Oxford Solutions for ICSE Class 7 History Civics Chapter 13 Directive Principles Of State Policy

EXERCISE

A. Fill in the blanks :

Question 1: The guidelines which all governments are expected to follow for the welfare of the people are known as Directive Principles of State Policy.

Answer: guidelines, welfare.
These principles act as a roadmap for the government to create laws that benefit every citizen. They ensure that the country moves towards becoming a better and more caring nation for all its people.
Teacher's Tip: Think of 'Directive' as 'Directions' given to the government to do good work.
Exam Tip: Always mention 'welfare' when defining Directive Principles to score full marks.

Question 2: The Directive Principles contain a list of important and basic economic and social rights which the farmers of the Constitution wanted every Indian to enjoy.

Answer: economic, social.
While Fundamental Rights are mostly political, these principles focus on making people financially stable and socially equal. The makers of our Constitution believed that true freedom is only possible when everyone has food, work, and dignity.
Teacher's Tip: Remember the initials 'E' and 'S' (Economic and Social) as the two pillars of these rights.
Exam Tip: Use both terms together as they are complementary to each other in this context.

Question 3: To establish economic equality in the country, the government is directed to ensure a fair and equal distribution of the wealth and material resources of the country.

Answer: fair, equal, wealth, material.
This means the government should try to reduce the gap between the very rich and the very poor. It involves using the country's land, minerals, and money for the benefit of everyone rather than just a few people.
Teacher's Tip: Imagine a cake being shared equally among friends; that is what 'equal distribution' looks like.
Exam Tip: Underline 'wealth' and 'material resources' as they are the two main things to be distributed.

Question 4: The government is directed to promote cottage industries in villages and prohibit the slaughter of cows and other cattle according to the Gandhian principles.

Answer: cottage, slaughter.
Cottage industries help village people earn money by making things at home with their own hands. Protecting cattle was important to Gandhiji because he believed in the rural economy and respect for animals.
Teacher's Tip: Associate 'Cottage' with 'Home-made' to remember it relates to small-scale village work.
Exam Tip: Mention 'Gandhian principles' if asked why these specific steps were taken.

Question 5: Free and compulsory education for all children between 6 r and 14 years has been made a Fundamental Right.

Answer: education.
This rule ensures that every child in India gets the chance to go to school and learn without paying fees. It started as a Directive Principle but was later shifted to Fundamental Rights because education is vital for life.
Teacher's Tip: Remember the age group 6-14; it covers most of your primary and middle school years.
Exam Tip: Note that this is now Article 21A of the Constitution.

B. Match the following :

Question 1: Match the items in Column A with Column B.

A
1. Instructions to the government
2. Adequate means of livelihood for all citizens
3. Establish village panchayats
4. Promote international peace and security
5. Free legal aid to needy citizens

B
(a) Promotion of justice
(b) General Principles
(c) Directive Principles of State Policy
(d) Gandhian Principles
(e) Principles promoting economic equality

Answer:
1. Instructions to the government - (c) Directive Principles of State Policy
2. Adequate means of livelihood for all citizens - (e) Principles promoting economic equality
3. Establish village panchayats - (d) Gandhian Principles
4. Promote international peace and security - (b) General Principles
5. Free legal aid to needy citizens - (a) Promotion of justice

Matching these items helps us understand that the Directive Principles are divided into different themes like justice, village welfare, and money. Each category has a specific goal to improve a different part of Indian life.
Teacher's Tip: Pair 'Panchayats' with 'Gandhian' because Gandhi ji always wanted power in the villages.
Exam Tip: In matching questions, rewriting the correct pair side-by-side helps the examiner read your answer clearly.

C. Choose the correct answer :

Question 1: After 200 years of foreign rule, the Indian economy was strong/stable/ruined.

