Articles 46 and 47 of the Constitution of India
Articles 46 and 47 form part of Part IV of the Constitution of India, which contains the Directive Principles of State Policy. Article 46 concerns the educational and economic interests of weaker sections, particularly the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes. Article 47 addresses nutrition, standard of living, public health and the State's endeavour concerning intoxicating drinks and drugs injurious to health.
Updated: 18 September 2026
Meaning and constitutional position
The Directive Principles guide the State in governance and in making laws and public policy. Under Article 37, the provisions in Part IV are not enforceable by any court, but the Constitution declares that these principles are fundamental in the governance of the country and that it is the duty of the State to apply them in making laws.
| Article | Subject | Core constitutional direction |
|---|---|---|
| Article 46 | Educational and economic interests of weaker sections | Special care for weaker sections, particularly Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes, and protection from social injustice and exploitation. |
| Article 47 | Nutrition, standard of living and public health | These matters are treated as primary duties of the State, together with the stated endeavour concerning intoxicating drinks and injurious drugs. |
Article 46 - Promotion of educational and economic interests of Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and other weaker sections
Article 46: The State shall promote with special care the educational and economic interests of the weaker sections of the people, and, in particular, of the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes, and shall protect them from social injustice and all forms of exploitation.
What Article 46 means
Article 46 directs the State to give special attention to the educational and economic interests of weaker sections of the people. It expressly identifies Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes for particular attention. The Article also places a constitutional responsibility on the State to protect such groups from social injustice and every form of exploitation.
The expression "weaker sections" in Article 46 is broader than the express references to Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes. The text does not itself provide a separate definition of every group that may fall within that expression. Its application therefore has to be read with the Constitution, applicable legislation and valid government measures relevant to the particular context.
Article 47 - Duty of the State to raise nutrition, standard of living and public health
Article 47: 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 endeavour to bring about prohibition of the consumption except for medicinal purposes of intoxicating drinks and of drugs which are injurious to health.
What Article 47 means
Article 47 identifies three connected matters as primary duties of the State: raising the level of nutrition, raising the standard of living and improving public health. It also directs the State to endeavour to bring about prohibition of the consumption, except for medicinal purposes, of intoxicating drinks and drugs that are injurious to health.
Why Articles 46 and 47 are important
Together, these provisions address social and economic justice, access to educational and economic advancement, protection against exploitation, nutrition, living standards and public health. They form part of the Constitution's framework directing the State toward welfare-oriented governance.
Official text and reference
For authoritative reference, readers should consult the current official text of the Constitution of India published by the Legislative Department, Ministry of Law and Justice, Government of India. The official Constitution contains Articles 46 and 47 in Part IV under the Directive Principles of State Policy.