UPSC Indian Polity – Chapter 8: Directive Principles of State Policy (28 MCQs)

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UPSC Indian Polity – Chapter 8: Directive Principles of State Policy (28 MCQs) – 28 questions, subject: Polity. Every question has the correct answer with a one-line explanation; tap "Show Answer". Free practice for TNPSC, UPSC, SSC, Bank and RRB exams – Shanmugam IAS Academy, Coimbatore.

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1.  

The Directive Principles of State Policy were borrowed from the Constitution of:

Correct Answer: A [Ireland]

Explanation:

the Irish Constitution of 1937.

2.  

Which Article states that the Directive Principles shall not be enforceable by any court but are fundamental in the governance of the country?

Correct Answer: B [Article 37]

Explanation:

Article 37.

3.  

Which of the following principles were added by the 42nd Amendment Act, 1976?

1. Equal justice and free legal aid
2. Participation of workers in the management of industries
3. Protection of the environment and wildlife
4. Promotion of co-operative societies

Select the correct answer:

Correct Answer: C [1, 2 and 3 only]

Explanation:

39A, 43A and 48A; co-operatives (43B) came with the 97th Amendment.

4.  

Article 38(2), requiring the State to minimise inequalities in income, status, facilities and opportunities, was added by the:

Correct Answer: D [44th Amendment]

Explanation:

the 44th Amendment, 1978.

5.  

Match List I (Article) with List II (Principle):

List I: A. Article 40 B. Article 44 C. Article 48A D. Article 50

List II: 1. Environment and wildlife 2. Uniform civil code 3. Village panchayats 4. Separation of judiciary from executive

Correct Answer: A [A-3, B-2, C-1, D-4]

Explanation:

40, 44, 48A, 50.

6.  

How many of the following are Gandhian principles?

1. Organisation of village panchayats
2. Promotion of cottage industries in rural areas
3. Prohibition of intoxicating drinks injurious to health
4. Uniform civil code

Correct Answer: C [Only three]

Explanation:

1, 2 and 3; the uniform civil code is liberal-intellectual.

7.  

"Equal pay for equal work for both men and women" is a Directive Principle under:

Correct Answer: A [Article 39(d)]

Explanation:

Article 39(d), in the Constitution since 1950.

8.  

After the 86th Amendment Act, 2002, Article 45 requires the State to provide:

Correct Answer: B [early childhood care and education for all children until they complete six years]

Explanation:

the substituted Article 45.

9.  

Which of the following directives are found outside Part IV of the Constitution?

1. Claims of SCs and STs to services (Article 335)
2. Instruction in the mother tongue at the primary stage (Article 350A)
3. Development of the Hindi language (Article 351)
4. Free legal aid (Article 39A)

Select the correct answer:

Correct Answer: D [1, 2 and 3 only]

Explanation:

Articles 335, 350A and 351.

10.  

Assertion (A): A law cannot be declared void by a court merely because it violates a Directive Principle.

Reason (R): Directive Principles are not enforceable by any court.

Correct Answer: A [Both A and R are correct and R is the correct explanation of A]

Explanation:

non-justiciability (Article 37) explains A.

11.  

In which case did the Supreme Court hold that harmony and balance between Fundamental Rights and Directive Principles is an essential feature of the basic structure?

Correct Answer: B [Minerva Mills (1980)]

Explanation:

Minerva Mills (1980).

12.  

Consider the following statements about Article 31C:

1. It was inserted by the 25th Amendment Act, 1971.
2. It originally protected laws giving effect to Article 39(b) and (c) from challenge under Articles 14 and 19 (and 31).
3. Its extension to all Directive Principles by the 42nd Amendment was upheld in Minerva Mills.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

Correct Answer: B [1 and 2 only]

Explanation:

Minerva Mills struck down the extension.

13.  

The Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987 gives effect to which Directive Principle?

Correct Answer: C [Article 39A]

Explanation:

equal justice and free legal aid.

14.  

The statutory guarantee of rural wage employment – under MGNREGA, 2005 and, from 1 July 2026, under the VB-G RAM G Act, 2025 – is most directly linked to:

Correct Answer: D [Article 41]

Explanation:

the right to work.