Answer: After 200 years of foreign rule, the Indian economy was ruined.
The British government took most of India's resources and wealth for their own benefit, leaving the country very poor. This is why the makers of our Constitution had to plan very carefully to fix the broken economy.
Teacher's Tip: 'Ruined' is like a house that has fallen down; it needs to be built again from scratch.
Exam Tip: Use the word 'ruined' to describe India's economic state in 1947.

Question 2: The Directive Principles can be classified into three/ four/five categories.

Answer: The Directive Principles can be classified into three categories.
These three categories are: Economic Equality, Gandhian Principles, and General Principles. Grouping them this way makes it easier for the government to organize its plans for the nation.
Teacher's Tip: Just remember the number 3, like the colors in our national flag.
Exam Tip: If asked to name them, list Economic, Gandhian, and General.

Question 3: Some of the ideas of B. R. Ambedkar/Jawaharlal Nehru/Mahatma Gandhi were included as Directive Principles.

Answer: Some of the ideas of Mahatma Gandhi were included as Directive Principles.
Gandhiji's dreams for a self-reliant India, with strong villages and healthy citizens, were turned into official instructions for the government. This ensured that his philosophy continued to guide the country even after independence.
Teacher's Tip: Gandhi ji focused on 'Gram Swaraj' or village self-rule, which is a major part of these principles.
Exam Tip: Specifically mention 'Gandhian Principles' when discussing village or cattle welfare.

Question 4: One of the Gandhian Principles/General Principles/ Principles promoting economic equality directs the government to prevent the consumption of liquor.

Answer: One of the Gandhian Principles directs the government to prevent the consumption of liquor.
Gandhiji believed that drinking liquor was harmful to a person's health and family life, especially for the poor. By including this in the principles, the Constitution encourages the state to promote healthy living.
Teacher's Tip: Gandhi was against all types of intoxication, so preventing liquor is a 'Gandhian' thought.
Exam Tip: Link 'prohibition' or 'liquor prevention' directly to Gandhian Principles.

Question 5: The Directive Principles ask the government to provide free legal aid/economic help/housing.

Answer: The Directive Principles ask the government to provide free legal aid.
Legal aid means giving free lawyers to people who are too poor to afford their own. This ensures that justice is available to everyone, not just those who have a lot of money.
Teacher's Tip: Legal aid is like a 'free ticket' to the court for someone in need.
Exam Tip: Specify that legal aid is a step towards 'promoting justice'.

D. State whether the following are true or false :

Question 1: The farmers of our Constitution had a dream of a welfare state.

Answer: True.
A welfare state is one where the government takes full responsibility for the well-being of all its citizens. The makers of our laws wanted India to be a place where no one is left behind due to poverty.
Teacher's Tip: 'Farmers' here means the 'creators' or 'architects' of the Constitution.
Exam Tip: Mention that a 'welfare state' provides health, education, and jobs.

Question 2: The provision of free and compulsory education to all children up to the age of 14 is a General Principle.

Answer: False.
Education is actually grouped under the principles for social and economic development. More importantly, for children aged 6 to 14, it is now a Fundamental Right that must be provided by the state.
Teacher's Tip: Education is so important that it graduated from a 'Principle' to a 'Right'.
Exam Tip: If an answer is false, always write the correct reason if the exam asks for it.

Question 3: The Fundamental Rights and Directive Principles of State Policy do not have the same purpose.

Answer: False.
Both actually share the same ultimate goal, which is the overall growth and development of the citizens. While Fundamental Rights protect individual freedom, Directive Principles guide the state to create a better society for everyone.
Teacher's Tip: Think of them as two sides of the same coin; both want a happy India.
Exam Tip: Use the word 'complementary' to describe the relationship between Rights and Principles.

Question 4: If you are deprived of your Fundamental Rights, you can go to the High Court or the Supreme Court to seek protection and enforcement of your rights.

