Previous Year Question
Given below are two statements, one is labelled as Assertion (A) and the other as Reason (R).
Assertion (A): Directive Principles are important for economic, social and political functions in a Modern Democratic State.
Reason (R): The core objectives of Directive Principles is to establish economic and social democracy.
Select the correct answer from the code given below:
Both (A) and (R) are true, but (R) is not the correct explanation of (A).
(A) is false, but (R) is true.
(A) is true, but (R) is false.
Both (A) and (R) are true and (R) is the correct explanation of (A).
Correct Answer: D
Detailed Solution
Part IV, Articles 36 to 51 of the Indian Constitution contains the Directive Principles of State Policy. These principles guide the State in governance and law-making on matters relating to social and economic justice.
Assertion (A) is correct.
According to Article 37, the Directive Principles are not enforceable by any court, but they are fundamental in the governance of the country. It is the duty of the State to apply them when making laws.
These principles relate to various functions of a modern democratic State. For example, Article 38 establishes the objective of a social order based on social, economic and political justice. Article 39 provides principles relating to livelihood, distribution of resources and economic inequality.
Similarly, Article 40 deals with organising village Panchayats as units of self-government, while Article 50 concerns the separation of the judiciary from the executive in the public services of the State.
Reason (R) is correct.
A principal objective of the Directive Principles is to advance the goals of economic and social democracy alongside political democracy.
Article 38(2) directs the State to strive to minimise inequalities in income and eliminate inequalities in status, facilities and opportunities among individuals and groups.
Article 39 provides principles relating to adequate means of livelihood, equal pay for equal work and the distribution of resources for the common good.
These provisions demonstrate that the Directive Principles connect democratic governance with the objectives of social and economic justice.