Anand Classes presents detailed Centre–State Relations (Articles 245 to 263) Polity Notes for NDA General Studies, including legislative, administrative, and financial relations between the Union and the States. These notes provide simplified theory, frequently asked questions (FAQs), and exam-oriented MCQs to strengthen your NDA GAT preparation. Click the print button to download study material and notes.

Centre–State Relations (Articles 245 to 263)

The relationship between the Union and the States forms the core of Indian federalism. The Constitution balances the powers of the Centre (Union Government) and the States in three major aspects: Legislative, Administrative, and Financial relations.

1. Legislative Relations

• Article 249: Parliament can legislate on a State List subject if it is necessary in the national interest, provided the Rajya Sabha passes a resolution by a 2/3rd majority.
• Article 250: During a National Emergency, Parliament gains the power to legislate on matters in the State List for the entire country or any part of it.
• Article 253: Parliament can legislate to implement international treaties, conventions, or agreements, even if the subject falls in the State List.

👉 These provisions ensure that the Centre has overriding power in extraordinary situations or for international obligations.

2. Administrative Relations

• Article 260: The Union can assume jurisdiction over territories outside India if required (with consent of the concerned country).
• Article 263: Provides for the establishment of an Inter-State Council by the President to resolve disputes, improve coordination, and strengthen Centre–State relations.

👉 These provisions highlight how the Union coordinates with States and ensures smooth governance.

3. Financial Relations

• Article 268: Duties levied by the Union but collected by States (e.g., stamp duties, excise on medicinal products).
• Article 269: Taxes levied and collected by the Union but assigned to States (e.g., inter-state trade taxes).
• Article 280: Provides for the Finance Commission, which recommends distribution of revenues between Centre and States.

👉 These financial mechanisms ensure a fair sharing of resources in a cooperative federal system.

4. Important Commissions on Centre–State Relations

• Setalvad Committee (1966): First committee to examine Centre–State relations.
• Raja Mannar Committee (1969): Recommended greater autonomy to States.
• Sarkaria Commission (1983): Most important; gave detailed recommendations on legislative, administrative, and financial relations.
• Punchhi Commission (2007): Suggested clearer division of responsibilities and better mechanisms for dispute resolution.

👉 These commissions have played a vital role in shaping India’s cooperative federalism.

5. National Party vs State Party

• National Party:
  • Must secure at least 6% of total valid votes in a General Election.
  • Must win at least 4 seats in the Lok Sabha.
• State Party:
  • Must secure at least 6% of valid votes in that State.
  • Must win at least 2 seats in the State Legislative Assembly.

👉 This classification is important for political representation and recognition of parties at different levels.

NDA FAQs on Centre–State Relations for SSB Preparation

❓What are the three types of Centre–State relations?

The Constitution divides Centre–State relations into:

1. Legislative Relations – Distribution of law-making powers.
2. Administrative Relations – Coordination and control between Union and States.
3. Financial Relations – Sharing of taxes and revenues between Centre and States.
   👉 This is a direct conceptual question in NDA polity section, explained in UPSC NDA study material pdf and Anand Classes NDA notes download.

❓When can Parliament legislate on State List subjects?

Parliament can legislate on State List subjects under:

• Article 249: In the national interest (with Rajya Sabha’s approval).
• Article 250: During a National Emergency.
• Article 253: To implement international treaties.
  👉 Frequently asked in UPSC NDA polity exam preparation, covered in UPSC NDA polity notes.

❓What is the role of the Finance Commission (Article 280)?

The Finance Commission recommends how revenue should be shared between the Centre and States, and also suggests principles for grants-in-aid.
👉 This is a high-probability area for NDA polity exam questions, available in UPSC NDA study material pdf.

❓What is the Inter-State Council (Article 263)?

The Inter-State Council is an advisory body created by the President to:

• Discuss disputes among states.
• Promote cooperation between Centre and States.
• Strengthen India’s cooperative federalism.
  👉 A procedural topic often tested in NDA polity MCQs, covered in Anand Classes UPSC NDA notes download.

