The Centre-State Relations Archives

31. Who among the following is empowered to establish Inter State Council

Who among the following is empowered to establish Inter State Council under Article 263 of the Constitution of India ?

[amp_mcq option1=”Parliament” option2=”Council of Ministers” option3=”President of India” option4=”Chief Justice of India” correct=”option3″]

This question was previously asked in

UPSC CAPF – 2017

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The President of India is empowered to establish an Inter-State Council under Article 263 of the Constitution of India.

Article 263 of the Constitution states that “If at any time it appears to the President that the public interests would be served by the establishment of a Council charged with the duty of— (a) inquiring into and advising upon disputes which may have arisen between States; (b) 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; or (c) making recommendations upon any such subject and, in particular, recommendations for the better co-ordination of policy and action with respect to that subject, it shall be lawful for the President by order to establish such a Council, and to define the nature of the duties to be performed by it and its organisation and procedure.”

The Inter-State Council is a recommendatory body established to facilitate coordination between the States and the Centre. A permanent Inter-State Council was established in 1990 based on the recommendations of the Sarkaria Commission. The Prime Minister serves as the Chairman of the Council.

32. Which one of the following is not a feature of Indian federalism ?

Which one of the following is not a feature of Indian federalism ?

[amp_mcq option1=”Every State Government has powers of its own” option2=”Courts have the power to interpret the Constitution and the powers of different levels of Government” option3=”States are subordinate to the Central Government” option4=”Sources of revenue for each level of Government are clearly specified” correct=”option3″]

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UPSC CAPF – 2016

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The correct answer is C.

In a federal system, the constituent units (states) are not subordinate to the central government; rather, power is divided between coordinate levels of government, each supreme in its own sphere as defined by the constitution. While the Indian federal system has a strong central bias, the principle of state autonomy in their defined areas means they are not constitutionally subordinate in all respects. Options A, B, and D are features present in the Indian system reflecting aspects of federalism or its framework: states have their own powers (A), courts interpret the constitution and powers (B), and revenue sources are specified (D).

India is often described as ‘quasi-federal’ or ‘federal in form, unitary in spirit’ due to various centralising features like single citizenship, integrated judiciary, appointment of governors by the centre, emergency provisions, and the relatively greater financial power of the centre. However, the division of legislative and executive powers between the Union and States is a core federal feature that contradicts complete state subordination.

33. The Punchhi Commission report was related to :

The Punchhi Commission report was related to :

[amp_mcq option1=”Centre-State relations” option2=”Electoral reforms” option3=”Fiscal federalism” option4=”Creation of new States” correct=”option1″]

This question was previously asked in

UPSC CAPF – 2015

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The Punchhi Commission report was related to Centre-State relations.

The Commission on Centre-State Relations, headed by Justice Madan Mohan Punchhi, was constituted by the Government of India in 2007 to re-examine the existing arrangements between the Union and States, keeping in view the changes that have taken place in the polity and economy of the country.

The Punchhi Commission submitted its report in 2010. It made recommendations on various aspects of Centre-State relations, including legislative relations, administrative relations, financial relations, role of governors, inter-state council, emergency provisions, and local self-governments. Other significant commissions on Centre-State relations include the Sarkaria Commission.

34. Under Article 355 of the Constitution of India, it is the duty of the

Under Article 355 of the Constitution of India, it is the duty of the Union to:

[amp_mcq option1=”protect States against external aggression and internal disturbance” option2=”allow the extension of executive powers of the Union to any State” option3=”declare that the powers of the legislature of a State shall be exercisable by or under the authority of the Parliament” option4=”allow the Parliament to include or exclude any caste, race or tribe into the list of the Scheduled Castes or Scheduled Tribes” correct=”option1″]

This question was previously asked in

UPSC CAPF – 2015

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Under Article 355 of the Constitution of India, it is the duty of the Union to protect States against external aggression and internal disturbance.

Article 355 is part of the Emergency Provisions (Part XVIII) of the Indian Constitution. It explicitly states: “It shall be the duty of the Union to protect every State against external aggression and internal disturbance and to ensure that the government of every State is carried on in accordance with the provisions of this Constitution.”

This article forms the basis for the Union’s intervention in the affairs of a State in situations of emergency. Failure of a State government to function in accordance with the Constitution, as mentioned in Article 355, can lead to the imposition of President’s Rule under Article 356. The duty to protect against external aggression and internal disturbance is a fundamental aspect of the federal structure, ensuring the integrity and stability of the country.

