Under the Indian Constitution, concentration of wealth violates
- (a) the Right to Equality
- (b) the Directive Principles of State Policy ✓ UPSC's answer
- (c) the Right to Freedom
- (d) the Concept of Welfare
Why the answer is (b)
• Article 39(c), a Directive Principle of State Policy, directs the State to ensure that the operation of the economic system does not result in the concentration of wealth and means of production to the common detriment — option (b).
• Article 39(b) similarly asks that ownership of material resources be distributed to serve the common good; Article 38 seeks to minimise inequalities of income and status.
• These provisions guided land reforms, nationalisation and the 25th Amendment (Article 31C), which protects laws implementing 39(b)–(c).
• The Right to Equality (a) and Freedom (c) are Fundamental Rights, not the provisions on wealth concentration; 'welfare' (d) is a goal, not a constitutional provision.
• Hence option (b).
Why the other options are wrong
- (a) the Right to Equality
- Article 14 is about equality before law, not wealth concentration.
- (c) the Right to Freedom
- Article 19 freedoms do not address economic concentration.
- (d) the Concept of Welfare
- 'Welfare' is a goal, not a specific constitutional provision.
Asked in the GS Paper I of the UPSC Civil Services Preliminary Examination 2021, held on 10 October 2021. Question and answer key: Union Public Service Commission. Explanation: UPSC Answer Check.