Economic and Cultural Rights Under Fire

A recent news story about Delhi government's plans to implement a law that makes it compulsory for private schools to reserve 15% of their seats for economically weaker sections of society brings to mind the concept of Directive Principles of State Policy (DPSPs) under Article 38 of the Indian Constitution. DPSPs lay down the socio-economic objectives that the state must strive to achieve. Article 38, in particular, states that the state shall direct its policy towards securing the well-being of the people by promoting a social order that safeguards the dignity of the individual and the unity and integrity of the Nation.