The Centre-State Relation

Total Questions: 52

1. The Centre-State relations in India are influenced by: [Uttarakhand P.C.S. (Pre) 2002]

1. Provisions of the Constitution

2. The Planning process

3. Conflict of Political interests

4. The dominance of desire to dictate

Select the correct answer from the codes given below:

Correct Answer: (d) 1, 2, 3 and 4
Solution:Part XI and Part XII of the Indian Constitution deal with the relation between the Union and the States. In India, the planning process is done by the Union, so it is seen that in the case of different political party governments at the Center and State there is a conflict of interest and there is a desire to dominate which ultimately hampers the growth of the country.

2. Centre-State relations in India are dependent upon- [U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 2009]

1. Constitutional provisions

2. Conventions and practices

3. Judicial interpretations

4. Mechanisms for dialogue

Select the correct answer from the codes given below:

Correct Answer: (d) All the four
Solution:The Center-State relations in India are depend all the given factors i.e. Constitutional provisions, Conventions and Practice, Judicial interpretations and Mechanisms for dialogue.

In the Indian federal setup, the Constitution divides the legislative, executive, and financial functions between the Centre and the states. The Constitution established an integrated judicial system to uphold federal and state laws.
The Centre-state relations cut across the following three subject matters
Legislative relations
Administrative relations
Financial relations

3. A Federal policy involves - [U.P.P.C.S. (Mains) 2010]

1. Relations between Union & State

2. Relations among States

3. Mechanism for cooperation

4. Mechanism for solving disputes

Select your correct answer from the code given below:

 

Correct Answer: (a) 1, 2, 3 and 4
Solution:All the four are included in federal policy, i.e., relations between the Union and States, Relations among States, Mechanism of resolving disputes and Mechanism for cooperation.

All powers in India are divided into three categories: legislative, executive, and financial, shared between the central government and the states, creating an integrated system. Consequently, we can analyze the Centre-state relationship in three dimensions: legislative, administrative, and financial. States wield substantial decision-making authority on various matters, although the central government can impose restrictions. This division is evident in the State List, where some matters fall under exclusive state jurisdiction. Conversely, the Union List designates subjects for major decisions by the central government. There's also a Concurrent List, where the center and states have decision-making roles on specific matters.

4. 4. In which respect have the centre-state relations been specifically termed as municipal relation - [I.A.S. (Pre) 1994]

Correct Answer: (d) Centre's control of the state in the planning process.
Solution:The Centre's control over the states in the planning process has been termed as 'Municipal Relations'. It promotes relationships and strategic partnerships between different levels of government, as well as relationships with non- governmental organizations at all levels also. This is for all the citizens and communities in which they are living to support there well-being by efficient and effective policies and programs.

5. In the Indian Fiscal federal system resources are allocated from the centre to the states, which of the following is not a means of resource allocation at present? [Jharkhand P.C.S. (Pre) 2021]

Correct Answer: (a) Grant-in-aid
Solution:In the Indian Fiscal Federal System, resources are from the Centre to the State. Transfer for plan implementation under the Gadgil formula is not a means of resource allocation at present. As per Article-280, the finance commission is constituted to make recommendations to the president about the distribution of net proceeds of taxes between the Union and States (tax sharing) the centrally sponsored schemes and Grant in aid is also a means of resource allocation from centre to states.

6. In which part of the Indian Constitution, legislative relations between Centre and States are given? [U.P.P.C.S. (Spl) (Mains) 2004, U.P.R.O./A.R.O. (Pre) 2014]

Correct Answer: (b) Part XI
Solution:The legislative relations between the Centre and States are given in Part XI of the Indian Constitution under Article 245-255. Legislative subjects have been distributed among three lists of the seventh schedule

Union List-97 subjects (At Present-98)

State List-66 subjects (At Present-59)

Concurrent list-47 subjects (At Present-52)

