SSC Polity CENTRE and STATE RELATIONS PPT Slides (LEC #16)

This article covers SSC Polity CENTRE and STATE RELATIONS PPT Slides (LEC #16), (केंद्र और राज्य संबंध), part of the Complete Foundation Batch PPT Series at slideshareppt.net. Centre-State Relations is one of the most important and comprehensive topics for SSC CGL, CHSL, CPO, and MTS exams. Questions are asked on the three lists (Union, State, Concurrent), Articles 245–263, Parliament’s power to legislate on State List, conflict resolution between Union and State laws, financial relations, the Finance Commission, Sarkaria Commission, and the Inter-State Council.

PPT Details

Field	Details
PPT Title	SSC Polity Centre and State Relations PPT Slides (LEC #16)
Subject	Polity – Centre and State Relations (केंद्र और राज्य संबंध)
Series	Complete Foundation Batch for All SSC and Other Exams (PPT Series)
Total Slides	86 PPT Slides
File Size	19 MB
Serial Number	#72
Lecture	LEC #16
Format	PowerPoint (.pptx) + PDF
Target Exams	SSC CGL, SSC CHSL, SSC MTS, SSC CPO, SSC GD, SSC Steno
Website	slideshareppt.net

SSC Polity CENTRE and STATE RELATIONS PPT Slides (LEC #16)

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1. Centre-State Relations – Overview

• India is a federal system with unitary bias – powers divided between Centre (Union) and States
• Centre-State relations are governed by three dimensions: Legislative, Administrative, and Financial
• Part XI of the Constitution (Articles 245–263) deals with Legislative and Administrative relations
• Part XII (Articles 264–300A) deals with Financial relations
• The 7th Schedule divides legislative powers into three lists: Union List, State List, Concurrent List
• India is described as ‘quasi-federal’ or ‘federal with unitary bias’ – Centre is stronger than States
• The term ‘Union’ (not ‘Federation’) was deliberately chosen by framers to indicate the indissoluble nature of the Indian State

2. Key Constitutional Articles – Centre-State Relations

Article	Subject
Article 245	Extent of laws made by Parliament and State Legislatures
Article 246	Subject matter of laws: Union List, State List, Concurrent List (7th Schedule)
Article 247	Parliament can provide for additional courts for better administration of certain laws
Article 248	Residuary powers of legislation – with Parliament
Article 249	Parliament can legislate on State List subject if RS passes resolution by 2/3 majority (national interest)
Article 250	Parliament can legislate on State List during National Emergency
Article 251	Inconsistency between Union and State laws – Union law prevails
Article 252	Parliament can legislate on State List if 2 or more states request it
Article 253	Parliament can legislate on any subject to implement international treaties
Article 254	Inconsistency between Union and State laws on Concurrent List – Union law prevails; unless State law reserved and assented by President
Article 256	Obligation of states and Union – states must ensure compliance with Union laws
Article 257	Control of Union over states in certain cases – states must not impede Union’s executive power
Article 258	Power of Union to confer powers on states
Article 260	Jurisdiction of Union over territories outside India
Article 261	Full faith and credit clause – public acts, records, judicial proceedings of Union and states
Article 262	Adjudication of disputes relating to waters of inter-state rivers
Article 263	Provisions for an Inter-State Council
Article 265	Taxes not to be imposed save by authority of law
Article 266	Consolidated Funds and public accounts of India and states
Article 268	Duties levied by Union but collected and appropriated by States
Article 270	Taxes levied and distributed between Union and States
Article 275	Grants from Union to States
Article 280	Finance Commission – constituted by President every 5 years
Article 293	Borrowing by States – with consent of Union if state has outstanding loans from Centre
Article 301	Freedom of trade, commerce, intercourse throughout India
Article 355	Duty of Union to protect states against external aggression and internal disturbance
Article 356	Imposition of President’s Rule in state
Article 360	Financial Emergency

3. Three Lists – 7th Schedule (Most Important for SSC)

List	Number of Subjects	Who Legislates	Key Subjects
Union List (List I)	100 subjects (originally 97; increased by amendments)	Parliament only	Defence, Foreign Affairs, Atomic Energy, Banking, Currency, Railways, Post & Telegraph, Insurance, Stock Exchanges, Citizenship, Extradition, Patents, Copyrights
State List (List II)	61 subjects (originally 66; reduced after reorganisation)	State Legislature only	Public Order, Police, Prisons, Local Government, Public Health, Agriculture, Land, Irrigation, Fisheries, Markets, Theatres, Betting
Concurrent List (List III)	52 subjects (originally 47; increased by amendments)	Both Parliament and State Legislature (Union law prevails in case of conflict)	Education, Marriage, Forests, Electricity, Trade Unions, Criminal Law, Civil Procedure, Evidence, Drugs, Economic Planning, Price Control, Newspapers

