Centre-State Relations
Indian Polity · केंद्र-राज्य संबंध
📋Quick Overview
Centre-State relations in India are divided into 3 categories: Legislative (Art 245–255), Administrative (Art 256–263), and Financial (Art 268–293). The 7th Schedule of the Constitution contains 3 lists — Union List, State List, and Concurrent List — which define the legislative powers of Centre and States. Residuary powers lie with the Centre (Parliament). Key bodies like the Inter-State Council (Art 263), Finance Commission (Art 280), and GST Council play crucial roles. The Sarkaria Commission (1983) and Punchhi Commission (2007) examined Centre-State relations.
7th Schedule: Union List (100 subjects), State List (61 subjects), Concurrent List (52 subjects). Residuary powers with Parliament.
📖3 Lists in 7th Schedule
| Feature | Union List | State List | Concurrent List |
|---|---|---|---|
| Who can make laws | Only Parliament | Only State Legislature | Both Parliament and State |
| No. of Subjects | 100 (originally 97) | 61 (originally 66) | 52 (originally 47) |
| Key Subjects | Defence, Banking, Foreign Affairs, Railways, Atomic Energy, Currency | Police, Public Health, Agriculture, Land, State Tax | Education, Forest, Marriage, Adoption, Criminal Law, Trade Unions |
| In case of conflict | — | — | Parliament (Central) law prevails |
Education was transferred from State List to Concurrent List by the 42nd Amendment (1976)
📖3 Types of Centre-State Relations
| Type | Articles | Key Points |
|---|---|---|
| Legislative | 245–255 | 3 lists, Residuary powers with Centre, Parliament can legislate on State List during Emergency |
| Administrative | 256–263 | Centre can give directions to states, All-India Services, Inter-State Council (Art 263) |
| Financial | 268–293 | Distribution of taxes, Grants-in-Aid, Finance Commission (Art 280), GST Council |
📝Key Bodies & Commissions
- •Inter-State Council (Art 263): Advisory body to investigate disputes between states. Set up by President. Chaired by PM.
- •Finance Commission (Art 280): Recommends distribution of taxes between Centre and States. Appointed by President every 5 years.
- •GST Council (Art 279A): Recommends GST rates. Added by 101st Amendment (2016). Chaired by Union Finance Minister.
- •Sarkaria Commission (1983): Examined Centre-State relations. Recommended Inter-State Council (set up in 1990).
- •Punchhi Commission (2007): Examined Centre-State relations after Sarkaria. Recommended limits on Governor's powers.
- •Zonal Councils: 5 zonal councils set up under States Reorganisation Act 1956. Union Home Minister is Chairman of all.
📝Special Provisions & Residuary Powers
- •Residuary Powers (Art 248): Subjects NOT in any list → Parliament can legislate (borrowed from Canada)
- •During National Emergency: Parliament can make laws on State List subjects
- •Art 249: Rajya Sabha by 2/3 majority can allow Parliament to legislate on State List in national interest
- •Art 252: If 2+ state legislatures request, Parliament can make law on State List subject for those states
- •Art 253: Parliament can make law on any subject to implement international treaty/agreement
- •In Concurrent List conflict: Central law prevails over State law (Doctrine of Repugnancy)