Inter-state Relations

1.Inter-State Water Disputes

• Article 262 and Adjudication of Water DisputesImportance 5/5
  Article 262 deals with disputes over the use, distribution and control of the waters of inter-state rivers and river valleys. What two things may Parliament do under it, especially about the jurisdiction of the Supreme Court and other courts? Remember the two laws Parliament made under this Article.
• River Boards Act, 1956Importance 3/5
  What is a river board meant to do, who sets it up, and at whose request? Be clear whether a river board decides disputes or only advises the states.
• Inter-State River Water Disputes Act, 1956Importance 5/5
  Who can set up a tribunal under this Act to settle a water dispute between states, and what does it mean that the tribunal is ad hoc? Understand how binding its decision is on the states, and whether any court can hear a dispute referred to it. Also know what the Supreme Court held in the Cauvery case (2016) about appeals under Article 136 against a tribunal's award. You should be able to explain how such a tribunal differs from a river board.
• Inter-State Water Disputes Tribunals Set UpImportance 4/5
  Remember the water disputes tribunals set up so far, the year each was set up and the states involved in each. The Krishna river has had two tribunals; know when each one was set up. For the second Krishna tribunal, also know how its parties and terms of reference changed after Telangana was formed in 2014.

2.Inter-State Councils

• Article 263: President's Power to Establish an Inter-State CouncilImportance 5/5UPSC 1995, 2025
  Who can set up an Inter-State Council under Article 263, and on what condition? Know who decides its duties, organisation and procedure, and the coordination it is meant to bring between states, and between the Centre and the states.
• Duties Under Article 263Importance 4/5
  What three duties does Article 263 say can be given to an Inter-State Council? Remember them by their clause letters, (a), (b) and (c), because the Sarkaria Commission's recommendation refers to them by letter.
• Inter-State Council versus Supreme Court Under Article 131Importance 4/5
  How does the council's role in disputes between states differ from the Supreme Court's role under Article 131? Understand two points: whether each can deal with legal or non-legal disputes, and whether its decision is advisory or binding.
• Other Councils Under Article 263Importance 3/5
  Which councils has the President set up under Article 263 for better coordination of policy in particular subjects? Be clear that councils set up by an Act of Parliament are not Article 263 councils. The Central Council of Indian Medicine (dissolved in 2021) was one such Act-based council.
• Sarkaria Commission on a Permanent Inter-State CouncilImportance 4/5
  The Sarkaria Commission on Centre-State Relations (1983–88) argued for a permanent Inter-State Council. What name did it suggest for the council, and why? Which clauses of Article 263 did it want the council's duties to cover, and which did it leave out?
• Establishment and Composition of the Inter-State CouncilImportance 5/5
  When was the Inter-State Council set up, by which government, and through what kind of order? Remember its six categories of members, who chairs it, and who the permanent invitees are.
• Nature and Functioning of the Inter-State CouncilImportance 4/5
  Understand whether the Inter-State Council takes decisions or only makes recommendations, and which relations it deals with. Know its three duties, including the matters its chairman can refer to it. How often may it meet, are its meetings open, and how does it decide questions?
• Standing Committee and Inter-State Council SecretariatImportance 3/5
  Why and when was the Standing Committee of the Inter-State Council set up, and who are its members (and its chairman)? Know when the Inter-State Council Secretariat was set up, who heads it, and what extra role it has had since 2011.

3.Public Acts, Records and Judicial Proceedings

• Full Faith and Credit ClauseImportance 4/5
  Each state's jurisdiction is limited to its own territory. Why does this make the "Full Faith and Credit" clause in Article 261 necessary? Know what the clause guarantees, and what the terms "public acts" and "public record" cover.
• Parliament's Power over Proof and EffectImportance 3/5
  What can Parliament lay down by law about how the acts, records and judicial proceedings of one state are proved in another state, and what effect they have there? Understand how this power limits the general rule of full faith and credit.
• Execution of Court Judgements Across StatesImportance 4/5
  Can the final judgement of a civil court in one state be carried out in another state, and is a fresh suit needed for it? Does the same rule apply to criminal judgements? Be clear what this means for the penal laws of one state in the courts of another.

4.Inter-State Trade and Commerce

• Article 301: Freedom of Trade, Commerce and IntercourseImportance 5/5
  Remember which Part and which Articles of the Constitution deal with trade, commerce and intercourse, and the subject of each Article (one of them has been repealed). What does Article 301 declare, and what is its object? Understand whether it covers trade within a state as well as trade between states.
• Parliament's Power to Restrict Trade and CommerceImportance 4/5
  On what ground can Parliament restrict trade, commerce and intercourse between states or within a state? Parliament cannot favour one state or discriminate between states; know the one situation in which it may. Know the Essential Commodities Act, 1955 as an example of such a law.
• State Restrictions and Taxes on Trade and CommerceImportance 5/5
  What restrictions can a state legislature place on trade with or within the state? Know the ground and the test these restrictions must meet, and the condition for introducing such a bill. Understand when a state may tax goods brought in from other states or union territories, and how this rule prevents discriminatory taxes.
• Nationalisation Laws and State MonopoliesImportance 3/5
  How do laws creating monopolies for the Centre or the states (nationalisation laws) limit the freedom under Article 301? Understand what such laws let a government do in a trade, business, industry or service, and what that means for citizens who want to carry it on.
• Authority Under Article 307Importance 3/5
  Under Article 307, what authority can Parliament appoint, and what can it give that authority? Has such an authority ever been appointed in India? Remember the comparable body in the USA, and whether it still exists.

5.Zonal Councils

• Legal Basis and Zones of the Zonal CouncilsImportance 5/5UPSC 1995, 2013, 2025
  Are the Zonal Councils constitutional or statutory bodies, and under which Act were they set up? Remember the zones the country was divided into and the factors considered when forming them.
• Members and Advisers of a Zonal CouncilImportance 4/5
  Who are the members of a zonal council, and who nominates each kind of member? Remember all four categories, including the members from union territories. Who can be associated with a council as an adviser, and how does an adviser's position in meetings differ from a member's?
• Chairman and Vice-Chairman of Zonal CouncilsImportance 4/5
  Remember who is the common chairman of the zonal councils, how the vice-chairman of each council is chosen, and how long a vice-chairman holds office.
• Nature and Objectives of Zonal CouncilsImportance 4/5
  Do zonal councils take binding decisions, or do they only discuss and advise? Know the kinds of matters they discuss and their six objectives. You should be able to explain how they help cooperation between the states, union territories and the Centre.
• North-Eastern CouncilImportance 4/5
  Under which Act was the North-Eastern Council created, and in which year did it come into existence? Remember its eight member states, including the state added in 2002. Which two functions does it have in addition to those of the zonal councils?
• Zonal Councils: Member States and HeadquartersImportance 3/5
  Know which states and union territories belong to each zonal council, and which ones belong to none of them. Remember where each council has its headquarters.

1. 1.

   With reference to inter-state water disputes, consider the following statements:
   1. Parliament may by law provide that neither the Supreme Court nor any other court shall exercise jurisdiction over such disputes.
   2. River boards are established by the state governments concerned, without any role for the Central government.
   Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

   1. A1 only
   2. B2 only
   3. CBoth 1 and 2
   4. DNeither 1 nor 2
2. 2.

   Match List I with List II:

   List I (Water Disputes Tribunal)	List II (Year set up)
   A. Ravi and Beas	1. 2004
   B. Cauvery	2. 1990
   C. Mahanadi	3. 2018
   D. Krishna Tribunal-II	4. 1986

   Select the correct answer using the code given below:

   1. AA-2, B-4, C-3, D-1
   2. BA-4, B-2, C-1, D-3
   3. CA-4, B-2, C-3, D-1
   4. DA-2, B-4, C-1, D-3
3. 3.

   Consider the following states:
   1. Rajasthan
   2. Gujarat
   3. Madhya Pradesh
   4. Maharashtra
   How many of the above were involved in the Narmada Water Disputes Tribunal (1969)?

   1. AOnly one
   2. BOnly two
   3. COnly three
   4. DAll four
4. 4.

   Consider the following statements:
   Statement-I: The Inter-State Council's function of enquiring into and advising upon inter-state disputes is complementary to the Supreme Court's jurisdiction under Article 131.
   Statement-II: Four Regional Councils for Sales Tax have been established under Article 263.
   Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?

   1. ABoth Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II explains Statement-I
   2. BBoth Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II does not explain Statement-I
   3. CStatement-I is correct but Statement-II is incorrect
   4. DStatement-I is incorrect but Statement-II is correct
5. 5.

   With reference to the composition of the Inter-State Council, consider the following statements:
   1. The Prime Minister is its Chairman.
   2. Governors of states under President's rule are its members.
   3. The Chief Justice of India is its member.
   Which of the statements given above are correct?