7. Indian Constitution presents three lists for the distribution of power between centre and states. Which two Articles regulate that distribution? [U.P.U.D.A./L.D.A. (Pre) 2001]

Correct Answer: (d) Article 245 and 246
Solution:Article 245 describes the extent of laws made by Parliament and by the Legislatures of States. According to Article 246(1)- Parliament has exclusive power to make laws with respect to any of the matters enumerated in List-I (Union List) in the Seventh Schedule. As per Article 246(2), Legislature of any State also, has the power to make laws with respect to any of the matters enumerated in List III in the Seventh Schedule and according to Article 246(3), Parliament has the power to make laws with respect to any matter for any part of the territory of India not included (in a State) notwithstanding that such matter is a matter enumerated in the State List. Thus option (d) is correct.

8. The distribution of legislative powers between the Centre and the States in the Constitution is given in- [U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 1993, U.P. Lower Sub. (Pre) 2008]

Correct Answer: (b) Seventh Schedule
Solution:According to Article 246 of the Indian Constitution, all the provisions regarding relations between the Centre and States lie in the 7th Schedule of the Indian Constitution.

The Constitution of India establishes a clear framework for the distribution of legislative powers between the Union and the States, reinforcing the Federal System of India. A key component of this framework is the 7th Schedule of Indian Constitution, which discusses the division of subjects into three lists: the Union List, the State List, and the Concurrent List. Each list defines the areas in which the respective governments can legislate, ensuring clarity and preventing overlap in responsibilities. This structured division plays an important role in governance, policy formulation, and legal interpretation, making it an essential feature of India's constitutional design.

9. Subjects on which centre and state both can make law are mentioned in which of the following Lists? [U.P.U.D.A./L.D.A. (Pre) 2006]

Correct Answer: (c) Concurrent list
Solution:The Union and the State can make laws on the subjects mentioned in the Concurrent list, but if there is any conflict in the laws made by the Union and State, the law made by the Union shall prevail.
7th Schedule of Indian Constitution – Concurrent List
It has 52 subjects enumerated under it
42nd amendment Act 1976 shifted below mentioned five subjects from State list to Concurrent List:
• Education
• Forests
• Protection of wild animals and birds
• Weights and measures and
• Administration of justice, constitution and organisation of all courts except the Supreme Court and the High Courts
The concept of ‘Concurrent List’ in the Indian Constitution has been borrowed from the Constitution of Australia
Central Government and State Government both can make laws on the subjects mentioned under the Concurrent List
While both Central and State Government can legislate on subjects mentioned under Concurrent List, however, in case of any conflict, the law made
The matters on which uniformity of legislation throughout the country is desirable but not essential are enumerated in the concurrent list
There are 03 subjects in the Concurrent List on which both Central and state governments have the power to levy taxes

10. Which of the following is empowered to make law for economic and social planning besides the infants and minors in India? [U.P. B.E.O. (Pre) 2019]

Correct Answer: (c) Both the Central and State Governments
Solution:Economic and Social Planning and infants and minor subjects are on the Concurrent List. Both the Central and State Governments have the right to make laws on subjects of concurrent list. Thus, option (c) is the correct answer.
7th Schedule of Indian Constitution – Concurrent List
It has 52 subjects enumerated under it
42nd amendment Act 1976 shifted below mentioned five subjects from State list to Concurrent List:
• Education
• Forests
• Protection of wild animals and birds
• Weights and measures and
• Administration of justice, constitution and organisation of all courts except the Supreme Court and the High Courts
The concept of ‘Concurrent List’ in the Indian Constitution has been borrowed from the Constitution of Australia
Central Government and State Government both can make laws on the subjects mentioned under the Concurrent List
While both Central and State Government can legislate on subjects mentioned under Concurrent List, however, in case of any conflict, the law made
The matters on which uniformity of legislation throughout the country is desirable but not essential are enumerated in the concurrent list
There are 03 subjects in the Concurrent List on which both Central and state governments have the power to levy taxes