The Centre-State Relations Archives

11. The Sarkaria Commission relates to which one of the following areas ?

The Sarkaria Commission relates to which one of the following areas ?

[amp_mcq option1=”Constitution of Urban Panchayats” option2=”Centre-State relations” option3=”Electoral reforms” option4=”Appointment of judges to High Courts” correct=”option2″]

This question was previously asked in

UPSC CISF-AC-EXE – 2022

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The correct answer is B. The Sarkaria Commission was appointed in 1983 by the Central Government to examine the relationship and balance of power between the Union and State Governments in India and suggest necessary changes within the framework of the Constitution.

The Sarkaria Commission’s primary focus was on Centre-State relations.

The Commission was chaired by Justice R.S. Sarkaria. Its recommendations, submitted in 1987, covered various aspects of Centre-State relations, including legislative, administrative, and financial matters.

12. Sarkaria Commission was appointed to look into

Sarkaria Commission was appointed to look into

[amp_mcq option1=”Centre-State Relations.” option2=”Electoral Reforms.” option3=”Judicial Reforms.” option4=”Political Reforms.” correct=”option1″]

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UPSC CISF-AC-EXE – 2021

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The Sarkaria Commission was a commission set up by the Central Government of India in 1983. Its mandate was to examine the relationship and balance of power between the centre and state governments in the country and recommend changes within the framework of the Constitution. The commission was chaired by Justice R.S. Sarkaria, a retired judge of the Supreme Court of India.

The commission submitted its report in 1987, making 247 recommendations to improve Centre-State relations. Many of these recommendations focused on areas such as legislative relations, administrative relations, financial relations, and the role of the Governor. While not all recommendations were implemented, the report remains a significant document in the study of Indian federalism.

The commission’s report emphasized the need for stronger cooperative federalism and made suggestions regarding the Inter-State Council, the appointment and role of Governors, the use of Article 356 (President’s Rule), and the financial devolution between the Centre and States. Subsequent commissions like the Punchhi Commission (2007) also examined Centre-State relations, building upon the work of Sarkaria.

13. Which of the following Commissions was set up to recommend changes in

Which of the following Commissions was set up to recommend changes in the Centre-State relations ?

[amp_mcq option1=”Verma Commission” option2=”U.C. Banerji Commission” option3=”Kothari Commission” option4=”Sarkaria Commission” correct=”option4″]

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UPSC CISF-AC-EXE – 2020

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The Sarkaria Commission was specifically set up to examine and recommend changes in Centre-State relations in India.

– The Sarkaria Commission was established in 1983 by the Central Government under the chairmanship of Justice R.S. Sarkaria.
– Its mandate was to review the working of the existing arrangements between the Union and States and recommend appropriate changes within the constitutional framework.
– The Verma Commission dealt with identifying legal provisions for enforcing Fundamental Duties.
– The U.C. Banerji Commission investigated the Godhra train burning incident.
– The Kothari Commission (National Education Commission) dealt with educational sector reforms.

The recommendations of the Sarkaria Commission are a significant reference point for understanding the complexities of federalism in India and have influenced subsequent policy debates and reforms regarding Centre-State relations.

14. Which one of the following is a correct description of the Indian Fede

Which one of the following is a correct description of the Indian Federal System?

[amp_mcq option1=”Dual citizenship” option2=”States have equal representation in the Council of States” option3=”Persons belonging to the all-India services can be dismissed or removed by the States” option4=”Unlike in the USA, there is no dual system of courts” correct=”option4″]

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UPSC CISF-AC-EXE – 2020

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The correct answer is Unlike in the USA, there is no dual system of courts.

– India has an integrated judicial system with the Supreme Court at the apex, followed by High Courts at the state level, and subordinate courts below them. Judgments of higher courts are binding on lower courts.
– In contrast, the USA has a dual system of courts: a federal judiciary system and separate state judicial systems, each with its own hierarchy.

