The Directive Principles of State Policy are a set of guidelines for the government of India to follow in order to promote the welfare of its citizens. These principles are not enforceable by the courts, but they are nevertheless considered to be an important part of the Indian Constitution. This blog post on Directive Principles of State Policy MCQs will help you to test your knowledge of this important topic.
1. Which article defines the State?
a) Article 36
b) Article 37
c) Article 38
d) Article 39
Answer: a) Article 36
Explanation: Article 36 of the Indian Constitution provides the definition of “State” for the purposes of Part IV (Directive Principles of State Policy), stating that it shall have the same meaning as given in Part III (Fundamental Rights).
2. Which article deals with the promotion of the welfare of the people?
a) Article 37
b) Article 38
c) Article 39
d) Article 40
Answer: b) Article 38
Explanation: Article 38 directs the State to promote the welfare of the people by securing and protecting a social order in which justice, social, economic, and political, shall inform all the institutions of national life.
3. Which article emphasizes equal justice and free legal aid?
a) Article 39
b) Article 39A
c) Article 40
d) Article 41
Answer: b) Article 39A
Explanation: Article 39A emphasizes that the State shall secure that the operation of the legal system promotes justice on a basis of equal opportunity and shall provide free legal aid to ensure that opportunities for securing justice are not denied to any citizen by reason of economic or other disabilities.
4. Which article pertains to the organization of village panchayats?
a) Article 40
b) Article 41
c) Article 42
d) Article 43
Answer: a) Article 40
Explanation: Article 40 mandates that the State shall take steps 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.
5. Which article focuses on the right to work, education, and public assistance?
a) Article 41
b) Article 42
c) Article 43
d) Article 44
Answer: a) Article 41
Explanation:Article 41 provides that the State shall, within its limits of economic capacity and development, make effective provision for securing the right to work, to education, and to public assistance in cases of unemployment, old age, sickness, and disablement.
6. Which article deals with the provision of just and humane conditions of work and maternity relief?
a) Article 42
b) Article 43
c) Article 44
d) Article 45
Answer: a) Article 42
Explanation: Article 42 directs the State to make provision for securing just and humane conditions of work and for maternity relief.
7. Which article promotes the participation of workers in the management of industries?
a) Article 43A
b) Article 43B
c) Article 44
d) Article 45
Answer: a) Article 43A
Explanation: Article 43A mandates that the State shall take steps to secure the participation of workers in the management of undertakings, establishments, or other organizations engaged in any industry.
8. Which article focuses on the promotion of cooperative societies?
a) Article 43A
b) Article 43B
c) Article 44
d) Article 45
Answer: b) Article 43B
Explanation: Article 43B was added by the 97th Amendment and focuses on the promotion of cooperative societies, directing the State to promote their voluntary formation, autonomous functioning, democratic control, and professional management.
9. Which article pertains to the separation of judiciary from the executive?
a) Article 45
b) Article 46
c) Article 47
d) Article 50
Answer: d) Article 50
Explanation: Article 50 directs the State to take steps to separate the judiciary from the executive in the public services of the State, aiming to ensure the independence of the judiciary.
10 Which amendment added Article 48A to the Directive Principles of State Policy?
a) 42nd Amendment Act of 1976
b) 44th Amendment Act of 1978
c) 86th Amendment Act of 2002
d) 97th Amendment Act of 2011
Answer: a) 42nd Amendment Act of 1976
Explanation: Article 48A, which directs the State to protect and improve the environment and to safeguard the forests and wildlife of the country, was added by the 42nd Amendment Act of 1976.
Directive Principles of State Policy MCQ
11. Which organization aimed to bring about social and economic equity and justice through its Five-Year Plans?
Explanation: The Planning Commission was responsible for formulating India’s Five-Year Plans, aimed at promoting social and economic equity and justice.
12. Which measures were introduced to help the underprivileged sections in India?
a) Acts to protect the interests of the poor
b) Protection of wildlife and conservation of forests
c) Development of cottage industries
d) All of the above
Answer: d) All of the above
Explanation: Acts to protect the interests of the poor, protection of wildlife and conservation of forests, and the development of cottage industries are all measures aimed at helping the underprivileged sections in India.
13. Which act was passed to protect the interests of women in India?
a) Maternity Benefits Act
b) Equal Remuneration Act
c) Protection of Civil Rights Act
d) Right to Education Act
Answer: a) Maternity Benefits Act
Explanation: The Maternity Benefits Act was enacted to protect the employment of women during the time of maternity and entitles them to a ‘maternity benefit’ which is fully paid wages during the absence from work and to take care of the child.
14. Which amendment added Article 48A to the Directive Principles of State Policy?
a) 42nd Amendment Act of 1976
b) 44th Amendment Act of 1978
c) 86th Amendment Act of 2002
d) 97th Amendment Act of 2011
Answer: a) 42nd Amendment Act of 1976
Explanation: Article 48A, directing the State to protect and improve the environment and to safeguard the forests and wildlife of the country, was added by the 42nd Amendment Act of 1976.
15. What is the main limitation of Directive Principles of State Policy?
a) They are legally binding on the state
b) They are justiciable in the courts
c) The state has a moral duty to implement them
d) They can be easily enforced by the judiciary
Answer: c) The state has a moral duty to implement them
Explanation: The Directive Principles are not legally binding; they are guidelines or principles that the State is expected to follow, but they are not enforceable by the courts.
16. Who described Directive Principles of State Policy as “pious wishes”?
a) K.T. Shah
b) T.T. Krishnamachari
c) K. Santhanam
d) Granville Austin
Answer: b) T.T. Krishnamachari
Explanation: The phrase “pious wishes” in relation to the Directive Principles of State Policy is often attributed to various members of the Constituent Assembly, but it was actually T.T. Krishnamachari who described them as such. This description reflects the non-justiciable nature of these principles, meaning they are not legally enforceable by the courts, but they are meant to guide the state in formulating policies and laws.
17. According to Granville Austin, both Fundamental Rights and Directive Principles of State Policy are the ______________ of the constitution.
a) Foundation
b) Conscience
c) Essence
d) Backbone
Answer: b) Conscience
Explanation: Granville Austin described both Fundamental Rights and Directive Principles as the “conscience” of the Constitution, emphasizing their integral role in its framework.
18. Fundamental Rights are _______________ in nature, while Directive Principles of State Policy are _______________ in nature.
a) Positive, Negative
b) Negative, Positive
c) Enforceable, Non-justiciable
d) Non-justiciable, Enforceable
Answer: b) Negative, Positive
19. In cases of conflict between Fundamental Rights and Directive Principles of State Policy, which one prevails?
a) Fundamental Rights
b) Directive Principles of State Policy
c) Both have equal weight
d) It depends on the specific case
Answer: a) Fundamental Rights
Explanation: In cases of conflict, Fundamental Rights generally prevail over Directive Principles, as they are enforceable by the courts, whereas Directive Principles are not.
20. The Minerva Mills case of 1980 emphasized the ___________________ between Fundamental Rights and Directive Principles of State Policy.
a) Conflict
b) Superiority
c) Harmony
d) Separation
Answer: c) Harmony
Explanation: The Minerva Mills case emphasized the harmony between Fundamental Rights and Directive Principles, stating that the Constitution aims to balance both sets of provisions.
Directive Principles of State Policy MCQ
21. The concept of Directive Principles of State Policy (DPSP) in India is derived from which country’s constitution?
Explanation: The concept of Directive Principles of State Policy in the Indian Constitution is derived from the Irish Constitution.
22. Which part of the Indian Constitution contains the Directive Principles of State Policy (DPSP)?
a) Part I
b) Part II
c) Part III
d) Part IV
Answer: d) Part IV
Explanation: The Directive Principles of State Policy are contained in Part IV of the Indian Constitution.
23. What is the scope of Directive Principles of State Policy (DPSP) compared to Fundamental Rights (FRs)?
a) DPSP protects the rights of a citizen, while FRs work at a macro level.
b) DPSP and FRs have equal scope and protect individual rights.
c) DPSP focuses on socioeconomic justice, while FRs protect civil liberties.
d) DPSP and FRs have overlapping scope and protect both individual and collective rights.
Answer: c) DPSP focuses on socioeconomic justice, while FRs protect civil liberties.
Explanation: Directive Principles focus on ensuring socioeconomic justice and addressing the welfare of the people, while Fundamental Rights focus on protecting individual liberties and rights.
24. Are Directive Principles of State Policy (DPSP) enforceable by law?
a) Yes, they are enforceable through legal mechanisms.
b) No, they are non-justiciable and not enforceable by law.
c) They are partially enforceable based on specific circumstances.
d) DPSP enforceability varies depending on the interpretation by the judiciary.
Answer: b) No, they are non-justiciable and not enforceable by law.
Explanation: The Directive Principles of State Policy are non-justiciable, meaning they cannot be enforced by the courts.
25. Which classification of Directive Principles of State Policy is based on Gandhian principles?
a) Socialist Principles
b) Gandhian Principles
c) Liberal and Intellectual Principles
d) None of the above
Answer: b) Gandhian Principles
Explanation: Gandhian Principles within the Directive Principles are inspired by the philosophy and ideas of Mahatma Gandhi, focusing on promoting self-sufficiency, rural development, and social justice.
26. According to Article 39 of the Indian Constitution, the State shall direct its policies towards securing:
a) Right to education for all citizens
b) Equal pay for equal work for both men and women
c) Protection of the strength and health of workers
d) All of the above
Answer: d) All of the above
Explanation: Article 39 directs the State to secure equal pay for equal work for both men and women, the protection of the health and strength of workers, and other welfare measures, hence covering multiple objectives.
27. Which article of the Indian Constitution promotes the formation of village panchayats as units of self-government?
a) Article 40
b) Article 41
c) Article 42
d) Article 43
Answer: a) Article 40
Explanation: Article 40 promotes the organization of village panchayats and endows them with necessary powers to function as units of self-government.
28. The State shall endeavor to promote cottage industries on an individual or cooperative basis in rural areas as stated in:
a) Article 42
b) Article 43
c) Article 43A
d) Article 44
Answer: b) Article 43
Explanation: Article 43 directs the State to promote cottage industries on an individual or cooperative basis in rural areas.
29. The State shall protect every monument or place of artistic or historic interest, according to:
a) Article 48
b) Article 49
c) Article 50
d) Article 51
Answer: b) Article 49
Explanation: Article 49 directs the State to protect monuments, places, and objects of artistic or historic interest, and to prevent their disfigurement, destruction, removal, or export. Which constitutional amendment introduced the provision for free legal aid to the poor under DPSP?
30. Which constitutional amendment introduced the provision for free legal aid to the poor under DPSP?
a) 42nd Constitutional Amendment, 1976
b) 44th Constitutional Amendment, 1978
c) 86th Amendment Act, 2002
d) 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act, 1992
Answer: a) 42nd Constitutional Amendment, 1976
Explanation: The 42nd Constitutional Amendment Act of 1976 introduced Article 39A, which provides for free legal aid to the poor.
