Article 47: Nutrition and Public Health

Article 47 directs the State to improve people’s nutrition, living standards and health. Located in Part IV, it makes these goals a Directive Principle of State Policy and treats their advancement as a primary duty of government.

Core duties of the State

Article 47 requires the State to regard the following objectives as among its primary duties:

• The State must raise the level of nutrition among the population.
• It must raise the standard of living, which materially influences health and well-being.
• It must improve public health, covering both the promotion of health and the prevention of disease.
• It must endeavour to prohibit intoxicating drinks and drugs injurious to health, except when used for medicinal purposes.

Constitutional character

Under Article 37, Directive Principles are not enforceable by courts, but they are fundamental in the governance of the country. It is the duty of the State to apply them while making laws and policies.

• Article 47 creates a positive governance responsibility rather than an individually enforceable constitutional remedy.
• The expression “State” is governed by Article 36, which adopts the meaning assigned to it in Part III.
• Public health and sanitation, hospitals and dispensaries fall under Entry 6 of the State List, making State governments central to implementation.

Policy significance

Article 47 provides constitutional direction for nutrition programmes, disease prevention, sanitation, healthcare services and regulation of substances harmful to health. It links health not merely with medical treatment, but also with adequate nutrition and a dignified standard of living.