Salient Features of the Constitution — II — Question 3

The Directive Principles are not enforceable by law courts, still they are very important. This importance stems from following:

1. Directive Principles are in the nature of a pledge made by the framers of the Constitution to the people of India. They provide a framework, political, social and economic programme for a modern democratic State.
2. The Directive Principles give guidelines to the governments to make laws and draft their policies, according to these fundamental principles. They provide an element of permanence in a democracy.
3. They provide a measure to judge a government's performance.
4. They enlighten and educate the people of what they can expect from the politicians whom they vote to power.
5. They provide a direction to Courts in respect of safeguarding the rights of the citizens.