❓What is the difference between a National Party and a State Party?

• National Party: Recognized across India, requires 6% votes nationally and 4 Lok Sabha seats.
• State Party: Recognized only in a particular state, requires 6% votes in the state and 2 Assembly seats.
  👉 Commonly asked in UPSC NDA polity preparation and explained in UPSC NDA study material pdf.

General Studies MCQs – Centre–State Relations (NDA Polity Practice)

Q1. Under which Article can Parliament make laws on State List subjects in the national interest?

A) Article 245
B) Article 249
C) Article 250
D) Article 253

Answer: B) Article 249
Explanation: Under Article 249, if the Rajya Sabha passes a resolution by a 2/3rd majority, Parliament can make laws on matters in the State List in the national interest.
👉 This provision ensures central intervention when required and is often asked in UPSC NDA polity notes preparation.

Q2. During a National Emergency, Parliament can make laws on:

A) Union List only
B) State List only
C) Both Union and State Lists
D) None of the above

Answer: C) Both Union and State Lists
Explanation: Under Article 250, Parliament gets the power to legislate on matters in the State List during a National Emergency, in addition to its normal powers over the Union List.
👉 This is a favorite factual question in NDA polity exam practice from UPSC NDA study material pdf.

Q3. Which Article empowers Parliament to legislate for implementing international treaties and agreements?

A) Article 249
B) Article 250
C) Article 253
D) Article 263

Answer: C) Article 253
Explanation: Article 253 gives Parliament the power to legislate for implementing international treaties, conventions, and agreements, even if the subject is in the State List.
👉 Commonly repeated in NDA polity MCQs, covered in Anand Classes NDA notes download.

Q4. The Inter-State Council is provided under which Article of the Constitution?

A) Article 260
B) Article 263
C) Article 280
D) Article 356

Answer: B) Article 263
Explanation: Article 263 empowers the President to establish an Inter-State Council to resolve disputes among states and promote coordination between Centre and States.
👉 Direct factual recall type, often tested in UPSC NDA polity exam preparation.

Q5. Which of the following duties are levied by the Union but collected by the States?

A) Income Tax
B) Stamp Duties
C) GST
D) Corporate Tax

Answer: B) Stamp Duties
Explanation: Under Article 268, certain duties like stamp duties and excise duty on medicinal products are levied by the Union but collected by the States.
👉 This distinction is important for NDA polity exam and is part of UPSC NDA study material pdf.

Q6. Which Commission is considered the most important in Centre–State Relations and gave detailed recommendations in 1983?

A) Setalvad Committee
B) Raja Mannar Committee
C) Sarkaria Commission
D) Punchhi Commission

Answer: C) Sarkaria Commission
Explanation: The Sarkaria Commission (1983) studied Centre–State relations in detail and gave wide-ranging recommendations on legislative, administrative, and financial relations.
👉 This is a frequently asked factual question in NDA polity MCQs and found in Anand Classes UPSC NDA notes download.

Q7. A National Party must secure at least:

A) 6% of valid votes and 2 Lok Sabha seats
B) 6% of valid votes and 4 Lok Sabha seats
C) 10% of valid votes and 4 Rajya Sabha seats
D) 5% of valid votes and 2 Lok Sabha seats

Answer: B) 6% of valid votes and 4 Lok Sabha seats
Explanation: A National Party must secure at least 6% of the total valid votes in a general election and win at least 4 Lok Sabha seats.
👉 This fact is often tested in UPSC NDA polity preparation from UPSC NDA study material pdf.

Q8. Taxes on inter-state trade or commerce are:

A) Levied and collected by States
B) Levied by Union and assigned to States
C) Levied and collected by States but assigned to Union
D) Exempt from taxation

Answer: B) Levied by Union and assigned to States
Explanation: Under Article 269, taxes on inter-state trade/commerce are levied and collected by the Union, but the proceeds are assigned to the States.
👉 A tricky but repeated area in NDA polity MCQs, covered in UPSC NDA notes download.

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