According to the Constitution of India, which of the following are fundamental for the governance of the country?
Contents15
- AFundamental Rights
- BFundamental Duties
- CDirective Principles of State Policy
- DFundamental Rights and Fundamental Duties
Show answer
Answer: (C) Directive Principles of State Policy
This question tests a specific constitutional phrase.
Article 37 of the Constitution states:
'The provisions contained in this Part [Part IV — Directive Principles] shall not be enforceable by any court, but the principles therein laid down are nevertheless FUNDAMENTAL IN THE GOVERNANCE OF THE COUNTRY and it shall be the duty of the State to apply these principles in making laws.'
The exact phrase 'fundamental in the governance of the country' is used ONLY for Directive Principles of State Policy (DPSP), not for Fundamental Rights or Fundamental Duties.
While Fundamental Rights (Part III) are enforceable in court and Fundamental Duties (Part IV-A) outline citizens' obligations, neither is described with this specific phrase.
So the answer is (c) — Directive Principles of State Policy.
Article 37 uses the exact phrase 'fundamental in the governance of the country' only for Directive Principles of State Policy, not for Fundamental Rights or Fundamental Duties.
UPSC is testing whether students know the specific constitutional language rather than just the general importance of different parts of the Constitution.
The question requires memorizing the exact wording of Article 37, which makes DPSP fundamental for governance despite being non-justiciable.
Directive Principles of State Policy
Indian Polity Directive Principles of State Policy fundamental for the governance
Directive Principles of State Policy: Constitutional Framework & UPSC Traps
Article 37 declares DPSP as 'fundamental in the governance of the country' — exact constitutional phrase
DPSP are non-justiciable (not enforceable in court) but guide state policy
Located in Part IV of Constitution with 16 main articles (36-51)
Inspired by Irish Constitution — positive obligations on state
Constitutional Status
Article 37 explicitly states that DPSP 'shall not be enforceable by any court, but the principles therein laid down are nevertheless fundamental in the governance of the country'. This exact phrase appears ONLY for DPSP — not for Fundamental Rights or Duties.
Three Parts Comparison
Part | Name | Articles | Nature | Court Enforcement |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Part III | Fundamental Rights | 12-35 | Negative rights (restraints on state) | Justiciable (enforceable) |
Part IV | Directive Principles | 36-51 | Positive duties (obligations on state) | Non-justiciable (not enforceable) |
Part IV-A | Fundamental Duties | 51A | Citizens' moral obligations | Non-justiciable (not enforceable) |
DPSP Classification
# Directive Principles
## Socialist Principles
- Right to work (Art 41)
- Living wage (Art 43)
- Worker participation (Art 43A)
## Gandhian Principles
- Village panchayats (Art 40)
- Prohibition of liquor (Art 47)
- Cottage industries (Art 43)
## Liberal Principles
- Uniform Civil Code (Art 44)
- Separation of judiciary (Art 50)
- International peace (Art 51)Key Constitutional Provisions
Article 37 — foundational article declaring DPSP as fundamental for governance
Article 38 — state to promote welfare and minimize inequalities
Article 39 — equal distribution of material resources and wealth
Article 44 — Uniform Civil Code (most frequently tested in UPSC)
Article 51 — international peace and security obligations
Question Context
This 2013 question tests knowledge of exact constitutional language. While Fundamental Rights and Duties are important, only DPSP carry the specific phrase 'fundamental in the governance of the country' in Article 37.
Trap: Assuming Fundamental Rights are 'fundamental for governance' — they're fundamental but Article 37 phrase applies only to DPSP
Trap: Thinking both Rights and Duties together get this phrase — only DPSP in Article 37
Language Trap: 'Fundamental' appears in multiple contexts but 'fundamental in the governance' is DPSP-specific
Confusion: Non-justiciable = unimportant — wrong, Article 37 calls DPSP fundamental despite being non-enforceable
Fundamental Rights Framework
Indian Polity Fundamental Rights
Fundamental Rights: Constitutional Structure & Key Distinctions
Six categories of Fundamental Rights in Part III (Articles 12-35)
Justiciable — directly enforceable in Supreme Court and High Courts
Negative rights — primarily impose restrictions on state power
Inspired by US Bill of Rights — individual liberties focus
Six Fundamental Rights
Right | Article | Key Provisions | Exceptions/Restrictions |
|---|---|---|---|
Right to Equality | 14-18 | Equality before law, non-discrimination | Reasonable classification allowed |
Right to Freedom | 19-22 | Speech, assembly, movement, profession | Reasonable restrictions in public interest |
Right against Exploitation | 23-24 | Prohibition of trafficking, child labor | Compulsory military service excepted |
Right to Freedom of Religion | 25-28 | Conscience, practice, propagation | Public order, morality restrictions |
Cultural & Educational Rights | 29-30 | Minorities' language, script, culture | State can regulate educational standards |
Right to Constitutional Remedies | 32 | 'Heart and soul' of Constitution | Can be suspended during emergency |
Constitutional Position
Fundamental Rights are justiciable — citizens can directly approach courts for enforcement. Unlike DPSP, they create immediate legal obligations on the state and provide remedies when violated.
