Maharashtra Board Class 7 Civics Chapter 6 Directive Principles of State Policy and Fundamental Duties PDF Download

Directive Principles Of State Policy And Fundamental Duties

In the last two chapters, we studied the fundamental rights guaranteed by our Constitution. We learnt what rights Indian citizens enjoy. We also learnt that our rights have judicial protection. We understood the importance of fundamental rights in our individual and public lives. With this background, we shall now understand what the Directive Principles of State Policy are.

Fundamental rights put restrictions on the power of the government. A few such restrictions upon the State are listed below.

State shall not discriminate between and among citizens on the basis of caste, religion, race, language or sex.

State shall not deny anybody equality before the law and equal protection of the law.

No person shall be deprived of his life.

State shall not impose any religious taxes.

The Constitution has given express instructions to the State about what policies it should undertake. This is in the nature of giving directives or guidelines about how to achieve the goals expressed in the Preamble. Hence they are called as Directive Principles of State Policy.

Why Were The Directives Included?

When India won independence, we faced a great challenge of establishing order and carrying out smooth administration. Eradication of poverty, backwardness and illiteracy had to be urgently pursued. The task of nation building had to be undertaken. For this, new policies had to be drawn up, and their implementation had to be undertaken. The goal of people's welfare had to be achieved. In short, India had to be transformed into a developed and progressive nation. The Constitution has specified the subjects to which the Union and State Governments should give priority in their policies for people's welfare through the Directive Principles of State Policy. Each Directive contains a subject for the State Policy. The makers of the Indian Constitution had realised that it would require a lot of resources if all these policies were to be implemented at the same time. That is the reason why they did not make the directives binding upon the State like the fundamental rights. They expected that States should implement them slowly and steadily.

Some Important Directive Principles Of State Policy

The State should secure adequate means of livelihood to all citizens without any gender discrimination.

The State should secure equal pay for equal work for both men and women.

The State should secure the improvement of public health.

The State shall endeavour to protect and improve the environment and safeguard the forests and wild-life of the country.

The State shall protect all monuments of historic interest and national importance.

The State shall promote with special care the educational and economic interests of the weaker sections of the people, especially the Scheduled Castes and Tribes.

The State shall offer public assistance to citizens in cases of unemployment, old age, sickness, etc.

The State shall secure a uniform civil code applicable to the entire country.

Teacher's Note

Directive Principles tell the government what to do for people. Like when the government builds roads or hospitals, it is following these principles to help everyone.

Exam Trick

Remember: Directives are not rules you can fight in court like Fundamental Rights. But the government should still follow them. Think of it like homework the government must do slowly.

Points To Remember

Directive Principles are guidelines for the government to help people.

They tell the government what policies to make for welfare of people.

You cannot go to court if directives are not followed.

The government should follow them slowly and steadily.

Fundamental Duties

In a democracy, citizens have a dual responsibility. They should not only be vigilant that their rights are not unfairly restricted, but should also fulfil some duties and responsibilities. The Constitution has made several provisions through the Fundamental Rights and the Directive Principles of State Policy for the people's welfare. The benefits of the various schemes of the Government cannot reach all people if they do not fulfil their Fundamental Duties. For example, the Government has implemented several projects under its Swachch Bharat Scheme, but people, too, need to change their habits that make public places dirty. In order that the Indian citizens become conscious of their responsibilities, Fundamental Duties were included in the Constitution. The Fundamental Duties of the Indian citizens are as follows.

To abide by the Constitution and respect the National Flag and the National Anthem.

To cherish and follow the noble ideals which inspired our national struggle for freedom.

To uphold and protect the sovereignty, unity and integrity of India.

To defend the country, and to render national service when called upon to do so.

To promote harmony and the spirit of common brotherhood transcending diversities; to renounce practices derogatory to the dignity of women.

To value and preserve the rich heritage of our composite culture.

To protect and improve the natural environment, and to have compassion for living creatures.

To develop the scientific temper, humanism and spirit of inquiry and reform.

To safeguard public property and to abjure violence.

To strive towards excellence in all spheres of individual and collective activity so that the nation constantly rises to higher levels of endeavour and achievement.

Every citizen of India who is a parent or guardian should provide opportunities of education to his or her child or ward between the age of six and fourteen years.

Directive Principles of State Policy and Fundamental Rights are two sides of the same coin. Due to Fundamental Rights, citizens get the most needed liberty, while Directive Principles of State Policy create an atmosphere conducive to the growth of democracy. Even though we cannot go to the courts if a Directive is not implemented by the Government, we can put pressure on the Government in various ways to make a policy in order to meet these goals.

Teacher's Note

Fundamental Duties are what we must do. For example, keeping our school clean is our duty. When we do our duties, the government can work better for everyone.

Exam Trick

Remember: Rights and Duties are like two sides of a coin. You want the right to eat food, so you have the duty to keep the plate clean. One cannot work without the other.

Points To Remember

Fundamental Duties are what every Indian citizen must do.

We must respect the National Flag and National Anthem.

We must keep public places clean and protect nature.

Parents must send children to school between ages 6 to 14.

Rights and duties go together in a democracy.

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