Ultimate Guide to Centre-State Relations in Indian Polity (UPSC, SSC, PCS)

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CLICK HERE TO START TEST CENTER STATE RELATION

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भारत का संविधान समस्त शक्तियाँ (विधायी, कार्यपालक और वित्तीय) का विभाजन किसके मध्य करता है?
Between whom does the Constitution of India divide all powers (Legislative, Executive, and Financial)?

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भारतीय संविधान द्वारा किन शक्तियों/शक्ति का विभाजन केंद्र एवं राज्यों के बीच नहीं किया गया है?
Which power(s) have NOT been divided between the Centre and the States by the Indian Constitution?

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In which part of the Constitution are Centre-State relations discussed?

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How many subjects are currently in the Union List?

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How many subjects are currently in the State List?

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How many subjects are currently in the Concurrent List?

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How many subjects were originally in the Union List?

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How many subjects were originally in the State List?

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How many subjects were originally in the Concurrent List?

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Match the following:
(A) Union List - (1) States
(B) State List - (2) Union
(C) Concurrent List - (3) Union and States

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Agriculture is a subject of which list?

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Which subjects were transferred from the State List to the Concurrent List by the 42nd Constitutional Amendment 1976?

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Under which list is the subject related to the protection of wild animals and birds included?

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Matters related to Foreign Affairs and Defense fall under which list?

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Population control and family planning are related to?

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If the Rajya Sabha declares that it is necessary in the national interest for Parliament to make laws regarding Goods and Services Tax (GST) in respect of matters in the State List, how much member support is required for such a resolution?

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Under what circumstances can Parliament make laws on subjects related to the State List?

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In which of the following circumstances can Parliament make laws on a subject in the State List?

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Article 245 of the Constitution is related to?

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निम्न में से कौन-सा अनुच्छेद संसद को विधायन की अवशेष शक्तियाँ प्रदान करता है?
Which of the following Articles provides the Parliament with Residuary powers of legislation?

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Which of the following Articles empowers Parliament to make legislation for implementing international agreements?

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22. Article 246 is related to—

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23.राष्ट्रहित में राज्य सूची से संबंधित किसी मामले में संसद को कानून बनाने की शक्ति संविधान का कौन-सा अनुच्छेद प्रदत्त करता है?
Which Article of the Constitution empowers Parliament to make laws on a matter in the State List in the national interest?

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अतिरिक्त न्यायालयों की स्थापना का संसद को अधिकार निम्नलिखित में से कौन-सा अनुच्छेद प्रदान करता है?
Which of the following Articles provides Parliament the power to establish additional courts?

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Article 250 of the Indian Constitution is related to—

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26.निम्नलिखित में से कौन-से अनुच्छेद में यह प्रावधान है कि संसद दो या दो से अधिक राज्यों के सहमति पर उनके लिये किसी विषय पर विधि बना सकता है?
Which of the following Articles provides that Parliament can make laws for two or more states on any subject with their consent?

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Article 250 of the Indian Constitution is related to—

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Which of the following Articles provides that Parliament can make laws for two or more states on any subject with their consent?

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यदि संसद द्वारा बनाये गये कानूनों तथा राज्य द्वारा बनाये गये कानूनों के बीच असंगति हो जाती है, तो इस परिस्थिति में संसद द्वारा बनाये गये कानून मान्य होगा। इस प्रावधान की चर्चा संविधान के किस अनुच्छेद में है?
If there is an inconsistency between laws made by Parliament and laws made by the State, the law made by Parliament shall prevail. In which Article of the Constitution is this provision discussed?

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Under which Article can President's Rule be imposed in a state if it fails to comply with directions given by the Centre?

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On which of the following subjects can the Centre give directions to the States?

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Consider the following statements:
The Centre cannot delegate its legislative power to the state.
A single state alone cannot request Parliament to make a law on a State List subject.
Which of the above statement(s) is/are correct?

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Which of the following services is NOT included under All India Services?

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In which of the following years was the ICC renamed as IAS and the Indian Police as IPS?

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When was the Indian Forest Service recognized as the third All India Service?

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Which Article of the Indian Constitution provides for the creation of All India Services?

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On what grounds are All India Services supported?

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Which of the following persons justified All India Services in the Constituent Assembly by saying, "The dual polity under the Federal system is followed in all Federal systems [but these services are a unique feature]"?

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निम्नलिखित में से कौन-सा अनुच्छेद संसद को यह कर्तव्य करने के लिए बाध्य करता है कि "बाह्य आक्रमण एवं आंतरिक अशांति से प्रत्येक राज्य की सुरक्षा करने की जिम्मेदारी केंद्र की होगी।"
Which of the following Articles obligates Parliament (the Centre) with the duty that "it shall be the responsibility of the Centre to protect every state against external aggression and internal disturbance"?

