Article 31C of Constitution of India – Saving of laws giving effect to certain directive principles
Article 31C of Constitution of India deals with Saving of laws giving effect to certain directive principles
Original Text of Article 31C of Constitution of India
Notwithstanding anything contained in article 13, no law giving effect to the policy of the State towards securing 4[all or any of the principles laid down in Part IV] shall be deemed to be void on the ground that it is inconsistent with, or takes away or abridges any of the rights conferred by 5[article 14 or article 19;]
6[and no law containing a declaration that it is for giving effect to such policy shall be called in question in any court on the ground that it does not give effect to such policy]:
Provided that where such law is made by the Legislature of a State, the provisions of this article shall not apply thereto unless such law, having been reserved for the consideration of the President, has received his assent.
Questions related to Article 31C of Constitution of India
Article 31C protects laws that are made to implement Directive Principles of State Policy, especially those under Article 39(b) and 39(c), even if they conflict with Fundamental Rights like Article 14 or 19 of the Constitution of India.
It was added to ensure that Directive Principles, which promote social and economic justice, are not blocked by legal challenges under Articles of Indian Constitution that protect individual rights. It aims to balance equality with welfare.
To a certain extent, yes. If a law is made to give effect to specific Directive Principles, it cannot be challenged for violating Articles 14 or 19. This has been debated in courts and clarified in cases available on Indian Kanoon.
The Kesavananda Bharati case and later the Minerva Mills case limited Article 31C. The Court held that only laws implementing Article 39(b) and (c) are protected—not all Directive Principles—upholding the basic structure of the Indian Constitution.
You can visit Indian Kanoon to explore landmark judgments like Minerva Mills v. Union of India, which explain how Article 31C fits into the larger scheme of the Constitution of India and the tension between rights and duties.
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