Change set
Pick exam & year, then Go.
Question map
Which one of the following statements is correct as per the Constitution of India ?
Explanation
The correct answer is option C because inter-state quarantine is indeed a Union subject under the Union List of the Seventh Schedule of the Constitution of India. The 7th schedule of the Constitution has pandemic-related entries in all three lists: Union list – inter-state migration & quarantine (entry 81)[1], which confirms that inter-state quarantine falls under Union jurisdiction.
The other options are incorrect. Inter-State Trade and commerce became a topic of legislation in the Union List (Entry List 1, Seventh Schedule)[2], making option A wrong. Inter-State migration is[3] a subject in List I of the Seventh Schedule to the Constitution[3] (List I being the Union List), so option B is also incorrect. Regarding option D, corporation tax (tax on income of companies) is a Union subject, not a State subject, as taxes on income fall under the Union's domain. Therefore, option C is the only correct statement about the constitutional distribution of legislative powers.
Sources- [1] https://eacpm.gov.in/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Enumeration-of-Legislative-Powers-in-India-1.pdf
- [2] https://www.nujs.edu/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/File-65.pdf
- [3] https://cabsec.gov.in/writereaddata/allocationbusinessrule/completeaobrules/english/1_Upload_1187.pdf
PROVENANCE & STUDY PATTERN
Guest previewThis is a classic 'Static inspired by Current Affairs' question. The keywords 'Quarantine' and 'Migration' were central to the COVID-19 news cycle. While standard books summarize lists, this question demanded a look at the specific Bare Act entries triggered by the pandemic.
This question can be broken into the following sub-statements. Tap a statement sentence to jump into its detailed analysis.
Web source
Presence: 4/5
"In the Constitution of India "Inter-State Trade and commerce" became a topic of legislation in the. Union List (Entry List 1, Seventh Schedule)."
Why this source?
- Explicitly states that 'Inter-State Trade and commerce' is a topic of legislation in the Union List (Entry List 1, Seventh Schedule).
- If it's in the Union List, it is not a State subject in the State List.
Web source
Presence: 5/5
"41. Trade and commerce with foreign countries; import and export across customs frontiers; definition of customs frontiers. 42. Inter-State trade and commerce."
Why this source?
- Lists 'Inter-State trade and commerce' as entry 42 alongside other entries (indicative of the Seventh Schedule listing).
- The enumeration shows inter-State trade is included among central/union entries rather than State List items.
Web source
Presence: 5/5
"of national importance e.g. arms and ammunition, atomic energy, foreign affairs, citizenship, extradition, railways, shipping and navigation, airways, posts and telegraphs, telephones, wireless and broadcasting, currency, foreign trade, inter-state trade and commerce, banking, insurance, control of industries, regulation and development of mines, mineral and oil resources,"
Why this source?
- Groups 'inter-state trade and commerce' with matters described as 'of national importance', implying it is a Union-level subject in the Seventh Schedule.
- This government document treats inter-state trade as part of central (Union) legislative concerns.
- Explicitly states that 'Inter-State Trade and commerce' is a topic of legislation in the Union List (Entry List 1, Seventh Schedule).
- If it's in the Union List, it is not a State subject in the State List.
- Lists 'Inter-State trade and commerce' as entry 42 alongside other entries (indicative of the Seventh Schedule listing).
- The enumeration shows inter-State trade is included among central/union entries rather than State List items.
- Groups 'inter-state trade and commerce' with matters described as 'of national importance', implying it is a Union-level subject in the Seventh Schedule.
- This government document treats inter-state trade as part of central (Union) legislative concerns.
Indian Polity, M. Laxmikanth(7th ed.) > Chapter 15: Centre-State Relations > II Distribution of Legislative Subjects > p. 145
Strength: 5/5
“!II Distribution of Legislative Subjects The Constitution provides for a three-fold distribution of legislative subjects between the Centre and the states, viz. , List-I (the Union List), List-II (the State List) and List-HI (the Concurrent List) in the Seventh Schedule: (i) The Parliament has exclusive powers to make laws with respect to any of the matters enumerated in the Union List. This list has at present 98 subjects (originally 97\ subjects) like defence, banking, foreign affairs, currency, atomic energy, in surance, communication , inter-state trade and commerce, census, audit and so on. • (ii) The state legislature has "in normal circumstances" exclusive powers to make laws with respect to any of the matters enumerated in the State List.”
Why relevant
States distribution summary explicitly lists 'inter-state trade and commerce' among examples in the Union List, indicating it is treated as a Union subject rather than a State List item.
How to extend
A student could check the Seventh Schedule or Union List in a copy of the Constitution to verify the exact entry and thereby test whether it appears in List II (State List).
Laxmikanth, M. Indian Polity. 7th ed., McGraw Hill. > Chapter 15: Centre State Relations > II Distribution of Legislative Subjects > p. 145
Strength: 5/5
“The Constitution provides for a three-fold distribution of legislative subjects between the Centre and the states, viz., List-I (the Union List), List-II (the State List) and List-III (the Concurrent List) in the Seventh Schedule: (i) The Parliament has exclusive powers to make laws with respect to any of the matters enumerated in the Union List. This list has at present 98 subjects (originally 97\ subjects) like defence, banking, foreign affairs, currency, atomic energy, insurance, communication , inter-state trade and commerce, census, audit and so on. • (ii) The state legislature has "in normal circumstances" exclusive powers to make laws with respect to any of the matters enumerated in the State List.”