35. The setting up of the Inter-State Council in 1990 was meant to :

The setting up of the Inter-State Council in 1990 was meant to :

[amp_mcq option1=”substitute the National Development Council.” option2=”strengthen the federal provisions of the Constitution.” option3=”be an institutional interface between the Judiciary and the Government.” option4=”provide membership to local customary bodies.” correct=”option2″]

This question was previously asked in

UPSC CAPF – 2015

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The correct option is B.

The Inter-State Council was established under Article 263 of the Constitution of India through a Presidential Order on May 28, 1990. Article 263 empowers the President to establish such a council to inquire into and advise upon disputes between states, investigate and discuss subjects in which some or all states, or the Union and one or more states, have a common interest, and make recommendations upon any such subject for the better coordination of policy and action. These functions are aimed at promoting coordination and resolving issues between states and between the Union and states, thereby strengthening the cooperative federal structure envisioned by the Constitution.

The Sarkaria Commission (Commission on Centre-State Relations) recommended the establishment of a permanent Inter-State Council. The Council consists of the Prime Minister as Chairman, Chief Ministers of all States and Union Territories with Legislative Assemblies, Administrators of Union Territories without Legislative Assemblies, and six Union Cabinet Ministers nominated by the Prime Minister. The National Development Council (NDC) is primarily involved in planning and approving Five Year Plans, though it also plays a role in centre-state coordination, it is distinct from the Inter-State Council which focuses specifically on dispute resolution and policy coordination among governments. The Inter-State Council is not an interface between the judiciary and the government, nor does it provide membership to local customary bodies.

36. Which of the following statements regarding the residuary powers under

Which of the following statements regarding the residuary powers under the Constitution of India is/are correct ?

Residuary powers have been given to the Union Parliament
In the matter of residuary power, the Constitution of India follows the Constitution of Australia
Schedule 7 of the Constitution of India provides a list of residuary powers
The Government of India Act 1935 placed residuary powers in the hands of the Governor General

Select the correct answer using the code given below :

[amp_mcq option1=”1 and 3″ option2=”2 and 3″ option3=”1 and 4″ option4=”4 only” correct=”option3″]

This question was previously asked in

UPSC CAPF – 2014

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Statement 1 and statement 4 are correct. Statement 1 is correct because Article 248 of the Constitution of India vests residuary powers of legislation in the Union Parliament. Statement 4 is correct because Section 104 of the Government of India Act, 1935, placed residuary powers in the hands of the Governor General, who could decide whether a matter fell under federal or provincial legislative lists, or neither, and allocate power accordingly.

Residuary powers in India belong to the Union Parliament. India follows the Canadian model regarding residuary powers. The Government of India Act, 1935, placed these powers with the Governor General.

Statement 2 is incorrect because the Constitution of India follows the Canadian model regarding the distribution of residuary powers, not the Australian model. In Australia, residuary powers lie with the states. Statement 3 is incorrect; Schedule 7 of the Constitution lists the Union List, State List, and Concurrent List, but does not list residuary powers. Residuary powers pertain to subjects not enumerated in any of these lists.

37. The vesting of ‘residuary’ powers in the central government by the Con

The vesting of ‘residuary’ powers in the central government by the Constitution of India indicates :

[amp_mcq option1=”that India is a federal polity.” option2=”that India is neither federal nor unitary.” option3=”that India is quasi federal.” option4=”unitary character of Indian polity.” correct=”option4″]

This question was previously asked in

UPSC CAPF – 2010

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The vesting of ‘residuary’ powers in the central government by the Constitution of India indicates the unitary character of Indian polity.

– In a federal system, powers are divided between the central government and state governments. Residuary powers are powers not enumerated in any list.
– Giving these unenumerated powers to the central government is a feature that strengthens the centre relative to the states.
– This centralizing tendency is a characteristic of a unitary bias or unitary features within a federal or quasi-federal structure.
– While India is often described as quasi-federal (option C), the *specific indication* of vesting residuary powers in the centre points towards the strength of the union government, which is a unitary characteristic. Purely federal systems might vest residuary powers with the states (like in the USA).

