Social and Economic Justice — Amendments

Amendment	Year	Description	Impact
42nd Amendment Act	1976	Inserted three new Directive Principles: Article 39A (Equal justice and free legal aid), Article 43A (Participation of workers in management of industries), and Article 48A (Protection and improvement of environment and safeguarding of forests and wild life). It also amended Article 39 to secure opportunities for healthy development of children.	Significantly expanded the scope of social and economic justice by adding specific directives related to legal aid, worker rights, and child development, reinforcing the socialist and welfare state objectives.
44th Amendment Act	1978	Added a new clause (2) to Article 38, stating that the State shall 'strive to minimise the inequalities in income, and endeavour to eliminate inequalities in status, facilities and opportunities, not only amongst individuals but also amongst groups of people residing in different areas or engaged in different vocations.'	Strengthened the commitment to economic justice by explicitly mandating the State to minimize various forms of inequality, moving beyond just income to include status, facilities, and opportunities, and extending this to groups and regions.
86th Amendment Act	2002	Changed the subject matter of Article 45 and made elementary education a fundamental right under Article 21A. Article 45 now mandates the State to 'endeavour to provide early childhood care and education for all children until they complete the age of six years.'	Elevated the Right to Education for children aged 6-14 from a DPSP to a Fundamental Right, making it legally enforceable. Article 45's focus shifted to early childhood care, emphasizing holistic development from birth.
97th Amendment Act	2011	Inserted Article 43B, which states that the State shall endeavour to promote voluntary formation, autonomous functioning, democratic control and professional management of co-operative societies.	Promoted the cooperative movement, recognizing its role in economic development and empowering people at the grassroots level, particularly in rural areas, thereby contributing to economic justice and self-reliance.