Question map
The ideal of 'Welfare State' in the Indian Constitution is enshrined in its
Explanation
The Directive Principles are meant for promoting the ideal of social and economic democracy. They seek to establish a 'welfare state' in India.[1] They embody the object of the State under the republican Constitution, namely, that it is to be a "Welfare State" and not a mere "Police State".[2] They are enumerated in Part IV of the Constitution.[1]
While the Preamble contains the word 'socialist' (added in 1976) and broadly outlines the Constitution's objectives, most of these directives aim at the establishment of the economic and social democracy which is pledged for in the Preamble.[2] The Directive Principles translate the welfare state ideal into specific guidelines for governance, covering areas like just and humane conditions of work and maternity relief[3], and raising the level of nutrition, standard of living, and improving public health.[4] Therefore, it is the Directive Principles of State Policy that specifically enshrine the welfare state ideal in the Constitution.
Sources- [1] Laxmikanth, M. Indian Polity. 7th ed., McGraw Hill. > Chapter 4: Salient Features of the Constitution > IDirective Principles of State Policy > p. 30
- [2] Introduction to the Constitution of India, D. D. Basu (26th ed.). > Chapter 9: Directive Principles of State Policy > DIRECTIVE PRINCIPLES OF STATE POLICY > p. 177
- [3] https://www.mcrhrdi.gov.in/crashcourse/presentations/SG%2007-%20Directive%20Principles.pdf
- [4] https://www.mcrhrdi.gov.in/crashcourse/presentations/SG%2007-%20Directive%20Principles.pdf
PROVENANCE & STUDY PATTERN
Full viewThis is a foundational 'Sitter' question directly from standard texts like Laxmikanth (Chapter on DPSP). It tests the core philosophical distinction between Part III (Political Democracy) and Part IV (Socio-Economic Democracy). If you get this wrong, you are conceptually lagging behind the competition.
This question can be broken into the following sub-statements. Tap a statement sentence to jump into its detailed analysis.
- Statement 1: Is the ideal of the "Welfare State" enshrined in the Preamble of the Indian Constitution?
- Statement 2: Are the Directive Principles of State Policy in the Indian Constitution the provisions that enshrine the ideal of a "Welfare State"?
- Statement 3: Do the Fundamental Rights in the Indian Constitution enshrine the ideal of a "Welfare State"?
- Statement 4: Does the Seventh Schedule of the Indian Constitution enshrine the ideal of a "Welfare State"?
- Lists social-welfare oriented provisions (Article 42, 43) that form part of the Directive Principles of State Policy.
- Shows specific welfare aims (just and humane conditions of work, maternity relief, adequate wages) are placed in Directive Principles rather than stated as Preamble text.
- Identifies Article 47 (Directive Principles) prescribing state duties to raise nutrition and standard of living—core welfare-state objectives.
- Reinforces that welfare ideals are embedded in Directive Principles (Part IV) of the Constitution.
- Summarizes Preamble objectives and notes the words 'socialist' and 'secular' were added by the 42nd Amendment (1976).
- Does not state the Preamble explicitly enshrines the 'Welfare State' ideal, implying welfare-specific directives appear elsewhere.
States that the Preamble declares India to be 'socialist' and lists objectives including justice (social, economic and political).
A student could infer that inclusion of 'socialist' and social/economic justice in the Preamble points toward welfare-state ideals and check the exact Preamble wording for confirmation.
Quotes the amended Preamble wording explicitly including 'SOCIALIST' and 'JUSTICE, social, economic and political', linking Preamble language to welfare-type goals.
Use the quoted Preamble text as primary evidence to judge whether welfare-state ideals (social/economic justice) are expressed there.
Gives an example (US Preamble) where 'promote the general welfare' is an expressed preamble objective, showing preambles can enshrine welfare aims.
Compare the US example with the Indian Preamble wording to decide if similar 'welfare' intent is present.
Poses that 'Economic Justice' has been provided in the Preamble and the Directive Principles, linking Preamble to economic/welfare objectives.
A student could combine this with the Preamble text to assess whether economic justice (a welfare element) is enshrined in the Preamble.
Lists possible locations (Preamble, Directive Principles, Fundamental Rights) for the 'Welfare State' ideal in a multiple-choice context, indicating the Preamble is commonly considered among candidates.
