Directive Principles of State Policy — MCQs

All questions with answers and explanations

Read the full set here, or use the practice card above to test yourself one question at a time.

1. The Directive Principles of State Policy are contained in which Part of the Constitution of India?

   • Part III
   • Part IV (correct answer)
   • Part IVA
   • Part V

   Explanation. The Directive Principles of State Policy are contained in Part IV, Articles 36 to 51, of the Constitution.

2. Which Article declares that the Directive Principles shall not be enforceable by any court?

   • Article 32
   • Article 36
   • Article 37 (correct answer)
   • Article 38

   Explanation. Article 37 makes the Directive Principles non-justiciable, while calling them fundamental in the governance of the country.

3. From which country's Constitution were the Directive Principles of State Policy borrowed?

   • United States
   • United Kingdom
   • Ireland (correct answer)
   • Canada

   Explanation. The Directive Principles in Part IV are generally traced to the Irish Constitution of 1937.

4. Article 36 of the Constitution provides that, for Part IV, 'the State' has the same meaning as under which Article?

   • Article 12 (correct answer)
   • Article 13
   • Article 14
   • Article 32

   Explanation. Article 36 extends the wide definition of 'State' given under Article 12 to the whole of Part IV.

5. Article 37 says it is the duty of the State to apply the Directive Principles in:

   • Interpreting private contracts
   • Making laws (correct answer)
   • Appointing judges
   • Holding elections

   Explanation. Article 37 says the principles are fundamental in the governance of the country, and that it is the duty of the State to apply them in making laws.

6. Which of these best describes the nature of the Directive Principles compared to Fundamental Rights?

   • Both are equally enforceable in court
   • Directive Principles are negative restraints, Fundamental Rights are positive duties
   • Directive Principles are positive instructions to the State, Fundamental Rights are largely restraints on the State (correct answer)
   • Directive Principles bind only private individuals

   Explanation. Fundamental Rights largely restrain State action against individuals; Directive Principles positively instruct the State to work toward social and economic goals.

7. In State of Madras v. Champakam Dorairajan (1951), the Supreme Court held that:

   • Directive Principles override Fundamental Rights
   • Fundamental Rights prevail over conflicting Directive Principles (correct answer)
   • Directive Principles are directly enforceable
   • The case had nothing to do with Part III or Part IV

   Explanation. The Court held that an enforceable Fundamental Right must prevail over a conflicting, non-justiciable Directive Principle.

8. Which constitutional amendment was passed as a direct result of the Champakam Dorairajan decision?

   • 24th Amendment
   • 42nd Amendment
   • First Amendment (correct answer)
   • 86th Amendment

   Explanation. The Constitution (First Amendment) Act, 1951 inserted Article 15(4) in direct response to this judgment.

9. Dr Ambedkar compared Part IV to which earlier instrument?

   • The Instrument of Instructions under the Government of India Act, 1935 (correct answer)
   • The Government of India Act, 1919
   • The Regulating Act, 1773
   • The Charter Act, 1833

   Explanation. Dr Ambedkar compared Part IV to the Instruments of Instructions issued to Governors under the Government of India Act, 1935, now addressed to the legislature and the executive.

10. Which of the following is an example of ordinary legislation that gives concrete, enforceable shape to a Directive Principle?

    • The Indian Penal Code
    • The Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act, 2009 (correct answer)
    • The Indian Contract Act, 1872
    • The Code of Civil Procedure, 1908

    Explanation. The 2009 Act converts Article 45's aspiration (as reshaped by the 86th Amendment) into a judicially enforceable right for children aged 6 to 14.