– A) Dual citizenship: Incorrect. India has single citizenship.
– B) States have equal representation in the Council of States: Incorrect. Representation in the Rajya Sabha is based on population, not equal for all states.
– C) Persons belonging to the all-India services can be dismissed or removed by the States: Incorrect. Members of All India Services (like IAS, IPS) are appointed by the Union and are under the control of both Union and State governments, but disciplinary action like dismissal or removal requires Presidential approval.

15. Which of the following statements in respect of the Union of India is/

Which of the following statements in respect of the Union of India is/are correct?

1. The Union of India is more like the Canadian Federation than American.
2. Residuary powers are vested in the Union.
3. States of the Union of India have constitutional right to secede.

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

[amp_mcq option1=”1 only” option2=”1 and 2 only” option3=”2 and 3 only” option4=”1, 2 and 3″ correct=”option2″]

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UPSC CISF-AC-EXE – 2019

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Statements 1 and 2 are correct. The Indian federation is often described as ‘quasi-federal’ or federal with a strong unitary bias, exhibiting features more aligned with the Canadian model (strong centre, residuary powers with the centre) than the American model (more autonomy to states, residuary powers with states). Article 248 of the Constitution explicitly vests residuary powers of legislation in the Union Parliament. Statement 3 is incorrect; the Indian Union is “indestructible”, and states do not have the right to secede.

India’s federal structure is characterized by a powerful central government. The Constitution clearly defines the distribution of legislative powers between the Union and the States but reserves ultimate power over unspecified matters to the Union.

Article 1 of the Constitution declares India as a “Union of States”, emphasizing that it is not a result of an agreement among states and that the states cannot secede.

16. Which of the following statements about the Inter-State Council is/are

Which of the following statements about the Inter-State Council is/are correct?

1. It can inquire into disputes between States.
2. It cannot investigate subjects involving the Union.

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

[amp_mcq option1=”1 only” option2=”2 only” option3=”Both 1 and 2″ option4=”Neither 1 nor 2″ correct=”option1″]

This question was previously asked in

UPSC CBI DSP LDCE – 2023

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Statement 1 is correct. Article 263 of the Constitution empowers the President to establish an Inter-State Council to inquire into and advise upon disputes which may have arisen between States. Statement 2 is incorrect. The Inter-State Council is also tasked with investigating and discussing subjects in which some or all of the States, or the Union and one or more of the States, have a common interest. This explicitly includes subjects involving the Union.

The Inter-State Council can inquire into disputes between States and investigate/discuss subjects of common interest between the Union and States.

The Inter-State Council was established in 1990 based on the recommendations of the Sarkaria Commission. It is a recommendatory body on issues relating to Centre-State and inter-State relations. The Council comprises the Prime Minister (Chairman), Chief Ministers of all States, Chief Ministers of Union Territories having Legislative Assemblies, Administrators of Union Territories not having Legislative Assemblies, and six Central Cabinet Ministers nominated by the Prime Minister.

17. The Sarkaria Commission, set up in 1983, is related to which one of th

The Sarkaria Commission, set up in 1983, is related to which one of the following?

[amp_mcq option1=”Metropolitan planning” option2=”Centre-State relationship” option3=”Parliamentary committees” option4=”Reforms in bureaucracy” correct=”option2″]

This question was previously asked in

UPSC CBI DSP LDCE – 2023

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The Sarkaria Commission, headed by Justice R.S. Sarkaria, was appointed by the Central government in 1983 to examine the centre-state relationship in India. Its mandate was to review the existing arrangements between the Union and States in all spheres and recommend appropriate changes and measures.

The Sarkaria Commission’s primary focus was on the relationship between the Central government and the State governments in India.

The Commission submitted its report in 1987. It made 247 recommendations to improve centre-state relations. While it did not suggest a major structural change, it recommended strengthening the existing institutions and mechanisms for better coordination, such as the Inter-State Council. Many of its recommendations have been implemented over time.

