Union-State Relations — Set 12
Constitution Special · केंद्र-राज्य संबंध · Questions 111–120 of 140
Article 253 empowers Parliament to make any law for implementing treaties and international agreements. This gives Parliament power to override?
Correct Answer: B. B) State List subjects
Article 253 provides that notwithstanding anything in the foregoing provisions of the Chapter, Parliament has power to make any law for the whole or any part of the territory of India for implementing any treaty, agreement or convention with any other country or countries or any decision made at any international conference. This includes making laws on State List subjects if needed for international obligations. Parliament is the supreme legislative body of India, consisting of the President, Lok Sabha, and Rajya Sabha.
The Inter-State Council established under Article 263 is chaired by?
Correct Answer: C. C) Prime Minister
The Inter-State Council established under Article 263 is chaired by the Prime Minister of India. Its membership includes Chief Ministers of all states, Chief Ministers of Union Territories with legislatures, and six Cabinet Ministers of the Union Government nominated by the Prime Minister. The Council was established by Presidential Order in 1990 following the Sarkaria Commission's recommendations to promote cooperative federalism.
Under Article 256, it is the obligation of every state to ensure that its executive power is exercised so as not to impede or prejudice?
Correct Answer: B. B) Exercise of executive power of the Union
Article 256 provides that the executive power of every State shall be so exercised as to ensure compliance with the laws made by Parliament and any existing laws which apply in that State, and the executive power of the Union shall extend to the giving of such directions to a State as may appear to the Government of India to be necessary for that purpose. This establishes the supremacy of Union executive directions. Understanding this constitutional provision is essential for competitive examinations and civic awareness.
The Zonal Councils established under the States Reorganisation Act 1956 are advisory bodies. How many Zonal Councils exist in India currently?
Correct Answer: B. B) 5
India has 5 Zonal Councils: Northern, Central, Eastern, Western, and Southern. These are statutory bodies (not constitutional) established under the States Reorganisation Act 1956. Each council is chaired by the Union Home Minister. They are advisory bodies to discuss matters of common interest including economic and social planning, border disputes, and inter-state transport. The Northeast Council is a separate body.
Article 262 deals with adjudication of inter-state water disputes. Which body has been established under this article?
Correct Answer: B. B) Inter-State Water Disputes Tribunal
Article 262 provides that Parliament may by law provide for the adjudication of any dispute or complaint with respect to the use, distribution or control of waters of any inter-state river or river valley. Under this provision, Parliament has enacted the Inter-State River Water Disputes Act 1956, which provides for the constitution of Tribunals for adjudication of water disputes between states. Tribunals like Cauvery, Krishna, and Narmada have been constituted.
Under Article 257, the executive power of the Union extends to giving directions to states for?
Correct Answer: B. B) Construction and maintenance of means of communication declared to be of national importance
Article 257(2) provides that the executive power of the Union shall also extend to the giving of directions to a State as to the construction and maintenance of means of communication declared in the direction to be of national or military importance. This means the Centre can direct states to construct national highways, railways facilities, or military roads even if these are otherwise a state subject. Understanding this constitutional provision is essential for competitive examinations and civic awareness.
The concept of 'Cooperative Federalism' in India is best illustrated by which institution?
Correct Answer: B. B) GST Council
The GST Council established under Article 279A (added by the 101st Amendment Act 2016) is the best example of cooperative federalism in India. It is a constitutional body comprising the Union Finance Minister and state finance ministers. Decisions are made by a weighted voting system: 1/3 vote for Centre and 2/3 votes for states combined. The unanimous adoption of GST represented a landmark achievement in Centre-State cooperation.
Under Article 258, the Union Government can entrust functions to state governments with their consent. What is the corresponding article that allows states to entrust functions to the Union?
Correct Answer: A. A) Article 258A
Article 258A provides that the Governor of a State may, with the consent of the Government of India, entrust to that Government or to its officers functions in relation to any matter to which the executive power of the State extends. This is the reverse of Article 258 which allows the Union to entrust functions to States. Article 258A was added by the 7th Amendment Act 1956.
The 'All India Services' common to both Union and States are mentioned under which article?
Correct Answer: B. B) Article 312
Article 312 empowers Parliament to create new All India Services common to the Union and the States, if the Rajya Sabha declares by a resolution supported by not less than two-thirds of the members present and voting that it is necessary or expedient in the national interest to do so. The existing All India Services (IAS, IPS, IFS) were continued from the pre-Constitution era. All India Services officers serve both Centre and States.
Under which article can the President refer a dispute between states to the Supreme Court for its opinion?
Correct Answer: C. C) Article 143
Article 143 provides that the President may refer a question of law or fact which appears to him to be of public importance to the Supreme Court for its advisory opinion. While Article 131 gives original jurisdiction to the Supreme Court for disputes between states, Article 143 is the provision for presidential reference. The Supreme Court's opinion under Article 143 is advisory and not binding like a judgment.