Setalvad Committee (1966) → Rajamannar Committee (1969) → Sarkaria Commission (1983) → Punchhi Commission (2007). Sarkaria most important — recommended Inter-State Council!
The Sarkaria Commission recommended an Inter-State Council in 1983, and it was established in 1990 during V. P. Singh's tenure. Distinguish the recommendation year from the establishment year.
Current numbers: Union = 98, State = 59, Concurrent = 52. Original: Union = 97, State = 66, Concurrent = 47. Subjects reduced from State list, added to Union/Concurrent over time.
When Parliament and a State Legislature enact conflicting laws on a Concurrent List subject, the parliamentary law prevails under Article 254. A State law reserved for and receiving presidential assent may prevail within that State, subject to Parliament's power to override it later.
Under Article 249, Parliament may legislate on a State List subject in the national interest after the Rajya Sabha passes a resolution by a two-thirds majority of members present and voting. The resolution remains valid for one year and may be renewed.
Parliament — Entire country + extra-territorial laws (Art. 245). State Legislature — Only within State boundaries.
Article 256 allows the Union to direct a State to ensure compliance with parliamentary laws. Continued non-compliance may contribute to action under Article 356.
All India Services = IAS, IPS, IFoS (Indian Forest Service). These officers serve both Centre and State — dual control. Appointment (UPSC exam) → Centre. Day-to-day posting → State.
A State government may suspend an All India Service officer serving under it, but dismissal, removal or compulsory retirement is within the Union government's disciplinary authority under the applicable service rules.
Under Article 268, the Union levies specified stamp duties, while the States collect and retain the proceeds. This illustrates Union–State financial cooperation.
The GST Council under Article 279A was created by the 101st Amendment of 2016 as a major mechanism of Union-State financial coordination. The Union Finance Minister is its Chairperson.
The Finance Commission is commonly described as a quasi-judicial constitutional body. Its recommendations are advisory rather than legally binding, although they are generally given considerable weight.
The Sarkaria Commission was established in 1983 and recommended an Inter-State Council; the Council itself was established in 1990. Distinguish the two dates.
The Prime Minister chairs the Inter-State Council, while the Union Home Minister chairs the Zonal Councils.
| Zone | HQ | States / UTs Covered |
|---|---|---|
| 🔵 Northern | New Delhi | J&K, Ladakh, Himachal Pradesh, Haryana, Rajasthan, Delhi, Chandigarh |
| 🟠 Central | Prayagraj | Uttarakhand, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Chhattisgarh |
| 🟢 Eastern | Kolkata | Bihar, Jharkhand, Odisha, West Bengal |
| 🟣 Western | Mumbai | Gujarat, Maharashtra, Goa, Dadra & Nagar Haveli, Daman & Diu |
| 🔴 Southern | Chennai | Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Telangana, Puducherry |
Bihar belongs to the Eastern Zonal Council, headquartered in Kolkata, along with Jharkhand, Odisha and West Bengal. This is important for Bihar examinations.
Zonal Councils = 5 zones (Northern, Central, Eastern, Western, Southern). North-East = Separate NE Council (8 states, est. 1972). NE Council is NOT one of the 5 zonal councils!
| Tribunal / Dispute | Est. | States Involved |
|---|---|---|
| Krishna Water Dispute I | 1969 | Maharashtra, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh |
| Godavari Water Dispute | 1969 | Maharashtra, Karnataka, AP, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha |
| Narmada Water Dispute | 1969 | Rajasthan, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh |
| Ravi & Beas Dispute | 1986 | Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan |
| Cauvery Water Dispute | 1990 | Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Puducherry |
| Mahanadi Water Dispute | 2018 | Odisha, Chhattisgarh |
Article 262 permits Parliament to exclude the Supreme Court's jurisdiction over inter-state river-water disputes by law. It is a special constitutional exception.
Three river-water tribunals were constituted in 1969 for the Krishna, Godavari and Narmada disputes. The Cauvery dispute became especially prominent, while the Mahanadi Tribunal was constituted in 2018.