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Q89 (IAS/2015) Polity & Governance › Fundamental Rights, DPSP & Fundamental Duties › Directive Principles framework Official Key

The ideal of 'Welfare State' in the Indian Constitution is enshrined in its

Result
Your answer: —  ·  Correct: B
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. [1] Laxmikanth, M. Indian Polity. 7th ed., McGraw Hill. > Chapter 4: Salient Features of the Constitution > IDirective Principles of State Policy > p. 30
  2. [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. [3] https://www.mcrhrdi.gov.in/crashcourse/presentations/SG%2007-%20Directive%20Principles.pdf
  4. [4] https://www.mcrhrdi.gov.in/crashcourse/presentations/SG%2007-%20Directive%20Principles.pdf
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Q. The ideal of 'Welfare State' in the Indian Constitution is enshrined in its [A] Preamble [B] Directive Principles of State Policy [C] …
At a glance
Origin: Books + Current Affairs Fairness: Low / Borderline fairness Books / CA: 2.5/10 · 7.5/10
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This 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.

How this question is built

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?
Origin: Web / Current Affairs Fairness: CA heavy Web-answerable

Web source
Presence: 4/5
"Article 42 of the Indian Constitution the state will make provisions for the creation of just and humane conditions of work. It will also ensure maternity relief."
Why this source?
  • 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.
Web source
Presence: 4/5
"Article 47 of the Indian Constitution the State shall strive to raise the level of nutrition and the standard of living. Thus, it will endeavour to improve upon the health of the people."
Why this source?
  • 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.
Web source
Presence: 3/5
"Objectives of the Preamble – • To set up a ‘sovereign democratic republic’; • To secure the citizens of India various rights enumerated in the Constitution The words ‘socialist’ and ‘secular’ were added by the 42nd Constitutional Amendment in 1976."
Why this source?
  • 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.

Indian Polity, M. Laxmikanth(7th ed.) > Chapter 5: Preamble of the Constitution > INGREDIENTS OF THE PREAMBLE > p. 42
Strength: 5/5
“The Preamble reveals four ingredients or components: • 1. Source of authority of the Constitution: The Preamble states that the Constitution derives its authority from the people of India. • 2. Nature of the Indian State: It declares India to be a sovereign, socialist, secular, democratic and republican polity. • 3. Objectives of the Constitution: It specifies justice, liberty, equality and fraternity as the objectives. • 4. Date of adoption of the Constitution: It stipulates November 26, 1949, as the date.”
Why relevant

States that the Preamble declares India to be 'socialist' and lists objectives including justice (social, economic and political).

How to extend

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.

Introduction to the Constitution of India, D. D. Basu (26th ed.). > Chapter 3: THE PHILOSOPHY OF THE CONSTITUTION > EVERY Constitution has a philosophy of its own. > p. 22
Strength: 5/5
“INTRODUCTION TO THE CONSTITUTION OF INDIA It will be seen that the ideal embodied in the above The Preamble. Resolution is faithfully reflected in the Preamble to the Constitution, which, as amended in 1976,​ summarises the aims and objects of the Constitution: WE, THE PEOPLE OF INDIA, having solemnly resolved to constitute India into a SOVEREIGN SOCIALIST SECULAR DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC and to secure to all its citizens: JUSTICE, social, economic and political; LIBERTY of thought, expression, belief, faith and worship; EQUALITY of status and of opportunity; and to promote among them all; FRATERNITY assuring the dignity of the individual and the unity and the unity and integrity of the Nation: IN OUR CONSTITUENT ASSEMBLY this twenty-sixth day of November, 1949, do HEREBY ADOPT, ENACT AND GIVE TO OURSELVES THIS CONSTITU-TION.”
Why relevant

Quotes the amended Preamble wording explicitly including 'SOCIALIST' and 'JUSTICE, social, economic and political', linking Preamble language to welfare-type goals.

How to extend

Use the quoted Preamble text as primary evidence to judge whether welfare-state ideals (social/economic justice) are expressed there.

Democratic Politics-I. Political Science-Class IX . NCERT(Revised ed 2025) > Chapter 2: CONSTITUTIONAL DESIGN > Philosophy of the Constitution constitutionconstitution > p. 28
Strength: 3/5
“Philosophy of the Constitution constitution Values that inspired and guided the freedom struggle and were in turn nurtured by it, formed the foundation for India's democracy. These values are embedded in the Preamble of the Indian Constitution. They guide all the articles of the Indian Constitution. The Constitution begins with a short statement of its basic values. This is called the Preamble to the constitution. Taking inspiration from American model, most countries in the contemporary world have chosen to begin their constitutions with a preamble. In order to form a more perfect union, establish justice, insure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general welfare, and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.”
Why relevant

Gives an example (US Preamble) where 'promote the general welfare' is an expressed preamble objective, showing preambles can enshrine welfare aims.

How to extend

Compare the US example with the Indian Preamble wording to decide if similar 'welfare' intent is present.

Indian Polity, M. Laxmikanth(7th ed.) > Chapter 92: World Constitutions > 2013 TEST PAPER > p. 746
Strength: 4/5
“'Economic Justice' as one of the objectives of the Indian Constitution has been provided in (a) the Preamble and the Fundamental Rights (b) the Preamble and the Directive Principles of State Policy (c) the Fundamental Rights and the Directive Principles of State Policy (d) None of the above”
Why relevant

Poses that 'Economic Justice' has been provided in the Preamble and the Directive Principles, linking Preamble to economic/welfare objectives.

How to extend

A student could combine this with the Preamble text to assess whether economic justice (a welfare element) is enshrined in the Preamble.

Indian Polity, M. Laxmikanth(7th ed.) > Chapter 92: World Constitutions > 2015 TEST PAPER > p. 750
Strength: 3/5
“The ideal of 'Welfare State' in the Indian Constitution is enshrined in its • Ca) Preamble • (b) Directive Principles of State Policy • (c) Fundamental Rights • Cd) Seventh Schedule • 15. There is a Parliamentary System of Government in India because the • (a) Lok Sabha is elected directly by the people• (b) Parliament can amend the Constitution• (c) Rajya Sabha cannot be dissolved• (d) Council of Ministers is responsible to the Lok Sabha”
Why relevant

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.

How to extend

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.

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Statement analysis

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Statement analysis

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SIMILAR QUESTIONS

IAS · 2020 · Q82 Relevance score: 6.60

Which part of the Constitution of India declares the ideal of Welfare State ?

IAS · 2012 · Q31 Relevance score: 4.32

Consider the following provisions under the Directive Principles of State Policy as enshrined in the Constitution of India: 1. Securing for citizens of India a uniform civil code 2. Organizing village Panchayats 3. Promoting cottage industries in rural areas 4. Securing for all the workers reasonable leisure and cultural opportunities Which of the above are the Gandhian Principles that are reflected in the Directive Principles of State Policy?

CDS-II · 2017 · Q68 Relevance score: 3.60

Which of the following statements is/are correct? 1. The Directive Principles of State Policy are meant for promoting social and economic democracy in India. 2. The Fundamental Rights enshrined in Part III of the Constitution of India are ordinarily subject to reasonable restrictions. 3. Secularism is one of the basic features of Constitution of any country. Select the correct answer using the code given below.

NDA-II · 2018 · Q90 Relevance score: 3.44

Which one of the following is not a part of the Directive Principles of State Policy as enshrined in the Constitution of India?

IAS · 2002 · Q44 Relevance score: 2.31

The purpose of the inclusion of Directive Principles of State Policy in the Indian Constitution is to establish :