Health and Nutrition Justice — Amendments

Amendment	Year	Description	Impact
42nd Amendment Act	1976	This amendment inserted Article 39A, which directs the State to secure equal justice and free legal aid. While not directly about health or nutrition, it indirectly supports health and nutrition justice by ensuring that marginalized sections have access to legal recourse to enforce their rights, including those related to food and health entitlements.	Strengthened the DPSP framework for social justice, providing a mechanism for the poor to seek legal aid, which can be crucial in cases of denial of health or nutrition-related entitlements. It reinforces the idea that justice, including social justice, should be accessible to all.
86th Amendment Act	2002	This amendment inserted Article 21A, making elementary education a fundamental right. It also amended Article 45 to make provision for early childhood care and education for all children until they complete the age of six years. While primarily focused on education, early childhood care is intrinsically linked to nutrition and health outcomes.	By emphasizing early childhood care, the amendment indirectly supports nutrition and health justice for young children, as proper care in early years is crucial for preventing malnutrition and ensuring healthy development. It reinforces the holistic approach to child welfare.