Question 23 from UPSC CSE 2025 - Current Affairs (Polity & Governanc e)

Question

With reference to India, consider the following:
I. The InterâState Council
II. The National Security Council
III. The Zonal Councils
How many of the above are established as per the provisions of the Constitution of India?

IASCODEX · Accepted Answer

Correct Option: A. Only one

Strategy: Focus on identifying which bodies are explicitly mentioned in the Constitution. Inter-State Council is the only one provided for by Article 263, making it a constitutional body. National Security Council is purely executive, and Zonal Councils are statutory, not constitutional. This permits immediate elimination of options claiming more than one is constitutional.

Key Info: *   **Inter-State Council**: Constituted under Article 263 of the Constitution of India, the Inter-State Council is a constitutional body designed to facilitate coordination between states and with the Union. It is meant to serve as a forum for discussion of policies and subjects of common interest.
*   **National Security Council (NSC)**: The NSC is an executive body established in 1998 by the Government of India to advise the Prime Minister on matters of national security and strategic interest. It is not mentioned anywhere in the Constitution, and its functioning is based on executive orders.
*   **Zonal Councils**: These councils were created under the States Reorganisation Act, 1956, an Act of Parliament. Thus, they are statutory bodies formed to promote interstate cooperation and coordination. There are five Zonal Councils: Northern, Central, Eastern, Western, and Southern. They are not provided for under the Constitution.
*   **Definitions**: Statutory bodies derive their authority from legislation passed by Parliament, while constitutional bodies are explicitly created and empowered by constitutional provisions. Executive bodies are established by government orders and do not require statute or constitutional mention.

IASCODEX · Answer

Option B: Only two

IASCODEX · Answer

Option C: All three

IASCODEX · Answer

Option D: None

With reference to India, consider the following: I. The InterâState Council II. The National Security Council III. The Zonal Councils How many of the above are established as per the provisions of the Constitution of India?

With reference to India, consider the following:
I. The InterâState Council
II. The National Security Council
III. The Zonal Councils
How many of the above are established as per the provisions of the Constitution of India?