Complete detailed Notes on Centre-State Relations for BPSC and Other Competitive Exams in 2025
Indian Polity-6
Centre-State Relations
Overview
- Articles 245 to 263 of the Indian Constitution deal with Centre–State Relations.
- India is a federal country with a unitary bias – strong Centre and relatively less powerful States.
- Dr. B.R. Ambedkar called Indian federalism as “a Union of States”.
Legislative Relations (Articles 245–255)
Distribution of Legislative Powers:Centre-State Relations
The Constitution divides legislative subjects between the Centre and States via Seventh Schedule:
| List | Authority | No. of Subjects |
| Union List | Centre | 97 (now 100) |
| State List | States | 66 (now 61) |
| Concurrent List | Both | 47 (now 52) |
In case of conflict on Concurrent List: Union law prevails (Article 254).
Centre’s Dominance in Legislation:
- Article 249 – Parliament can legislate on State List items in national interest with Rajya Sabha resolution (2/3rd majority).
- Article 250 – During National Emergency, Parliament can legislate on State List.
- Article 252 – Two or more states can request Parliament to legislate for them on a State subject.
- Article 253 – Parliament can legislate on any subject to implement international treaties.
- Article 248 – Residuary powers rest with the Union Parliament.
Administrative Relations (Articles 256–263)
Centre’s Control Over States:
| Article | Provision |
| Article 256 | States must exercise their executive powers in a manner that doesn’t impede Union laws. |
| Article 257 | States must not impede Centre’s executive power; Centre can issue directions. |
| Article 258 | President may entrust Union functions to States. |
| Article 258A | Governor may entrust State functions to Union (added by 7th Amendment). |
| Article 261 | Public Acts and judicial proceedings recognized across India. |
All-India Services (like IAS, IPS):
- Controlled by Centre but work under States.
- Maintain administrative unity.
Obligation of States:
- States must implement laws made by Parliament.
- Union can give directions to States for proper functioning.
Financial Relations (Articles 268–293)
Division of Taxes:
| Type | Collection |
| Article 268 | Duties levied by Centre but collected by States (e.g., stamp duties, excise on medicinal products). |
| Article 269 | Taxes on inter-state trade (like old CST) levied and collected by Centre but assigned to States. |
| Article 270 | Taxes levied and collected by Centre, divided between Centre and States (e.g., Income Tax, GST). |
| Article 271 | Surcharge on Central taxes belongs to Centre. |
| Article 275 | Grants-in-aid to States from Consolidated Fund of India. |
| Article 280 | Finance Commission recommends financial devolution to States. |
Goods and Services Tax (GST):
- Introduced by 101st Amendment Act (2016).
- GST Council coordinates decisions between Centre and States.
- Shared between Centre and States based on formula.
Inter-State Council (Article 263)
Purpose:
- Promote coordination and resolve disputes between Centre and States or among States.
Established:
- Under Article 263.
- Constitutional body but not permanent.
- Set up by Presidential order on recommendation of Sarkaria Commission in 1990.
Composition:
- Chairman: Prime Minister
- Members: Chief Ministers of all States & UTs, 6 Union Ministers including Home Minister
- Functions:
- Investigate and discuss inter-state disputes.
- Make recommendations on coordination of policy and administration.
- Strengthen cooperative federalism.
Zonal Councils
Established under:
- States Reorganization Act, 1956 (Part-III) – statutory body, not constitutional.
Total: 5 Zonal Councils
| Zone | States Covered |
| Northern | Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir, Punjab, Rajasthan, Delhi, Chandigarh |
| Central | UP, Uttarakhand, MP, Chhattisgarh |
| Eastern | Bihar, Jharkhand, Odisha, West Bengal |
| Western | Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Goa |
| Southern | Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Puducherry |
North-Eastern Council is separate (created in 1971; Shillong HQ).
Composition:
- Chairperson: Union Home Minister
- Vice-Chairperson: CM of host state (on rotation)
- Purpose:
- Discuss regional issues like infrastructure, border disputes, law & order, development.
Important Commissions for Centre-State Relations
| Commission | Key Recommendations |
| Sarkaria Commission (1983) | Emphasized cooperative federalism, recommended setting up of Inter-State Council. |
| Punchhi Commission (2007) | Suggested fixed tenure for Governor, limit Article 356 misuse, strengthen federal structure. |
Quick Comparison Table: Centre vs State
| Aspect | Centre | State |
| Law-Making Power | Union List (100 subjects) | State List (61 subjects) |
| Finance | Controls major taxes | Receives shares, grants |
| Administration | Controls all-India services | Executes laws |
| Emergency Power | Dominant during emergency | Subordinate |
Expected MCQ/Descriptive Questions (UPSC/BPSC)
- Which Article allows Parliament to legislate on a State subject in national interest
→ Article 249 - Who chairs the Inter-State Council
→ Prime Minister - How many Zonal Councils are there in India
→ Five (NE Council is not a Zonal Council) - Which commission recommended the creation of the Inter-State Council
→ Sarkaria Commission - What is the constitutional provision for the Finance Commission
→ Article 280
