Duty of the State to raise the level of nutrition and the standard of living and to improve public health
Quick Summary (TL;DR)
Nutrition, Public Health & Prohibition of Harmful Intoxicants: Declares raising the level of nutrition, standard of living, and public health as a primary duty of the State.
In Simple Citizen Words
Article 47 places an unequivocal constitutional duty on the State: raising the level of nutrition and the standard of living of its people and the improvement of public health are among its 'primary duties'. It also directs the State to bring about prohibition of the consumption (except for medicinal purposes) of intoxicating drinks and drugs injurious to health. Combined with Article 21, the Supreme Court has used Article 47 to make emergency medical care, clean drinking water, Mid-Day Meals, ICDS Anganwadi nutrition, and food safety enforcement fundamental obligations of the government.
Key Constitutional Provisions
Right to Public Healthcare, free immunization, and affordable essential medicines in government hospitals
Right to Nutrition under the National Food Security Act, ICDS Anganwadi centres for pregnant mothers/infants, and School Mid-Day Meals
Protection against food adulteration and toxic drugs under the Food Safety and Standards Act (FSSAI) and NDPS Act
Exceptions & Reasonable Restrictions
Empowers States to regulate or prohibit liquor sales (e.g., dry laws or highway liquor bans) and strictly penalize narcotic trafficking; courts consistently hold that there is no fundamental right to trade in harmful intoxicants.
Why This Matters in Daily Life
Reminds the government that public hospitals, child nutrition, and safe food are not charity—they are the State’s "primary constitutional duty".
Want deeper legal & historical context? Explore the official Bare Act or Supreme Court Precedents & CAD Debates: