Directive Principles and Fundamental Duties — Part IV and Part IV-A

Fundamental Rights tell the State what it must not do to you. Directive Principles tell the State what it should try to do for you. Fundamental Duties tell you what you owe back. Between them they cover Parts III, IV and IV-A of the Constitution, and almost every general studies paper in India draws two or three questions from this block.

The difference that decides most questions is enforceability. A Fundamental Right can be taken to the Supreme Court under Article 32. A Directive Principle cannot — Article 37 says expressly that these principles 'shall not be enforceable by any court', yet they are 'fundamental in the governance of the country' and it is the duty of the State to apply them in making laws. Fundamental Duties are likewise not directly enforceable, though Parliament can pass a law to enforce any of them.

So: rights are claims, principles are goals, duties are expectations. Learn the article numbers — that is what is actually asked.

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

2. The idea of Directive Principles of State Policy was borrowed from the Constitution of which country?

3. Which Article directs the State to secure a Uniform Civil Code for all citizens throughout India?

4. Fundamental Duties were added to the Constitution by which amendment, and on whose recommendation?

5. How many Fundamental Duties are there in the Constitution today, and which amendment added the last one?

6. Which Directive Principle asks the State to separate the judiciary from the executive in the public services of the State?

7. Article 48A, which directs the State to protect and improve the environment and safeguard forests and wildlife, was inserted by which amendment?

8. Which statement about the Directive Principles of State Policy is correct?