UPSC Mains Law Paper Topic : Relationship between Fundamental Rights, Directive Principles &
Fundamental Duties
- “In recent times certain directive
principles have been judicially enforced
and made enforceable by imaginative
and creative interpretation of
fundamental rights . “Do you agree?
Give reasons. (97/I/2a/.30)
- Directive Principles of state Policy have
played a significant role in the
interpretation of the Constitution.
Explain and illustrate your answer.
(98/I/2a/30)
- What are the discretionary powers of
the Governors of States? Why is there
no provision in the Constitution for
impeachment of a Governor? Explain.
(00/I/1b/20)
- Examine critically the relationship
between the Fundamental Rights and
the Directive Principles of State Policy
in the light of decided cases and the
constitutional amendments.
(00/I/2b/30)
- In order to make the best use of the
limited resources in the country and to
meet certain demands of the journalists
and other workers in the newspaper
industry ; the government plans to enact
a law which.
(i) fixes the minimum wages for all the
journalists and workers,
(ii) declares Sunday and all other national
holidays as compulsory holidays for
the newspaper industry;
(iii) requires the newspapers to allocate
certain percentage of news space to
pressing socio-economic issues facing
the country; and
(iv) prohibits certain kinds of
advertisements , particularly those
which make indecent depiction of
women.
Your advice is sought by the
government on the constitutionality of
such legislation vis-avis Article 19(1)
(a). Give your advice with reference to
decided cases. (01 /I/ 2a/ 30)
- Justify the contemporary economic
liberalisation reforms on the basis of
constitutional provisions.
(02/I/2b/30)
- “While the implementation of the
Directive Principles of the State Policy
is a pre-condition for the enjoyment of
Fundamental Rights, the destruction of
the Fundamental Rights will frustrate
the realization of the Directive
Principles.” Discuss. (03/I/1b/20)
- “Directive principles of state policy are
not enforceable in the Court of Law but,
nevertheless, they are fundamental in
the governance of the country.” Discuss
this statement with the help of decided
cases. (06/I/2a/30)
- “Fundamental duties are only ethical
and moral duties and should not form
a part of the fundamental law.”
Comment. (06/I/ lb/ 20)
- Write short note: The scope of the
constitutional harmony and balance
between ‘Fundamental Rights’ and
‘Directive Principles’ of State Policy.
(08/I/4c/20)
- ‘Explain and elucidate the significance
of the various strategies adopted for the
implementation of the ‘Directive Principles’ of Stale Policy enshrined in
Part - IV of the Indian Constitution.
(08/I/1d/20)
- Spell out the object and reasons of Part
IV A of the Constitution of India. Do you
support this addition to the Constitution
of India? Give reasons and also suggest
some effective measures to make these
provisions more realistic and
operational. (09/I/3b/30)
- “The Directive Principles which have
been declared to be ‘fundamental’ in the
governance of the country cannot be
isolated from Fundamental Rights.”
Explain critically. Also throw light with
reference to recent judgments on the
Supreme Court’s view as regards the
interplay of Directive Principles and
Fundamental Rights. (09/I/3a/30)
- Has judiciary been a hindrance or a
facilitator in the interpretation of
Directive Principles? Examine in the
light of various judgments of the
Supreme Court? (13/I/1a/10)
- “Fundamental duties are only ethical or
moral duties and should not form a part
of the fundamental law.” Comment
(13/I/1b/10)
- Is ‘Commercial advertisement’ covered
within the ambit of ‘freedom of speech
and expression’? Discuss with reference
to leading cases.(13/I/1c/10)
- Critically examine the constitutional
validity of an amendment deleting
Article 16(4) and authorizing the State
to make job reservation in favour of the
backward classes of citizens.
(13/I/1d/10)
- Doctrine of equality under the
Constitution cannot be applied to
legitimize an illegal act. Can equality be
invoked to justify another wrong?
Critically examine with reference to
cases. (13/I/1e/10)
- Do you agree with the view that
“equality is antithesis of arbitrariness.
In fact equality and arbitrariness are
sworn enemies”? (13/I/2a/25)
- Introduction of Uniform Civil Code.
(13/I/4c/20)
- Whether law relating to preventive
detention can be challenged for
violation of Article 19? (13/I/4b/1 5)
