Inter-State Council

Definition

A constitutional advisory forum for coordination between the Centre and the States, and among the States, on matters of common interest.

Key points

• Constitutional provision under Article 263, which empowers the President to establish such a Council.
• It was actually set up in 1990 by a Presidential order, on the recommendation of the Sarkaria Commission on Centre-State relations.
• It is chaired by the Prime Minister; members include all Chief Ministers, the Administrators of Union Territories and six Union Cabinet Ministers.
• Functions: to inquire into and advise on disputes between States, to investigate subjects of common interest, and to recommend better coordination of policy and action.
• A Standing Committee and an Inter-State Council Secretariat support its work; it is advisory and meets periodically.

Why it matters for CAPF

Article 263, the Sarkaria Commission origin (1990) and the PM-chaired composition are standard centre-state relations and federalism facts.

Common confusion

The Inter-State Council is set up by Presidential order under Article 263, not directly by the Constitution as a permanent body; it is purely advisory; do not confuse it with the NITI Aayog Governing Council or the Zonal Councils (which are statutory, under the States Reorganisation Act, 1956).

Parent note

federalism and centre state relations