Part IV & IVA – DPSP and Fundamental Duties [PDF Notes + MCQs] for All Exams
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Directive Principles of State Policy Notes | Constitution of India Part IV
We also cover related topics such as how many Directive Principles of State Policy are currently in force, the Fundamental Duties list, the Article on Fundamental Duties, and all the 11 Fundamental Duties of the Indian Constitution that every citizen must follow. If you're preparing for any competitive exam, don’t miss our free Part IV Archives - Constitution of India and downloadable PDF resources for quick revision.
Important Notes on DPSP – Directive Principles of State Policy for 2026 Exams
Part IV: Directive Principles of State Policy (Articles 36 to 51)
The Directive Principles of State Policy (DPSP) are guidelines to the central and state governments of India, to be kept in mind while framing laws and policies. These are non-justiciable, which means they are not enforceable by any court.
Article 36 – Definition
Defines the term “State” as having the same meaning as in
Article 12 (includes Government and Parliament of India, Government and
Legislature of each State).
Article 37 – Application of the
Principles
Although not enforceable by courts, the Directive Principles
are fundamental to the governance of the country and shall be the duty of the
State to apply these principles in making laws.
Article 38 – State to secure a
social order for the promotion of welfare of the people
The State shall strive to:
i) Promote the welfare of the people.
ii) Secure a social order based on justice – social, economic, and political.
iii) Minimize inequalities in income, status, facilities, and
opportunities.
Article 39 – Certain principles
of policy to be followed by the State
The State shall, in particular, direct its policy toward securing:
i) Equal right to adequate means of livelihood.
ii) Equal pay for equal work for both men and women.
iii) Protection of childhood and youth against exploitation.
iv) Avoiding concentration of wealth and means of production.
v) Health and strength of workers.
vi) Protection of children against material and moral abandonment.
Article 39A – Equal justice and
free legal aid
i) The State shall secure that justice is not denied to any citizen by reason of economic or other disabilities.
ii) It shall provide free legal aid to ensure equal justice.
Article 40 – Organisation of
village panchayats
The State shall take steps to organize Gram Panchayats and
endow them with powers and authority to function as units of self-government.
Article 41 – Right to work,
education, and public assistance
The State shall make effective provision for securing:
i) Right to work.
ii) Right to education.
iii) Right to public assistance in cases of unemployment, old age, sickness, and disablement.
Article 42 – Just and humane
conditions of work and maternity relief
The State shall make provision for securing:
i) Just and humane conditions of work.
ii) Maternity relief for women.
Article 43 – Living wage, etc.,
for workers
The State shall endeavor to secure for all workers:
i) A living wage.
ii) Conditions of work ensuring a decent standard of life and full enjoyment of leisure and social and cultural opportunities.
Article 43A – Participation of
workers in management of industries
The State shall take steps to ensure workers' participation in the management of industries.
Article 44 – Uniform Civil Code
(UCC)
The State shall endeavor to secure for the citizens a
Uniform Civil Code throughout the territory of India.
Article 45 – Provision for
early childhood care and education
The State shall endeavor to provide early childhood care and
education for all children under the age of six years.
Article 46 – Promotion of
educational and economic interests of SCs, STs, and other weaker sections
The State shall promote the educational and economic
interests of the Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, and other weaker sections.
Article 47 – Duty of the State
to raise the level of nutrition and standard of living
The State shall regard the raising of the level of nutrition
and the standard of living of its people as one of its primary duties.
Article 48 – Organisation of
agriculture and animal husbandry
The State shall take steps to:
i) Modernize agriculture
ii) Preserve and improve breeds.
iii) Prohibit the slaughter of cows, calves, and other milch and draught cattle.
Article 48A – Protection and
improvement of environment and safeguarding of forests and wildlife
The State shall endeavor to protect and improve the
environment and to safeguard forests and wildlife.
Article 49 – Protection of
monuments and places of national importance
The State shall protect every monument or place or object of
artistic or historic interest.
