NEWS 1
GS2 • Polity, Federalism & Governance
Source: The Indian Express
Inter-State Council: A Meeting Point That Has Withered Away. It Must Be Rebuilt
Context: The Inter-State Council has become largely inactive, weakening institutional dialogue between the Union and State governments. Its revival is essential to strengthen cooperative federalism and improve policy coordination.
Constitutional Foundation
Provision
Article 263 (Part XI) empowers the President to establish an Inter-State Council when it serves the public interest.
Article 263 (Part XI) empowers the President to establish an Inter-State Council when it serves the public interest.
Establishment
Constituted by Presidential Order on 28 May 1990, on the recommendation of the Sarkaria Commission on Centre–State relations.
Constituted by Presidential Order on 28 May 1990, on the recommendation of the Sarkaria Commission on Centre–State relations.
Nature & Chair
Advisory and recommendatory — recommendations are not automatically binding; chaired by the Prime Minister.
Advisory and recommendatory — recommendations are not automatically binding; chaired by the Prime Minister.
Functions — Art. 263
(a) inquire into and advise on disputes between States; (b) investigate subjects of common interest; (c) recommend better coordination of policy and action.
(a) inquire into and advise on disputes between States; (b) investigate subjects of common interest; (c) recommend better coordination of policy and action.
Objectives and Significance
Cooperative federalism
A platform for Union–State dialogue on national priorities and regional concerns.
A platform for Union–State dialogue on national priorities and regional concerns.
Coordination
Coordinated action on taxation, public health, infrastructure, environment and internal security.
Coordinated action on taxation, public health, infrastructure, environment and internal security.
Dispute prevention
Negotiation and consultation before disagreements escalate; consensus-building across governments.
Negotiation and consultation before disagreements escalate; consensus-building across governments.
Federal balance
Lets States voice concerns on policies affecting them; reduces duplication and improves implementation.
Lets States voice concerns on policies affecting them; reduces duplication and improves implementation.
Challenges Highlighted by the Editorial
Infrequent meetings
Long gaps between meetings have weakened its role as a continuous forum.
Long gaps between meetings have weakened its role as a continuous forum.
Limited autonomy
Secretariat placed under the Union Home Ministry — concerns about neutrality and capacity.
Secretariat placed under the Union Home Ministry — concerns about neutrality and capacity.
Centralisation & polarisation
States get little say in major decisions; Centre vs opposition-ruled States differences obstruct cooperation.
States get little say in major decisions; Centre vs opposition-ruled States differences obstruct cooperation.
Weak influence & follow-up
Not established as an effective forum; no systematic monitoring of recommendations.
Not established as an effective forum; no systematic monitoring of recommendations.
Implications and Way Forward
Implications
Weaker cooperative federalism, erosion of mutual trust, implementation gaps, escalating disputes over resources and taxation, and centralisation of power.
Weaker cooperative federalism, erosion of mutual trust, implementation gaps, escalating disputes over resources and taxation, and centralisation of power.
Reforms
Regular meetings with PM, Union ministers and CMs; an autonomous, professional secretariat; early consultation with States.
Regular meetings with PM, Union ministers and CMs; an autonomous, professional secretariat; early consultation with States.
Institutions
Issue-based working groups (taxation, health, infrastructure, environment, inter-state disputes); documented recommendations with periodic review; political neutrality.
Issue-based working groups (taxation, health, infrastructure, environment, inter-state disputes); documented recommendations with periodic review; political neutrality.
Previous-Year Questions
UPSC CSE Prelims 2025
Which of these were established as per the Constitution — Inter-State Council, National Security Council, Zonal Councils? Answer: (a) Only one — ISC (Art. 263). NSC is an executive body; Zonal Councils come from the States Reorganisation Act, 1956.
Which of these were established as per the Constitution — Inter-State Council, National Security Council, Zonal Councils? Answer: (a) Only one — ISC (Art. 263). NSC is an executive body; Zonal Councils come from the States Reorganisation Act, 1956.
UPPCS Prelims 2021
On whose recommendation was the Inter-State Council set up? Answer: Sarkaria Commission.
On whose recommendation was the Inter-State Council set up? Answer: Sarkaria Commission.
Key Takeaway: The Inter-State Council already has the constitutional backing cooperative federalism needs; what it lacks is regular meetings, an independent secretariat and follow-up, so revival is a matter of political will, not new law.
Prelims Practice MCQ
+2 correct • −0.66 wrongWith reference to the Inter-State Council, consider the following statements:
1. It is provided for under Article 263 of the Constitution and was constituted by a Presidential Order in 1990.
2. It is chaired by the Union Home Minister.
3. Its recommendations are binding on the Union and the States.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Explanation: Only statement 1 is correct. The Council is chaired by the Prime Minister (not the Home Minister), and it is an advisory body whose recommendations are not automatically binding.
UPSC Mains Question
15 Marks • 250 WordsThe Inter-State Council has failed to emerge as an effective instrument of cooperative federalism. Examine the reasons and suggest measures to revitalise it.
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Use after attempting the Mains answer
- Anchor in the Constitution — Article 263 (Part XI), clauses (a), (b), (c); constituted 28 May 1990 on Sarkaria Commission advice.
- Nature — advisory, chaired by the PM; contrast with Zonal Councils (States Reorganisation Act, 1956) and the NSC (executive body).
- Reasons — infrequent meetings, secretariat under MHA, centralised decision-making, political polarisation, weak follow-up.
- Way forward — fixed meeting calendar, autonomous secretariat, early consultation, issue-based working groups, monitoring of recommendations.
- Conclude with cooperative federalism: consultation before decisions builds trust and smoother implementation.
