UPSC Prelims 2015 GS Paper I · Q89 of 100 Polity & Governance easy

The ideal of 'Welfare State' in the Indian Constitution is enshrined in its

  1. (a) Preamble
  2. (b) Directive Principles of State Policy ✓ UPSC's answer
  3. (c) Fundamental Rights
  4. (d) Seventh Schedule

Why the answer is (b)

• The Directive Principles of State Policy (Part IV) enshrine the welfare state: Article 38 (social order with justice), 39 (equitable distribution), 41 (work, education, public assistance), 43 (living wage), 47 (nutrition and health) — option (b).

• The Preamble (a) states ideals broadly; Fundamental Rights (c) guarantee liberties; the Seventh Schedule (d) allocates legislative subjects.

• Hence option (b).

Why the other options are wrong

(a) Preamble
The Preamble states ideals; the welfare programme is in Part IV.
(c) Fundamental Rights
Fundamental Rights protect liberties, not welfare goals.
(d) Seventh Schedule
The Seventh Schedule distributes legislative powers.

Asked in the GS Paper I of the UPSC Civil Services Preliminary Examination 2015, held on 23 August 2015. Question and answer key: Union Public Service Commission. Explanation: UPSC Answer Check.

Reading the answer is not the same as getting it right under a clock. Practise this question with UPSC's negative marking, and anything you miss goes into an error notebook until you get it right twice.

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