Eduqo
Indian Polity & Constitution›Ch 7: Federalism & Local Government›Centre-State Relations
Part XI & XII of the Indian Constitution detailing Legislative, Administrative & Financial powers.
India has a quasi-federal system where legislative, administrative, and financial relations are clearly divided between the Union and States under the Seventh Schedule, with residuary powers resting with the Parliament.
Memory Hooks
| Type | Articles | Key Focus |
|---|---|---|
| Legislative | Art 245-255 | Territorial extent & Lists |
| Administrative | Art 256-263 | Directions & All-India Services |
| Financial | Art 268-293 | Tax distribution & Grants |
Union List
(National importance subjects)
National importance subjects
Parliament holds exclusive law-making power over defence and foreign affairs.
State List
(Regional governance subjects)
Regional governance subjects
States make laws on police, public health, and sanitation.
Concurrent
(Shared legislative domain)
Shared legislative domain
Both Centre and States can legislate, but Central law prevails in case of conflict.
Residuary
(Unlisted matters power)
Unlisted matters power
Cyber laws and IT matters fall under residuary powers assigned to Parliament.
Residuary powers given to StatesResiduary powers given to Parliament
Unlike the US/Australia where residuary powers go to states, in India they rest with the Union Parliament.
State law prevails in Concurrent ListCentral law prevails in Concurrent List
In case of repugnancy on a Concurrent List matter, the parliamentary law prevails over the state law.
Punchhi Commission dealt with BankingPunchhi Commission dealt with Centre-State
Both Sarkaria (1983) and Punchhi (2007) Commissions were appointed to examine Centre-State relations.
Q1.Under which Article can Parliament make laws on the State List in the national interest?
Q2.The concept of Concurrent List in the Indian Constitution is borrowed from which country?