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In which part of the Constitution are financial relations between the Centre and the State mentioned?

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Consider the following statements:
Parliament has the power to levy taxes on subjects in the Union List.
The State Legislature has the exclusive power to levy taxes on the State List.
Concurrent jurisdiction is not available regarding tax legislation.

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The Legislature can impose taxes on professions, trades, and employment, but for one person, this should not exceed how many rupees per year?

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The 101st Amendment of the Constitution is related to—

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Article 268 of the Constitution is related to—

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In which Article of the Constitution are taxes mentioned that are levied by the Union but assigned to the States?

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In which Article of the Constitution is the surcharge on certain duties and taxes for the purposes of the Union discussed?

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On which of the following can the State impose taxes?

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Which of the following Articles empowers Parliament to provide grants-in-aid to States when in need?

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Which Article of the Constitution empowers both the Union and the States to allocate grants for any public purpose?

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Which Article of the Constitution directs the President to constitute a GST Council?

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Consider the following statements regarding the power of the Centre and States to borrow:
1. The Central Government can borrow either within India or from outside upon the security or guarantee of the Consolidated Fund of India.
2. A State cannot borrow without the permission of the Centre [if there is an outstanding loan].

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Which of the following bills can be presented before Parliament only on the prior recommendation of the President?

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The borrowing by States is related to which Article of the Constitution?

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The borrowing by the Government of India is related to which Article of the Constitution?

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Under whose chairmanship did the Government of India establish the Administrative Reforms Commission (ARC) in 1966?

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Which state established the Rajamannar Committee in 1969 to review Centre-State relations?

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The Anandpur Sahib Resolution is related to—

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The West Bengal Memorandum, 1977 is related to—

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On what subject was the Sarkaria Commission constituted by the Government of India in the year 1983?

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When did the Sarkaria Commission submit its report?

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In which year was the Punchhi Commission established to review Centre-State relations?

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Ultimate Guide to Centre-State Relations in Indian Polity (UPSC, SSC, PCS)

Welcome, students! If you are preparing for SSC, Railway, State PCS, or UPSC exams, Centre-State Relations is a very important topic in Indian Polity.

The Indian Constitution divides powers between the Centre (Union government) and the States. However, our Constitution is “quasi-federal”—meaning it is federal in normal times but acts like a unitary system (where the Centre is very powerful) during emergencies.

Let us understand this topic step-by-step in simple English, exactly the way it is asked in exams.

1. Introduction to Centre-State Relations

The Constitution of India divides all powers—legislative, executive, and financial—between the Centre and the States. (Note: Judicial powers are not divided; India has a single integrated judicial system).

Centre-State relations are mainly divided into three parts:

  1. Legislative Relations (Part XI, Articles 245–255)
  2. Administrative Relations (Part XI, Articles 256–263)
  3. Financial Relations (Part XII, Articles 268–293)

2. Legislative Relations (Articles 245–255)

Legislative relations deal with law-making powers. The 7th Schedule of the Indian Constitution divides legislative subjects into three lists.

The Three Lists (7th Schedule)

  • Union List (List I): Only the Parliament can make laws on these subjects. (e.g., Defence, Foreign Affairs, Banking, Railways). Originally 97 subjects, now 100.
  • State List (List II): Only State Legislatures can make laws under normal circumstances. (e.g., Police, Public Health, Agriculture). Originally 66 subjects, now 61.
  • Concurrent List (List III): Both Parliament and State Legislatures can make laws. If there is a conflict, the Central law prevails. (e.g., Education, Forests, Marriage). Originally 47 subjects, now 52.

Important Amendment: The 42nd Amendment Act (1976) shifted 5 subjects from the State List to the Concurrent List: Education, Forests, Weights and Measures, Protection of Wild Animals and Birds, and Administration of Justice.

When can Parliament legislate on State Subjects?

This is a very frequent exam question. The Parliament can make laws on the State List under 5 abnormal conditions:

  1. Article 249: When Rajya Sabha passes a resolution supported by a 2/3rd majority declaring a subject to be of “national interest.”
  2. Article 250: During a National Emergency.
  3. Article 252: When two or more States request the Parliament to make a law for them.
  4. Article 253: To implement international treaties or agreements.
  5. Article 356: During President’s Rule in a State.

3. Administrative Relations (Articles 256–263)

Administrative relations ensure that the Central and State governments work together smoothly. However, the Centre always has the upper hand.