Treat this as an example of how exam sources juxtapose the Preamble and Directive Principles when attributing the welfare-state ideal, prompting verification of both texts.
- Direct statement that Directive Principles 'seek to establish a "welfare state" in India.'
- Explicit link made between the directives and promotion of social and economic democracy (core of welfare-state idea).
- States the directives embody the object of the State under the Constitution: that it is to be a 'Welfare State' not a 'Police State'.
- Connects the Directive Principles to establishment of economic and social democracy, reinforcing welfare-state role.
- Cites authoritative view (M.C. Chagla) that full implementation of Directive Principles would make India 'a welfare state'.
- Portrays Directive Principles as the philosophical 'stuff' of the Constitution underpinning social justice and welfare orientation.
- Explains that courts must reconcile Fundamental Rights with the Directive Principles, indicating welfare-oriented goals lie in the Directive Principles.
- States Directive Principles are precursors to economic, social and cultural rights, which embody Welfare State ideals rather than being located in Fundamental Rights.
- States the Directive Principles are 'fundamental in the governance of the country' and cannot be isolated from Fundamental Rights, implying welfare goals are in the Directive Principles.
- Says the State is constitutionally mandated to create conditions for enjoyment of Fundamental Rights, showing the Directive Principles direct welfare measures rather than Fundamental Rights themselves.
- Poses the direct question which part of the Constitution 'declares the ideal of a Welfare State' and lists 'Directive Principles of State Policy' as the relevant option.
- Supports the distinction between Fundamental Rights and the Directive Principles as the locus of Welfare State ideals.
Lists the Preamble, Directive Principles and Fundamental Rights together as places the 'Welfare State' ideal is enshrined, implying Fundamental Rights are seen in discourse as part of that constellation.
A student could compare the text of the Preamble and DPSPs with Fundamental Rights on a map of constitutional provisions to judge overlap or complementary roles.
States that Fundamental Rights were balanced with need for security and common welfare, and that rights are made subject to legislative control (Articles 31A–31C), indicating rights are not absolute but compatible with social/welfare goals.
A student could examine the cited Articles and landmark cases to see how legislative limitations have been used to advance welfare measures.
Explains that duties of the State were placed in Directive Principles (DPSP) while Fundamental Duties for citizens were added separately, highlighting DPSP as the explicit instrument of welfare policy distinct from Fundamental Rights.
A student could contrast DPSP provisions with Fundamental Rights to assess whether welfare aims are primarily in DPSPs rather than in Part III.
Notes the Constitution 'effects a compromise between the doctrines of Parliamentary sovereignty and judicial supremacy' and that Fundamental Rights act as limitations on state power, suggesting a constitutional balancing of individual liberty and collective/social control.
A student could use this rule to analyze whether that balance tends to favor welfare legislation over absolute individual rights in practice.
Describes the scope and justiciability of Fundamental Rights (Part III) and that they were inspired by US Bill of Rights, implying a focus on individual liberties which may contrast with welfare-oriented state duties.
A student could compare the nature (justiciable individual rights) of Part III with non-justiciable DPSPs to infer whether Fundamental Rights themselves primarily embody welfare ideals or instead protect individual liberties that can be limited for welfare.
- Explicitly describes the Seventh Schedule as the division of legislative powers into Union, State and Concurrent lists.
- Shows Seventh Schedule is about federal distribution and cooperative federalism, not about declaring policy ideals like a Welfare State.
- Lists social and welfare-oriented provisions (Articles 42–45) which are part of the Directive Principles of State Policy.
- Indicates that welfare-oriented norms are located in the Directive Principles (Part IV), implying the Welfare State ideal is enshrined there rather than in the Seventh Schedule.
States that the Seventh Schedule specifies the legislative powers of Parliament and State Legislatures (i.e., it is about division of subjects).
A student can check which welfare-related subjects (health, education, social welfare, etc.) appear in the Union/State/Concurrent lists of the Seventh Schedule to judge if it directly "enshrines" welfare.
Explains that Article 246 and the Seventh Schedule create three lists (Union, State, Concurrent) that allocate subjects such as 'social welfare departments' to particular levels.
Using a standard factbook or the Seventh Schedule text, a student can map welfare departments/services to the lists to see whether the Schedule itself mandates welfare policy.
