Q41. Identify the correct pair regarding the cadre controlling authority for the respective All-India Services:
Union-State Relations: RAS Prelims MCQs
86 RAS Prelims MCQs on Union-State relations cover how legislative and executive powers are divided and when Parliament can make laws on State subjects. Residuary powers, Articles 249, 250, 252 and 253, the Governor’s role as an agent of the Centre, Article 356 and the landmark cases are asked as facts and statements.
Practice questions based on the RPSC RAS Prelims syllabus. They follow the exam pattern but are not past-paper questions.
Showing 41–50 of 86 questions
Q42. Consider the following members:
I. Prime Minister as the Chairman
II. Chief Ministers of all States
III. Six Central Cabinet Ministers nominated by the Prime Minister
IV. Chief Justice of India
Which of the above are part of the Inter-State Council as constituted under Article 263?
I. Prime Minister as the Chairman
II. Chief Ministers of all States
III. Six Central Cabinet Ministers nominated by the Prime Minister
IV. Chief Justice of India
Which of the above are part of the Inter-State Council as constituted under Article 263?
Explanation
The Inter-State Council consists of the Prime Minister as Chairman, the Chief Ministers of all states and union territories with legislatures, and six Union Cabinet ministers nominated by the Prime Minister. Administrators of union territories without legislatures also participate. The Chief Justice of India is not a member of this council, which is designed as a political and administrative forum for inter-governmental coordination.
Q43. Who is empowered by the Constitution of India to establish an Inter-State Council if it appears that the public interests would be served by its establishment?
Explanation
Article 263 of the Constitution empowers the President to establish an Inter-State Council if it is deemed that such a body would serve the public interest. The President also defines the nature of the duties to be performed by the council and its organization. This constitutional provision aims to facilitate coordination between the Union and the States through investigation and discussion of common interests.
Q44. The following question consists of two statements -- Assertion (A) and Reason (R). Answer the question by selecting the appropriate option:
Assertion (A): The recommendations made by the Inter-State Council are strictly advisory in nature and not binding on the Union or State governments.
Reason (R): Article 263 states that the Council’s function is to inquire into and advise upon disputes and to make recommendations for better coordination of policy.
Assertion (A): The recommendations made by the Inter-State Council are strictly advisory in nature and not binding on the Union or State governments.
Reason (R): Article 263 states that the Council’s function is to inquire into and advise upon disputes and to make recommendations for better coordination of policy.
Explanation
The Inter-State Council is primarily an advisory body. According to Article 263, its purpose is to inquire into disputes, discuss common interests, and recommend policies for better coordination. Because its role is to facilitate dialogue and voluntary cooperation between different levels of government, its recommendations are not legally binding, leaving the final decision-making power to the respective Union or State governments.
Q45. In which year was the Inter-State Council formally established for the first time on the recommendation of the Sarkaria Commission?
Explanation
Although Article 263 existed since the Constitution’s inception, the Inter-State Council was formally established only in 1990. This followed a key recommendation from the Sarkaria Commission, which emphasized the need for a permanent forum for consultation between the Union and States. The council was created through a Presidential Order to promote cooperative federalism and resolve inter-state and centre-state conflicts effectively.
Q46. Consider the following duties:
I. Inquiring into and advising upon disputes which may have arisen between States.
II. Investigating and discussing subjects in which some or all of the States, or the Union and one or more of the States, have a common interest.
III. Making recommendations upon any such subject and, in particular, recommendations for the better co-ordination of policy and action.
IV. Adjudicating legal disputes over inter-state river waters.
Which of the above are explicitly mentioned under Article 263 for the Inter-State Council?
I. Inquiring into and advising upon disputes which may have arisen between States.
II. Investigating and discussing subjects in which some or all of the States, or the Union and one or more of the States, have a common interest.
III. Making recommendations upon any such subject and, in particular, recommendations for the better co-ordination of policy and action.
IV. Adjudicating legal disputes over inter-state river waters.
Which of the above are explicitly mentioned under Article 263 for the Inter-State Council?
Explanation
Article 263 specifies that the Inter-State Council’s duties include inquiring into disputes between states and investigating subjects of common interest to the Union and States. It is also tasked with making recommendations for better policy coordination. However, the adjudication of inter-state river water disputes is excluded from its mandate, as that function is specifically governed by Article 262 through specialized tribunals.
