Question

Which Article enables the President to establish an Inter-State Council?

• A. Article 263
• B. Article 264
• C. Article 312
• D. Article 262

Answer 1

Answer:

A. Article 263

Inter-State Council

• Article 263 of the Constitution of India empowers the President of India to establish an Inter-State Council.

• The primary purpose of this council is to facilitate coordination and cooperation between the Union government and the State governments, as well as among the State governments themselves.

• It aims to address issues that require coordinated action and can be effectively handled through a consultative and recommendatory body.

Establishment and Functioning:

• The President can establish such a council if it appears that a public interest would be served by the establishment of a council charged with various functions.

• The council can be entrusted with the duty of:

  1. Inquiring into and advising upon disputes which may have arisen between States.

  2. Investigating and discussing subjects in which the States or the Union and the States have a common interest.

  3. Making recommendations for the better coordination of policy and action with respect to any such subject.

• The Inter-State Council was first established in 1990 based on the recommendations of the Sarkaria Commission.

• It is a constitutional body that serves as a forum for discussing contentious issues between the Centre and the States.