Article 248 of the Indian Constitution deals with Residuary Powers of Legislation. It states that Parliament has exclusive power to make any law with respect to any matter not enumerated in the Concurrent List or State List. This is a clear constitutional provision favoring the central government, highlighting a significant deviation from strict federalism and leaning towards a unitary structure in terms of legislative authority over residual subjects.

38. Consider the following statements: 1. The Inter-State Council is es

Consider the following statements:

1. The Inter-State Council is established under Article 263 of the Constitution of India.
2. The Inter-State Council is a permanent constitutional body.
3. The Prime Minister of India is the Chairman of the Inter-State Council.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

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

This question was previously asked in

UPSC CAPF – 2010

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Statements 1 and 3 are correct, while statement 2 is incorrect.

– Statement 1: The Inter-State Council is established under Article 263 of the Constitution of India, which empowers the President to constitute such a body. This statement is correct.
– Statement 2: Article 263 states that the President *may* establish such a Council *if at any time it appears to him that the public interests would be served*. This makes it a constitutional body but not a permanent one in the sense of being mandatorily required to exist at all times by the Constitution (unlike, for example, the Election Commission or Finance Commission). While it has been constituted and is a standing body since 1990, classifying it as a “permanent constitutional body” is generally considered inaccurate in comparison to bodies whose existence is explicitly mandated as permanent by the Constitution. This statement is incorrect.
– Statement 3: The Prime Minister of India is the Chairman of the Inter-State Council. This is explicitly stated in the order constituting the Council. This statement is correct.

The Council’s functions are advisory, providing a forum for discussion and recommendation on disputes between states, investigation and discussion of subjects of common interest, and recommendations for better coordination of policy and action. The council consists of the Prime Minister as Chairman, Chief Ministers of all States, Chief Ministers of Union Territories with Legislative Assemblies, and Administrators of UTs without Legislative Assemblies, and six Union Cabinet Ministers.

39. Consider the following statements: 1. The Legislature of India can

Consider the following statements:

1. The Legislature of India can confer additional powers on the Union and impose duties upon it in order to make laws related to subjects in the State List effective.
2. The executive power of the Union of India extends to giving directions to the States for the construction and maintenance of means of communication declared to be of national or military importance.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

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

This question was previously asked in

UPSC CAPF – 2010

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Both statements 1 and 2 are correct.

– Statement 1: The Legislature of India (Parliament) can confer additional powers on the Union and impose duties upon it in order to make laws related to subjects in the State List effective. While State List subjects are primarily under the purview of state legislatures, the Constitution provides mechanisms where Parliament can legislate on State List subjects (e.g., under Articles 249, 250, 252, 253). When Parliament makes a law on a State List subject under these special provisions, it can confer powers on Union agencies or impose duties on the Union executive to ensure the effective implementation of such laws. This makes the statement correct.
– Statement 2: The executive power of the Union extends to giving directions to the States for the construction and maintenance of means of communication declared to be of national or military importance. This is explicitly stated in Article 257(2) of the Constitution.

– Article 249: Parliament can legislate on a State List subject if Rajya Sabha declares it necessary in national interest (2/3 majority).
– Article 250: Parliament can legislate on any subject in the State List during a Proclamation of Emergency.
– Article 252: Parliament can legislate on a State List subject if two or more states request it.
– Article 253: Parliament can legislate on any subject to implement international treaties.
– Article 257 deals with the control of the Union over States in certain cases, including directions regarding communications.

40. Which one among the following is NOT the subject matter of channels of

Which one among the following is NOT the subject matter of channels of inter-governmental relations?

[amp_mcq option1=”Legislation and policy making” option2=”Administration” option3=”Fiscal adjustment” option4=”Judicial co-ordination” correct=”option4″]

This question was previously asked in

UPSC Geoscientist – 2021

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Inter-governmental relations primarily involve interactions and coordination between different levels of the executive and legislature (Centre-State, State-State) concerning policy, administration, and finance. Legislation and policy making, administration, and fiscal adjustment are core areas of inter-governmental relations. Judicial co-ordination pertains to the interaction and hierarchy within the judicial system itself, which is separate from the executive and legislative interactions between governments.

Channels of inter-governmental relations relate to executive, legislative, and fiscal interactions between governments, not internal judicial coordination.

Inter-governmental relations are facilitated through various mechanisms like the Inter-State Council, Zonal Councils, conferences of Chief Ministers or relevant ministers, and administrative arrangements. Fiscal adjustment is crucial and involves transfer of resources and coordination on taxation and expenditure.