Model Questions & Answers

For APSC Mains

-----------------------------------------

Q1. What are the main features of the Directive

Principles of State Policy (DPSP)? Discuss the
relevance of the policy for the socio-economic
development of a state. (APSC 2018 )

The Directive Principles of State Policy (DPSP) has

been taken from the Irish constitution and
enumerated in Part IV of the Indian Constitution.
These are some basic principles or instructions or
guidelines for the government while formulating
laws/policies of the country and in executing them.

The concept behind the DPSP is to create a ‘Welfare

State’. In other words, the motive behind the
inclusion of DPSP is not establishing political
democracy rather, it’s about establishing social and
economic democracy in the state.

www.bhadraiasacademy.in Centre :Guwahati & Jorhat

Call : 8638391721 Page 1
The main features of the Directive Principles
of State Policy (DPSP):

1. DPSP are not enforceable in a court of law.

2. They were made non-justifiable considering that

the State may not have enough resources to
implement all of them or it may even come up
with some better and progressive laws.

3. It consists of all the ideals which the State

should follow and keep in mind while
formulating policies and enacting laws for the
country.

4. The DPSPs are like a collection of instructions

and directions, which were issued under the
Government of India Act, 1935, to the Governors
of the colonies of India.

5. It constitutes very comprehensive economic,

social and political guidelines or principles and
tips for a modern democratic State that aimed
towards inculcating the ideals of justice, liberty,
equality and fraternity as given in the preamble.

www.bhadraiasacademy.in Centre :Guwahati & Jorhat

Call : 8638391721 Page 2
 6. Adding DPSP was all about creating a “welfare
state” that works for the individuals of the
country which was absent during the colonial
era.

The relevance of the policy for the socio-

economic development

1. Sustainable development: DPSPs are the

principles of a welfare state in India. DPSP are
important as it seeks to create a balance
between economic progress and competition on
one hand and environmental sustainability and
social and economic equity on the other.

2. Inequalities: Transition from the socialist

pattern of society to liberalization and market
economy where inequalities were bound to
come, it is the duty of the state to reduce these
inequalities through tax structure, subsidies,
various welfare schemes etc.

3. Accountability: DPSPs are important as it

allows the citizens to hold the government
accountable in their policy formulations and
implementation e.g. equality at work, minimum
wages etc.
www.bhadraiasacademy.in Centre :Guwahati & Jorhat
Call : 8638391721 Page 3
 4. Fair market: Globalization is based upon
competition and monopolistic tendencies in the
market. DPSP are important to provide a laissez-
faire business environment to industries.

5. Human rights: DPSPs are relevant to providing

a humane work milieu, equal wages for equal
work and increasing the quality of standard of
living of workers. It also provides for the
participation of workers in the management of
industries for better harmonisation between
workers interests and industrial interests.

6. Human capital: DPSPs seek to build

demographic dividends. DPSP puts an
obligation on the part of the government to
provide free, compulsory and quality education
up to the primary level and improve public
health.

7. Environment: Further it obliges the

government to protect and improve the
environment and safeguard forest and wildlife in
the era of indiscriminate exploitation and
deforestation based globalization.

www.bhadraiasacademy.in Centre :Guwahati & Jorhat

Call : 8638391721 Page 4
 8. Women rights: Liberalisation and globalisation
have led to women empowerment. DPSP put an
onus on the state to work towards women
education, equal opportunity, equal wages,
uniform civil code etc. that would further
enhance women rights. The recent triple talaq
act was in this direction.

Q2. Discuss the civil disobedience movement

from the beginning till its withdrawal in 1934.
Assess its importance as the greatest mass
movement in India. (APSC 2018)

The civil disobedience movement from the

beginning till its withdrawal in 1934

1. Lahore Congress Session (December 1929):

Congress adopted complete independence as its
goal. Congress decided to launch a civil
disobedience movement.

2. Dandi March (March 12-April 6, 1930): Led by

Gandhi; resulted in the spread of salt satyagraha
to Tamil Nadu, Malabar, Andhra, Assam, Bengal.
www.bhadraiasacademy.in Centre :Guwahati & Jorhat
Call : 8638391721 Page 5
3. Spread of the movement with additional
avenues of protest

 Khudai Khidmatgars active in NWFP.

 Textile workers were active in Sholapur.

 Salt satyagraha in Dharasana.

 No-chowkidara tax campaign in Bihar.

4. Gandhi-Irwin Pact (March 1931): Congress

agreed to attend the Second RTC and to withdraw
CDM.

5. Gandhi-Irwin Pact (March 1931): Congress

agreed to attend the Second RTC and to withdraw
CDM.

6. Karachi Congress Session (March 1931):

Endorsed Delhi Pact between Gandhi and Irwin.

7. The Round Table Conference: The Second

RTC Right-wing in Britain against concessions to

www.bhadraiasacademy.in Centre :Guwahati & Jorhat

Call : 8638391721 Page 6
Indians. The session got deadlocked on the
question of safeguards for minorities.

8. December 1931 - April 1934: Second phase

of Civil Disobedience Movement

Finally, in April 1934, Gandhi decided to withdraw

the civil disobedience movement. Though people
had been cowed down by superior force, they had
not lost political faith in the Congress—they had
won freedom in their hearts.

Importance as the greatest mass movement

There were certain aspects in which the Civil

Disobedience Movement differed from the Non-
Cooperation Movement.

1. The stated objective this time was complete

independence and not just remedying two
specific wrongs and a vaguely-worded swaraj.

2. The methods involved a violation of the law

from the very beginning and not just non-
cooperation with foreign rule.

www.bhadraiasacademy.in Centre :Guwahati & Jorhat

Call : 8638391721 Page 7
 3. There was a decline in forms of protests
involving the intelligentsia, such as lawyers
giving up practice, students giving up
government schools to join national schools
and colleges.

4. Women: Gandhi had specially asked women to

play a leading part in the movement. Soon, they
became familiar. Students Along with women,
students and youth played the most prominent
part in the boycott of foreign cloth and liquor.

5. Muslim participation was nowhere near that in

the Non-Cooperation Movement level.

6. The massive participation of peasants and

business groups

7. The number of those imprisoned was about

three times more this time.

8. The Congress was organisationally stronger.

www.bhadraiasacademy.in Centre :Guwahati & Jorhat

Call : 8638391721 Page 8
Northeast India:

Agitation against ‘Cunningham Circular’ in Assam.

Manipur and Nagaland These areas took a brave
part in the movement. At the young age of thirteen,
Rani Gaidinliu, a Naga spiritual leader, who followed
her cousin Haipou Jadonang, born in what is now
the state of Manipur, raised the banner of revolt
against foreign rule.

www.bhadraiasacademy.in Centre :Guwahati & Jorhat

Call : 8638391721 Page 9