Key Points on the Three Lists

• Union List has the most important and numerous subjects – Centre has exclusive power
• In case of any conflict: Union List > State List; Union law > State law on Concurrent List
• Residuary powers (not in any list) – with Parliament (Article 248 + Entry 97 of Union List)
• Unlike USA where residuary powers are with states, in India they are with the Centre
• Forests, Education, and certain other subjects were moved from State List to Concurrent List by 42nd Amendment 1976
• GST subsumed many Union and State taxes after 101st Amendment 2016

4. Legislative Relations – Parliament’s Power Over State List

Under normal circumstances, Parliament cannot legislate on State List subjects. However, the Constitution provides five exceptional situations where Parliament can legislate on State List:

Situation	Article	Condition	Duration
National Interest – RS Resolution	249	Rajya Sabha passes resolution by 2/3 of members present and voting that it is necessary in national interest for Parliament to legislate on a State List subject	Resolution valid for 1 year; renewable; law ceases within 6 months after resolution lapses
National Emergency	250	During National Emergency (Article 352) – Parliament can legislate on State List subjects	Law ceases within 6 months after emergency ends
Request by States	252	If 2 or more state legislatures pass resolutions requesting Parliament to legislate on a State List subject	Law applies only to those states that passed resolution; other states may adopt later
International Treaties	253	Parliament can legislate on any subject (including State List) to implement international treaties, agreements, or conventions	No time limit – permanent law
President’s Rule in State	356	During President’s Rule – Parliament can legislate for that state on State List subjects	Law continues even after President’s Rule ends; but can be repealed/altered by state legislature after 6 months

5. Conflict Resolution Between Union and State Laws

List / Situation	Rule for Conflict Resolution	Article
Union List vs State List	Union law always prevails; Parliament has exclusive power over Union List	Article 246(1)
Concurrent List – Union vs State	If both Parliament and State Legislature make laws on same subject in Concurrent List, Union (Parliamentary) law prevails; State law void to extent of repugnancy	Article 254(1)
Concurrent List – Exception	If State law on Concurrent List subject was reserved for President’s consideration AND received President’s assent – State law prevails over Union law in that state	Article 254(2)
Residuary Powers	Parliament has exclusive power to legislate on any matter not enumerated in any List	Article 248 + Entry 97 of Union List
Concurrent List – New Union law	If Parliament later makes law on same Concurrent subject, new Union law prevails; State law becomes void to extent of repugnancy	Article 254(1)

Doctrine of Repugnancy – Article 254

• If there is repugnancy (conflict) between a Union law and a State law on a Concurrent List subject, Union law prevails
• The State law is void to the extent of repugnancy – not entirely void, just the conflicting part
• Exception under Article 254(2): If the State law was passed after and in addition to a Central law, AND was reserved for President’s consideration and received Presidential assent, the State law shall prevail in that state
• However, Parliament can at any time make a law which overrides the State law

6. Administrative Relations – Centre and States

Type	Details	Article
Union Executive Power	Extends to matters on Union List and matters where Parliament has power to legislate	Article 73
State Executive Power	Extends to matters on State List; must not impede Union’s executive power	Article 162 + Article 257
Centre’s obligation to states	Centre must protect states against external aggression and ensure constitutional governance	Article 355
State’s obligation to Centre	States must comply with laws made by Parliament; not impede Centre’s executive power	Article 256 + 257
Centre can give directions to states	Centre can give directions on construction of communication means, protection of railways, etc.	Article 257(2)(3)
All India Services	IAS, IPS, IFoS – serve both Centre and States; controlled ultimately by Centre	Article 312
Centre can confer powers on states	Parliament can by law vest powers in state officers to execute Union laws	Article 258
Delegation of functions	President can with state’s consent entrust functions to state governments	Article 258A (deleted)
Interstate disputes on water	Parliament can by law provide for adjudication of disputes on inter-state river waters	Article 262

All India Services – Article 312

• All India Services (AIS) are common to both the Centre and States
• Three All India Services: Indian Administrative Service (IAS), Indian Police Service (IPS), Indian Forest Service (IFoS)
• Members of AIS are recruited by Centre (through UPSC) but serve both Centre and State governments
• Service matters of AIS officers while on state deputation controlled by state; overall control with Centre
• New All India Services can be created only if Rajya Sabha passes a resolution by 2/3 majority (Article 312)

