Salient Features of the Constitution - II - Questions & Answers

EXERCISES

I. Multiple-Choice Questions
Choose the correct answers to the questions from the given options.

1. Which of the following constitute the guidelines given in the Constitution for governance of the country?
(a) Fundamental Rights and Duties
(b) Directive Principles of State Policy
(c) Laws in the Constitution
(d) None of the above.
Answer: (b) Directive Principles of State Policy

2. Which of the following formed the sources for drafting the Directive Principles of State Policy?
(a) Irish Constitution
(b) UN Human Rights Charter
(c) Mahatma Gandhi's ideas
(d) All of the above.
Answer: (d) All of the above.

3. The Directive Principles are mere directions to the State to attain certain set objectives.
(a) orders
(b) requests
(c) directions
(d) promises

4. Directive Principles: Not Justiciable :: Fundamental Rights: Justiciable.
(a) Enforceable by courts
(b) Not Justiciable
(c) Obligatory
(d) Mandatory

5. (A) The Directive Principles of State Policy are a substitute for the laws to ensure welfare of all the citizens.
(R) The Directive Principles are guidelines for the governments to make laws.
(a) (A) is true but (R) is false.
(b) (A) is false, but (R) is true.
(c) Both (A) and (R) are true, but (R) is not the correct explanation of (A).
(d) Both (A) and (R) are false.
Answer: (b) (A) is false, but (R) is true.

6. Which of the following is incorrect regarding the Directive Principles?
(a) They provide a measure to judge a government's performance.
(b) They provide a framework for political, social and economic programmes for a modern democratic state.
(c) They enlighten and educate people about profitability for the nation.
(d) They provide a direction to courts in respect of safeguarding rights of the citizens.
Answer: (c) They enlighten and educate people about profitability for the nation.

7. Identify the statements about Directive Principles which are correct.
(P) : They are provided in Part IV of the Constitution.
(Q) : They are a certain kind of restriction on the State.
(R) : Their aim is to establish a Welfare State.
(S) : They provide a measure to judge a government's performance.
(a) P and Q
(b) P and S
(c) P and R
(d) Q and R
Answer: (c) P and R

8. Which of the following measures reflect the implementation of Directive Principles by the government?
(a) Untouchability made a punishable offence.
(b) The Right to Education Act.
(c) Reservations for Economically Weaker Sections (EWS).
(d) All of the above.
Answer: (d) All of the above.

9. (A) The Directive Principles are not enforceable by any court of law.
(R) They are mere directions to the State to attain certain set objectives.
(a) (A) is true but (R) is false.
(b) (A) is false, but (R) is true.
(c) Both (A) and (R) are true, but (R) is not the correct explanation of (A).
(d) Both (A) and (R) are false.
Answer: (c) Both (A) and (R) are true, but (R) is not the correct explanation of (A).

10. Which of the following aspect of the Welfare State is reflected in the newspaper clipping given alongside? (Newspaper clipping: "Hindustan Times - Quota for women a reality as historic bill clears Parliament")
(a) Provide education in running the government
(b) Provide social equality and justice
(c) Provide health benefits to women
(d) Provide livelihood to marginalised women
Answer: (b) Provide social equality and justice

II. Short Answer Questions

1. What are known as Directive Principles of State Policy? In which part of the Constitution are Directive Principles incorporated?
Answer: The Directive Principles are the guidelines to be followed by the government in the governance of the country. They are incorporated in Part IV of the Constitution under Articles 36 to 51.

2. Name any four important sources of Directive Principles.
Answer:
1. The Constitution of the Irish Republic.
2. The Declaration of the Rights of Man and Citizens of revolutionary France.
3. The ideas of Mahatma Gandhi.
4. The Charter of Human Rights framed by the United Nations.

3. When the Directive Principles are not enforceable by law courts, why have they been incorporated in the Constitution?
Answer: Despite being non-justiciable, they have been incorporated because they provide a framework for ensuring political, social, and economic justice essential for a modern democratic society. They serve as a pledge to the people, guidelines for making laws, a measure to judge a government's performance, and direct the State towards establishing a Welfare State.

4. What happens in case of any conflict between the Directive Principles and Fundamental Rights? Give reason to support your answer.
Answer: In case of any conflict between the Directive Principles and Fundamental Rights, the Directive Principles shall prevail. The reason is that the welfare of the people as a whole is of paramount importance over that of an individual.

5. Name any two measures taken by the Government towards implementation of the Directive Principles of State Policy.
Answer:
1. The implementation of the Right to Education Act, making it mandatory to provide free education to children between 6-14 years of age.
2. Abolition of the Zamindari System and introduction of land reform programmes to dismantle the old socio-economic structure in rural India.