15.  

A State enacts a law fixing a ceiling on agricultural landholdings and distributing the surplus to landless labourers. It declares that the law gives effect to Article 39(b). The law is challenged under Article 14. What is the most likely position?

Correct Answer: B [The law cannot be challenged on the ground of Article 14, because Article 31C protects laws giving effect to Article 39(b) and (c).]

Explanation:

the first part of Article 31C, upheld in Kesavananda.

16.  

Which one of the following is a liberal-intellectual principle?

Correct Answer: C [Protection of monuments of national importance]

Explanation:

Article 49, liberal-intellectual.

17.  

Arrange the following in chronological order:

1. Insertion of Article 43B
2. Insertion of Article 38(2)
3. Insertion of Article 48A
4. Substitution of Article 45

Select the correct answer:

Correct Answer: D [3-2-4-1]

Explanation:

1976, 1978, 2002, 2011.

18.  

Article 51 of the Constitution directs the State to:

Correct Answer: B [promote international peace and security and encourage settlement of international disputes by arbitration]

Explanation:

Article 51.

19.  

Which Directive Principle directs the State to raise the level of nutrition and the standard of living and to improve public health?

Correct Answer: C [Article 47]

Explanation:

Article 47.

20.  

Consider the following statements:

1. Directive Principles aim at establishing social and economic democracy.
2. Directive Principles need legislation for their implementation.
3. Directive Principles are automatically enforceable once a State adopts them.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

Correct Answer: D [1 and 2 only]

Explanation:

they are never enforceable by courts.

21.  
UPSC Prelims 2010

The "Instrument of Instructions" contained in the Government of India Act, 1935 have been incorporated in the Constitution of India in the year 1950 as

Correct Answer: B [Directive Principles of State Policy]

Explanation:

the Directive Principles.

22.  
UPSC Prelims 2012

Consider the following provisions under the Directive Principles of State Policy as enshrined in the Constitution of India:

1. Securing for citizens of India a uniform civil code
2. Organising village Panchayats
3. Promoting cottage industries in rural areas
4. Securing for all the workers reasonable leisure and cultural opportunities

Which of the above are the Gandhian Principles that are reflected in the Directive Principles of State Policy?

Correct Answer: B [2 and 3 only]

Explanation:

Articles 40 and 43 (cottage industries).

23.  
UPSC Prelims 2014

In the Constitution of India, promotion of international peace and security is included in the

Correct Answer: B [Directive Principles of State Policy]

Explanation:

Article 51.

24.  
UPSC Prelims 2017

Which one of the following principles was added to the Directive Principles of State Policy by the 42nd Amendment to the Constitution?

Correct Answer: B [Participation of workers in the management of industries]

Explanation:

Article 43A.

25.  
UPSC Prelims 2020

With reference to the provisions contained in Part IV of the Constitution of India, which of the following statements is/are correct?

1. They shall be enforceable by courts.
2. They shall not be enforceable by any court.
3. The principles laid down in this part are to influence the making of laws by the State.

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

Correct Answer: D [2 and 3 only]

Explanation:

Article 37.

26.  
UPSC Prelims 2020

In India, separation of judiciary from the executive is enjoined by

Correct Answer: B [a Directive Principle of State Policy]

Explanation:

Article 50.

27.  
UPSC Prelims 2021

Under the Indian Constitution, concentration of wealth violates

Correct Answer: B [the Directive Principles of State Policy]

Explanation:

Article 39(c).

28.  
UPSC Prelims 2025

Consider the following pairs:

Provision in the Constitution of India : Stated under

I. Separation of Judiciary from the Executive in the public services of the State : The Directive Principles of State Policy

II. Valuing and preserving the rich heritage of our composite culture : The Fundamental Duties

III. Prohibition of employment of children below the age of 14 years in factories : The Fundamental Rights

How many of the above pairs are correctly matched?

Correct Answer: C [All the three]

Explanation:

Article 50, Article 51A(f) and Article 24.

➤ Full notes, maps, tables, a reason for every option and Mains PYQs – U11 · Indian Polity (UPSC book, ₹249): www.shanmugamiasacademy.in/study-materials/upsc-indian-polity

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