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Key Features: Rights, Duties and Directive Principles

Class 7 Social Science · Chapter 10: The Constitution of India — An Introduction · NCERT Exploring Society: India and Beyond section 10.4

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The Constitution defines the roles and accountability of the legislature, executive and judiciary, keeps their powers separate, sets up the three-tier system of central, state and local government, and lays down an electoral system so every eligible citizen can vote. Its core also includes three sets of provisions. Fundamental Rights include the Right to Equality (Article 14), Right to Freedom and protection of life and liberty (Article 21), the Right against Exploitation, and the Right to Education (Article 21-A).

Fundamental Duties, added in 1976, ask citizens to respect the Constitution, the National Flag and Anthem; defend the country; value our composite culture; protect the environment and show compassion for living creatures; strive for excellence; and, as parents, give children aged 6–14 the chance to study. Directive Principles of State Policy guide the government towards justice, welfare, nutrition and public health, protecting the environment and monuments.

The difference matters: Fundamental Rights can be enforced in court; if you are treated unfairly for who you are, a judge can help. Directive Principles are goals; you cannot sue if they are not met, but they set the direction. The Constitution is a living document: amendments are debated in Parliament (some in state assemblies too). The 73rd Amendment (1992) added Panchayati Raj, and in 2004 the Supreme Court held that flying the national flag at home is part of freedom of expression.

Explore: right, duty or directive principle?

  1. Sort each provision.

Remember

  • The Constitution sets out the organs of government, the three tiers and elections.
  • Fundamental Rights are enforceable; Fundamental Duties (1976) and Directive Principles guide citizens and the state; amendments keep it living.

Quick check

Which can you go to court about if it is violated?

  1. a Fundamental Right
  2. a Directive Principle
  3. a festival
  4. a school timetable
Answer

a Fundamental Right. Directive Principles guide policy but are not enforced in court.

Think about it

Why do you think the makers made some rights enforceable now and kept others as goals?

One answer

Basic protections like equality and liberty could be guaranteed at once, but goals like a good standard of living for all needed money and time to achieve as the country grew.

Practice

Practise with fresh questions at three levels (easy, medium, hard), some answered hands-on, with hints and worked answers. Get 4 of your last 5 right to finish the topic.