Which Article enables the President to establish an Inter-State Council?

Question

Which Article enables the President to establish an Inter-State Council?

1. A. Article 263 (Correct answer)
2. B. Article 264
3. C. Article 312
4. D. Article 262

Correct Answer

Option A — Article 263

Detailed Solution & Explanation

The correct answer is Article 263.

Key Points

• Article 263 empowers the President to establish an Inter-State Council if it appears that the public interest would be served by doing so.
• The Council's functions are to inquire into and advise upon disputes between states, to investigate and discuss subjects of common interest, and to make recommendations for better coordination of policy.
• It is an advisory body — it cannot adjudicate, which distinguishes it from a tribunal.

Additional Information

• The Council was constituted in 1990, following the Sarkaria Commission's recommendation, and is chaired by the Prime Minister with six Union Ministers and all Chief Ministers as members.
• Article 262, the neighbouring provision, deals with the adjudication of inter-state river water disputes and permits Parliament to bar the jurisdiction of courts — the basis of the Inter-State River Water Disputes Act, 1956.
• Article 312 provides for the creation of All India Services on a Rajya Sabha resolution passed by a two-thirds majority.
• Zonal Councils, by contrast, are statutory bodies created by the States Reorganisation Act, 1956, not constitutional ones.

प्रश्न (हिन्दी में)

कौन सा अनुच्छेद राष्ट्रपति को अंतर्राज्यीय परिषद स्थापित करने का अधिकार देता है?

1. A. अनुच्छेद 263
2. B. अनुच्छेद 264
3. C. अनुच्छेद 312
4. D. अनुच्छेद 262