   1. A1 and 2 only
   2. B2 and 3 only
   3. C1 and 3 only
   4. D1, 2 and 3
6. 6.

   Which of the following have been established by the President under Article 263?
   1. Central Council of Health and Family Welfare
   2. Central Council of Local Government
   3. Zonal Councils
   Select the correct answer using the code given below:

   1. A1 only
   2. B1 and 2 only
   3. C2 and 3 only
   4. D1, 2 and 3
7. 7.

   Consider the following statements about the Inter-State Council:
   1. It may meet at least thrice a year; its meetings are held in camera and all questions are decided by consensus.
   2. Its Standing Committee is chaired by the Prime Minister.
   Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

   1. A1 only
   2. B2 only
   3. CBoth 1 and 2
   4. DNeither 1 nor 2
8. 8.

   With reference to the 'Full Faith and Credit' clause, consider the following statements:
   1. 'Public acts' include both legislative and executive acts of the government.
   2. Final judgements and orders of civil courts are capable of execution anywhere in India.
   3. The courts of a state are required to enforce the penal laws of another state.
   How many of the above statements are correct?

   1. AOnly one
   2. BOnly two
   3. CAll three
   4. DNone
9. 9.

   Articles 301 to 307, dealing with trade, commerce and intercourse within the territory of India, are contained in which Part of the Constitution?

   1. APart XI
   2. BPart XII
   3. CPart XIII
   4. DPart XIV
10. 10.

    With reference to the freedom of trade, commerce and intercourse, consider the following statements:
    1. The freedom under Article 301 extends to intra-state as well as inter-state trade, commerce and intercourse.
    2. A state bill imposing reasonable restrictions on this freedom can be introduced only with the previous sanction of the President.
    3. Parliament may give preference to one state over another in normal times.
    Which of the statements given above are correct?

    1. A1 and 2 only
    2. B2 and 3 only
    3. C1 and 3 only
    4. D1, 2 and 3
11. 11.

    Consider the following statements:
    Statement-I: The Zonal Councils are statutory and not constitutional bodies.
    Statement-II: The Zonal Councils were established by an Act of Parliament, the States Reorganisation Act of 1956.
    Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?

    1. ABoth Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II explains Statement-I
    2. BBoth Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II does not explain Statement-I
    3. CStatement-I is correct but Statement-II is incorrect
    4. DStatement-I is incorrect but Statement-II is correct
12. 12.

    Consider the following:
    1. The Home Minister of the Central government
    2. The chief ministers of all the states in the zone
    3. Two other ministers from each state in the zone
    4. The chief secretary of each state in the zone, as a voting member
    How many of the above are members of a zonal council?

    1. AOnly one
    2. BOnly two
    3. COnly three
    4. DAll four
13. 13.

    Consider the following statements about the zonal councils:
    1. Each chief minister acts as vice-chairman of the council by rotation, holding office for two years at a time.
    2. The Home Minister of the Central government is the common chairman of the five zonal councils.
    Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

    1. A1 only
    2. B2 only
    3. CBoth 1 and 2
    4. DNeither 1 nor 2
14. 14.

    Consider the following statements about the North-Eastern Council:
    1. It was created by a separate Act of Parliament, the North-Eastern Council Act of 1971.
    2. Sikkim is a member of the Council.
    3. It has to formulate a unified and coordinated regional plan covering matters of common importance.
    How many of the above statements are correct?

    1. AOnly one
    2. BOnly two
    3. CAll three
    4. DNone
15. 15.

    Consider the following statements:
    Statement-I: Parliament has appointed an appropriate authority to carry out the purposes of the provisions on freedom of trade, commerce and intercourse.
    Statement-II: Parliament can confer the necessary powers and duties on such an authority.
    Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?

    1. ABoth Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II explains Statement-I
    2. BBoth Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II does not explain Statement-I
    3. CStatement-I is correct but Statement-II is incorrect
    4. DStatement-I is incorrect but Statement-II is correct

1. 1.

   UPSC 1995

   Which of the following is/are extra-constitutional and extra-legal device(s) for securing cooperation and coordination between the States in India?
   I. The National Development Council
   II. The Governors’ Conference
   III. Zonal Councils
   IV. The Interstate Council
   Choose the correct answer from the codes given below:

   1. AI, II and III
   2. BI, III and IV
   3. CIII and IV
   4. DIV only
2. 2.

   UPSC 2025

   With reference to India, consider the following :
   I. The Inter-State Council
   II. The National Security Council
   III. Zonal Councils
   How many of the above were established as per the provisions of the Constitution of India?

   1. AOnly one
   2. BOnly two
   3. CAll the three
   4. DNone
3. 3.

   UPSC 2013

   Which of the following bodies does not/do not find mention in the Constitution?
   1. National Development Council
   2. Planning Commission
   3. Zonal Councils
   Select the correct answer using the codes given below:

   1. A1 and 2 only
   2. B2 only
   3. C1 and 3 only
   4. D1, 2 and 3