Indian Polity — Inter-State Council and Zonal Councils
1. Inter-State Council
- Article 263 contemplates the establishment of an Inter-State Council.
- The President can establish such a council at any time it appears to him that public interest would be served by its establishment.
Members
- Prime Minister as Chairman.
- Chief Ministers of all the states.
- Chief Ministers of UTs having legislative assemblies.
- Administrators of UTs not having legislative assemblies.
- Governors of states under the President's rule.
- Six Central cabinet ministers, including the Home Minister, are to be nominated by the PM.
- Five ministers of the cabinet rank / Minister of State (independent charge) nominated by the Chairman of the Council (i.e., Prime Minister) are permanent invitees of the council.
KEY FEATURES
- Meetings: The council meetings are supposed to be held thrice a year.
- Decision Making: It makes decisions based on consensus.
- Article 263: Provides for the establishment of Inter-State Council.
- Chairman: Prime Minister of India.
KNOWLEDGE NUGGET
- Article 263: Inter-State Council
- Chairman: Prime Minister
- Members: All CMs, Governors (under President's Rule), Administrators of UTs, 6 Central Ministers nominated by PM
- Meetings: Thrice a year
- Decision Making: Consensus-based
2. Zonal Councils
- Zonal Councils are statutory bodies. They are established by an Act of Parliament (States Reorganisation Act of 1956).
- The Act divided the country into six zones and provided a Zonal Council for each: Northern, Central, Eastern, Western, North-Eastern, and Southern.
Factors for Formation of Zones
- Natural divisions of the country.
- River systems and means of communication.
- Cultural and linguistic affinity.
- Requirements of economic development, security, and law and order.
Organisational Structure
| Position | Details |
|---|---|
| Chairman | The Union Home Minister. |
| Vice Chairman | The Chief Ministers of the States included in each zone act as Vice-Chairman of the Zonal Council for that zone by rotation, each holding office for one year at a time. |
| Members | Chief Minister and two other Ministers as nominated by the Governor from each of the States and two members from Union Territories included in the zone. |
| Advisors |
|
KEY FEATURES
- Statutory Body: Established by States Reorganisation Act, 1956.
- Six Zones: Northern, Central, Eastern, Western, North-Eastern, Southern.
- Chairman: Union Home Minister.
- Vice-Chairman: Chief Ministers (rotational, one-year term).
- Purpose: Promote cooperation and coordination between states and the Centre.
3. Inter-State Council vs Zonal Councils
| Feature | Inter-State Council | Zonal Councils |
|---|---|---|
| Constitutional / Statutory | Constitutional body (Article 263) | Statutory body (States Reorganisation Act, 1956) |
| Chairman | Prime Minister | Union Home Minister |
| Vice-Chairman | Not specified | Chief Ministers (rotational, one-year term) |
| Meetings | Thrice a year | As per requirement |
| Number | One | Six (Northern, Central, Eastern, Western, North-Eastern, Southern) |
4. Summary: Inter-State Council and Zonal Councils at a Glance
| Aspect | Inter-State Council | Zonal Councils |
|---|---|---|
| Article / Act | Article 263 | States Reorganisation Act, 1956 |
| Nature | Constitutional | Statutory |
| Chairman | Prime Minister | Union Home Minister |
| Number of Councils | 1 | 6 |
| Meetings | Thrice a year | As required |
Key Takeaways for UPSC
- Inter-State Council (Article 263): Constitutional body — Chairman: Prime Minister — Meetings thrice a year — Consensus-based decision making.
- Zonal Councils: Statutory bodies — States Reorganisation Act, 1956 — 6 zones — Chairman: Union Home Minister — Vice-Chairman: Chief Ministers (rotational).
- Six Zones: Northern, Central, Eastern, Western, North-Eastern, Southern.
- Factors for Zones: Natural divisions, river systems, cultural and linguistic affinity, economic development, security, law and order.
High-Yield Interactive UPSC Quiz (Inter-State Council and Zonal Councils)
Q1. The Inter-State Council is established under which Article of the Constitution?
Correct Answer: B. The Inter-State Council is established under Article 263 of the Constitution.
Q2. Who is the Chairman of the Inter-State Council?
Correct Answer: B. The Prime Minister is the Chairman of the Inter-State Council.
Q3. Zonal Councils were established under which Act?
Correct Answer: C. Zonal Councils were established by the States Reorganisation Act of 1956.
Q4. How many Zonal Councils are there in India?
Correct Answer: C. There are six Zonal Councils: Northern, Central, Eastern, Western, North-Eastern, and Southern.
Q5. Who is the Chairman of the Zonal Councils?
Correct Answer: C. The Union Home Minister is the Chairman of all Zonal Councils.
Q6. The Vice-Chairman of Zonal Councils serves for a term of:
Correct Answer: B. The Vice-Chairman of Zonal Councils (Chief Ministers) serve for a term of one year by rotation.
Q7. The Inter-State Council meetings are supposed to be held:
Correct Answer: C. The Inter-State Council meetings are supposed to be held thrice a year.
Q8. Which of the following is NOT a factor for forming Zonal Councils?
Correct Answer: C. Population size is NOT a factor for forming Zonal Councils. Factors include natural divisions, river systems, cultural and linguistic affinity, and requirements of economic development, security, and law and order.
Q9. The Inter-State Council is a:
Correct Answer: B. The Inter-State Council is a Constitutional body established under Article 263.
Q10. The Inter-State Council makes decisions based on:
Correct Answer: C. The Inter-State Council makes decisions based on consensus.