Union-State Relations
Constitution Special · केंद्र-राज्य संबंध
📋Quick Overview
India is a federal state with a strong centre — often described as 'quasi-federal' or 'federal with unitary features'. The 7th Schedule (Art 246) divides legislative powers between the Union and States. The Union List has 100 subjects (Parliament legislates), State List has 61 subjects (State legislates), and the Concurrent List has 52 subjects (both can legislate; Parliament prevails in conflict). Residuary powers lie with Parliament (unlike the USA where they go to states). The Sarkaria Commission (1983) studied Centre-State relations and recommended greater autonomy for states.
India's federalism is unique — the Constitution uses the word 'India, that is Bharat, shall be a Union of States' (Art 1). NOT 'federation'. States cannot secede from the Union. This reflects India's indestructible union of destructible states.
📖7th Schedule — Union-State-Concurrent Lists
| List | No. of Subjects | Key Subjects | Who Legislates? | Conflict Resolution |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Union List (List I) | 100 | Defence, Foreign Affairs, Railways, Banking, Currency, Nuclear Energy, Posts & Telegraphs, Customs, Income Tax, Census, Citizenship | Parliament ONLY | Parliament prevails always |
| State List (List II) | 61 | Public Order, Police, Public Health, Agriculture, Land, Irrigation, Local Government, Markets, Fisheries, Entertainment Tax, State Public Service | State Legislature ONLY (Parliament in special cases) | State law prevails normally |
| Concurrent List (List III) | 52 | Criminal Law & Procedure, Civil Procedure, Marriage/Divorce, Education, Forests, Trade Unions, Electricity, Newspapers, Price Control, Drugs, Social Security, Population Control | BOTH Parliament and State (normally State; Parliament law prevails on conflict) | Central (Parliament) law prevails in repugnancy |
📖Centre-State Relations — Key Articles
| Article | Provision |
|---|---|
| Art 245 | Parliament legislates for whole/part of India; State for whole/part of state |
| Art 246 | 7th Schedule — 3 lists; Parliament on UL, State on SL, both on CL |
| Art 248 | Residuary powers — Parliament can legislate on any subject not in any list |
| Art 249 | Rajya Sabha can allow Parliament to legislate on State List subjects (by 2/3 majority, national interest) |
| Art 250 | During National Emergency, Parliament can legislate on State List subjects |
| Art 256 | States must comply with laws of Parliament and laws made by Executive of Union |
| Art 263 | Inter-State Council — President can establish; PM as Chair; coordinates Centre-State relations |
| Art 280 | Finance Commission — every 5 years; tax devolution to states |
| Art 262 | Parliament can exclude SC jurisdiction in river water disputes; Inter-State River Water Disputes Act |
📝Key Commissions on Centre-State Relations
- •Sarkaria Commission (1983): Headed by Justice R.S. Sarkaria; recommended cooperative federalism; greater role for states; reviewed use of Art 356 (President's Rule)
- •Punchhi Commission (2007): Reviewed Centre-State relations; recommended greater state autonomy; reducing misuse of Art 356
- •Rajamannar Committee (1969): Set up by Tamil Nadu; demanded more autonomy for states; 'true federalism'
- •Anandpur Sahib Resolution (1973): Punjab demanded more powers to states