III. Structured Questions

1. There are differences of opinion regarding the significance of both the Directive Principles and the Fundamental Rights. In this context explain the following:

(a) State any three differences between the Fundamental Rights and Directive Principles of State Policy.
Answer:
1. Directive Principles are provided in Part-IV of the Constitution, whereas Fundamental Rights are provided in Part-III.
2. Directive Principles are non-justiciable and cannot be enforced by any court of law, whereas Fundamental Rights are justiciable, and citizens can seek protection from courts in case of infringement.
3. Directive Principles act as mere directions for the government to attain certain set objectives, whereas Fundamental Rights act as a certain kind of restriction on the State.

(b) How do the Directive Principles complement the Fundamental Rights?
Answer: While Fundamental Rights guarantee essential political and individual freedoms, Directive Principles complement them by establishing a framework for social and economic justice. Together, they aim to secure the dignity of the individual and build a modern democratic Welfare State, balancing individual liberty with the welfare of society as a whole.

(c) What is the significance of Directive Principles?
Answer: They are highly significant as they act as a pledge by the Constitution makers to the people of India to ensure justice. They provide guidelines for governments to draft policies, serve as a measure for citizens to judge government performance, educate people on what to expect from leaders, and direct the government to move towards the ultimate goal of a Welfare State.

2. With reference to the concept of a 'Welfare State', answer the following questions:

(a) What is meant by a 'Welfare State'?
Answer: A Welfare State is a state which seeks to ensure the maximum happiness of the maximum number of people living within its territory by providing social and economic justice and dignity to the individual.

(b) How does the Constitution of India seek to establish India as a Welfare State?
Answer: The Constitution seeks to establish India as a Welfare State through the Directive Principles of State Policy. These directives clearly outline the aims and objectives of a Welfare State and place a positive duty on the State to implement policies that promote social equality, economic welfare, and the well-being of all citizens.

(c) Mention any four government schemes aimed at social upliftment of the poor.
Answer:
1. Ayushman Bharat Yojana (health insurance coverage).
2. Pradhan Mantri Samaan Nidhi Yojana (financial support for small and marginalized farmers).
3. Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (free LPG connections to BPL households).
4. Jan Dhan Yojana (bank accounts and insurance coverage for the poor).

3. The Directive Principles are guidelines to be followed by the government in the governance of the country. Explain with one example each, government schemes under the following heads:

(a) Social Equality and Justice
Answer: The Right to Education Act is a key measure. It makes it mandatory for every child between the ages of 6-14 to be provided free education in all government schools and requires private schools to reserve 25% of seats for economically weaker sections.

(b) Economic Welfare
Answer: The Pradhan Mantri Gramin Awaas Yojana is an example. Under this scheme, financial assistance is provided to homeless people and those living in dilapidated houses for the construction of permanent (pucca) houses equipped with basic facilities.

(c) Foreign Policy
Answer: To promote international peace and security, India supports a foreign policy of complete disarmament and remains firmly against attempts by powerful countries to implement only partial disarmament.

4. With reference to the excerpt given below, answer the following:
Excerpt: "Hindustan Times - Directive principles serve as roadmap to ensure justice: CJI"

(a) What are the Directive Principles of State Policy? Name the three types of justice ensured by the Directive Principles of State Policy?
Answer: The Directive Principles are the guidelines to be followed by the government in the governance of the country while making laws. The three types of justice ensured are political, social, and economic justice.

(b) State the Gandhian ideals which inspired the Directive Principles of State Policy.
Answer: The Gandhian ideals that inspired them include the establishment of village panchayats, promotion of cottage industries in rural areas, welfare of the weaker sections of society, prohibition of intoxicating drinks, and protection of cattle.

(c) How do the Directive Principles of State Policy serve as a roadmap to ensure social justice?
Answer: They serve as a roadmap by setting clear goals for the State to uplift marginalized communities. By following these directives, the government has passed laws to abolish untouchability, provide free legal aid to the poor, implement the Right to Education, and ensure reservations for Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, and Economically Weaker Sections in jobs and education.

IV. Thinking Skills

1. Why do you think the Directive Principles of State Policy are not justiciable by any court of law? Give reasons to support your answer.
Answer: The Directive Principles are not justiciable because they set ambitious social and economic goals that require immense financial resources and infrastructure, which a developing country might not immediately possess. Making them legally enforceable would lead to endless lawsuits against the government and force it into enacting policies without having the necessary economic capability. Therefore, they were made moral guidelines dependent on the State's resources and the power of public opinion rather than court mandates.

2. Suppose you are made the Minister for Social Welfare. What measures would you initiate for the welfare of weaker sections of the society?
Answer: As the Minister for Social Welfare, I would focus on strict implementation of existing schemes like the Right to Education and ensure zero dropout rates by expanding mid-day meal programs. I would introduce widespread vocational and digital skill training programs tailored for the youth of marginalized communities to guarantee employment. Additionally, I would work to increase the transparency and reach of direct benefit transfers and healthcare initiatives to ensure that financial aid reaches the absolute grassroots level without any corruption.