Question map
Not attempted Correct Incorrect ★ Bookmarked
Loading…
Q53 (IAS/2025) Polity & Governance › Constitutional & Statutory Bodies › Constitutional statutory bodies Answer Verified

With reference to India, consider the following : I. The Inter-State Council II. The National Security Council III. Zonal Councils How many of the above were established as per the provisions of the Constitution of India?

Result
Your answer: —  Âˇ  Correct: A
Explanation

The President can establish (under Article 263) an Inter-State Council to investigate and discuss subject of common interest between the Centre and the states.[1] The Inter-State Council was established in 1990[2] following the Sarkaria Commission's recommendations. Thus, the Inter-State Council has a constitutional provision (Article 263) for its establishment.

The National Security Council was not established under any provision of the Constitution. It was set up through an executive order in 1998 and does not have a constitutional basis.

Five Zonal Councils were set up vide Part-III of the States Re-organisation Act, 1956.[3] Since they were created by an Act of Parliament (States Re-organisation Act) and not directly by a constitutional provision, they are statutory bodies, not constitutional bodies.

Therefore, only one body—the Inter-State Council—was established as per the provisions of the Constitution of India (Article 263).

Sources
  1. [1] Indian Polity, M. Laxmikanth(7th ed.) > Chapter 15: Centre-State Relations > Cooperation Between the Centre and States > p. 149
  2. [2] Indian Polity, M. Laxmikanth(7th ed.) > Chapter 16: Inter-State Relations > INTER-STATE COUNCILS > p. 168
  3. [3] https://www.mha.gov.in/en/page/zonal-council
How others answered
Each bar shows the % of students who chose that option. Green bar = correct answer, blue outline = your choice.
Community Performance
Out of everyone who attempted this question.
56%
got it right
PROVENANCE & STUDY PATTERN
Guest preview
Don’t just practise – reverse-engineer the question. This panel shows where this PYQ came from (books / web), how the examiner broke it into hidden statements, and which nearby micro-concepts you were supposed to learn from it. Treat it like an autopsy of the question: what might have triggered it, which exact lines in the book matter, and what linked ideas you should carry forward to future questions.
Q. With reference to India, consider the following : I. The Inter-State Council II. The National Security Council III. Zonal Councils Ho…
At a glance
Origin: Books + Current Affairs Fairness: Low / Borderline fairness Books / CA: 3.3/10 ¡ 3.3/10
You're seeing a guest preview. The Verdict and first statement analysis are open. Login with Google to unlock all tabs.

This is a classic 'Source of Authority' question. UPSC tests clarity on the 'Birth Certificate' of institutions: Constitution (Article), Statute (Act), or Executive Order. Laxmikanth explicitly covers I and III; II is common knowledge for serious aspirants. Fair and standard.

How this question is built

This question can be broken into the following sub-statements. Tap a statement sentence to jump into its detailed analysis.

Statement 1
Was the Inter-State Council in India established under the provisions of the Constitution of India?
Origin: Direct from books Fairness: Straightforward Book-answerable
From standard books
Indian Polity, M. Laxmikanth(7th ed.) > Chapter 15: Centre-State Relations > Cooperation Between the Centre and States > p. 149
Presence: 5/5
“Cooperation Between the Centre 5.1 and States The Constitution contains the following provisions to secure cooperation and coordination between the Centre and the states: (i) The Parliament can provide for the adjudication of any dispute or complaint with respect to the use, distribution and control of waters of any inter-state river and river valley. (ii) The President can establish (under Article 263) an Inter-State Council to investigate and discuss subject of common interest between the Centre and the states. Such a council was set up in 1990.”
Why this source?
  • Explicitly states the President can establish an Inter‑State Council under Article 263 of the Constitution.
  • Notes that such a council was indeed set up in 1990, linking the constitutional provision to actual establishment.
Indian Polity, M. Laxmikanth(7th ed.) > Chapter 16: Inter-State Relations > INTER-STATE COUNCILS > p. 168
Presence: 5/5
“Establishment of Inter-State Council The Sarkaria Commission on Centre-State Relations ( 1983- 88) made a strong case for the establishment of a permanent Inter-State Council under Article 263 ofthe Constitution. It recommended that in order to differentiate the Inter-State Council from other bodies established under the same Article 263, it must be called as the Inter-Governmental Council. In pursuance of the above recommendations of the Sarkaria Commission, the Janata Dal Government headed by V. P. Singh established the Inter-State Council in 1990. It consists of the following members: • (i) Prime minister as the Chairman• (ii) Chief ministers of all the states• (iii) Chief ministers of union territories having legislative assemblies”
Why this source?
  • Says the Sarkaria Commission recommended a permanent Inter‑State Council under Article 263.
  • Records that the Inter‑State Council was established in 1990, consistent with the Article 263 route.
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
Presence: 4/5
“In exercise of this power, the President has so far established a Central Council of Health,​ a Central Council of Local Self-Government,​ and a Transport Development Council,​ for the purpose of co-ordinating the policy of the states relating to these matters The Sarkaria Commission has recommended the Constitution of a permanent inter-state Council, which should be charged with the duties set out in (b) and (c) of Article 263 Further, with a view to ensure more harmonious and healthier relationship between the Centre and the states in future as well as for further strengthening of the third-tier of governance, the Government had set up the second Commission on Centre State Relations on 27 April 2007 under the Chairmanship of Justice M M Punchhi, a retired Chief Justice of India.”
Why this source?
  • Confirms the Sarkaria Commission recommended constituting a permanent inter‑state council charged with duties under Article 263.
  • Places the council recommendation explicitly in the constitutional‑power context (Article 263).
Statement analysis

This statement analysis shows book citations, web sources and indirect clues. The first statement (S1) is open for preview.

Login with Google to unlock all statements.

Statement analysis

This statement analysis shows book citations, web sources and indirect clues. The first statement (S1) is open for preview.

Login with Google to unlock all statements.

How to study

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.

Micro-concepts

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.

The Vault

Access hidden traps, elimination shortcuts, and Mains connections that give you an edge on every question.

Login with Google to unlock The Vault.

✓ Thank you! We'll review this.

SIMILAR QUESTIONS

IAS ¡ 1995 ¡ Q13 Relevance score: 4.02

Which of the following is/are extra-constitutional and extra-legal device(s) for securing cooperation and coordination between the States in India ? I. The National Development Council II. The Governors’ Conference III. Zonal Councils IV. The Inter-State Council. Choose the correct answer from the codes given below :

CDS-II ¡ 2010 ¡ Q75 Relevance score: 2.02

Which of the following statements with regard to Inter-State Council is/are correct ? 1. It was established under the provisions of the Constitution of India. 2. The Council is a recommendatory body. 3. There is a standing committee of the Council under the Chairman- ship of the Prime Minister of India to process matters for consideration of the Council. Select the correct answer using the code given below : ,

CAPF ¡ 2017 ¡ Q22 Relevance score: 0.60

Who among the following is empowered to establish Inter State Council under Article 263 of the Constitution of India ?