Centre-State Relations: Complete UPSC GS2 Notes
Centre-State Relations is one of the most important and frequently asked topics in UPSC GS Paper 2. It covers the constitutional framework governing legislative, administrative, and financial relations between the Union and the States, and is deeply connected to India’s federal structure.
This guide provides complete UPSC GS2 notes on Centre-State Relations covering all constitutional articles (Parts XI and XII), Seventh Schedule lists, key commissions (Sarkaria, Punchhi), landmark Supreme Court cases, and important doctrines — all in exam-ready format.
Constitutional Framework: Parts XI and XII
| Part | Articles | Subject |
|---|---|---|
| Part XI | 245–263 | Relations between Union and States |
| Part XII | 264–300A | Finance, Property, Contracts, Suits |
Legislative Relations: Three Lists (Seventh Schedule)
| List | Subjects Count | Who Legislates | Examples |
|---|---|---|---|
| Union List (List I) | 97 subjects | Parliament only | Defence, Foreign Affairs, Railways, Atomic Energy, Currency |
| State List (List II) | 66 subjects | State Legislature only | Police, Public Health, Agriculture, Land, Local Government |
| Concurrent List (List III) | 47 subjects | Both (Centre prevails on conflict) | Education, Marriage, Forests, Electricity, Population |
| Residuary Powers | All others | Parliament (Article 248) | Cyber crime, Space, New technologies |
Key Articles in Centre-State Legislative Relations
| Article | Provision | UPSC Relevance |
|---|---|---|
| 245 | Extent of laws made by Parliament and State Legislatures | Very High |
| 246 | Subject-matter of laws made by Parliament and by Legislatures of States | Very High |
| 247 | Parliament may provide for courts for certain laws | Low |
| 248 | Residuary powers of legislation — vest in Parliament | High |
| 249 | Parliament can legislate on State List if Rajya Sabha resolves (2/3 majority, national interest) | Very High |
| 250 | Parliament can legislate on State List during National Emergency | High |
| 252 | Parliament can legislate on State List if 2+ State Legislatures request | Medium |
| 253 | Parliament can legislate on State List to implement international agreements | High |
| 254 | Repugnancy (Doctrine of Federal Paramountcy) — Centre law prevails on concurrent matters | Very High |
Administrative Relations: Key Articles
| Article | Provision |
|---|---|
| 256 | States must comply with Acts of Parliament; Centre can give directions |
| 257 | Centre can give directions to States to protect railways, national highways, waterways |
| 261 | Public Acts, records, and judicial proceedings — full faith and credit clause |
| 262 | Inter-State river water disputes adjudication |
| 263 | Inter-State Council — coordination between Centre and States |
| 355 | Centre’s duty to protect States against external aggression and internal disturbance |
| 356 | President’s Rule — when State Constitutional machinery fails |
| 357 | Powers of Parliament under Article 356 proclamation |
Financial Relations: Centre-State
| Article | Provision | Key Detail |
|---|---|---|
| 268 | Duties levied by Union, collected and retained by States | Stamp duties on negotiable instruments |
| 269 | Taxes levied and collected by Union but assigned to States | Estate duty, consignment tax |
| 270 | Taxes levied and collected by Union — shared between Centre and States | Central taxes via Finance Commission devolution |
| 275 | Grants-in-aid from Centre to States | Statutory grants to backward states |
| 280 | Finance Commission constitution (every 5 years) | Recommends vertical + horizontal devolution |
| 282 | Discretionary grants by Centre to States | Used for specific schemes — often criticized for bias |
Key Commissions on Centre-State Relations
| Commission | Year | Key Recommendations |
|---|---|---|
| Rajamannar Committee (Tamil Nadu) | 1969 | Residuary powers to States; greater autonomy; independent finance |
| Sarkaria Commission | 1983 | 247 recommendations; favored cooperative federalism; Article 356 should be used sparingly; Inter-State Council activation |
| Punchhi Commission | 2007 | Performance-based devolution; Lokayukta in all states; decriminalization of politics |
Landmark Supreme Court Cases on Centre-State Relations
| Case | Year | Key Ruling |
|---|---|---|
| State of West Bengal v. Union of India | 1963 | India is not a federal state in the traditional sense; Parliament can acquire State land |
| S.R. Bommai v. Union of India | 1994 | Article 356 must be used only as last resort; proclamation subject to judicial review; floor test in Assembly is preferred |
| NCT of Delhi v. Union of India | 2018 & 2023 | Delhi Lt. Governor bound by aid/advice of Council of Ministers; services under elected government |
| Kesavananda Bharati v. State of Kerala | 1973 | Federal structure is part of Basic Structure — cannot be destroyed by amendment |
Important Doctrines in Centre-State Relations (for UPSC)
- Doctrine of Pith and Substance: When a law appears to fall in another list, courts look at its “pith and substance” — its true nature — to determine validity.
- Doctrine of Repugnancy (Art. 254): On concurrent matters, if State law conflicts with Central law, the Central law prevails. State law can be revived if Centre law is later repealed.
- Doctrine of Occupied Field: Once Parliament legislates on a Concurrent List subject, the field is “occupied” — States cannot legislate inconsistently.
- Doctrine of Federal Paramountcy: On any conflict between Centre and State laws, Central law prevails — this reflects India’s quasi-federal character.
Practice Quiz: Centre-State Relations UPSC GS2
Practice Quiz — 10 UPSC-Style Questions
Click an option to reveal the answer and explanation.
Frequently Asked Questions: Centre-State Relations
What is the Seventh Schedule in the Indian Constitution?
The Seventh Schedule of the Indian Constitution (under Article 246) contains three lists that distribute legislative powers between the Centre and States: Union List (97 subjects — only Parliament can legislate), State List (66 subjects — only State Legislatures can legislate), and Concurrent List (47 subjects — both can legislate, Centre prevails on conflict). Residuary powers (unlisted subjects) vest with Parliament under Article 248.
What did the S.R. Bommai case decide about Article 356?
The landmark S.R. Bommai v. Union of India (1994) case held that: (1) President’s Rule under Article 356 is subject to judicial review; (2) a floor test in the State Assembly is the preferred method before imposing President’s Rule; (3) once the President dissolves the Assembly, the dissolution cannot be challenged but the proclamation can be; (4) a minority government cannot be dismissed merely on the assumption it has lost majority — actual floor test is needed.
What is the difference between the Sarkaria Commission and Punchhi Commission?
Sarkaria Commission (1983–1988) made 247 recommendations focused on Centre-State relations: activation of Inter-State Council, sparing use of Article 356, more financial autonomy to states, and appointment of State Chief Ministers from parties commanding legislative majority. Punchhi Commission (2007–2010) updated these recommendations for the modern era: performance-linked devolution, Lokayukta in all states, decriminalization of politics, and greater role for local governments in Centre-State relations.
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