Difficulty: Easy
Correct Answer: The Directive Principles of State Policy
Explanation:
Introduction / Context:
This question deals with the location of Article 44 within the structure of the Constitution of India. Article 44 refers to the idea of a uniform civil code for citizens, which has been a subject of debate in Indian politics and law. To answer correctly, a learner should know that certain articles belong to the section on Fundamental Rights, while others belong to the Directive Principles of State Policy. Understanding this placement is important for grasping the nature and enforceability of different constitutional provisions.
Given Data / Assumptions:
Concept / Approach:
The Constitution is divided into parts such as Part III for Fundamental Rights and Part IV for Directive Principles of State Policy. Fundamental Rights are justiciable, meaning they can be enforced in a court of law, whereas Directive Principles are non-justiciable guidelines meant to direct the state in policy making. Article 44 belongs to Part IV, which contains Directive Principles of State Policy. Therefore, the provision on uniform civil code is a directive for the state rather than an immediately enforceable right of citizens. Recognising this distinction is central to many questions in Indian polity.
Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recall that Part III of the Constitution covers Articles 12 to 35 and deals with Fundamental Rights.
Step 2: Remember that Part IV of the Constitution covers Articles 36 to 51 and contains the Directive Principles of State Policy.
Step 3: Know that Article 44 appears in Part IV and states that the state shall endeavour to secure for the citizens a uniform civil code throughout the territory of India.
Step 4: Compare this knowledge with the four options given in the question.
Step 5: The only option that correctly identifies the segment of the Constitution where Article 44 is located is the Directive Principles of State Policy.
Step 6: Therefore, mark the Directive Principles of State Policy as the correct answer.
Verification / Alternative check:
A quick check is to remember that Directive Principles include many social and economic goals, such as promotion of welfare, equal pay for equal work, organisation of village panchayats and uniform civil code. Fundamental Rights, on the other hand, emphasise liberties such as equality before law, freedom of speech and protection of life and personal liberty. Since uniform civil code is usually discussed as a directive that the state should strive to achieve, not as a guaranteed court enforceable right, it fits with Directive Principles rather than Fundamental Rights.
Why Other Options Are Wrong:
The Union Government provisions describe structures like the office of the President, Parliament and the Council of Ministers, and they do not contain Article 44. The State Government provisions concern state executive and state legislatures, but Article 44 is not placed there. Fundamental Rights concern position of individuals vis a vis the state and contain articles like Article 14 and Article 19, but Article 44 is not among them. Hence, these three options do not correspond to the actual placement of Article 44 in the Constitution.
Common Pitfalls:
Learners often confuse Directive Principles with Fundamental Rights because both sections talk about important values like equality and social justice. Another mistake is to assume that anything very important must be a Fundamental Right, ignoring the clear text and structure of the document. Some candidates also mix up article numbers and misplace the uniform civil code provision in Part III. To avoid these issues, it is helpful to make a simple chart listing key Directive Principles such as Article 40, Article 44 and Article 48 along with their themes.
Final Answer:
Article 44 on uniform civil code for the citizens forms part of The Directive Principles of State Policy in the Constitution of India.
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