Public health stands as a cornerstone for any society aspiring to thrive, innovate, and achieve social justice. In India, the architects of the Constitution sought to enshrine this principle directly into the nation’s legal framework. Article 47 of the Indian Constitution, nestled within the Directive Principles of State Policy, recognizes the state’s paramount responsibility to improve people’s nutrition, raise living standards, and enhance public health. While not justiciable in a court of law, Article 47 has shaped debates, influenced landmark policies, and fueled advocacy over decades—serving as a guiding star for both governments and civil society.
Article 47 reads:
“The State shall regard the raising of the level of nutrition and the standard of living of its people and the improvement of public health as among its primary duties and, in particular, the State shall endeavor to bring about prohibition of the consumption except for medicinal purposes of intoxicating drinks and of drugs which are injurious to health.”
This provision, like other Directive Principles, was inspired by the vision that legal frameworks should not merely command but also inspire. The framers recognized that health is deeply interwoven with nutrition, alcohol and drug policy, and broader socioeconomic development. They intentionally placed public health among the State’s “primary duties,” elevating it beyond sectoral concern to a question of national commitment.
The Directive Principles are not enforceable in court, but they set the ethical and political horizons for policy. Article 47’s reach extends beyond the public health sector: it influences education, housing, sanitation, poverty alleviation, and even agricultural policy. Governments, while not legally compelled, routinely cite Article 47 in legislative debates, Supreme Court arguments, and developmental plans.
At its heart, Article 47 focuses on two intertwined themes: nutrition and health.
India has long struggled with high rates of undernutrition among children and adults, even amidst economic growth. Successive National Family Health Surveys have revealed persistent stunting and wasting among children, highlighting gaps in diet diversity and food access. Programs such as the Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) and the Mid-Day Meal Scheme were, in large part, responses to Article 47’s clarion call.
A real-world example is the POSHAN Abhiyaan (National Nutrition Mission), launched in 2018. The initiative brought together ministries, state governments, and grassroots actors to combat malnutrition through a multi-sectoral strategy—an approach echoing the spirit of Article 47.
Raising the “standard of living” cannot occur without robust public health infrastructure. From eradication of smallpox to mass immunization efforts, the directive laid by Article 47 has pushed policymakers to recognize preventive health as foundational. This is evident in large-scale programs such as the National Health Mission, prioritizing rural healthcare and maternal-child health.
“Article 47 acts as both a compass and a conscience for Indian policymakers—a reminder that health policy is, at its core, a social contract,” notes Dr. Sunil Khaparde, a public health policy analyst formerly with the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare.
One striking clause in Article 47 urges the State to prohibit, except for medicinal use, intoxicating drinks and harmful drugs. This has had far-reaching effects on both law and social policy.
At various times in Indian history, several states—such as Gujarat and Bihar—have instituted total or partial bans on alcohol. These moves are routinely justified under Article 47. While prohibition has supporters who cite reductions in violence or improved household welfare, critics note concerns around illicit liquor, enforcement challenges, and loss of state revenue.
India’s approach to narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances also finds roots in this constitutional directive. The Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985, and subsequent amendments have shaped state interventions, ranging from law enforcement to emerging harm-reduction strategies.
Though non-enforceable, Article 47 has influenced several landmark judgments by India’s higher judiciary, especially where public health collides with other fundamental rights.
By invoking Article 47, courts have reinforced the public health mandate as a State obligation—helping to anchor health rights and entitlements in India’s legal landscape.
Public health policy in contemporary India continues to draw inspiration from Article 47.
Unlike some constitutions that treat health primarily as an individual right, India’s directive approach emphasizes state responsibility. As global public health pivots towards universal health coverage (UHC), Article 47’s language remains remarkably relevant—underscoring collective good over atomized entitlement.
Despite its visionary framing, Article 47’s ambitions face formidable obstacles.
Beyond state action, civic activism—ranging from the Right to Food Campaign to grassroots health workers—has leveraged Article 47 in advocacy and legal interventions. Their work has periodically pushed governments to expand entitlements, strengthen systems, and listen to those often left at the margins.
Though more than seventy years old, Article 47’s vision is far from dated. The global COVID-19 pandemic sharpened appreciation for public health infrastructure and cross-sectoral responses. Climate change, urban migration, and new health risks reaffirm the urgency of centering nutrition and public health in policy and practice.
Sustained progress will demand continued investment, innovation, and transparent governance—guided by the constitutional principle that health is not merely a service, but a duty owed by the State to all its people.
Article 47 stands as a testament to India’s constitutional foresight. By framing public health and nutrition as duties, not mere aspirations, it steered the conversation beyond courtrooms into the broader arenas of policymaking and citizenship. The principle’s success lies as much in its ability to inspire new generations of policymakers, parliamentarians, and activists as in the specific programs it has sparked. To realize its promise, India must constantly renew its commitment—translating constitutional ideals into equitable, evidence-informed action.
What is Article 47 of the Indian Constitution?
Article 47 directs the Indian State to prioritize enhancing nutrition, the standard of living, and public health and urges prohibition of intoxicating drinks and drugs harmful to health.
Is Article 47 enforceable by courts?
No, Article 47 is part of the Directive Principles of State Policy and is not justiciable; courts cannot compel the State to act on it, though it informs legal and policy discourse.
How has Article 47 influenced public health policy in India?
It has provided constitutional backing for major programs like the Mid-Day Meal Scheme, National Nutrition Mission, and various state regulations around alcohol and drug use.
Does Article 47 affect all Indian states equally?
Its principles are national, but implementation varies as states have discretion in public health policy. Some states pursue stricter prohibition or invest more in health as per their priorities.
Why is nutrition specifically highlighted in Article 47?
Nutrition is foundational to health and development. Early constitution makers recognized that improving nutrition would have wide social and economic benefits.
How does Article 47 relate to modern health challenges like COVID-19?
The directive’s emphasis on public health and nutrition is more relevant than ever in light of pandemics and chronic diseases, reinforcing State responsibility for proactive health measures.
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