Which Indian Constitutional Amendment Act has NOT amended anything in the Directive Principles of the State Policy?

Question

Question

This question was previously asked in

RRB NTPC Graduate Level CBT-I Official Paper (Held On: 09 Jun, 2025 Shift 1)

Answer 1

The correct answer is 48th Amendment Act.

Key Points

The 48th Amendment Act of 1984 did not amend any provisions related to the Directive Principles of State Policy (DPSP).
This amendment was enacted to extend the President's Rule in the state of Punjab beyond the one-year limit prescribed under Article 356(5) of the Indian Constitution.
It dealt specifically with the political situation in Punjab and had no relevance to the Directive Principles of State Policy.
In contrast, amendments like the 42nd Amendment Act and 86th Amendment Act directly addressed and modified provisions of the DPSP.
The 42nd Amendment Act, for instance, added new principles, while the 86th Amendment Act integrated the right to education for children under Article 21A, influencing related DPSPs.

Additional Information

Directive Principles of State Policy (DPSP):
- Enshrined in Part IV (Articles 36-51) of the Indian Constitution, DPSPs aim to establish a welfare state by guiding the government in policy-making.
- They are non-justiciable, meaning they cannot be enforced in a court of law, but they are fundamental in governance.
- Examples include provisions for social welfare, equitable distribution of resources, and environmental conservation.
42nd Amendment Act (1976):
- Known as the "Mini-Constitution," it made significant changes to the DPSP.
- Added Articles 39A (Equal justice and free legal aid), 43A (Workers' participation in management), and 48A (Protection of the environment).
- Shifted the focus towards socialism and environmental sustainability.
86th Amendment Act (2002):
- Introduced Article 21A, making the right to education a fundamental right for children aged 6 to 14 years.
- Modified Article 45 under DPSP to focus on early childhood care for children below six years.
97th Amendment Act (2011):
- Added a new DPSP under Article 43B, emphasizing the promotion of cooperative societies.
- Aimed to strengthen cooperative movements in India by ensuring their democratic functioning.