Nutrition and public health directive
Also called: Article 47 · Topic: Directive Principles and Fundamental Duties · NCERT: Class 7, Ch 10 "The Constitution of India: An Introduction"
Meaning
Article 47 asks the State to raise the level of nutrition and the standard of living of its people, and to improve public health. Class 7 sums it up as "Nutrition, standard of living, and public health". The same article also asks the State to try to ban intoxicating drinks and harmful drugs. The nutrition and health part counts as socialistic, while the prohibition part counts as Gandhian. Courts later read the nutrition goal into the right to life.
Example
In the PUCL case (2001 onwards), the Supreme Court read Art. 47 into Art. 21, which led to a right to food. This was followed by the National Food Security Act (NFSA) 2013 and school meals under PM POSHAN.
Don't confuse with
- Prohibition of intoxicating drinks (also Art. 47): the same article, but that part is Gandhian. Exams test this split.
Related concepts
- Gandhian principles
- Organisation of village panchayats
- Promotion of cottage industries
- Promotion of interests of weaker sections
- PM POSHAN
- Prohibition of intoxicating drinks
- Prevention of cattle slaughter