Some of the most important significance of directive principles are as follows:
Despite the points of criticism raised by some critics, the majority view has all along been in favour of the Directive Principles.
A large majority of scholars accepts the importance of Directive Principles:
1. Directive Principles are backed by Public Opinion:
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It is true that Directive Principles are non-justiciable. These are not backed by legal sanctions. However, these are backed by public opinion, which is in reality the real sanction behind every law.
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2. Provide for a Welfare State:
The Directive Principles clearly lay down the philosophical foundations of a welfare polity. These make it a responsibility of the State to secure it through welfare legislation. These also provide that a welfare state stands for securing of Justice—social, economic and political for all the people.
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3. Importance as Moral Ideals:
Directive Principles are indeed of the nature of moral ideals. They constitute a moral code for the State. This does not reduce their value. Through these the founding fathers placed before the nation the goals and ideals which are to be achieved through future legislation.
State is a human social institution. Government is always made and managed by the people. Just as people have a moral code which guides their behaviour in society, likewise there is every justification for the existence of a moral code for the men who form and run the government of the state.
4. Directives Constitute a Guide for the State:
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Directive Principles act as a guide to the government for making policies and laws for the purpose of securing justice and welfare.
5. Source of continuity in Policies:
The Directive Principles are a source of continuity in the policies of the government. In a democratic system, the governments change after regular intervals and each new government has to make policies and laws. The presence of Directive Principles ensures that every government, whether it is formed by a rightist or a leftist party, will exercise its power for implementing Directive Principles.
6. Directive Principles are Supplementary to the Fundamental Rights:
Directive Principles are the positive directions to the State for securing and strengthening the socio-economic dimension of Indian democracy. These aim at the establishment of socio-economic democracy. These are supplementary to Fundamental Rights which provide for civil and political rights and freedoms.
7. Yardstick for measuring the Worth of the Government:
Directive Principles of State Policy constitute a yardstick with which the people can measure the worth of a government. A government which ignores the task of implementing the Directive Principles can be rejected by the people in favour of a government by another political party which can be expected to give due importance to the task of securing the Directive Principles.
8. Helpful in the interpretation of the Constitution:
The Directive Principles constitute a manifesto of the aims and goals of the nation. These reflect the wisdom and views of the founding fathers of the constitution. These reflect the philosophy of the Constitution and hence provide useful help to the courts in their task of interpreting the Constitution.
9. Ambiguity of Directive Principles is Useful:
The Directive Principles have been couched in words which are not very rigid in their meanings. This ambiguity has been helpful in so far as it helps the State to interpret and apply these principles in accordance with the socio-economic environment which prevails at a given time.
Thus, the inclusion of Part IV containing the Directive Principles of State Policy in the Constitution has been a welcome, worthwhile and useful decision. The Directive Principles provide for necessary and good foundations for the Indian state as a democratic and welfare polity. The securing of Directive Principles alone can complete our democratic system, supplement the Fundamental Rights of the people and build a welfare state characterised by Justice, Liberty, Equality and Fraternity. In the words of M.C. Chagla,: “If all these principles are carried out, our country would indeed be a heaven on earth.”