Article 50 – Separation of
judiciary from executive
The State shall take steps to separate the judiciary from
the executive in public services of the State.
Article 51 – Promotion of
international peace and security
The State shall endeavor to:
i) Promote international peace and security.
ii) Maintain just and honorable relations between nations.
iii) Encourage respect for international law and treaty obligations.
iv) Foster respect for international institutions.
11 Fundamental Duties of Indian Constitution – Complete Guide for Exams
Fundamental Duties
(Article 51A – Part IVA)
The 42nd Amendment Act, 1976 added a new part—Part IVA to
the Constitution. This part contains Fundamental Duties for Indian citizens and
currently includes 11 duties.
List of Eleven Fundamental Duties:
a) To abide by the Constitution and respect its ideals and institutions, the National Flag and the National Anthem.
b) To cherish and follow the noble ideals that inspired the national struggle for freedom.
c) To uphold and protect the sovereignty, unity and integrity of India.
d) To defend the country and render national service when
called upon to do so.
e) To promote harmony and the spirit of common brotherhood among all the people of India transcending religious, linguistic and regional or sectional diversities; to renounce practices derogatory to the dignity of women.
f) To value and preserve the rich heritage of the country’s composite culture.
g) To protect and improve the natural environment including forests, lakes, rivers, wildlife and to have compassion for living creatures.
h) To develop scientific temper, humanism and the spirit of inquiry and reform.
i) To safeguard public property and to abjure violence.
j) To strive towards excellence in all spheres of individual and collective activity so that the nation constantly rises to higher levels of endeavor and achievement.
k) To provide opportunities for education to one’s child or ward between the age of six and fourteen years. (Added by the 86th Constitutional Amendment Act, 2002)
DPSP and Fundamental Duties MCQ Questions with Answers for Exams
1. When and which committee suggested the division of
rights into justiciable and non-justiciable categories?
a. Sapru Committee
b. Balwant Rai Mehta Committee
c. Bhurelal Committee
d. None of the above
Answer: a
Explanation: The Sapru Committee (1945) proposed the
classification of individual rights into justiciable and non-justiciable
rights, which influenced the Directive Principles.
2. What are the ideals that the state must keep in mind
while formulating policies called?
a. Fundamental Rights
b. Directive Principles of State Policy
c. Gandhian Principles
d. Socialism
Answer: b
Explanation: Directive Principles of State Policy (DPSP)
guide the State in framing laws and policies aimed at ensuring social and
economic justice.
3. Which of the following statements about DPSP is true?
i) The concept was mentioned in the Government of India Act,
1935
ii) DPSP are not legally enforceable
a. Only i
b. Only ii
c. Both i and ii
d. None of the above
Answer: c
Explanation: The Instrument of Instructions in the GOI Act
1935 inspired DPSP. They are non-justiciable, meaning not enforceable by
courts.
4. Which article of the Constitution states “Equal pay for
equal work for men and women”?
a. Article 31
b. Article 39A
c. Article 41
d. Article 39
Answer: d
Explanation: Article 39 mandates the State to ensure equal
pay for equal work and protect the health and development of citizens.
5. What does Article 43 of the Constitution direct the
State to ensure?
a. Just and humane conditions of work
b. Living wage and decent standard of life
c. Maternity relief
d. All of the above
Answer: b
Explanation: Article 43 speaks about providing living wage,
and ensuring decent standard of life with cultural and social opportunities.
6. Which set of articles reflect the Gandhian Principles in
DPSP?
a. Articles 40 to 48
b. Articles 41 to 48
c. Article 42
d. Article 40
Answer: a
Explanation: Articles 40–48 reflect Gandhian ideology,
including village panchayats, cottage industries, and protection of cow.
7. Which article talks about establishing a Uniform Civil
Code throughout the country?
a. Article 48
b. Article 44
c. Article 42
d. Article 49
Answer: b
Explanation: Article 44 directs the State to implement a
Uniform Civil Code for all citizens across the country.
