The inclusion of the Directive Principles of State Policy (DPSP) in the Constitution of India was a significant and deliberate move by the framers to guide the policymaking process and the socioeconomic transformation of the country.

Rationale Behind the Directive Principles:

The framers recognized that the immediate realization of all fundamental rights and the establishment of a just social order would not be possible, given the prevailing socioeconomic conditions in India at the time of independence.
The DPSP were conceived as non-justiciable guidelines that would serve as a moral compass for the state, directing it towards the achievement of social, economic, and political justice.
The DPSP were influenced by the Directive Principles enshrined in the Irish Constitution, as well as the socialist and welfare state ideals that were gaining prominence globally in the aftermath of the Great Depression and World War II.
Key Features of the Directive Principles:

The DPSP are enumerated in Part IV of the Constitution, comprising articles 36 to 51.
They cover a wide range of issues, such as the provision of adequate means of livelihood, equitable distribution of resources, protection of the environment, promotion of international peace and security, and the welfare of vulnerable sections of society.
Unlike the Fundamental Rights, the DPSP are not enforceable in a court of law, but the state is mandated to apply these principles in policymaking and governance.
Influence on Policymaking:

The DPSP have significantly influenced the policymaking process and the trajectory of India’s social and economic development since independence.
Several landmark legislations and government initiatives, such as the Land Acquisition Act, the Minimum Wages Act, the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act, and the National Food Security Act, have been inspired by the DPSP.
The Supreme Court, in its interpretations, has often used the DPSP to expand the scope of Fundamental Rights and to guide the state’s actions towards the realization of social and economic justice.
The DPSP have also served as a guiding framework for the formulation of Five-Year Plans and other development policies by the Union and state governments.
Challenges and Debates:

The non-justiciable nature of the DPSP has been a subject of debate, with some arguing that this undermines their effectiveness in ensuring the state’s accountability towards the achievement of social and economic goals.
There have been demands for the DPSP to be made justiciable or for certain principles to be elevated to the status of Fundamental Rights.
The perceived tension between the DPSP and the Fundamental Rights has also been a source of ongoing judicial and academic discussions.
The Directive Principles of State Policy serve as a unique feature of the Indian Constitution, reflecting the framers’ vision of transforming India into a welfare state. While their non-justiciable nature has been a subject of debate, the DPSP have nonetheless played a significant role in shaping the policymaking process and the socioeconomic development of the country.