Liberal-intellectual principles

Topic: Directive Principles and Fundamental Duties · NCERT: Beyond NCERT

Meaning

Liberal-intellectual principles are one of the three usual groups of Directive Principles. The other two are socialistic and Gandhian. This group reflects liberal and modern ideas. It covers:

• Article 44: a uniform civil code.
• Article 45: early childhood care and education for children under six.
• Article 48: farming and animal husbandry on modern scientific lines.
• Article 48A: protecting the environment, forests and wildlife.
• Article 49: protecting monuments.
• Article 50: separating the judiciary from the executive.
• Article 51: promoting international peace.

This grouping is a teaching tool, not part of the Constitution. Class 11 NCERT groups the directives differently, as goals, non-justiciable rights and policies.

Example

Article 50 was largely carried out by the CrPC 1973. It gave the work of trying criminal cases to judicial magistrates instead of officers of the government.

Don't confuse with

• Split articles: Article 48 falls into two groups. Modern farming is liberal-intellectual, while the ban on cattle slaughter is Gandhian. Exam questions often test this.

Related concepts

• Early childhood care and education
• Protection of environment and wildlife
• Protection of monuments
• Separation of judiciary from executive
• Promotion of international peace and security
• Directives outside Part IV

Read more

• Liberal-intellectual directives, amendments and directives outside Part IV