Lists the Preamble, Directive Principles and Fundamental Rights — and (as an option) the Seventh Schedule — in a question about where the 'Welfare State' ideal is enshrined, indicating debate or confusion about the Schedule's role.
A student could treat this as a prompt to compare authoritative sources: check Preamble/DPSPs text (direct welfare language) versus the Seventh Schedule's allocative/administrative content.
Describes Directive Principles (Part IV) as the constitutional place where welfare obligations of the State are expressly set out (e.g., Article 21A on education).
A student can contrast the explicit welfare obligations in DPSPs with the functional/allocative nature of the Seventh Schedule to assess whether the Schedule itself 'enshrines' welfare ideals.
Shows that other Schedules (Fifth and Sixth) contain specific welfare/administrative provisions for scheduled/tribal areas, illustrating that Schedules can include welfare-related rules.
A student could examine the Seventh Schedule alongside Fifth/Sixth Schedules to see whether welfare content is characteristic of Schedules generally or particular to some (thus testing the claim about the Seventh).
- [THE VERDICT]: Sitter. Direct hit from Laxmikanth Chapter 9 (DPSP) or DD Basu. No ambiguity.
- [THE CONCEPTUAL TRIGGER]: The 'Nature of the State' debate: Police State (Law & Order) vs. Welfare State (Socio-Economic upliftment).
- [THE HORIZONTAL EXPANSION]: Memorize the 'Trinity' of goals: 1) FRs = Political Democracy (Negative obligations). 2) DPSP = Social & Economic Democracy (Positive obligations). 3) Article 38 = Specific provision directing State to secure a social order for 'welfare of the people'. 4) Instrument of Instructions = The 1935 Act precursor to DPSP.
- [THE STRATEGIC METACOGNITION]: When studying the Constitution, categorize Parts by their 'Function'. Preamble = Vision; FR = Limits; DPSP = Directions. 'Welfare' is a direction/action, so it must belong to the 'Directions' (Part IV).
Multiple references explicitly describe the Directive Principles as seeking to establish or embody the 'Welfare State' ideal.
High-yield for UPSC polity questions: explains constitutional vision beyond Fundamental Rights, appears in questions on state objectives, social justice and policy-making. Helps answer questions about the purpose of Part IV and the state's socio-economic obligations. Prepare by comparing text summaries of Part IV and authoritative commentaries (as in these references).
- Laxmikanth, M. Indian Polity. 7th ed., McGraw Hill. > Chapter 4: Salient Features of the Constitution > IDirective Principles of State Policy > p. 30
- Introduction to the Constitution of India, D. D. Basu (26th ed.). > Chapter 9: Directive Principles of State Policy > DIRECTIVE PRINCIPLES OF STATE POLICY > p. 177
- Indian Polity, M. Laxmikanth(7th ed.) > Chapter 9: Directive Principles of State Policy > UTILITY OF DIRECTIVE PRINCIPLES > p. 113
References note the directives are non-justiciable and enforce moral/political obligations on the state, which affects how welfare goals are pursued.
Important for questions on implementation constraints and interplay with Fundamental Rights—frequently tested in UPSC mains/ethics. Students should learn the legal status, enforcement limitations, and channels (legislation, policy, public opinion) for realizing DP goals. Use case law and commentary to illustrate practical impact.
- Laxmikanth, M. Indian Polity. 7th ed., McGraw Hill. > Chapter 4: Salient Features of the Constitution > IDirective Principles of State Policy > p. 30
- Indian Polity, M. Laxmikanth(7th ed.) > Chapter 9: Directive Principles of State Policy > SANCTION BEHIND DIRECTIVE PRINCIPLES > p. 111
Sources describe the directives as complementing Fundamental Rights to realize social and economic democracy—the welfare-state objective.
Exam-relevant for essay and polity papers where comparison of Parts III and IV is required. Master this to tackle questions on 'two wheels of the chariot', constitutional values, and balancing rights vs. policy directives. Revise constitutional provisions, leading commentaries, and examples of policy influenced by DP.
