Challenger Logo

Challenger App

Get it on Google PlayGet it on App Store
Challenger App

No.1 PSC Learning App

★
★
★
★
★
1M+ Downloads
Get App

With reference to the composition of Zonal Councils, consider the following statements:

  1. Each Zonal Council includes the Chief Ministers of all states in the zone.

  2. Advisors to the Zonal Councils, such as the Chief Secretary of each state, have voting rights.

  3. The Administrator of each Union Territory in the zone is a member of the Zonal Council.

Which of the above statements is/are correct?

A1 and 3 only

B2 and 3 only

C1 only

D1, 2, and 3

Answer:

A. 1 and 3 only

Read Explanation:

Zonal Councils

  • Establishment: Zonal Councils were established by the States Reorganisation Act, 1956. They are advisory bodies aimed at fostering cooperation and coordination among states on various issues.

  • Zones: India is divided into five zones: Northern, Central, Eastern, Western, and Southern.

  • Membership: Each Zonal Council comprises:

    • Chairman: The Union Home Minister is the ex-officio Chairman of all Zonal Councils.

    • Vice-Chairman: The Union Minister of State, in charge of the Department of the Ministry of Home Affairs, is the ex-officio Vice-Chairman of all Zonal Councils.

    • Members: The Chief Minister of each state within the zone is a member. The Governor of the state may also be invited to attend meetings.

    • Union Territories: Administrators of Union Territories included in a zone are also members of the respective Zonal Council.

    • Advisors: Two other members of the Council of Ministers from each state, nominated by the Governor, serve as advisors. The Chief Secretary of each state in the zone is also a member.

  • Voting Rights: Advisors and Chief Secretaries do not have voting rights. Only the members (Chief Ministers and nominated Ministers) have voting rights.

  • Purpose: Zonal Councils facilitate discussions on matters of common interest, such as economic planning, linguistic minorities, border disputes, environmental issues, and law and order.

  • Key Fact: The advisory nature of these councils means their recommendations are not binding on the states, but they play a significant role in promoting national integration and cooperative federalism.

Related Questions:

Assertion (A): The CAG submits audit reports on state accounts directly to the state legislature.

Reason (R): The Constitution mandates that the CAG’s state audit reports are presented by the Governor to ensure legislative oversight.

Select the correct answer code:

Assertion (A): Tribunals under Article 323B require a hierarchy of tribunals to be established.

Reason (R): Article 323B deals with tribunals for matters like taxation, land reforms, and elections, which require structured adjudication.


  1. With reference to the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) of India, consider the following statements:
    i. The CAG’s term of office is 6 years or until the age of 65, whichever is earlier.
    ii. The CAG can be removed by the President without parliamentary approval.
    iii. The CAG audits the accounts of all government companies as per the Companies Act.
    iv. The CAG’s salary is equivalent to that of a Supreme Court judge.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

Assertion (A): The CAG cannot audit secret service expenditure and must accept a certificate from the competent authority as proof of legal expenditure.

Reason (R): Secret service expenditure is exempt from CAG audit to protect national security and confidentiality.

Select the correct answer code:

Assertion (A): The CAG’s salary and service conditions cannot be altered to their disadvantage after appointment.

Reason (R): This provision ensures the independence of the CAG by safeguarding against executive interference.

Select the correct answer code: