π Chapter 06 Β· Previous Year Questions
Directive Principles of State Policy β Previous Year Questions
10 actual questions from UPSC, APPSC, and TGPSC previous year papers with detailed answers.
π‘ Tip: DPSP questions frequently appear in UPSC and state PSC exams. Focus on article numbers, classification, and landmark cases.
π Note: Questions sourced from UPSC Civil Services Prelims, APPSC Group 1 & 2, and TGPSC Group 1 & 2 previous papers.
π 10 Previous Year Questions
Consider the following statements about Directive Principles of State Policy:
1. They are non-justiciable β courts cannot enforce them.
2. They can be suspended during National Emergency.
3. They are fundamental in the governance of the country.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
1. They are non-justiciable β courts cannot enforce them.
2. They can be suspended during National Emergency.
3. They are fundamental in the governance of the country.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
A) 1 and 2 only
B) 1 and 3 only
C) 2 and 3 only
D) 1, 2 and 3
β
Answer: B) 1 and 3 onlyStatements 1 and 3 are correct. Statement 2 is incorrect β DPSPs cannot be suspended during National Emergency (unlike Fundamental Rights). Article 37 states that DPSPs are non-justiciable but “fundamental in the governance of the country.”
Which of the following is NOT a Directive Principle of State Policy?
A) Equal pay for equal work for men and women
B) Uniform Civil Code
C) Abolition of untouchability
D) Separation of judiciary from executive
β
Answer: C) Abolition of untouchabilityAbolition of untouchability is a Fundamental Right under Article 17, not a DPSP. Equal pay for equal work (Article 39), Uniform Civil Code (Article 44), and Separation of judiciary from executive (Article 50) are all DPSPs.
The Kesavananda Bharati case (1973) established which important constitutional doctrine?
A) Doctrine of eclipse
B) Doctrine of severability
C) Basic structure doctrine
D) Doctrine of pith and substance
β
Answer: C) Basic structure doctrineThe Kesavananda Bharati case (1973) established the basic structure doctrine β Parliament can amend the Constitution but cannot destroy its basic structure. This case was decided by a 13-judge bench by 7:6 majority.
Which article of the Indian Constitution provides for free and compulsory education for children up to 14 years? (Before 86th Amendment)
A) Article 21A
B) Article 45
C) Article 46
D) Article 47
β
Answer: B) Article 45Before the 86th Amendment (2002), Article 45 directed the State to provide free and compulsory education for all children until they complete the age of 14 years. After the 86th Amendment, education for 6-14 years became a Fundamental Right (Article 21A), and Article 45 was changed to provide early childhood care for under-6 children.
Which of the following Directive Principles is classified as a “Gandhian” principle?
A) Article 39A β Free legal aid
B) Article 44 β Uniform Civil Code
C) Article 40 β Village Panchayats
D) Article 51 β International peace
β
Answer: C) Article 40 β Village PanchayatsArticle 40 (organisation of village panchayats) is a Gandhian DPSP, reflecting Gandhi’s vision of “Gram Swaraj” (village self-rule). Article 39A is Socialistic, Article 44 and 51 are Liberal-Intellectual.
The Directive Principles of State Policy are contained in which Part of the Indian Constitution?
A) Part II
B) Part III
C) Part IV
D) Part IVA
β
Answer: C) Part IVDPSPs are contained in Part IV (Articles 36-51) of the Constitution. Part III contains Fundamental Rights, Part IVA contains Fundamental Duties (added by 42nd Amendment).
Which state in India has a Uniform Civil Code?
A) Kerala
B) Goa
C) Uttarakhand
D) Himachal Pradesh
β
Answer: B) GoaGoa is the only state in India with a Uniform Civil Code, inherited from Portuguese rule. The Goa Civil Code applies to all residents of Goa regardless of religion. Article 44 (DPSP) directs the State to secure a Uniform Civil Code for all citizens.
Article 39 of the Indian Constitution directs the State to ensure equal pay for equal work for men and women. This is classified as which type of DPSP?
A) Socialistic
B) Gandhian
C) Liberal-Intellectual
D) None of the above
β
Answer: A) SocialisticArticle 39 is a Socialistic DPSP. It directs the State to ensure adequate means of livelihood, equitable distribution of material resources, no concentration of wealth, equal pay for equal work for men and women, and protection of health of workers.
Article 51A(g) (Fundamental Duty to protect environment) and which DPSP together form the constitutional basis for environmental protection in India?
A) Article 39A
B) Article 43A
C) Article 48A
D) Article 50
β
Answer: C) Article 48AArticle 48A (DPSP β protection and improvement of environment) and Article 51A(g) (Fundamental Duty β to protect and improve the natural environment) together form the constitutional basis for environmental protection in India. Both were added by the 42nd Amendment (1976).
Which of the following statements about the relationship between Fundamental Rights and Directive Principles is correct after the Minerva Mills case (1980)?
A) Fundamental Rights have absolute primacy over DPSP
B) DPSP have absolute primacy over Fundamental Rights
C) Fundamental Rights and DPSP are complementary and must be harmonized
D) Courts can enforce both FR and DPSP equally
β
Answer: C) Fundamental Rights and DPSP are complementary and must be harmonizedAfter Minerva Mills (1980), the current position is that FR and DPSP are complementary and supplementary to each other. Harmony between them is an essential feature of the basic structure. Parliament can amend FR to implement DPSP but cannot destroy the basic structure.