Not 'fundamental for governance': Rights are fundamental but lack Article 37's specific phrase used for DPSP
Positive vs Negative: Rights are negative (restrict state), DPSP are positive (direct state action)
Enforcement confusion: Rights are justiciable, DPSP are non-justiciable but still constitutional
Fundamental Duties of Citizens
Indian Polity Fundamental Duties
Fundamental Duties: Constitutional Framework & Significance
11 Fundamental Duties in Article 51A under Part IV-A
Added by 42nd Amendment (1976) on Swaran Singh Committee recommendation
Non-justiciable — moral and civic obligations, not legally enforceable
Inspired by Soviet Constitution — citizen-state relationship balance
Constitutional Context
Article 51A lists duties that 'shall be the duty of every citizen of India'. These are moral obligations to complement rights, but unlike Fundamental Rights, they are non-justiciable and cannot be directly enforced by courts.
Key Fundamental Duties
Respect Constitution — abide by Constitution, its ideals, institutions, National Flag and National Anthem
National integration — cherish noble ideals of freedom struggle and uphold unity, integrity, sovereignty
Civic responsibilities — defend country, render national service, promote harmony among diverse groups
Environmental protection — protect and improve natural environment including forests, lakes, rivers, wildlife
Cultural heritage — value and preserve rich heritage of composite culture and safeguard public property
Not 'fundamental for governance': Duties are for citizens, not governance framework — Article 37 phrase is DPSP-specific
Non-enforceable: Unlike Rights, Duties are moral obligations without direct legal enforcement
Recent addition: Added in 1976 during Emergency — much later than Rights (1950) and DPSP (1950)
Constitution Parts III, IV & IV-A
Indian Polity
Constitutional Parts Comparison: Rights, Principles & Duties Framework
Part III (Rights) — individual liberties, justiciable, immediate enforcement
Part IV (DPSP) — state policy guidance, non-justiciable, long-term goals
Only DPSP called 'fundamental in the governance' in Article 37
Part IV-A (Duties) — citizen obligations, non-justiciable, moral framework
Complete Framework Comparison
Aspect | Fundamental Rights | Directive Principles | Fundamental Duties |
|---|---|---|---|
Constitutional Part | Part III | Part IV | Part IV-A |
Articles | 12-35 | 36-51 | 51A only |
Nature | Negative rights | Positive obligations | Civic duties |
Binding on | State (government) | State (government) | Citizens |
Court Enforcement | Justiciable | Non-justiciable | Non-justiciable |
Constitutional Phrase | Fundamental rights | 'Fundamental in governance' | Duty of every citizen |
Inspiration | US Bill of Rights | Irish Constitution | Soviet Constitution |
Added in Constitution | 1950 (original) | 1950 (original) | 1976 (42nd Amendment) |
Constitutional Balance
%%{init: {"flowchart": {"wrappingWidth": 460}}}%%
flowchart TD
s1["`**Individual Rights**
**Part III** — protects citizens from state excess, creates enforceable claims`"]
s2["`**State Obligations**
**Part IV** — guides state policy for socio-economic justice, welfare state goals`"]
s3["`**Citizen Duties**
**Part IV-A** — balances rights with responsibilities, civic consciousness`"]
s1 --> s2
s2 --> s3Phrase specificity: Only Article 37 uses 'fundamental in the governance' — not about general importance
All important ≠ governance phrase: Rights and Duties are crucial but lack this specific constitutional language
Non-justiciable ≠ unimportant: DPSP are non-enforceable but constitutionally declared fundamental for governance