- Introduction to the Constitution of India, D. D. Basu (26th ed.). > Chapter 9: Directive Principles of State Policy > DIRECTIVE PRINCIPLES OF STATE POLICY > p. 177
- Introduction to the Constitution of India, D. D. Basu (26th ed.). > Chapter 9: Directive Principles of State Policy > DIRECTIVE PRINCIPLES OF STATE POLICY > p. 180
References state that duties of the State are incorporated as Directive Principles of State Policy (i.e., State obligations toward welfare), distinguishing them from Fundamental Rights.
High-yield for UPSC: questions often ask which constitutional provisions embody the Welfare State. Understanding that Directive Principles impose policy/duty obligations on the State clarifies where welfare aims are located constitutionally and helps answer comparative questions on justiciability vs. policy. Study approach: learn Articles related to Directive Principles and compare with Part III (Fundamental Rights).
- Laxmikanth, M. Indian Polity. 7th ed., McGraw Hill. > Chapter 10: Fundamental Duties > Fundamental Duties > p. 119
- Indian Polity, M. Laxmikanth(7th ed.) > Chapter 10: Fundamental Duties > Fundamental Duties > p. 119
Multiple references identify Fundamental Rights as Part III provisions guaranteeing justiciable individual rights and forming the Constitution's basic protective structure.
Essential to distinguish FRs from non-justiciable policy goals in exam answers. UPSC frequently tests the nature, scope and remedies of Fundamental Rights and their place in the basic structure; mastering Part III, Article 32 and the list of rights enables tackling issues on rights, remedies, and limits. Prepare by memorising Part III coverage and landmark doctrinal descriptions.
- Indian Polity, M. Laxmikanth(7th ed.) > Chapter 8: Fundamental Rights > CHAPTER 8 Fundamental Rights > p. 74
- Indian Polity, M. Laxmikanth(7th ed.) > Chapter 4: Salient Features of the Constitution > III I Fundamental Rights > p. 30
Evidence shows the Constitution deliberately balances individual rights with collective welfare and subjects some rights to legislative control or exceptions in the interest of security/welfare.
Crucial for factually correct answers on interplay between rights and state welfare measures (e.g., when rights can be restricted for public welfare). UPSC questions probe conflicts between rights and Directive Principles; know constitutional provisions and the rationale for legislative limits. Study by reviewing provisions and commentary on how rights are balanced with social control.
- Introduction to the Constitution of India, D. D. Basu (26th ed.). > Chapter 4: OUTSTANDING FEATURES OF OUR CONSTITUTION > OUTSTANDING FEATURES OF OUR CONSTITUTION > p. 46
- Introduction to the Constitution of India, D. D. Basu (26th ed.). > Chapter 8: FUNDAMENTAL RIGHTS AND FUNDAMENTAL DUTIES > Fundamental Rights and Fundamental Duties IJl > p. 119
The Seventh Schedule lists legislative subjects and thereby defines Centre–State responsibilities; references explicitly reference its role in division of powers.
High-yield for UPSC federalism questions: explains which subjects each level can legislate on and is essential for answering questions on Centre–State conflict, policy responsibility and implementation of welfare schemes. Study the structure (three lists), Article 246 connection and examples; practice by mapping major welfare subjects to the appropriate list.
- Indian Polity, M. Laxmikanth(7th ed.) > Chapter 91: Important Doctrines of Constitutional Interpretation > II IMeaning of the Doctrine > p. 659
- Geography of India ,Majid Husain, (McGrawHill 9th ed.) > Chapter 15: Regional Development and Planning > 2. The Second-Level or State Level Planning > p. 56
Dr. B.R. Ambedkar described DPSP as 'Novel features' and compared them to the 'Instrument of Instructions' from the Government of India Act, 1935. A future question may ask: 'Which part of the Constitution is comparable to the Instrument of Instructions?' (Answer: DPSP).
Apply the 'Negative vs. Positive' test. Fundamental Rights are generally 'Negative' (State shall NOT do X). Welfare requires 'Positive' action (State SHALL do Y). Therefore, Welfare cannot be primarily in FRs. The 7th Schedule is just a list of topics. Preamble is a summary. The only 'Action Plan' is DPSP.
Mains GS-2 (Social Justice): Every major government scheme is an implementation of a DPSP. E.g., MGNREGA (Art 41 - Right to Work), Mid-Day Meal (Art 47 - Nutrition), Maternity Benefit Act (Art 42). Quote these Articles in Mains answers to validate government schemes.