There are some Fundamental distinction between directives and fundamental rights:
First, when certain human rights are written down in a Constitution, a supreme law, and protected by constitutional guarantees they are called fundamental rights. Directive principles, on the other hand, are polices relating to social, economic and cultural rights which are to be followed in governance of the country.
Second, fundamental rights are enforceable in a court of law and they create justiciable rights in favour of individuals. And the courts can enforce them against the government. Again, the courts are competent to declare as void any law that is inconsistent with any of the fundamental rights. The directives, on the other hand, are not enforceable in a court of law and they do not create any justifiable rights in favour of individuals. The court cannot compel the government to carry out any of the directives. Again, the courts cannot declare any void, which is otherwise valid, on the ground that it contravenes any of directives principles.
Third, fundamental rights are mandatory in nature whereas directives are declaratory in nature as they have expressly been excluded from the preview of the courts.
Fourth, the fundamental rights create negative obligation on the state, i.e., the state is required to refrain from doing something. The directives, on the other hand, impose positive obligation on the state i.e., to implement these principles the state will have to achieve certain ends by its actions.
Fifth, the directive principles may be described as inchoate fundamental rights while the fundamental rights are full-fledged i.e. the former requires legislation to become effective while the latter need not requires such legislation. And so long there is no law carrying out the policy laid down in directives neither the state nor an individual can violate any existing law or legal right under the colour of directive principles.
Sixth, Fundamental rights are primarily aimed at assuring political freedom to citizens by protecting them against excessive state action while directive principles are aimed at securing social and economic freedom by appropriate state action.
