With reference to India, consider the following : I. The Inter-State Council II. The National Security Council III. Zonal Councils How many of the above were established as per the provisions of the Constitution of India?
- (a) Only one ✓ UPSC's answer
- (b) Only two
- (c) All the three
- (d) None
Why the answer is (a)
• The Inter-State Council is a constitutional body: Article 263 empowers the President to establish it, which was done in 1990 on the Sarkaria Commission's recommendation — so it counts.
• The National Security Council (1998) is an executive body created by a government order to advise the Prime Minister on strategic and security matters; it has no constitutional or statutory basis.
• The five Zonal Councils are statutory bodies set up under the States Reorganisation Act, 1956 (the North Eastern Council under a separate Act of 1971); they are not provided for in the Constitution.
• Only one of the three, therefore, was established under the Constitution.
• Hence option (a).
Why the other options are wrong
- (b) Only two
- Only the Inter-State Council is constitutional; the other two are not.
- (c) All the three
- The NSC is executive and Zonal Councils are statutory.
- (d) None
- The Inter-State Council under Article 263 is constitutional.
Asked in the GS Paper I of the UPSC Civil Services Preliminary Examination 2025, held on 25 May 2025. Question and answer key: Union Public Service Commission. Explanation: UPSC Answer Check.