8. Which of the following new DPSPs was added by the 42nd
Constitutional Amendment Act, 1976?
a. To promote equal justice and provide free legal aid
b. Promote international peace and security
c. Minimize inequalities in income and status
d. Prohibit intoxicating drinks
Answer: a
Explanation: 42nd Amendment added new DPSPs including
Article 39A for free legal aid and justice for the poor.
9. Which amendment made elementary education a fundamental
right, and which article was added?
a. 80th Amendment, Article 21A
b. 86th Amendment, Article 21
c. 44th Amendment, Article 22A
d. 86th Amendment, Article 21A
Answer: d
Explanation: The 86th Amendment (2002) introduced Article
21A, making free and compulsory education a fundamental right.
10. From which country has India borrowed the concept of
Directive Principles of State Policy?
a. USA
b. Ireland
c. France
d. Japan
Answer: b
Explanation: The idea of DPSP was borrowed from the Irish
Constitution, which includes similar non-justiciable guidelines for governance.
11. Which of the following Fundamental Duties directly
relate to the protection of the environment?
A. Duty to safeguard public property
B. Duty to develop a scientific temper
C. Duty to protect and improve the natural environment
D. Duty to uphold sovereignty
Answer: C
Explanation: Article 51A(g) talks about protecting and
improving the natural environment, including forests, lakes, rivers, and
wildlife.
12. Which Fundamental Duty was added by the 86th
Constitutional Amendment Act, 2002?
A. To respect the ideals of the Constitution
B. To safeguard public property
C. To provide opportunities for education to children
D. To value and preserve cultural heritage
Answer: C
Explanation: The 86th Amendment added Clause (k) to Article
51A, which mandates parents/guardians to provide opportunities for education to
children between 6 and 14 years.
13. Fundamental Duties were inspired by which country's
Constitution?
A. USA
B. USSR (now Russia)
C. United Kingdom
D. France
Answer: B
Explanation: Fundamental Duties in India were inspired by
the Constitution of the USSR.
14. Which of the following statements is NOT true about
Fundamental Duties?
A. They are non-justiciable.
B. They are enforceable by law.
C. They act as a moral guide for citizens.
D. Parliament can make laws to enforce them.
Answer: B
Explanation: Fundamental Duties themselves are
non-justiciable, but Parliament can make laws to enforce them.
15. The phrase “to develop the scientific temper, humanism
and the spirit of inquiry and reform” appears under which duty?
A. Article 51A(b)
B. Article 51A(f)
C. Article 51A(h)
D. Article 51A(j)
Answer: C
Explanation: Article 51A(h) deals with scientific temper and
humanism.
16. Which of the following is NOT a Fundamental Duty of
Indian citizens?
A. To uphold the sovereignty and integrity of India
B. To pay taxes regularly
C. To cherish the noble ideals of the freedom struggle
D. To promote harmony
Answer: B
Explanation: Paying taxes is not listed as a Fundamental
Duty under Article 51A.
17. How many Fundamental Duties are there currently in the
Indian Constitution?
A. 9
B. 10
C. 11
D. 12
Answer: C
Explanation: Originally 10, one more was added by the 86th
Amendment, totaling 11 duties.
18. “To value and preserve the rich heritage of our
composite culture” is a duty that encourages:
A. Economic development
B. Cultural awareness
C. Judicial activism
D. Political protest
Answer: B
Explanation: This duty emphasizes the preservation of
India’s cultural diversity and heritage.
19. Which body recommended the inclusion of Fundamental
Duties in the Indian Constitution?
A. Nehru Committee
B. Mandal Commission
C. Swaran Singh Committee
D. Shah Commission
Answer: C
Explanation: The Swaran Singh Committee (1976) recommended
inclusion of Fundamental Duties.
20. Which Article of the Constitution contains the list of
Fundamental Duties?
A. Article 32
B. Article 51A
C. Article 45
D. Article 14
Answer: B
Explanation: All Fundamental Duties are listed under Article
51A of Part IV-A.