Answer: True.
This is because Fundamental Rights are 'justiciable,' meaning the courts have the power to force the government to protect them. This makes these rights very powerful tools for every citizen.
Teacher's Tip: The courts are like 'Security Guards' for your Fundamental Rights.
Exam Tip: Mention the 'Supreme Court' specifically as the final protector of rights.

Question 5: India has achieved the goal of a Welfare State.

Answer: False.
While India has made a lot of progress, we are still a 'developing' country with many challenges like poverty and unemployment. We are still working every day towards fulfilling the dream of becoming a complete welfare state.
Teacher's Tip: Becoming a welfare state is a 'journey,' not a single destination reached in one day.
Exam Tip: Use the word 'striving' or 'progressing' to describe India's current status regarding this goal.

E. Answer the following questions in one or two words/ sentences :

Question 1: Define a welfare state?

Answer: Welfare State is a country where citizens are guaranteed a healthy standard of living, equal opportunities, full employment, fair distribution of wealth and they also enjoy social and economic justice.
In such a state, the government makes sure that even the poorest person has access to healthcare and a good life. It is the opposite of a state that only cares about power or the rich.
Teacher's Tip: A welfare state is like a 'parent' who looks after all its children equally.
Exam Tip: List 'equal opportunities' and 'economic justice' as key keywords in your definition.

Question 2: What are Directive Principles of State Policy?

Answer: In the Constitution there are certain guidelines which the central, state and local governments are expected to follow while making and implementing policies and programmes for the welfare of the people, these guidelines are known as Directive Principles of State Policy.
They are not laws that can be enforced in court, but they are moral duties for the people who run the government. They serve as a constant reminder of the promises made to the citizens during the freedom struggle.
Teacher's Tip: Directive Principles are 'To-Do Lists' for the government.
Exam Tip: Focus on the word 'guidelines' as it is the most important part of the definition.

Question 3: Mention the categories into which Directive Principles can be classified.

Answer: Directive Principles can be broadly classified into three categories:
1. Principles promoting economic equality
2. Gandhian Principles promoting economic and social development
3. General Principles.
Classification helps in understanding that these principles cover everything from money and village life to world peace. Each group addresses a different need of the Indian population.
Teacher's Tip: Remember them as the 'Three G's' - Great Economy, Gandhian ways, and General rules.
Exam Tip: Make sure to mention all three categories to get full marks.

Question 4: Mention any one Directive Principle that seeks to promote economic equality between men and women.

Answer: 1. There should be a fair and equal distribution of wealth and material resources of the country.
2. There should be equal pay for equal work, for both men and women.
The principle of 'equal pay' ensures that if a man and a woman do the same job, they must receive the same salary. This stops discrimination based on gender in the workplace.
Teacher's Tip: Think of 'Equal Pay' as 'Same Work = Same Money'.
Exam Tip: 'Equal pay for equal work' is the most famous example for this answer.

Question 5: What is the significance of the Right to Education Act of 2009?

Answer: The Right to Education Act of 2009 (Article 21A of the Constitution) makes education a Fundamental Right of every Indian child between the ages of 6 and 14 years. It requires all privately owned schools to reserve 25 per cent of seats for children from poor families.
This act is a huge step because it forces schools to include children from all financial backgrounds. It ensures that money is never a barrier for a child who wants to learn and grow.
Teacher's Tip: The 25% reservation is the 'Inclusive' part of this important law.
Exam Tip: Mention the year '2009' and 'Article 21A' to show high accuracy.

Question 6: Why can you not seek justice in a court of law if the government does not give you a job?

Answer: Directive Principles, on the other hand, are non-justiciable, i.e. if you do not get a job or proper wages, you cannot go to a court to seek justice.
The government is not legally forced to provide jobs to everyone immediately because it might not have enough money. These principles are goals that the government tries to reach as the country becomes wealthier.
Teacher's Tip: 'Non-justiciable' means the judge cannot say "Government, you MUST do this right now!"
Exam Tip: Clearly contrast 'Justiciable' (Rights) and 'Non-justiciable' (Principles).

