Page 12 – Centre-State Relations
Based on M. Laxmikanth – Indian Polity (6th Edition)
Key Idea Summary
Core concepts and exam relevance
Centre–State relations determine how power is shared between the Union and States in three key dimensions:
- Legislative – Who makes which laws?
- Administrative – Who executes and controls?
- Financial – Who collects and distributes money?
- Questions from Articles 245–263
- Union List dominance and Parliament's overriding power
- GST & Financial federalism – current affairs linked
- How Centre controls states through law, administration, finance
Three Dimensions of Centre-State Relations
Legislative, Administrative, Financial
A) Legislative Relations
Articles 245–255
- Parliament → Union List exclusively
- Parliament → Concurrent List (prevails in conflict)
- Parliament → State List under special conditions:
- National interest (Art. 249)
- State request (Art. 252)
- Emergency (Art. 250)
- International treaties (Art. 253)
B) Administrative Relations
Articles 256–263
- States follow Centre's executive directions
- All-India Services (IAS, IPS, IFS) ensure uniform administration
- Centre can deploy armed forces in states
- Centre controls inter-state disputes
- Governor appointed by Centre
C) Financial Relations
Articles 268–293
- Taxes divided between Centre & States
- Finance Commission recommends sharing
- GST Council for cooperative federalism
- Grants-in-aid strengthen Centre's influence
- States can't borrow abroad without Centre's consent
When Can Parliament Legislate on State List?
5 Exceptional circumstances
| Article | Circumstance | Requirement |
|---|---|---|
| Art. 249 | National Interest | Rajya Sabha passes resolution by 2/3 majority; valid for 1 year (renewable) |
| Art. 250 | During National Emergency | Parliament can legislate on any State subject while emergency is in force |
| Art. 252 | Two or more States request | States pass resolution requesting Parliament to legislate |
| Art. 253 | International Treaties | To implement any treaty or international agreement |
| Art. 356 | President's Rule | Parliament legislates for state under President's Rule |
Key Bodies in Centre-State Relations
Constitutional and statutory mechanisms
Finance Commission
- Article 280
- Constitutional body
- Recommends distribution of taxes
- Grants-in-aid to states
- Appointed every 5 years
- Currently: 16th FC (2021-26)
Inter-State Council
- Article 263
- Advisory body
- Investigates Centre-State disputes
- Established in 1990
- Chaired by Prime Minister
- Recommended by Sarkaria Commission
GST Council
- Article 279A (101st Amendment)
- Constitutional body (2016)
- Chaired by Union Finance Minister
- All state FMs are members
- Decides GST rates, exemptions
- Model of cooperative federalism
Simulation Lab
Centre-State Scenario Analyzer
🧪 Legislative Override Analyzer
Explore when Parliament can legislate on State subjects.
Select a scenario to see how Parliament can legislate on State List.
Exam Booster – Practice Questions
Test your understanding
1 Under which Article can Parliament legislate on State List if Rajya Sabha passes resolution?
Article 249 allows Parliament to legislate on State List if Rajya Sabha passes a resolution by 2/3 majority declaring the subject to be of national interest.
2 Which body recommends distribution of taxes between Centre and States?
The Finance Commission (Article 280) recommends distribution of taxes between Centre and States, and principles for grants-in-aid.
Memory Hooks & Quick Revision
Key takeaways for exam day
Revision Summary
3 Exam Points to Remember
- 1 Art. 249: RS resolution (2/3) → Parliament on State List | Art. 250: During Emergency
- 2 Finance Commission (Art. 280) = Tax distribution | ISC (Art. 263) = Disputes advisory
- 3 GST Council (Art. 279A) = Cooperative federalism model