Directive Principles of State Policy : Part IV of the Indian Constitution

Contents: 1. Introduction. 2. Philosophy, nature and significance of directive principles in the Indian constitution. 3. Agrarian reforms and prevention of concentration of wealth-village Panchayats. 4. State obligation towards women and children. 5. Social security and obligation of state. 6. Community welfare under the directive principles. 7. Directive principles from goal to reality. Epilogue. Directive Principles are the bundle of the norms which regulate the functioning of the government for the welfare and development of the society. These are the self-regulatory norms having public sanction behind them. These principles are the guidelines for the government and government should follow these principles for making their policy. The origin of Directive Principles belongs to India. The Directive Principles contain the fragrance of moral and social principles. This could be seen in the ancient Indian literature such as the Smritis, Purans, etc. India has always been the forerunner in this particular field, in the ancient Indian literature these principles has been presented as the Dharma. Since these principles were taken as the part Dharma, they are supposed to be the Divine Principles. Hence, these were followed involuntarily by the kings and their subjects. Parts III and IV of the Constitution have been described as the conscience of the Constitution. The Directive Principles of State Policy set forth the humanitarian socialist percepts that were the aims of the Indian social revolution. The Fundamental Rights and Directive Principles were designed by the members of the Constituent Assembly to be the chief instruments in bringing about the great reforms of social revolution. They have helped to bring the Indian society closer to the goal of social, political and economic justice for all as enshrined in the Constitution.…