Why relevant
Another authoritative summary repeats that 'inter-state trade and commerce' is an item in the Union List, reinforcing the pattern that inter-state commerce is a central (Union) subject.
How to extend
Cross-reference this repeated claim with the Seventh Schedule's List I entries to confirm placement and rule out its presence in List II.
Introduction to the Constitution of India, D. D. Basu (26th ed.). > Chapter 25: DISTRIBUTION OF FINANCIAL POWERS > DISTRIBUTION OF FINANCIAL POWERS > p. 384
Strength: 4/5
“Thus- (a) Professions Tax. (a) While Entry 60 of List II of Seventh Schedule . authorises a State Legislature to levy a tax on profession, trade. calling or employment. the total amount payable in respect of anyone person to the State ,or any other authority in the State by way of such tax shall not exceed Rs 2.500 per annum [Article 276(2)]. (b) Sales Tax. (b) The power to impose taxes on "sale or purchase of goods other than newspapers" belongs to the State. But "taxes on imports and exports" [Entry 83, List I] and "taxes on sales in the course of inter-State trade and commerce" [Entry 92A, List I] are exclusive Union subjects.”
Why relevant
Discussion of taxation distinguishes State powers (sales tax) from Union powers (taxes on sales in the course of inter-State trade and commerce), implying inter-State trade falls under Union competence.
How to extend
Use the tax-entry distinctions (List I vs List II) to infer which list governs inter‑State trade — then inspect the Seventh Schedule entries for those tax and trade items.
Laxmikanth, M. Indian Polity. 7th ed., McGraw Hill. > Chapter 16: Inter State Relations > INTER-STATE TRADE AND COMMERCE > p. 169
Strength: 3/5
“Articles 301 to 307 in Part XIII of the Constitution deal with the trade, commerce and intercourse within the territory of India.
Article 301 declares that trade, commerce and intercourse throughout the territory of India shall be free. The object of this provision is to break down the border barriers between the states and to create one unit with a view to encourage the free flow of trade, commerce and intercourse in the country. The freedom under this provision is not”
Why relevant
References to Articles 301–307 treating trade, commerce and intercourse as matters of national freedom suggest constitutional provisions aim to regulate inter-state commerce at the Union level.
How to extend
Combine this constitutional-article focus with the Seventh Schedule lists to deduce whether inter-State trade is assigned to Union legislative competence.
Introduction to the Constitution of India, D. D. Basu (26th ed.). > Chapter 26: ADMINISTRATIVE RELATIONS BETWEEN THE UNION AND THE STATES > All-India Services. > p. 396
Strength: 3/5
“For the purpose of enforcing the provisions of the Constitution relating to the freedom of trade, commerce and intercourse throughout the territory of India [Articles 301-305], Parliament is empowered to constitute an Inter-State Commerce Commission similar to the Inter-State Commerce Commission. In the USA and to confer on such authority such powers and duties as it may deem fit [Article 307]. No such Commission has, however, been set up. Apart from the above constitutional agencies for Union control over the States, to ensure a co-ordinated development of India notwithstanding a Extra-constitutional Agencies for setting all-India problems. federal system of government, there are some advisory bodies and conferences held at the Union level, which further co-ordination of state policy and eliminate differences as between the states.”
Why relevant
Notes Parliament's power to constitute an Inter-State Commerce Commission under Article 307 indicate a role for the Union in regulating inter-State trade, consistent with Union-list treatment.
How to extend
Infer from the Parliament-level remedy/agency that inter‑State trade is not primarily a State List subject, then verify by checking the Seventh Schedule.
States distribution summary explicitly lists 'inter-state trade and commerce' among examples in the Union List, indicating it is treated as a Union subject rather than a State List item.
A student could check the Seventh Schedule or Union List in a copy of the Constitution to verify the exact entry and thereby test whether it appears in List II (State List).
Another authoritative summary repeats that 'inter-state trade and commerce' is an item in the Union List, reinforcing the pattern that inter-state commerce is a central (Union) subject.
Cross-reference this repeated claim with the Seventh Schedule's List I entries to confirm placement and rule out its presence in List II.
Discussion of taxation distinguishes State powers (sales tax) from Union powers (taxes on sales in the course of inter-State trade and commerce), implying inter-State trade falls under Union competence.
Use the tax-entry distinctions (List I vs List II) to infer which list governs inter‑State trade — then inspect the Seventh Schedule entries for those tax and trade items.
References to Articles 301–307 treating trade, commerce and intercourse as matters of national freedom suggest constitutional provisions aim to regulate inter-state commerce at the Union level.
Combine this constitutional-article focus with the Seventh Schedule lists to deduce whether inter-State trade is assigned to Union legislative competence.
Notes Parliament's power to constitute an Inter-State Commerce Commission under Article 307 indicate a role for the Union in regulating inter-State trade, consistent with Union-list treatment.
Infer from the Parliament-level remedy/agency that inter‑State trade is not primarily a State List subject, then verify by checking the Seventh Schedule.
This tab shows concrete study steps: what to underline in books, how to map current affairs, and how to prepare for similar questions.
Login with Google to unlock study guidance.
Discover the small, exam-centric ideas hidden in this question and where they appear in your books and notes.
Login with Google to unlock micro-concepts.
Access hidden traps, elimination shortcuts, and Mains connections that give you an edge on every question.
Login with Google to unlock The Vault.