Bare ActOfficial Text of Article 48
48. Organisation of agriculture and animal husbandry.—
The State shall endeavour to organise agriculture and animal husbandry on modern and scientific lines and shall, in particular, take steps for preserving and improving the breeds, and prohibiting the slaughter, of cows and calves and other milch and draught cattle.
The State should run agriculture and animal husbandry (cattle rearing) on modern and scientific lines.
It should preserve and improve the breeds of cows and other cattle.
It should stop the slaughter of cows, calves and other milch (milk-giving) and draught (load-pulling) cattle.
Agriculture and cattle are State subjects, so each State makes its own cow-protection law.
🏠 Everyday Analogy
Think of a farmer's toolbox: a good seed drill and soil test kit (modern farming), and a healthy cow and bullock (animal husbandry). Article 48 asks the State to keep both in good shape.
🇮🇳 Real Indian Example
In a Gujarat village, dairy farmer Bhikhabhai gets his cows artificially inseminated with a better Gir breed through a government centre, under schemes like the Rashtriya Gokul Mission (2014). Under the State's law, he cannot sell even an old bullock for slaughter.
Key CasesArticle 48 of Indian Constitution: Cow Slaughter Cases in the Supreme Court
| Case | What the Supreme Court said |
|---|---|
| Mohd. Hanif Quareshi v. State of Bihar (1958) | A total ban on killing cows and calves is valid. But banning the slaughter of bulls and buffaloes even after they stop being useful went too far. |
| State of Gujarat v. Mirzapur Moti Kureshi Kassab Jamat (2005, 7 judges) | Upheld Gujarat's total ban on slaughter of cow progeny (bulls and bullocks too), even when old. It read Article 48 with Article 48A and Article 51A(g). |
Article 48 or 48A?
- Article 48 (since 1950): farms, cattle, breeds, ban on slaughter of cows.
- Article 48A (42nd Amendment, 1976): protect the environment, forests and wildlife.
Quick RevisionKey Points to Remember
- Article 48: organise agriculture and animal husbandry on modern and scientific lines.
- Preserve and improve breeds; prohibit slaughter of cows, calves, milch and draught cattle.
- Cow-slaughter laws are made by States (State List).
- Mirzapur (2005, 7 judges) upheld a total ban on slaughter of cow progeny.
- Category: Gandhian (cow protection) and Liberal-intellectual (scientific farming).
UPSC · State PSC · JudiciaryArticle 48: Exam Corner
- Prelims trap: "Article 48 deals with protection of forests and wildlife." False. That is Article 48A, added in 1976. Article 48 is about farms and cattle.
- Fact (SSC / school): the word "cow" appears in Article 48; it asks the State to prohibit slaughter of cows and calves and other milch and draught cattle.
- Mains: "Article 48 is as much about modern farming as about cow protection." Discuss.
Practice MCQTest Yourself: Article 48
Which Directive Principle asks the State to organise agriculture and animal husbandry on modern and scientific lines?
Doubts ClearedFrequently Asked Questions
What is Article 48 of Indian Constitution?
Article 48 is a Directive Principle. It asks the State to organise agriculture and animal husbandry on modern and scientific lines, improve cattle breeds, and prohibit slaughter of cows, calves and other milch and draught cattle.
Is cow slaughter banned all over India?
There is no single national law. Article 48 is a DPSP and the subject is in the State List, so each State decides. Many States ban it fully, some allow it partly.
What is the difference between Article 48 and 48A?
Article 48 is about farming, cattle breeds and cow protection. Article 48A, added by the 42nd Amendment in 1976, is about protecting the environment, forests and wildlife.