The Directive Principles of State Policy (DPSP) are a set of guidelines and principles included in Part IV of the Indian Constitution. The DPSPs are not enforceable in a court of law, but they are fundamental in the governance of the country and serve as a moral and political compass for the government in making laws and policies.
The Directive Principles of State Policy aim to establish a welfare state and provide social and economic justice to all citizens of India. Some of the important Directive Principles are:
- The State shall strive to promote the welfare of the people by securing and protecting as effectively as it may a social order in which justice, social, economic and political, shall inform all the institutions of the national life.
- The State shall strive to minimize the inequalities in income, status, facilities and opportunities, not only amongst individuals but also amongst groups of people residing in different areas or engaged in different vocations.
- The State shall provide for free and compulsory education for all children until they complete the age of 14 years.
- The State shall endeavor to promote equal justice and to provide free legal aid to the poor and weaker sections of the society.
- The State shall promote the conservation of the environment and the protection of wildlife.
- The State shall take steps to secure the participation of workers in the management of industries.
- The State shall strive to promote international peace and security, maintain just and honorable relations between nations, and foster respect for international law and treaty obligations.
The DPSPs are an essential component of the Constitution, and they reflect the ideals and aspirations of the Indian people. While they are not legally binding, they serve as a guiding principle for the government in formulating policies and laws that are in line with the vision of a just and equitable society.
