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KSEAB SSLC Political Science study materials
KSEAB SSLC Political Science study resources

KSEAB SSLC Political Science: Fundamental Duties and Directive Principles of State Policy

KSEAB SSLC Political Science · Work through your exam, one topic at a time.

All guide sections

Fundamental Duties and Directive Principles of State Policy

What this domain tests

This section checks the non-justiciable side of the Constitution: what the state should do (DPSP) and what citizens should do (Fundamental Duties). Expect questions on Articles 51A and 36–51, the 42nd and 86th Amendments, and conflicts with fundamental rights.

Core rules

  • Fundamental Duties are in Part IVA, Article 51A. They were added by the 42nd Amendment (1976) on the recommendation of the Swaran Singh Committee. Originally ten, an eleventh duty was added by the 86th Amendment (2002): parents and guardians must provide education to children aged 6–14.
  • Duties are moral and civic; they are not directly enforceable by courts.
  • Directive Principles are in Part IV, Articles 36–51, borrowed from Ireland. They are not justiciable but are 'fundamental in the governance of the country' (Article 37).
  • Socialist principles: Articles 38, 39, 39A, 41, 42, 43, 43A, 46 and 47. Gandhian: 40, 43, 43B, 46, 47 and 48. Liberal-intellectual: 44, 45, 48, 48A, 49, 50 and 51.
  • Key articles: 39A free legal aid; 40 organisation of village panchayats; 44 uniform civil code; 45 early childhood care and education; 47 prohibition of intoxicating drinks and drugs; 48A environment and wildlife; 50 separation of judiciary from executive; 51 international peace and security.
  • The 42nd Amendment gave Articles 39(b) and (c) precedence over Articles 14 and 19, but Minerva Mills (1980) restored a balance between rights and directives.

Worked example

A state introduces free legal aid for poor litigants. Is this a fundamental right or a directive? Reasoning: legal aid is directed by Article 39A (DPSP), and the Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987 implements it. A person cannot directly sue the state for failing to provide legal aid under Part IV, but Article 21's right to a fair trial and Article 22's safeguards can support a court claim. Answer: primarily a directive implemented by statute.

Traps

Do not say DPSP are enforceable. Article 51A deals with duties; Article 51 is a directive on international peace. The 86th Amendment changed Article 45's content and added 21A - do not attribute education rights to the 42nd Amendment. Fundamental duties are not a substitute for fundamental rights.