Indian Polity — Centre-State Relations
1. Committees and Commissions on Centre-State Relations
| Committee / Commission | Year |
|---|---|
| 1st Administrative Reforms Commission | 1966 |
| Rajamannar Committee | 1969 |
| Sarkaria Commission | 1983 |
| MM Punchhi Commission | 2007 |
KNOWLEDGE NUGGET
- Sarkaria Commission (1983): Most comprehensive review of Centre-State relations
- MM Punchhi Commission (2007): Follow-up to Sarkaria Commission
- Rajamannar Committee (1969): Appointed by Tamil Nadu government
- 1st ARC (1966): Administrative reforms in Centre-State relations
2. Centre-State Legislative Relations
| Article | Provision |
|---|---|
| Article 249 | Power of Parliament to legislate with respect to a matter in the State List in the national interest. |
| Article 250 | Power of Parliament to legislate with respect to any matter in the State List if a proclamation of emergency is in operation. |
| Article 252 | Power of Parliament to legislate for two or more states by consent and adoption of such legislation by any other state. |
| Article 253 | Legislation for giving effect to international agreements. |
KEY INSIGHT
- Article 249: Rajya Sabha can authorise Parliament to make laws on State List by special majority (2/3 present and voting).
- Article 250: During National Emergency, Parliament can legislate on State List.
- Article 252: Two or more states can request Parliament to make laws on State List subjects.
- Article 253: Parliament can make laws on any subject to implement international treaties and agreements.
3. Centre-State Administrative Relations
| Article | Provision |
|---|---|
| Article 256 | Obligation of States and the Union. |
| Article 257 | Control of the Union over States in certain cases. |
| Article 258 | Power of the Union to confer powers, etc., on States in certain cases. |
| Article 258A | Power of the States to entrust functions to the Union. |
| Article 260 | Jurisdiction of the Union in relation to territories outside India. |
KEY INSIGHT
- Article 256: States must ensure compliance with Union laws.
- Article 257: Centre can give directions to states on specified matters.
- Article 258: Centre can confer executive powers on states with their consent.
- Article 258A: States can entrust executive functions to the Centre.
4. Distribution of Revenues between the Union and the States
| Article | Provision |
|---|---|
| Article 268 | Duties levied by the Union but collected and appropriated by the States. |
| Article 269 | Taxes levied and collected by the Union but assigned to the States. |
| Article 269A | Levy and collection of Goods and Services Tax (GST) in the course of inter-State trade or commerce. |
| Article 270 | Taxes levied and distributed between the Union and the States. |
| Article 271 | Surcharge on certain duties and taxes for purposes of the Union. |
| Article 279A | Goods and Services Tax Council. |
📝 UPSC PREVIOUS YEAR FOCUS
- Article 268: Duties on stamp papers and medical preparations — collected by states.
- Article 269: Taxes on sale/purchase of goods (except newspapers) — assigned to states.
- Article 269A: GST on inter-state trade — IGST levied and collected by Centre.
- Article 270: Income tax and corporation tax — shared between Centre and states.
- Article 271: Surcharge on taxes — kept by the Centre.
- Article 279A: GST Council — chaired by Union Finance Minister.
5. Summary: Centre-State Relations at a Glance
| Category | Key Articles | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Legislative | 249, 250, 252, 253 | Parliament's power to legislate on State List |
| Administrative | 256, 257, 258, 258A, 260 | Centre-State executive relations and control |
| Financial | 268, 269, 269A, 270, 271, 279A | Distribution of revenues and GST Council |
Key Takeaways for UPSC
- Legislative Relations: Articles 245-255 — distribution of legislative powers
- Administrative Relations: Articles 256-263 — executive relations
- Financial Relations: Articles 264-293 — distribution of revenues
- Article 249: Rajya Sabha can authorise Parliament to make laws on State List
- Article 250: Parliament can legislate on State List during Emergency
- Article 252: Two or more states can request Parliament to make laws
- Article 253: Parliament can implement international agreements
- GST Council: Article 279A — chaired by Union Finance Minister
- Commissions: Sarkaria (1983), MM Punchhi (2007), Rajamannar (1969)
High-Yield Interactive UPSC Quiz (Centre-State Relations)
Q1. The Sarkaria Commission on Centre-State Relations was set up in which year?
Correct Answer: C. The Sarkaria Commission was set up in 1983 to examine the Centre-State relations and suggest reforms.
Q2. Article 249 empowers Parliament to legislate on State List subjects in:
Correct Answer: B. Article 249 empowers Parliament to legislate with respect to a matter in the State List in the national interest, on the recommendation of the Rajya Sabha by a special majority.
Q3. Which Article deals with the GST Council?
Correct Answer: C. Article 279A deals with the Goods and Services Tax (GST) Council, which is chaired by the Union Finance Minister.
Q4. Under Article 250, Parliament can legislate on State List subjects during:
Correct Answer: B. Article 250 empowers Parliament to legislate with respect to any matter in the State List if a proclamation of National Emergency is in operation.
Q5. The Rajamannar Committee on Centre-State Relations was appointed by:
Correct Answer: B. The Rajamannar Committee was appointed by the Tamil Nadu Government in 1969 to examine Centre-State relations.
Q6. Article 252 allows Parliament to legislate on State List subjects for:
Correct Answer: B. Article 252 empowers Parliament to legislate for two or more states by consent, and such legislation can be adopted by any other state.
Q7. Taxes levied and collected by the Union but assigned to the States are dealt under:
Correct Answer: B. Article 269 deals with taxes levied and collected by the Union but assigned to the States.
Q8. Article 271 deals with:
Correct Answer: B. Article 271 deals with surcharge on certain duties and taxes for purposes of the Union.
Q9. The MM Punchhi Commission was set up in which year?
Correct Answer: D. The MM Punchhi Commission on Centre-State Relations was set up in 2007 as a follow-up to the Sarkaria Commission.
Q10. Article 253 empowers Parliament to make laws for:
Correct Answer: C. Article 253 empowers Parliament to make laws for giving effect to international agreements, treaties, and conventions.