7. Financial Relations – Centre and States

Type	Details	Article
Finance Commission	President constitutes every 5 years; recommends distribution of taxes between Centre and States	Article 280
Duties levied by Union, collected by States	Stamp duties on bills of exchange, cheques; excise on medicines etc.	Article 268
Taxes levied and collected by Union, distributed to States	Income tax, corporation tax, customs, GST (after 101st Amendment)	Article 270
Grants-in-Aid	Parliament may by law provide grants-in-aid from CFI to states in need	Article 275
Grants for special purposes	Parliament can make grants for any purpose even if not in state’s legislative field	Article 282
Borrowing by States	States can borrow within India on the security of CFoS; if state has outstanding Union loan, needs Union consent	Article 293
Consolidated Fund of State	All revenues received by state government; all loans raised by state	Article 266
State’s taxation	State can only tax subjects in State List; cannot tax subjects in Union List	7th Schedule
GST Council	101st Amendment 2016; Centre + States make joint decisions on GST rates	Article 279A

Finance Commission – Article 280 (Most Important)

• President constitutes a Finance Commission every 5 years (or earlier if necessary)
• Composition: Chairman + 4 other members; qualifications prescribed by Parliament
• Functions: Recommends distribution of net proceeds of taxes between Centre and States; grants-in-aid to states; measures to augment Consolidated Fund of states to supplement resources of Panchayats and Municipalities
• 16th Finance Commission: constituted in 2023 under Dr. Arvind Panagariya; recommendations for 2026–2031
• 15th Finance Commission (2021–2026): recommended 41% vertical devolution to states (down from 42% in 14th FC due to J&K becoming UT)

GST and Cooperative Federalism

• 101st Constitutional Amendment 2016 introduced Goods and Services Tax (GST)
• Added Article 246A – both Parliament and State Legislatures can make laws on GST
• Added Article 279A – GST Council: Union Finance Minister (Chair) + State Finance Ministers
• GST Council decides on rates, exemptions, model legislation; decisions by 3/4 majority
• 1/3 vote weightage to Centre; 2/3 vote weightage to all States combined
• GST is considered the best example of cooperative federalism in India

8. Inter-State Relations and Coordination Mechanisms

Mechanism	Constitutional/Statutory Basis	Purpose
Inter-State Council	Article 263 – President can establish by order	Inquires into and advises on disputes between states; investigates subjects of common interest; recommends policy coordination; set up in 1990
Zonal Councils	States Reorganisation Act 1956 – statutory, not constitutional	5 zones + North-East Council; chaired by Union Home Minister; discusses development, security, social and economic planning
River Water Disputes Tribunals	Article 262 + Inter-State Water Disputes Act 1956	Adjudicate disputes on inter-state rivers; e.g., Cauvery Tribunal, Krishna Tribunal
Full Faith and Credit Clause	Article 261	Public acts, records, judicial proceedings of Union and every state shall be given full faith and credit throughout India
GST Council	Article 279A (101st Amendment 2016)	Joint body of Finance Ministers of Centre and all States; decides on GST rates; represents cooperative federalism
Finance Commission	Article 280	Recommends devolution of central taxes to states; grants-in-aid; ensures fiscal balance

Zonal Councils – Details

• 5 Zonal Councils created under States Reorganisation Act 1956 (statutory, not constitutional)
• Northern Zone, Southern Zone, Eastern Zone, Western Zone, Central Zone
• North-Eastern Council: separate body; set up under North-Eastern Council Act 1971
• Each Zonal Council chaired by Union Home Minister
• State CMs and 2 ministers are members from each state
• Advisory body only – recommendations not binding

9. Key Commissions on Centre-State Relations

Commission / Body	Year	Key Recommendations on Centre-State Relations
Sarkaria Commission	1983–1988	Governor should not be active politician; Article 356 should be sparingly used; Inter-State Council should be set up; Centre should consult states before legislating on Concurrent List; All India Services should be strengthened
Punchhi Commission	2007–2010	Governor should have fixed 5-year tenure; removal only with Supreme Court concurrence; localisation of All India Services; Inter-Governmental Council to replace Inter-State Council; Article 355 and 356 should be amended; states should get more fiscal powers
Inter-State Council	1990	Set up under Article 263; chaired by PM; inquires into disputes and recommends on subjects of common interest; meets periodically
Zonal Councils	1956	5 Zonal Councils set up under States Reorganisation Act 1956 (not constitutional bodies); chaired by Union Home Minister; advisory body; discuss matters of common interest in each zone
National Development Council (NDC)	1952	Now replaced by NITI Aayog; was a platform for Centre-State cooperation on planning and development

