The Directive Principle that directs the State to secure 'equal pay for equal work for both men and women' is:

Article 39(d), one of the Directive Principles of State Policy, directs the State to secure equal pay for equal work for both men and women.

Article 39 as a whole:

• Article 39 lays down certain principles of policy to be followed by the State.
• Clause (a): the right of all citizens, men and women equally, to an adequate means of livelihood.
• Clause (b): the ownership and control of the material resources of the community should be distributed to serve the common good.
• Clause (d): equal pay for equal work for both men and women.
• Clause (e): the health and strength of workers, men and women, and the tender age of children should not be abused, and citizens should not be forced by economic necessity to enter jobs unsuited to their age or strength.
• Clause (f): children should be given opportunities to develop in a healthy manner and in conditions of freedom and dignity, and childhood and youth should be protected against exploitation.

Implementation of Article 39(d):

• Parliament passed the Equal Remuneration Act in 1976, which required employers to pay equal wages to men and women for the same or similar work, and prohibited discrimination in recruitment.
• The Code on Wages, 2019, passed by Parliament, also contains this principle.

The courts and equal pay:

In Randhir Singh v. Union of India (1982), the Supreme Court held that "equal pay for equal work" is a constitutional goal, which can be enforced by reading Article 39(d) with the right to equality under Articles 14 and 16.

Classification:

Article 39 belongs to the socialist principles among the Directive Principles.

Why not the other options?

• ✗Article 39(b) deals with the distribution of material resources; Article 39(e) with the health of workers and children; Article 39(f) with the development of children.