  • Executive Power: The executive power of a state must be used in a way that it complies with Central laws (Article 256).
  • All-India Services (Article 312): IAS, IPS, and IFoS are recruited by the Centre but serve in the states. This helps the Centre exercise control over state administration.
  • Inter-State Council (Article 263): Established to coordinate between states and the Centre. (Setup in 1990 on the recommendation of the Sarkaria Commission).

4. Financial Relations (Articles 268–293)

The Constitution has separate sources of income for the Centre and States. Since the States have fewer revenue sources but more expenditure, the Centre provides them with funds.

  • Finance Commission (Article 280): The President sets it up every 5 years to recommend how taxes should be distributed between the Centre and the States.
  • Grants-in-Aid: * Statutory Grants (Article 275): Given to states in need of financial help upon the recommendation of the Finance Commission.
    • Discretionary Grants (Article 282): The Centre or State can make grants for any public purpose.

5. Important Committees on Centre-State Relations

Direct questions are asked matching these committees to their years or subjects.

Committee / CommissionYearKey Recommendation / Fact
Rajamannar Committee1969Appointed by the Tamil Nadu Govt. Demanded more autonomy for states and abolition of All India Services.
Sarkaria Commission1983Setup by the Central Govt. Gave 247 recommendations. Supported a strong Centre but advised cautious use of President’s Rule (Article 356).
Punchhi Commission2007Headed by Madan Mohan Punchhi. Looked into new issues like internal security, Naxalism, and the role of Governors.

6. Quick Revision Facts & Exam Relevance

  • Residuary Powers (Article 248): Subjects not mentioned in any of the three lists belong to the Centre (unlike the USA, where they belong to the states). Cyber laws fall under this.
  • Zonal Councils: These are statutory bodies (created by the States Reorganisation Act, 1956), not constitutional bodies. The Union Home Minister is the common chairman.
  • Water Disputes (Article 262): Parliament can legally adjudicate disputes relating to waters of inter-state rivers.

7. Exam Traps & Confusing Points 🚨

  • Trap 1: Students often think “Law and Order” is in the Concurrent List. Correction: “Public Order” and “Police” are strictly in the State List.
  • Trap 2: Who holds Residuary Powers? In India, it’s the Parliament (Article 248), not the President or the States.
  • Trap 3: Inter-State Council vs. Zonal Councils. Inter-State Council is a Constitutional Body (Article 263). Zonal Councils are Statutory Bodies.

8. Exam-Oriented MCQs

Q1. Under which Article can the Rajya Sabha authorize Parliament to make laws on a State List subject in the national interest?

A) Article 248

B) Article 249

C) Article 250

D) Article 252

  • Answer: B) Article 249
  • Explanation: Article 249 gives the Rajya Sabha the exclusive power to shift a state subject to the Parliament’s domain for one year if it passes a resolution by a 2/3rd majority.

Q2. The Sarkaria Commission was appointed to review the relationship between:

A) Prime Minister and President

B) Executive and Judiciary

C) Centre and States

D) Legislature and Executive

  • Answer: C) Centre and States
  • Explanation: Appointed in 1983, it is the most famous commission regarding Centre-State relations.

Q3. ‘Education’ was moved from the State List to the Concurrent List by which Amendment?

A) 42nd Amendment

B) 44th Amendment

C) 86th Amendment

D) 73rd Amendment

  • Answer: A) 42nd Amendment
  • Explanation: The 42nd Amendment Act of 1976 transferred 5 subjects, including Education and Forests, to the Concurrent List.

Q4. Which of the following is NOT matched correctly?

A) Finance Commission – Article 280

B) Inter-State Council – Article 263

C) All India Services – Article 312

D) Residuary Powers – Article 250

  • Answer: D) Residuary Powers – Article 250
  • Explanation: Residuary powers are mentioned under Article 248. Article 250 allows Parliament to legislate on State subjects during a National Emergency.

Q5. Who is the Chairman of the Zonal Councils in India?

A) Prime Minister

B) President

C) Union Home Minister

D) Chief Ministers of respective states

  • Answer: C) Union Home Minister
  • Explanation: The Union Home Minister chairs all the Zonal Councils, while the Chief Ministers act as Vice-Chairmen by rotation.

9. Revision Summary

  • Part XI (Arts 245-263): Legislative & Administrative relations.
  • Part XII (Arts 268-293): Financial relations.
  • Lists: Union (100), State (61), Concurrent (52). Residuary powers go to Parliament.
  • Key Articles to Memorize: 248 (Residuary), 249 (RS power to legislate on state list), 263 (Inter-State Council), 280 (Finance Commission), 312 (All India Services).
  • Committees: Rajamannar, Sarkaria, Punchhi.

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