Which principle among the following was added to the Directive Principles of State Policy by the 42nd Amendment to the Constitution?
Contents12
- AEqual pay for equal work for both men and women
- BParticipation of workers in the management of industries
- CRight to work, education and public assistance
- DSecuring living wage and human conditions of work to workers
Show answer
Answer: (B) Participation of workers in the management of industries
The 42nd Constitutional Amendment Act of 1976 (often called the 'Mini-Constitution' because of the extensive changes it made) added four new Directive Principles to the original list:
(1) Article 39 — To secure opportunities for healthy development of children.
(2) Article 39A — To promote equal justice and provide free legal aid to the poor.
(3) Article 43A — To take steps to secure the participation of workers in the management of industries.
(4) Article 48A — To protect and improve the environment and to safeguard forests and wildlife.
Among the options given:
Option (a) 'Equal pay for equal work for both men and women' — was ALREADY in the original Constitution under Article 39(d). It was NOT added by the 42nd Amendment.
Option (b) 'Participation of workers in the management of industries' — this was ADDED by the 42nd Amendment as Article 43A. This is the correct answer.
Option (c) 'Right to work, education and public assistance' — was ALREADY in the original Constitution under Article 41.
Option (d) 'Securing living wage and human conditions of work' — was ALREADY in the original Constitution under Article 43.
The trick in this question is knowing which DPSPs were original (1950) and which were added later (1976). A useful memory aid: the 42nd Amendment additions focused on newer concerns — children's welfare, free legal aid, worker participation in management, and environmental protection.
(Source: Laxmikant, Chapter on Directive Principles of State Policy)
The 42nd Amendment of 1976 added four new Directive Principles including worker participation in management (Article 43A), free legal aid (Article 39A), child welfare (Article 39), and environmental protection (Article 48A).
The question tests whether students can distinguish between original DPSPs from 1950 and those added by the 42nd Amendment in 1976, since three wrong options were already present in the original Constitution.
42nd Amendment Act 1976
Indian Polity 42nd Amendment 1976
42nd Amendment Act 1976: The 'Mini-Constitution' & DPSP Additions
42nd Amendment Act of 1976 is called the 'Mini-Constitution' due to extensive changes
Added 4 new DPSPs including Article 43A on worker participation
Enacted during Emergency period under Indira Gandhi
Also added Fundamental Duties and strengthened Centre's powers
Why 'Mini-Constitution'
The 42nd Amendment Act of 1976 earned the nickname 'Mini-Constitution' because it made sweeping changes across multiple parts of the Constitution. Enacted during the Emergency period, it significantly altered the balance between Centre and States, added new constitutional concepts, and expanded both rights and duties.
Four New DPSPs Added
Article | DPSP Added | Focus Area |
|---|---|---|
Article 39 | Opportunities for healthy development of children | Child welfare |
Article 39A | Equal justice and free legal aid to the poor | Access to justice |
Article 43A | Worker participation in management of industries | Industrial democracy |
Article 48A | Protect environment and safeguard forests & wildlife | Environmental protection |
Other Major Changes
Added 10 Fundamental Duties under new Article 51A
Inserted words 'Socialist', 'Secular', 'Integrity' in Preamble
Extended Lok Sabha and Assembly terms from 5 to 6 years
Gave precedence to DPSPs over Fundamental Rights in case of conflict
Curtailed judicial review powers of High Courts and Supreme Court
Trap: Options A, C, D were original DPSPs from 1950, not 42nd Amendment additions
Memory aid: 42nd Amendment DPSPs focus on newer concerns - children, legal aid, worker participation, environment
Confusion: Students often think all worker-related DPSPs were added together - but Article 43 (living wage) was original, Article 43A (participation) was added in 1976
Classic mistake: Confusing 42nd Amendment (1976) with 44th Amendment (1978) which reversed some Emergency-era changes
DPSP Original vs Amendments
Indian Polity Directive Principles
Directive Principles: Original (1950) vs Later Amendments
Original Constitution (1950) had Articles 36-51 as DPSPs
42nd Amendment (1976) added 4 new DPSPs including Article 43A
86th Amendment (2002) added Article 21A - Right to Education
Worker-Related DPSPs Comparison
Article | DPSP Content | Added When | Status in Question |
|---|---|---|---|
Article 39(d) | Equal pay for equal work for men and women | Original 1950 | Option A - Trap |
Article 41 | Right to work, education and public assistance | Original 1950 | Option C - Trap |
Article 43 | Living wage and humane work conditions | Original 1950 | Option D - Trap |
Article 43A | Worker participation in industrial management | 42nd Amendment 1976 | Option B - Correct |
Original DPSPs (1950)
Article 38: Promote welfare and minimize inequalities
Article 39: Adequate livelihood, equal pay, child protection from exploitation
Article 40: Village Panchayats organization
Article 44: Uniform Civil Code implementation
Article 47: Prohibition of intoxicating drinks and drugs
DPSP Evolution Timeline
# DPSP Amendments
## Original 1950
- Articles 36-51
- Social & economic justice
- Gandhi's vision
- Village panchayats
## 42nd Amendment 1976
- Article 39 (children)
- Article 39A (legal aid)
- Article 43A (worker participation)
- Article 48A (environment)
## 86th Amendment 2002
- Article 21A added
- Right to Education
- Made Fundamental Right
- Ages 6-14 yearsClassic trap: All worker-related provisions look similar - check the specific article number and amendment year
UPSC loves: Questions that test original vs amended DPSPs - know which came when
Article 21A confusion: Originally DPSP under Article 41, became Fundamental Right via 86th Amendment
Memory trick: 43A = 42nd Amendment - both have number 4 in common
Article 43A Worker Participation
Indian Polity Article 43A participation of workers management of industries
Article 43A: Worker Participation in Industrial Management
Article 43A mandates worker participation in industrial management
Added by 42nd Amendment in 1976 during Emergency period
Reflects socialist ideology and concept of industrial democracy
Constitutional Provision
Article 43A states: 'The State shall take steps, by suitable legislation or in any other way, to secure the participation of workers in the management of undertakings, establishments or other organisations engaged in any industry.'
This provision embodies the concept of industrial democracy where workers have a say in management decisions affecting their workplace.
Implementation Mechanisms
Method | Examples in India | Legal Basis |
|---|---|---|
Board Representation | Worker directors in PSUs | Companies Act provisions |
Works Committees | Bipartite committees in factories | Industrial Disputes Act 1947 |
Joint Management Councils | Collaborative decision-making bodies | Government schemes |
Collective Bargaining | Trade union negotiations | Trade Unions Act 1926 |
Why Added in 1976
Socialist ideology: Aligned with 'Socialist' word added to Preamble in same amendment
International influence: Inspired by European models like German co-determination
Industrial unrest: Response to growing worker movements in 1970s
Emergency context: Part of populist measures during Emergency period
Don't confuse Article 43A (worker participation) with Article 43 (living wage) - both are worker-related but different amendments
UPSC trick: May ask about implementation status - this remains largely aspirational in private sector
International comparison: Germany's co-determination law is often cited as successful model