F. Answer the following questions briefly :

Question 1: Why did the farmers of the Constitution not establish a welfare state in India in 1949? What steps did they take to help future governments to achieve the goal of a welfare state?

Answer: The farmers of our Constitution had a dream of a welfare state. A welfare state is a country where citizens are guaranteed a healthy standard of living, equal opportunities, full employment and a fair distribution of wealth.
The fanners of the Constitution, however, could not fulfil this dream in 1949. Our country had just been freed from 200 years of foreign rule which had ruined India's economy. So they laid down certain guidelines in the Constitution for all future governments to follow.
When India became free, it was very poor and lacked the money to provide everything for everyone at once. By writing these guidelines, the leaders ensured that future governments would always know what goals to work towards as the economy grew.
Teacher's Tip: It's like having a big dream but saving up money slowly to make it happen.
Exam Tip: Mention 'ruined India's economy' as the main reason why the dream couldn't be fulfilled immediately.

Question 2: State one Directive Principle with regard to each of the following : (a) Wealth and material resources (b) Weaker sections of society (c) Foreign affairs.

Answer: (a) Wealth and material resources : Fair and equitable distribution of wealth and material resources of the country. The resources of the country should be used for the common good of all.
(b) Weaker sections of society : A living wage for every worker, i. e., a wage which will enable a person to buy basic necessities.
(c) Foreign policy :
1. Promote international peace and security.
2. Maintain just and honourable relations with other countries.
These points show that India wants to be a fair nation internally and a peaceful neighbor externally. By looking after workers and promoting peace, India aims to be a respected member of the global community.
Teacher's Tip: Livelihood for citizens and peace for the world are the two big themes here.
Exam Tip: Label each sub-part (a), (b), and (c) clearly to avoid losing marks for structure.

Question 3: Mention two Directive Principles with reference to each of the following : (a) Development of villages (b) Health

Answer: (a) Development of villages :
1. Establish village panchayats.
2. Modernize agriculture and animal husbandry.
(b) Health :
1. Improve the level of nutrition and general health of the people.
2. Prevent consumption of liquor and other harmful drugs.
Village development is important because most Indians live in rural areas and need local governance. Health principles aim to create a strong and energetic population by providing good food and avoiding dangerous substances.
Teacher's Tip: Use 'Panchayat' and 'Farming' for villages, and 'Food' and 'No Liquor' for health.
Exam Tip: Provide two distinct points for each category as requested in the question.

Question 4: Mention the category under which the following principles are classified : (a) a decent standard of living and leisure (b) prevention of the slaughter of cows and other cattle (c) protection of the environment.

Answer: (a) Economic equality.
(b) Gandhian Principles.
(c) General Principles.
This classification tells us where each principle fits in our national priorities. It shows that our Constitution values money for people, respect for tradition, and care for nature all at once.
Teacher's Tip: Remember: Standard of living = Money (Economic), Cow protection = Gandhi, Environment = General.
Exam Tip: Match the category name exactly to the one used in the textbook.

Question 5: Compare and contrast the Fundamental Rights and Directive Principles of State Policy.

Answer: Fundamental Rights are justiciable, i.e., - if people are deprived of their Fundamental Rights, they can go to the Court to seek protection and enforcement of their rights. Directive Principles, on the other hand, are non-justiciable, i.e., - if you do not get a job or proper wages you cannot go to a court to seek justice.
Fundamental Rights protect individuals from the government, while Directive Principles tell the government how to help the community. Rights are mandatory and immediate, but Principles are long-term goals for the future.
Teacher's Tip: Rights are 'Must-haves' and Principles are 'Should-dos'.
Exam Tip: The word 'Justiciable' is the key difference you must explain to get full marks.

Question 6: Briefly discuss the efforts made by various governments to implement the Directive Principles of State Policy.

