Article 39:

39. Certain principles of policy to be followed by the State: The State shall, in particular,
direct its policy towards securing
(a) that the citizens, men and women equally, have the right to an adequate means to
livelihood;
(b) that the ownership and control of the material resources of the community are so
distributed as best to subserve the common good;
(c) that the operation of the economic system does not result in the concentration of
wealth and means of production to the common detriment;
(d) that there is equal pay for equal work for both men and women;
(e) that the health and strength of workers, men and women, and the tender age of
children are not abused and that citizens are not forced by economic necessity to enter
avocations unsuited to their age or strength;
(f) that children are given opportunities and facilities to develop in a healthy manner
and in conditions of freedom and dignity and that childhood and youth are protected
against exploitation and against moral and material abandonment

Directive Principles of State Policy of Indian Constitution

Mentioned under Part IV of the Constitution covering Articles 36 to 51.

They tell about the AIMS that the state should strive to achieve.

This part of the Constitution is undoubtedly the sister of the previous part dealing with the
Fundamental Rights, and is described as the 'Conscience of the Constitution'.

Their idea has been incorporated from the Constitution of Ireland.

They are a unique blend of socialistic, liberal, democratic and Gandhian Principles.

Mere instructions, not enforceable by law, for day-to-day administration of the country.
In State of Tamilnadu Vs L. Abu Kavur Bai case in 1984, the Supreme Court held that although
directive principles are not enforceable, yet the court shouldn't avoid them.

Classification and Enumeration of Directive Principles

Can be classified under four principal groups.

The first group deals with general principles of social policy.

The second with the principles of administrative policy.

The third deals with socio-economic rights.

The fourth and last group contains a statement of the International Policy of the Indian Republic.
 They are as follows:

1. Article 38: To secure and protect a social order which stands for the welfare of the people.

2. Article 39: The State will, in particular, direct its policy towards securing:

a. Adequate means of livelihood to all citizens

b. A proper distribution of the material resources of the community for the common good.
c. Prevention of concentration of wealth to common detriment.
d. Equal pay for equal work for both men and women.
e. The protection of the strength and health of the workers and avoiding circumstances that force
citizens to enter avocations unsuited to their age or strength.
f. The protection of childhood and youth against exploitation or moral and material
abandonment.

3. Article 40: To organize village panchayats as units of self-government.

4. Article 41: To secure the right to work, education and public assistance in cases of unemployment,
old age, sickness, etc.

5. Article 42: To secure just and humane conditions of work and maternity relief.

6. Article 43: To secure work, a living wage, a decent standard of life, leisure and social and cultural
opportunities for people, and in particular to promote cottage industries.

7. Article 44: To secure a uniform civil code applicable to the entire country.

8. Article 45: To provide, within 10 years from the commencement of the Constitution, free and
compulsory education to all children up to the age of 14.

9. Article 46: To promote with special care the educational and economic interests of the weaker
sections of the people, especially the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes.

10. Article 47: To secure the improvement of public health and the prohibition of intoxicating drinks
and drugs.

11. Article 48: To organize cultural and animal husbandry on scientific lines and preserve and
improve the breeds and prohibit the slaughter of cows, calves and other milch and draught cattle.

12. Article 49: To protect all monuments of historic interest and national importance.

13. Article 50: To bring about the separation of the judiciary from the executive.

14. Article 51: To endeavor to secure

a. The promotion of international peace and security.

b. The maintenance of just and honorable relations between nations.
c. The settlement of international disputes by arbitration.

Directive Principles Added after 42nd Amendment, 1976

Article 39(a): The legal system promotes justice on the basis of equal opportunity and will, in
 particular, free legal aid by suitable legislation.

Article 39(f): The children are given opportunities and facilities to develop in a healthy manner and
in conditions of freedom and dignity and that childhood and youth are protected against exploitation
and against moral and material abandonment.

Article 43(a): To secure the participation of workers in the management of undertakings engaged in
any industry.

Article 48(a): To protect the environment and to safeguard the forests and wildlife of the country.

Directive Principle Added after 44th Amendment, 1978

Article 38 (1): The State shall, in particular, strive to minimize the inequalities in income and
endeavor to eliminate inequalities in status, facilities and opportunities, not only amongst individuals
but also amongst groups of people residing in different areas or engaged in different vocations.

Directive Principles Mentioned in Other Parts

Article 350(a): It is the duty of the officers of concerned states to provide primary education in
mother tongue to the people of minorities particularly to the children of minorities' class.

Article 351: It will be the duty of the Union to spread Hindi language amongst the people of India
which will develop our cultural and social element.

Article 355: It will be under consideration to appoint the people of the Scheduled Castes and the
Scheduled Tribes in and as Union or State services.