Which part of the Constitution of India declares the ideal of Welfare State?

Answer: A. The IDEAL OF WELFARE STATE is declared in the DIRECTIVE PRINCIPLES OF STATE POLICY (DPSP). The DIRECTIVE PRINCIPLES OF STATE POLICY (PART IV, ARTICLES 36-51) of the Constitution lay down the SOCIO-ECONOMIC GOALS the Indian state is expected to pursue. These directives, INSPIRED BY THE IRISH CONSTITUTION (1937) and influenced by the Sapru Committee Report, are non-justiciable (cannot be enforced by courts) but 'FUNDAMENTAL IN THE GOVERNANCE OF THE COUNTRY' (Article 37). The DPSPs collectively articulate the IDEAL OF A WELFARE STATE — a state actively committed to securing socio-economic justice, distributing wealth equitably, ensuring health and education, protecting weaker sections, and promoting common good. Key welfare-state provisions: - ARTICLE 38: State to secure a SOCIAL ORDER promoting welfare of the people — justice (social, economic, political). - ARTICLE 39: distribution of material resources of the community for common good; prevention of concentration of wealth; equal pay for equal work; child welfare. - ARTICLE 41: right to work, education, public assistance in case of old age, sickness, disablement, unemployment. - ARTICLE 42: just and humane conditions of work and maternity relief. - ARTICLE 43: living wage and decent standard of life for workers. - ARTICLE 45: early childhood care and education for under-6. - ARTICLE 46: promotion of educational and economic interests of SC, ST and weaker sections. - ARTICLE 47: raising nutrition, standard of living, public health; prohibition of intoxicating drinks and drugs. These provisions transform the Indian state from a 'POLICE STATE' (minimal night-watchman state) to a WELFARE STATE actively pursuing public welfare. Why other options are WRONG: (B) FUNDAMENTAL RIGHTS (Part III) — protect individual liberties against state action, primarily 'NEGATIVE LIBERTIES' or restraints on state. They do not articulate the welfare-state goal. (C) PREAMBLE — mentions justice (social, economic, political), liberty, equality, fraternity — these are foundational values but the DETAILED welfare state ideal is operationalised in the DPSPs. (D) SEVENTH SCHEDULE — distributes legislative subjects between Union and States. No welfare-state ideal therein. Source: Constitution of India Part IV / NCERT Class 11 Indian Constitution at Work.