Q47. Match the bodies in List-I with their characteristic features in List-II:
| Bodies/Councils | Characteristic Features |
|---|---|
| A. Inter-State Council | i. Extraconstitutional body formed by an executive resolution replacing the Planning Commission. |
| B. Zonal Councils | ii. Statutory bodies established under the States Reorganisation Act, 1956. |
| C. NITI Aayog | iii. Constitutional body established under Article 263. |
| D. National Development Council | iv. Extraconstitutional body traditionally associated with approving Five Year Plans. |
Explanation
The Inter-State Council is a constitutional body established under Article 263. Zonal Councils are statutory bodies created by the States Reorganisation Act, 1956. NITI Aayog is an extra-constitutional body formed via an executive resolution to replace the Planning Commission. The National Development Council is another extra-constitutional body that was traditionally responsible for approving the nation’s Five Year Plans and developmental strategies.
Q48. Article 275 of the Constitution provides for ‘Statutory Grants’. These grants are given by the Union to:
Explanation
Statutory grants under Article 275 are provided by the Union to specific states that the Parliament determines to be in need of financial assistance. These grants are charged to the Consolidated Fund of India and are not distributed equally to all states. They often target specific regional needs, such as the welfare of Scheduled Tribes or improving administration in tribal areas within those states.
Q49. Consider the following components of central taxation:
I. Corporation Tax
II. Customs Duties
III. Surcharges on certain taxes
IV. Cesses levied for specific purposes
V. Income Tax
Which of the above statement(s) is/are correct regarding items that form part of the divisible pool of taxes shared between the Centre and the States according to current constitutional provisions?
I. Corporation Tax
II. Customs Duties
III. Surcharges on certain taxes
IV. Cesses levied for specific purposes
V. Income Tax
Which of the above statement(s) is/are correct regarding items that form part of the divisible pool of taxes shared between the Centre and the States according to current constitutional provisions?
Explanation
The divisible pool of taxes includes major sources like Corporation Tax, Customs Duties, and Income Tax, which are shared between the Union and States. However, surcharges and cesses levied for specific purposes are typically excluded from this sharing arrangement and belong solely to the Union. This distinction ensures that while general tax revenues are distributed, the Union retains specific-purpose funds for national projects.
Q50. Which of the following statements regarding the borrowing powers of the States under Article 293 is incorrect?
Explanation
Under Article 293, states can borrow only within India and against their own Consolidated Funds. A critical restriction is that a state cannot raise any new loan without the consent of the Union Government if there is any part of a previous central loan still outstanding. This ensures fiscal discipline and prevents states from accumulating unsustainable debt that could impact the national economy.Answer key for these questions
| Q | Correct answer |
|---|---|
| 41 | (a) Indian Forest Service - Ministry of Environment. |
| 42 | (b) I, II and III only |
| 43 | (b) The President of India |
| 44 | (a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A. |
| 45 | (c) 1990 |
| 46 | (d) I, II and III only |
| 47 | (b) A-iii, B-ii, C-i, D-iv |
| 48 | (d) States specifically identified as requiring financial assistance. |
| 49 | (a) I, II and V only |
| 50 | (c) Unilateral borrowing by States despite outstanding Central loans. |
Key facts from Union-State Relations
- Residuary powers, over subjects in none of the three lists, belong to Parliament.
- Parliament can legislate on a State List subject by a two-thirds Rajya Sabha resolution (Article 249), in a National Emergency (Article 250), with State consent (Article 252) and to implement a treaty (Article 253).
- A Rajya Sabha resolution under Article 249 lasts one year at a time.
- Article 256 requires the States to exercise their executive power in compliance with Union laws.
- The S. R. Bommai case (1994) laid down guidelines on Article 356 and made it subject to judicial review.
- The Sarkaria Commission recommended that the Governor be an eminent person from outside the State.
Frequently asked questions
How many RAS Prelims practice MCQs are there on Union-State Relations?
This page has 86 practice MCQs on Union-State Relations (Indian Polity and Governance). Each has the correct answer, and most have an explanation.
What are residuary powers?
The powers of legislation over subjects not mentioned in any of the three lists. Article 248 gives them to Parliament, unlike in the United States, where residuary powers belong to the States.
What did the S. R. Bommai case decide?
In 1994 the Supreme Court laid down guidelines to prevent misuse of Article 356 (President’s Rule). It held that a proclamation is subject to judicial review, and that a floor test is the way to test a government’s majority.
When can Parliament make laws on State subjects?
In five situations: a Rajya Sabha resolution (Article 249), a National Emergency (250), consent of two or more States (252), implementation of international treaties (253) and President’s Rule (356).