2017 GS Paper I, all questions

UPSC Prelims 2017 · GS Paper I

Question 17: Polity and Governance

Consider the following statements : With reference to the Constitution of India, the Directive Principles of State Policy constitute limitations upon

  1. 1.legislative function.
  2. 2.executive function.

Which of the above statements is/are correct ?

a1 only
b2 only
cBoth 1 and 2
dNeither 1 nor 2

AnswerUPSC’s answer is (d).

Part IV is non-justiciable: Article 37 says the Directive Principles are not enforceable by any court, though they are fundamental in governing the country. A law or an executive action cannot be struck down merely for ignoring a Directive Principle, so in legal terms they place no enforceable limit on legislative or executive functions. They are guidelines the State should work towards. Remember: Directive Principles guide the State, whereas Fundamental Rights are what limit it.

  • 1. A law is not invalid merely for ignoring a Directive Principle.
  • 2. Executive action cannot be challenged in court for ignoring them.

How you could have got this

  1. If you were sure statement 1 is not correct, (a) and (c) go: each of them includes 1.

    What you needed to know: A law is not invalid merely for ignoring a Directive Principle.

  2. Then, if you were sure statement 2 is not correct, (b) goes: it includes 2.

    What you needed to know: Executive action cannot be challenged in court for ignoring them.

Only (d) is left. This one needs every statement.

Which options go is worked out from UPSC’s key and the options, not by a model.

Why each option is right or wrong
  • (a) Wrong: they do not legally limit legislative power; courts cannot enforce them.
  • (b) Wrong: they do not legally limit executive power either.
  • (c) Wrong: neither function is bound by them in an enforceable way.
  • (d) Right: they are non-justiciable guidelines, not limitations on the legislature or executive.

Worth knowing: Article 37 requires the State to apply the principles in making laws, so some read them as soft limits; UPSC's key treats them as non-enforceable guidance, not limitations.

Answer: UPSC’s key. Explanation: written by UPSC Grade, not by UPSC.

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Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 2017, General Studies Paper I, Series A. The paper on upsc.gov.in.