Nowadays, apart from rules and delegated legislations, issuance of directions or instructions by the administration is a common trend. Directions may be issued for different purposes and in various forms, namely, letters, circulars, orders, memoranda, pamphlets, public notices, press notes, a publication in the Official Gazette, etc. The administrative authorities issue such directions while exercising either its general administrative powers or even statutory powers. There is a difference between administrative direction and delegated legislation. The delegated legislation is binding on both the administration and the individual and is enforceable through a court of law and a direction is not so binding and enforceable. To regulate service matters of its employees, the Central Government can issue directions under Article 73 and the State Governments under Article 162 of the Constitution. Regarding the enforceability of an administrative direction, the Supreme Court of India has held that a direction may be binding on the administration to the extent it confers a benefit on an individual.
