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Under the Indian Constitution, Concentration of Wealth Violates (UPSC PRE 2011)

👤ExamRankCheck Team📅24 July 2026👁️250 views
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Answered by Polity Expert•

<strong>Option (b) Directive Principles of State Policy</strong> is correct.

In this answer

Question

UPSC Civil Services Prelims 2011

Under the Indian Constitution, concentration of wealth violates the:

  • (a) Fundamental Rights
  • (b) Directive Principles of State Policy
  • (c) Preamble
  • (d) Judicial Decisions

Answer

Option (b) Directive Principles of State Policy is correct.

Concentration of wealth violates the Directive Principles of State Policy (DPSP), specifically under Article 39(c) of the Indian Constitution.

Article 39(c): The State shall, in particular, direct its policy towards securing — that the operation of the economic system does not result in the concentration of wealth and means of production to the common detriment.

Why Option (b) is Correct

The Indian Constitution, through its Directive Principles, establishes a socio-economic framework aimed at creating a welfare state. Article 39 falls under the socialistic principles category of DPSP and contains provisions that the State must follow to ensure social and economic justice.

AspectDetail
Article39(c)
Part of ConstitutionPart IV — Directive Principles of State Policy
NatureNon-justiciable (not enforceable by courts)
ObjectivePrevent concentration of wealth and means of production
ClassificationSocialistic Principle

Why Other Options are Wrong

OptionReason
(a) Fundamental RightsFundamental Rights (Part III) are justiciable individual rights. Concentration of wealth is not listed as a violation of any specific Fundamental Right.
(c) PreambleThe Preamble declares the objectives of the Constitution (Justice, Liberty, Equality, Fraternity) but is not a legally enforceable provision by itself.
(d) Judicial DecisionsJudicial decisions interpret the law but do not constitute a separate category of constitutional provisions that wealth concentration would "violate."

Key Concepts for Aspirants

  1. Directive Principles of State Policy (DPSP) — Articles 36 to 51 of Part IV

    • Borrowed from the Irish Constitution
    • Non-justiciable but fundamental to governance (Article 37)
    • Classified into: Socialistic, Gandhian, and Liberal-Intellectual principles
  2. Article 39 — Socialistic Principles
    • Article 39(a): Right to adequate means of livelihood
    • Article 39(b): Ownership of material resources to serve common good
    • Article 39(c): No concentration of wealth ← This question
    • Article 39(d): Equal pay for equal work
    • Article 39(e): Health and strength of workers
    • Article 39(f): Protection of childhood and youth
  3. Fundamental Rights vs DPSP
    • Fundamental Rights are negative obligations (restraining the State)
    • DPSP are positive obligations (directing the State to act)
    • In case of conflict, Fundamental Rights prevail, but DPSP can be used to amend Fundamental Rights (Minerva Mills case, 1980)

Relationship with Other Constitutional Provisions

Article 38 — Welfare State

The State shall strive to promote the welfare of the people by securing a social order in which justice — social, economic, and political — shall inform all institutions of national life.

Article 39(b) — Common Good

The ownership and control of material resources shall be distributed to best serve the common good — this works alongside Article 39(c) to prevent economic inequality.

Article 43A — Worker Participation

The State shall secure the participation of workers in the management of undertakings — another socialistic principle complementing the anti-concentration goal.

Landmark Case: Minerva Mills v. Union of India (1980)

The Supreme Court held that the harmony between Fundamental Rights and DPSP is the basic structure of the Constitution. DPSP are not subordinate to Fundamental Rights — both are essential. Article 39(b) and (c) were specifically upheld as part of the constitutional vision of economic justice.

PYQ Practice

Q: The Directive Principles of State Policy are taken from which country's Constitution?
  • A) USA
  • B) UK
  • C) Ireland ✅
  • D) Canada
Q: Which Article of the Indian Constitution directs the State to prevent concentration of wealth?
  • A) Article 38
  • B) Article 39(b)
  • C) Article 39(c) ✅
  • D) Article 43
Q: Are Directive Principles of State Policy justiciable?
  • A) Yes, fully justiciable
  • B) No, non-justiciable ✅
  • C) Justiciable only with Supreme Court permission
  • D) Justiciable for certain articles only

Summary for Quick Revision

Learn in 10 seconds — bookmark this table:

QuestionAnswer
Concentration of wealth violates?Directive Principles of State Policy
Specific Article?Article 39(c)
Part of Constitution?Part IV
Nature?Non-justiciable
Source?Irish Constitution
Category?Socialistic Principle
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Frequently Asked Questions

Which article of the Indian Constitution deals with concentration of wealth?

Article 39(c) of the Indian Constitution 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.

Is concentration of wealth a violation of Fundamental Rights?

No, concentration of wealth falls under Directive Principles of State Policy (DPSP), which are non-justiciable guidelines for the State, not Fundamental Rights.

What is the difference between Fundamental Rights and DPSP regarding wealth?

Fundamental Rights (Part III) are justiciable negative obligations on the State, while DPSP (Part IV) are non-justiciable positive obligations directing the State to promote welfare. Article 39(c) is a DPSP, not a Fundamental Right.

Can a citizen go to court if wealth is concentrated?

No, because DPSPs are not enforceable by any court. However, they are fundamental in the governance of the country and it is the duty of the State to apply them while making laws (Article 37).

Which part of the Indian Constitution contains Article 39(c)?

Article 39(c) is contained in Part IV of the Indian Constitution, which deals with Directive Principles of State Policy.

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