Directive Principles of State Policy

These are statements of certain ideals that the Indian Nation must strive for. Unlike the fundamental rights, these provisions are not enforceable by courts. Nevertheless, these principles are fundamental for the governance of the country. Some of the directive principles are:

• 1The State shall strive for the promotion of the welfare of the people.
• 2Economic principles aimed at an egalitarian economic order.
• 3Organisation of village administration (Village Panchayats).
• 4Protection of environment.
• 5Education

They are now being used in a limited way to add colour to the provision of the Fundamental Rights. For example, education for all children upto the age of 14 (fourteen) years, which is a directive principle, was held to form part of the fundamental right to life, if life is to have any meaning.

The Constitution deals with the form of Government that India must have. The Government comprises three heads, the Executive, the Legislature and the Judiciary. Being a Federal Constitution, the Indian model has two spheres of authority, the Union or Central Government and the State Governments. However, no dual citizenship is permitted.

Taxing power is circumscribed by the Constitution with the condition that to levy a tax there must be a specific law made under a legislative head. The provisions also exempt the State and Central Governments from mutual taxation besides making appropriate provisions for allocation of revenues between the Union and States.

In order to stress the unity of the country, the Constitution proclaims that trade and commerce shall take place unhindered throughout the length and breadth of the country.