Answer: Various steps have been taken by all governments to implement Directive Principles like-free and compulsory education is provided to all the children between six to fourteen years. Welfare schemes for the Scheduled castes and Scheduled tribes are implemented. Various employment schemes have been launched and a law is passed which guarantees equal pay for both men and women.
The government has also built many canals for farming and established thousands of health centers in villages. These actions prove that the state is slowly turning the written principles into real benefits for the common people.
Teacher's Tip: Think of current news about free schools and help for the poor as examples of these efforts.
Exam Tip: Use the 'Equal pay' and 'Education' examples as they are mentioned directly in the text.

G Picture study :

This is the picture of the Father of our Nation, who championed the cause of the poor and downtrodden people in India.

Question 1: Identify the person in the picture.

Answer: Father of our nation Mahatma Gandhi
Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi is known for leading India's non-violent fight for freedom. His simple lifestyle and high values influenced many parts of our Constitution, especially the parts about villages.
Teacher's Tip: 'Bapu' or 'Mahatma' are common titles for the Father of our Nation.
Exam Tip: Always provide the full name or the title 'Mahatma Gandhi' in identification questions.

Question 2: Mention any two of his ideas that were included in the Directive Principles of State Policy.

Answer: (a) Provide free and compulsory educations for all children up to the age of 14.
(b) Promote cottage industries in villages.
Gandhiji wanted every child to have knowledge and every villager to have a way to earn a living. These two ideas help build a strong foundation for a self-sufficient and educated India.
Teacher's Tip: Gandhi + Village = Cottage Industries. Gandhi + Child = Education.
Exam Tip: Label your two points as (a) and (b) for better structure.

Question 3: What does the term Directive Principles of State Policy mean?

Answer: Directive Principles of State Policy are guidelines which all government are expected to follow while and programmes for the welfare of the people.
They serve as a moral guide to the people who are in power, reminding them of the common good. Although they cannot be enforced by law, they are fundamental in the governance of our country.
Teacher's Tip: It's like a 'Moral Compass' for the people who make our country's laws.
Exam Tip: Focus on the 'welfare of the people' as the core meaning.

Question 4: Mention one important difference between Fundamental Rights and Directive Principles.

Answer: An important difference between them is that the Fundamental Rights are justiciable, i.e., if people are deprived of their Fundamental Rights, they can go to the Court to seek protection and enforcement of their rights. Directive Principles, on the other hand, are non-justiciable, i.e., if you do not get a job or proper wages, you cannot go to a court to seek justice.
This means the law protects your rights immediately, but it only encourages the government to follow the principles. The difference lies in the power of the citizen to use the court system.
Teacher's Tip: Rights are 'Legal Promises' and Principles are 'Future Goals'.
Exam Tip: Always include the explanation of 'justiciable' and 'non-justiciable' in your answer.

OTHER IMPORTANT QUESTIONS

Question 1: Mention two Directive Principles with reference to Standard of living of citizens?

Answer: The Directive Principles related to standard of living are :
(a) There should be an adequate means of livelihood for all its citizens.
(b) It is important to ensure that every citizen enjoys a decent standard of living and leisure.
A good standard of living means having enough food, a home, and time to rest. These principles ensure that humans are not treated like machines and have a balanced life.
Teacher's Tip: Livelihood = Earning money; Leisure = Free time for rest.
Exam Tip: Mentioning 'leisure' is important as it is a unique part of the standard of living principles.

Question 2: Explain briefly what is Gandhian Principles?

Answer: During the freedom movement, Gandhiji had worked out a plan for social development. Some of his ideas were included as Directive Principles, these are known as Gandhian Principles.
These principles focus on village self-rule, cleanliness, and the development of local art and craft. They aim to fulfill Mahatma Gandhi's vision of an India where every village is a small, happy republic.
Teacher's Tip: Gandhian principles = Village power + Animal care + No liquor.
Exam Tip: Use the term 'social development' to explain the purpose of these principles.