📑 Topics on this page (Jump to Topic):
📌 1. Legislative Relations
| List | Original | Present (approx.) | Examples |
|---|---|---|---|
| Union List (I) | 97 | 100 | Defence, foreign affairs, railways, banking, atomic energy, census |
| State List (II) | 66 | 61 | Police, public order, public health, agriculture, land, local government |
| Concurrent List (III) | 47 | 52 | Education, forests, wildlife, marriage, criminal law, economic planning |
- Art. 246: distribution; Art. 248: residuary powers with Parliament (Canada model). In a Concurrent List conflict, Union law prevails (Art. 254) unless the state law got presidential assent.
- Parliament may legislate on the State List under: 249 (RS 2/3 resolution, 1 year), 250 (national emergency), 252 (request of two or more states), 253 (international agreements), 356 (President's rule).
- 246A (101st): concurrent power of Centre and states over GST.
📌 2. Administrative Relations
- Art. 256, 257: state executive power to ensure compliance with Union laws; the Centre can give directions.
- Art. 262: inter-state river water disputes — Parliament may set up tribunals (Inter-State River Water Disputes Act 1956); SC jurisdiction can be barred.
- Art. 263: Inter-State Council — set up in 1990 (Sarkaria Commission recommendation); chaired by PM.
- Zonal Councils (5) — States Reorganisation Act 1956 (statutory); chaired by the Union Home Minister. North Eastern Council — 1971 Act.
- All-India Services (Art. 312): IAS, IPS, IFoS (1966); Patel — "steel frame of India".
📌 3. Financial Relations & Commissions
- Art. 265: no tax without authority of law. Art. 266: Consolidated Fund; 267: Contingency Fund; 275: grants-in-aid to states; 282: discretionary grants.
- Art. 270: sharing of central taxes — per Finance Commission; the 15th FC kept states' share at 41%.
- Art. 293: borrowing by states; Centre's consent needed if they owe the Centre.
| Commission | Year | Key point |
|---|---|---|
| 1st ARC | 1966 | Morarji Desai, later K. Hanumanthaiah |
| Rajamannar Committee | 1969 | By Tamil Nadu govt; state autonomy |
| Sarkaria Commission | 1983 | 247 recommendations; Inter-State Council; sparing use of Art. 356 |
| Punchhi Commission | 2007 | Second Centre-state commission; fixed 5-year term for Governors |
⚠️ Exam Traps:
- Residuary powers rest with the Centre in India (Canada), with states in the USA.
- Zonal Councils are statutory (chaired by Home Minister); the Inter-State Council rests on Art. 263 (chaired by PM).
📌 4. Practice MCQs
📝 Practice MCQs (prepared by SF Prep — not PYQs)
Q1. The division of subjects between Centre and states is in which Schedule? Practice
Correct answer: (A)
7th Schedule — Union, State and Concurrent Lists.
7th Schedule — Union, State and Concurrent Lists.
Q2. Residuary powers lie with: Practice
Correct answer: (B)
Art. 248 — Parliament.
Art. 248 — Parliament.
Q3. "Police" is a subject in which list? Practice
Correct answer: (A)
Police and public order are in the State List.
Police and public order are in the State List.
Q4. "Education" was shifted to which list by the 42nd Amendment? Practice
Correct answer: (C)
From State to Concurrent List.
From State to Concurrent List.
Q5. In a conflict on a Concurrent List subject, whose law generally prevails? Practice
Correct answer: (D)
Art. 254 — the Union's, unless the state law has presidential assent.
Art. 254 — the Union's, unless the state law has presidential assent.
Q6. Under which Article can Parliament legislate on any subject to implement international treaties? Practice
Correct answer: (B)
Art. 253.
Art. 253.
Q7. Under which Article does Parliament legislate at the request of two or more states? Practice
Correct answer: (B)
Art. 252.
Art. 252.
Q8. Which Article provides for the Inter-State Council? Practice
Correct answer: (C)
Art. 263; set up in 1990.
Art. 263; set up in 1990.
Q9. Which Article relates to inter-state river water disputes? Practice
Correct answer: (D)
Art. 262.
Art. 262.
Q10. Who chairs the Zonal Councils? Practice
Correct answer: (A)
The Home Minister, under the States Reorganisation Act 1956.
The Home Minister, under the States Reorganisation Act 1956.
Q11. In which year was the Sarkaria Commission on Centre-state relations set up? Practice
Correct answer: (D)
1983 (report 1988).
1983 (report 1988).
Q12. Who headed the second commission on Centre-state relations? Practice
Correct answer: (A)
Punchhi Commission, 2007.
Punchhi Commission, 2007.
Q13. Who set up the Rajamannar Committee on state autonomy? Practice
Correct answer: (B)
The Tamil Nadu government in 1969.
The Tamil Nadu government in 1969.
Q14. "No tax shall be levied except by authority of law" — which Article? Practice
Correct answer: (C)
Art. 265.
Art. 265.
Q15. The Contingency Fund of India is under which Article? Practice
Correct answer: (C)
Art. 267 — at the President's disposal.
Art. 267 — at the President's disposal.
Q16. A new All-India Service is created under which Article? Practice
Correct answer: (D)
Art. 312 — on an RS resolution by 2/3.
Art. 312 — on an RS resolution by 2/3.
Q17. What share of the divisible pool did the 15th Finance Commission give states? Practice
Correct answer: (A)
The 14th gave 42%; the 15th gave 41% after J&K became a UT.
The 14th gave 42%; the 15th gave 41% after J&K became a UT.
Q18. "Forests" and "wildlife" are now in which list? Practice
Correct answer: (B)
In the Concurrent List since the 42nd Amendment.
In the Concurrent List since the 42nd Amendment.
Q19. "Railways" is in which list? Practice
Correct answer: (A)
Railways is in the Union List.
Railways is in the Union List.
Q20. Who called the All-India Services the "steel frame of India"? Practice
Correct answer: (C)
Sardar Patel is regarded as the father of the All-India Services.
Sardar Patel is regarded as the father of the All-India Services.