18. Which one of the following statements is correct as per the Constituti

Which one of the following statements is correct as per the Constitution of India ?

[amp_mcq option1=”Inter-State trade and commerce is a State subject under the State List.” option2=”Inter-State migration is a State subject under the State List.” option3=”Inter-State quarantine is a Union subject under the Union List.” option4=”Corporation tax is a State subject under the State List.” correct=”option3″]

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UPSC IAS – 2024

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The correct option is C.

Option A: Inter-State trade and commerce falls under the Union List (Entry 42 of List I).
Option B: Inter-State migration falls under the Union List (Entry 81 of List I), along with inter-State quarantine.
Option C: Inter-State quarantine falls under the Union List (Entry 81 of List I). This statement is correct.
Option D: Corporation tax is a Union subject (Entry 82 of List I).

The Seventh Schedule of the Constitution distributes legislative powers between the Union and the States by listing subjects under Union List (List I), State List (List II), and Concurrent List (List III).

19. Consider the following statements: Statement-I: In India, prisons are

Consider the following statements:
Statement-I: In India, prisons are managed by State Governments with their own rules and regulations for the day-to-day administration of prisons.
Statement-II: In India, prisons are governed by the Prisons Act, 1894 which expressly kept the subject of prisons in the control of Provincial Governments.
Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?

[amp_mcq option1=”Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II is the correct explanation for Statement-I” option2=”Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II is not the correct explanation for Statement-I” option3=”Statement-I is correct but Statement-II is incorrect” option4=”Statement-I is incorrect but Statement-II is correct” correct=”option1″]

This question was previously asked in

UPSC IAS – 2023

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Statement-I is correct. Prisons are listed in List II (State List) of the Seventh Schedule to the Constitution of India. Therefore, State Governments have exclusive legislative and executive power over prisons, managing them with their own rules and regulations.
Statement-II is correct. The administration of prisons in India is primarily governed by the Prisons Act, 1894. This Act is a central law passed during the British era, and it explicitly placed the subject of prisons under the control of the Provincial Governments. After independence, this continued with State Governments.
Statement-II is the correct explanation for Statement-I. The legal framework established by the Prisons Act, 1894, assigning control to the Provincial Governments, is the reason why prisons are a State subject and managed by State Governments today with their specific rules.

Prisons are a State subject in India, meaning state governments have the primary responsibility for their administration and management, operating under the framework of the Prisons Act, 1894, and their own state-specific rules and regulations.

While the 1894 Act is the foundational law, states can amend it or pass their own comprehensive laws. The Union Government can issue advisories and provide assistance, but the operational control rests with the states.

20. Which one of the following in Indian polity is an essential feature th

Which one of the following in Indian polity is an essential feature that indicates that it is federal in character?

[amp_mcq option1=”The independence of judiciary is safeguarded.” option2=”The Union Legislature has elected representatives from constituent units.” option3=”The Union Cabinet can have elected representatives from regional parties.” option4=”The Fundamental Rights are enforceable by Courts of Law.” correct=”option1″]

This question was previously asked in

UPSC IAS – 2021

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The correct answer is A) The independence of judiciary is safeguarded.

– An independent judiciary is a vital feature of a federal system. It acts as the interpreter and guardian of the constitution and resolves disputes between the Union and the states, ensuring that each level of government operates within its constitutionally defined sphere. This independent role in upholding the division of powers is a key indicator of a federal structure.

– Option B (Union Legislature has elected representatives from constituent units) refers to bicameralism with representation for states (like the Rajya Sabha), which is also a feature found in federations, but the independence of the judiciary is often considered the most critical safeguard for the federal division of powers.
– Option C (Union Cabinet can have elected representatives from regional parties) describes a political outcome based on elections and coalition politics, not an essential structural feature of the federal system itself.
– Option D (Fundamental Rights are enforceable by Courts of Law) relates to the protection of individual liberties and the rule of law in a democratic state, which is present in many types of states (federal or unitary), and is not exclusively indicative of federalism.