Article 39 of Constitution of India – Certain principles of policy to be followed by the State
Article 39 of Constitution of India deals with Certain principles of policy to be followed by the State
Original text of Article 39 of Constitution of India
The State shall, in particular, direct its policy towards securing—
(a) that the citizens, men and women equally, have the right to an adequate means of livelihood;
(b) that the ownership and control of the material resources of the community are so distributed as best to subserve the common good;
(c) that the operation of the economic system does not result in the concentration of wealth and means of production to the common Detriment;
(d) that there is equal pay for equal work for both men and women;
(e) that the health and strength of workers, men and women, and the tender age of children are not abused and that citizens are not forced by economic necessity to enter avocations unsuited to their age or strength;
(f) that children are given opportunities and facilities to develop in a healthy manner and in conditions of freedom and dignity and that childhood and youth are protected against exploitation and against moral and material abandonment.
Questions related to Article 39 of Constitution of India
Article 39 directs the State to frame policies that ensure equal rights to livelihood, distribution of wealth, and protection of children and workers, forming a vital part of the Directive Principles in the Constitution of India.
No, like other Directive Principles, Article 39 is not enforceable by any court, but it is fundamental to governance. Courts often refer to it when interpreting laws, as seen in several cases on Indian Kanoon.
Article 39 includes clauses like ensuring equal pay for equal work, preventing concentration of wealth, and safeguarding the health and strength of workers, making it one of the most socially impactful Articles of Indian Constitution.
Yes, many labor laws, land reforms, and social justice schemes draw inspiration from Article 39. Landmark rulings like Kesavananda Bharati and Minerva Mills, available on Indian Kanoon, discuss its importance under the Indian Constitution.
Because it promotes economic and social democracy, helping the State move toward a welfare society. It bridges the gap between legal rights and the broader goals of justice under the Indian Constitution.
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