Dr. BR Ambedkar described which part of the Indian Constitution as its ‘novel features', while Granville Austin referred to it as the ‘Conscience of the Constitution’?

Question

Question

This question was previously asked in

RRB JE CE 22 Apr 2025 Shift 2 CBT 2 Official Paper

Answer 1

The correct answer is Directive Principles of State Policy.

Key Points

Dr. BR Ambedkar described the Directive Principles of State Policy (DPSP) as the "novel features" of the Indian Constitution because they aim to establish social and economic democracy in the country.
Granville Austin, a renowned constitutional expert, referred to the DPSPs as the "Conscience of the Constitution" since they reflect the ideals and aspirations of the framers of the Constitution.
The DPSPs are enshrined in Part IV (Articles 36 to 51) of the Indian Constitution.
These principles are non-justiciable, meaning they cannot be enforced by the courts, but they are fundamental in the governance of the country.
The DPSPs direct the state to ensure social justice, reduce inequality, and promote the welfare of the people by implementing policies on education, health, and living standards.

Additional Information

Fundamental Rights vs. Directive Principles:
- Fundamental Rights (Part III) are justiciable and enforceable by the courts, while DPSPs are non-justiciable but act as guiding principles for governance.
- In case of a conflict, the judiciary attempts to balance Fundamental Rights with DPSPs to ensure the larger interest of society.
Examples of DPSPs:
- Article 39: Equal pay for equal work for both men and women.
- Article 40: Organization of village panchayats as units of self-government.
- Article 47: Duty of the state to raise the level of nutrition and standard of living and improve public health.
Key Amendments Related to DPSPs:
- The 42nd Amendment Act (1976) added Articles 39A, 43A, and 48A to strengthen the DPSPs, focusing on free legal aid, workers' participation in industries, and environmental protection.
Significance of DPSPs:
- They provide a framework for policymaking and legislation to achieve socio-economic justice and equality.
- They serve as a benchmark for assessing the performance of governments in addressing public welfare.
Influence of DPSPs:
- DPSPs have inspired various laws and policies, such as the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA), Right to Education Act, and National Food Security Act.