c) specifically directs the State to ensure that the operation of the economic system does not result in the concentration of wealth and means of production to the common detriment. This is a core Socialistic Principle.
Article 43B, relating to the promotion of voluntary formation and professional management of Co-operative Societies, was added by which amendment?
- A 42nd Amendment
- B 44th Amendment
- C 97th Amendment
- D 101st Amendment
Correct answer: 97th Amendment
The 97th Constitutional Amendment Act of 2011 added Article 43B to the Directive Principles. It requires the state to promote voluntary formation, autonomous functioning, democratic control, and professional management of co-operative societies.
Which of the following statements about DPSPs is correct?
- A They are automatically enforced by law without separate legislation.
- B Courts can declare a law void if it violates a DPSP.
- C They require separate legislation for their implementation.
- D They take precedence over Fundamental Rights in all cases.
Correct answer: They require separate legislation for their implementation.
Unlike Fundamental Rights, Directive Principles are not automatically enforceable. They require legislative action for their implementation and cannot be enforced by the courts in case of their violation.
The Directive Principle concerning the 'prohibition of the consumption of intoxicating drinks and drugs' is found in which article?
- A Article 46
- B Article 47
- C Article 48
- D Article 48A
Correct answer: Article 47
Article 47 directs the State to raise the level of nutrition and the standard of living and to improve public health. It specifically includes the endeavor to bring about prohibition of the consumption of intoxicating drinks and of drugs which are injurious to health.
In which case did the Supreme Court rule that if a law is made to give effect to Article 39(b) and 39(c), it cannot be challenged on the ground of violation of Articles 14 or 19?
- A Golaknath Case
- B Kesavananda Bharati Case
- C Maneka Gandhi Case
- D Champakam Dorairajan Case
Correct answer: Kesavananda Bharati Case
In the Kesavananda Bharati case (1973), the Supreme Court upheld the validity of the 25th Amendment Act, which inserted Article 31C. This article provides that laws enacted to implement the socialistic principles in 39(b) and (c) cannot be voided for violating fundamental rights of equality and freedom.
Article 48 of the Constitution deals with:
- A Organization of agriculture and animal husbandry
- B Equal justice and free legal aid for the poor
- C Establishment of a Uniform Civil Code for citizens
- D Promotion of the Hindi language and Devanagari script
Correct answer: Organization of agriculture and animal husbandry
Article 48 directs the State to organize agriculture and animal husbandry on modern and scientific lines. It also specifically directs the State to take steps for preserving and improving the breeds, and prohibiting the slaughter, of cows and calves and other milch and draught cattle.