Trick to remember DPSP
Directive Principles of State Policy are the most confusing part of Polity for SSC aspirants. I failed 3 mocks because I mixed up Article 42 vs 43. Then I made this trick and never got a DPSP question wrong again.
DPSP are guidelines for government, not laws. They’re in Part 4, Articles 36-51. Non-justiciable, but Minerva Mills case said they’re fundamental to governance. Here’s how I remember all 16 important articles with logic, not rote learning.
What are DPSP? (Basic clarity first)
Before jumping into tricks, let us understand this:
- DPSPs are guidelines for the government while making laws.
- They are enforceable by courts and are non justiciable.
- But the Minnerva Mills case in 1980 said that DPSPs are fundamental to governance.
- They are borrowed from Ireland and Irish Constitution
- They are contained in Part 4 of the Indian Constitution.
- They are from Articles 36 to article 51.
Articles 36 to 39 – Not important for exams
Article 36 – It states about Definition of State
Article 37 – It tells about Application of DPSP
Article 38 – It shows Social order for welfare
Article 39 – Certain principles of policy
Exam note: These are almost never asked in SSC. You can skip safely.
Article 39A – Free Legal Aid
What it states: State shall provide free legal aid to the poor.
Added by: 42nd Amendment, 1976.
Trick: 39A → A for Advocate
Free advocate for poor people.
SSC Question: Which article provides free legal aid? → Answer: Article 39A.
Article 40 – Village Panchayat
What it states: It states to Organize village panchayats and give them powers.
Nature: Gandhian principle.
Trick: Panchayat meeting me 40 log aaye.
Exam note: 73rd Amendment (1992) made this a reality by adding Part 9 to the Constitution.
Article 41 – Right to Work and Education
What it states: Right to work, education, and public assistance in certain cases.
Trick: 41 = 4 + 1 = 5 → Paanchvi pass.
5 से जुड़ा – education + work.
Important for SSC: This is still a DPSP, not a Fundamental Right (except education for 6-14 years, which became a FR later).
Article 42 – Maternity + Humane Work Conditions
What it states: Just and humane conditions of work and maternity relief.
Trick: 42 = Life ka answer (reference to 42 from Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy – popular memory hack).
For working women, maternity leave is life ka answer.
Article 43 – Living Wage
What it states: Living wage, decent standard of life, and social opportunities for workers.
Trick: 43 → Saath-Teen
- Saath me teen cheez:
- Wage
- Decent life
- Opportunities
⭐ Article 43A – Worker Participation
What it states: Take steps to secure participation of workers in management of industries.
Added by: 42nd Amendment, 1976.
Trick: A = Andar
- Workers ko management ke andar lao.
Article 43B – Cooperatives
What it states: Promote voluntary formation, autonomous working, and professional management of cooperatives.
Added by: 97th Amendment, 2011.
Trick: B = Bank
- Cooperatives = Cooperative Banks.
SSC Question: Which article was added by the 97th Amendment? → Article 43B.
Article 44 – Uniform Civil Code (UCC)
What it states: State shall try to secure a Uniform Civil Code for all citizens.
Trick: 44 = 4 and 4 → both are uniform/same
- UCC = same laws for everyone (marriage, divorce, inheritance etc.)
Most asked in SSC: At least one question appears on UCC in almost every SSC CGL or CHSL paper.
Your turn: Comment your own trick for Article 44 below .
Article 45 – Education (Early childhood)
What it states: Provision for early childhood care and education up to age 6.
Trick: 45 = Paanch (5)
- kya aap Paanchvi pass se tez h?
Child education 6-14 years (originally DPSP, now FR under 86th Amendment 2002).
Exam note: 86th Amendment moved this to Article 21A as Fundamental Right.
Article 46 – SC/ST Welfare
What it states: Promotion of educational and economic interests of SCs, STs, and weaker sections.
Trick: 46 → 4 and 6 → both even numbers
-Even = Equal
- SC/ST ko equal maante hain.
Article 47 – Nutrition
What it states: Duty of state to raise nutrition level and improve public health.
Trick: 47 = Saat
- Saat-saat baar khana khao → nutrition badhao.
Also includes: Prohibition of intoxicating drinks and drugs (except for medical purposes).
Article 48 – Agriculture + Animal Husbandry
What it states: Organize agriculture and animal husbandry on modern lines. Also prohibits cow slaughter.
Trick: 48 = Chaar-Aath animals ghum rahe the.
- Chaar (4) = Cows
- Aath (8) = Agriculture
⭐ Article 48A – Environment
What it states: Protect and improve environment, forests, and wildlife.
Added by: 42nd Amendment, 1976.
Trick: A = Air
- Protect air, forests, wildlife.
Article 49 – Protect Monuments
What it states: State shall protect every monument or place of national importance.
Trick: 49 is 7² (seven square)
- Square = bada
- Bada kaam karenge aur bade monuments ko protect karenge like Taj Mahal, Red Fort.
Article 50 – Separation of Judiciary
What it says: State shall separate judiciary from executive.
Trick: 50 = Half-century
- After 50 years of independence, we still fight for judicial independence.
Article 51 – International Peace
What it says: Promote international peace and security, respect international law.
Trick: 51 = 5 + 1 = 6
👉 6 continents me peace failao.
Quick Revision Table (Exam Ready)
| Article | Topic | Magic Word |
|---|---|---|
| 39A | Free Legal Aid | A = Advocate |
| 40 | Panchayat | 40 log |
| 41 | Work + Education | 5 = Paanchvi |
| 42 | Maternity | Life ka answer |
| 43 | Living Wage | Saath-Teen |
| 43A | Worker Participation | A = Andar |
| 43B | Cooperatives | B = Bank |
| 44 | UCC | 4 and 4 uniform |
| 45 | Child Education | Paanch |
| 46 | SC/ST Welfare | Even numbers |
| 47 | Nutrition | Saat baar khana |
| 48 | Cow + Agriculture | Chaar-Aath |
| 48A | Environment | A = Air |
| 49 | Monuments | 7² = Bada |
| 50 | Judiciary separation | Half-century |
| 51 | World peace | 6 continents |
Final Strategy for SSC Aspirants
- Learn these tricks – 10 minutes daily for 3 days.
- Solve 50 previous year questions (PYQs) – you'll see patterns.
- Don't just read – write the article numbers with tricks on paper.
- Revise once every Sunday. Use this trick + solve 50 PYQs. You'll never forget DPSP.