10. Why India Has Unitary Bias Despite Being Federal

• Single Constitution for both Centre and States (except J&K earlier) – unlike USA/Australia
• Residuary powers with Centre (Article 248) – unlike USA where residuary powers are with states
• Single citizenship – no separate state citizenship
• Integrated judiciary – single Supreme Court for whole country
• All India Services – Centre recruits and controls IAS, IPS, IFoS
• Emergency provisions (Articles 352, 356, 360) give Centre sweeping powers over states
• Parliament can alter state boundaries and names without state’s consent (Article 3)
• Governor appointed by President – Centre’s representative in states
• Centre can give directions to states and states must comply (Articles 256, 257)
• Under President’s Rule, Centre takes complete control of state administration

11. Cooperative Federalism in India

• Cooperative federalism means Centre and States work together as partners rather than adversaries
• GST Council (Article 279A) is the best example of cooperative federalism
• NITI Aayog (replaced NDC in 2015) – a platform for Centre-State cooperation on development
• National Integration Council – discusses communal harmony; PM chairs; all CMs are members
• Inter-State Council (Article 263) – set up in 1990; PM chairs; discusses matters of common interest
• District Mineral Foundation, MGNREGS, Ayushman Bharat – joint Centre-State schemes
• Centrally Sponsored Schemes (CSS) – Centre funds, States implement; major example of cooperative federalism

12. Quick Revision Fact Table – Centre-State Relations

Fact	Detail
Centre-State relations governed by	Part XI (Articles 245–263) – Legislative; Part XII (Articles 264–293) – Financial
7th Schedule	Three Lists: Union List (100 subjects), State List (61 subjects), Concurrent List (52 subjects)
Residuary powers with	Parliament (Article 248 + Entry 97, Union List)
Article 249	Parliament can legislate on State List if RS passes 2/3 majority resolution – valid for 1 year
Article 250	Parliament can legislate on State List during National Emergency
Article 252	Parliament can legislate on State List if 2+ states request – applies only to those states
Article 253	Parliament can legislate on any subject to implement international treaties
Article 254	Concurrent List conflict – Union law prevails; exception if State law has President’s assent
Article 256	States must ensure compliance with Parliamentary laws
Article 257	States must not impede Union’s executive power; Centre can give directions
Article 262	Inter-state river water disputes – Parliament can provide for adjudication
Article 263	Inter-State Council – set up in 1990; chaired by PM
Sarkaria Commission	1983–1988; recommended use Article 356 sparingly; Governor not to be active politician
Punchhi Commission	2007–2010; recommended fixed 5-year tenure for Governors; amend Article 355/356
All India Services	Article 312; IAS, IPS, IFoS; serve Centre and States; controlled by Centre
Finance Commission	Article 280; constituted every 5 years by President; recommends Centre-State tax devolution
GST Council	Article 279A; set up by 101st Amendment 2016; Finance Ministers of Centre + all States
Zonal Councils	5 Zonal Councils; statutory under SRA 1956; chaired by Union Home Minister; NOT constitutional
Cooperative federalism	India’s approach – Centre and States work together; GST Council is best example
Article 355	Centre’s duty to protect every state against external aggression and internal disturbance

also read: SSC Polity Local Self Government PPT Slides (LEC #15)

13. Key Takeaways for SSC Exams

• 7th Schedule: Union List (100), State List (61), Concurrent List (52); residuary with Centre (Art 248)
• Concurrent List conflict – Union law prevails (Art 254); exception if State law has President’s assent
• Art 249 – Parliament on State List if RS 2/3 resolution (national interest); 1 year validity
• Art 250 – Parliament on State List during National Emergency
• Art 252 – Parliament on State List if 2+ states request; applies only to those states
• Art 253 – Parliament on any subject for international treaties (no restriction)
• Art 256/257 – States must comply with Union laws; not impede Union executive power
• Art 262 – Inter-state river water disputes; Parliament can adjudicate
• Art 263 – Inter-State Council; set up 1990; PM chairs; advisory body
• Art 280 – Finance Commission; every 5 years; recommends Centre-State tax devolution
• Art 312 – All India Services (IAS, IPS, IFoS); new AIS needs RS 2/3 majority
• Art 355 – Centre protects states against aggression and ensures constitutional governance
• GST Council (Art 279A; 101st Amendment 2016) – best example of cooperative federalism
• Sarkaria Commission 1988 – use Art 356 sparingly; Governor not to be politician
• Zonal Councils – 5 councils; statutory under SRA 1956; chaired by Home Minister; NOT constitutional.