DPSP and Fundamental Duties — Practice Questions
UPSC Prelims-pattern practice questions on Directive Principles and Fundamental Duties — Articles, amendments, Article 31C and classification.
Questions
These are original UPSC-pattern practice questions. Attempt each one before revealing the answer.
Match List I with List II:
| List I (Directive Principle) | List II (Article) |
|---|---|
| A. Uniform civil code | 1. Article 40 |
| B. Organisation of village panchayats | 2. Article 44 |
| C. Separation of judiciary from executive | 3. Article 49 |
| D. Protection of monuments of national importance | 4. Article 50 |
Select the correct answer using the code given below.
Solution
Uniform civil code — 44; village panchayats — 40; separation of judiciary — 50; monuments — 49. So A-2, B-1, C-4, D-3. Option C swaps 49 and 50; options A and D swap 40 and 44.
Answer: B
Consider the following statements about Fundamental Duties:
- They were added on the recommendation of the Swaran Singh Committee.
- The duty of parents to provide opportunities for education to children aged six to fourteen was added by the 86th Amendment.
- A citizen can directly enforce a Fundamental Duty against another citizen through a writ under Article 32.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Solution
Statement 1 is correct — the 42nd Amendment (1976) added ten duties following the Swaran Singh Committee. Statement 2 is correct — Article 51A(k), 86th Amendment (2002). Statement 3 is incorrect — duties are not directly enforceable by writ; Parliament may give effect to them by law.
Answer: A
Article 31C, which protects laws giving effect to Articles 39(b) and 39(c) from challenge on the ground of violation of Articles 14 and 19, was inserted by which Constitutional Amendment?
Solution
The 25th Amendment (1971) inserted Article 31C. The 24th affirmed Parliament’s power to amend Fundamental Rights; the 42nd extended 31C to all Directive Principles (struck down in Minerva Mills, 1980); the 44th removed the right to property from Part III.
Answer: C
Which of the following Directive Principles are generally classified as Gandhian?
- Organise village panchayats
- Promote cottage industries on an individual or co-operative basis in rural areas
- Secure a uniform civil code for citizens
- Bring about prohibition of the consumption of intoxicating drinks injurious to health
Select the correct answer using the code given below.
Solution
Village panchayats (Article 40), cottage industries (Article 43) and prohibition (Article 47) reflect Gandhian ideals. The uniform civil code (Article 44) is a liberal-intellectual directive.
Answer: D
Which Article of the Constitution of India directs the State to secure equal justice and provide free legal aid?
Solution
Article 39A, inserted by the 42nd Amendment (1976). Article 39(d) is equal pay for equal work for men and women; Article 41 is the right to work, education and public assistance; Article 50 is separation of the judiciary from the executive.
Answer: B
Mains
Should Fundamental Duties be made legally enforceable? Critically examine.
Solution
Introduction: Article 51A lists eleven Fundamental Duties of citizens — ten added by the 42nd Amendment (1976) and one by the 86th (2002). They are not directly enforceable by courts.
Body:
- Case for enforceability: rights without duties breed an entitlement culture; duties such as protecting public property (51A(i)) and the environment (51A(g)) have tangible public value; several are already enforced through specific laws (as the Verma Committee, 1999, noted).
- Case against: many duties are vague (scientific temper, striving towards excellence) and cannot be defined for penal purposes; enforcement risks misuse against dissent; moral virtues are better cultivated by education than coercion.
- Middle path: targeted laws for specific duties; courts using duties to judge the reasonableness of restrictions; civic education and awareness.
Conclusion: Wholesale enforcement would be impractical and risky; selective legislation and civic education offer a better route to a duty-conscious citizenry.