DPSP & Fundamental Duties — Set 10

Correct Answer: C. Article 51

Article 51 in Part IV directs the State to promote international peace and security, maintain honourable relations between nations, foster respect for international law and treaty obligations, and encourage settlement of international disputes by arbitration. This DPSP has influenced India's foreign policy including the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence (Panchsheel). Understanding this constitutional provision is essential for competitive examinations and civic awareness.

Correct Answer: C. Article 51

The Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence (Panchsheel), articulated by India and China in 1954, align with Article 51 of the Constitution. Article 51 directs the State to promote international peace, foster respect for international law, and encourage settlement of international disputes by arbitration. Panchsheel includes: mutual respect for territorial integrity, non-aggression, non-interference, equality and mutual benefit, and peaceful coexistence.

Correct Answer: B. The definition in Article 12 would not automatically extend to Part IV without an explicit cross-reference

Article 36 provides an explicit cross-reference to Article 12's definition of 'State' for Part IV. Without this explicit reference, there might have been ambiguity about whether DPSP obligations applied to the same entities bound by Fundamental Rights. The explicit reference ensures consistency in the scope of State obligation across both Parts III and IV.

Correct Answer: B. It provides constitutional backing for anti-monopoly legislation and nationalisation policies

Article 39(c) has constitutional significance as it provides backing for anti-monopoly legislation, nationalisation of industries, and other redistributive economic policies. Courts have used this DPSP to uphold laws that restrict monopolistic practices. The MRTP Act (Monopolies and Restrictive Trade Practices Act, 1969) was enacted based partly on this directive.

Correct Answer: B. Their health and strength and that of children being abused and citizens being forced to work in unsuitable conditions

Article 39(e) directs the State to ensure that the health and strength of workers, men and women, and the tender age of children are not abused, and that citizens are not forced by economic necessity to enter avocations unsuited to their age or strength. This DPSP is the basis for laws prohibiting hazardous child labour, protecting women from harsh working conditions, etc. Understanding this constitutional provision is essential for competitive examinations and civic awareness.

Correct Answer: B. Article 43 — living wage for workers

The Minimum Wages Act 1948 was enacted to give effect to Article 43 of the Constitution, which directs the State to secure a living wage for workers. The Act provides for fixing minimum wages for different categories of workers to ensure a basic standard of living. The Supreme Court has held that payment of less than minimum wages constitutes forced labour under Article 23.

Correct Answer: B. They were originally framed as instructions to governors of the provinces before becoming DPSPs

The concept of Directive Principles of State Policy was derived from the 'Instrument of Instructions' in the Government of India Act, 1935, which contained instructions to the Governor-General and Governors. Dr. B.R. Ambedkar acknowledged this origin. The DPSPs serve a similar function — they provide guidelines to the State (rather than individuals) on governance objectives.

Correct Answer: B. Article 42

The Maternity Benefit Act (1961, amended 2017) was enacted to give effect to Article 42, which directs the State to make provision for securing just and humane conditions of work and for maternity relief. The 2017 amendment increased maternity leave from 12 to 26 weeks for working women. This is a key implementation of the DPSP for working mothers.

Correct Answer: B. Article 51A(b)

Article 51A(b) requires every citizen to cherish and follow the noble ideals which inspired the national struggle for freedom. This duty connects citizens to India's freedom movement and its values — secularism, democracy, non-violence, and social justice as advocated by the freedom fighters. Understanding this constitutional provision is essential for competitive examinations and civic awareness.

Correct Answer: B. The concept of Industrial Democracy

Article 43A (inserted by the 42nd Amendment, 1976) was inspired by the concept of Industrial Democracy — the idea that workers should have a say in how the enterprises they work in are managed. This concept emerged from European labor movements and was also linked to socialist principles of workers' ownership. The directive supports workers' participation through works committees and joint management councils.