As per Article 279A of the Indian Constitution, the GST Council's decisions require what kind of majority of the weighted votes o…

Question

As per Article 279A of the Indian Constitution, the GST Council's decisions require what kind of majority of the weighted votes of the members present and voting?

1. A. Simple majority
2. B. Three-fourths majority (Correct answer)
3. C. Two-thirds majority
4. D. Half majority

Correct Answer

Option B — Three-fourths majority

Detailed Solution & Explanation

The correct answer is Three-fourths majority.

Key Points

• Under Article 279A, decisions of the GST Council require a majority of not less than three-fourths of the weighted votes of the members present and voting.
• The weighting is fixed: the Centre holds one-third of the votes cast, and all the states together hold two-thirds.
• The arrangement means neither the Centre alone nor the states alone can carry a decision — cooperation is structurally required.

Additional Information

• The quorum for a meeting is one-half of the total members.
• The Council is chaired by the Union Finance Minister, with the Union Minister of State for Finance and one minister nominated by each state as members.
• GST was introduced by the 101st Constitutional Amendment Act, 2016, and came into force on 1 July 2017.
• Its structure: CGST and SGST on intra-state supply, IGST on inter-state supply, with slabs of 5%, 12%, 18% and 28%; petroleum products and alcohol for human consumption remain outside its ambit.

प्रश्न (हिन्दी में)

भारतीय संविधान के अनुच्छेद 279A के अनुसार, GST परिषद के निर्णयों के लिए उपस्थित और मतदान करने वाले सदस्यों के भारित मतों के किस प्रकार के बहुमत की आवश्यकता होती है?

1. A. साधारण बहुमत
2. B. तीन-चौथाई बहुमत
3. C. दो-तिहाई बहुमत
4. D. आधा बहुमत