Power of the States to entrust functions to the Union
Quick Summary (TL;DR)
Article 258A (Power of the States to entrust functions to the Union): Governs federal legislative and administrative division of powers between the Union and States under Part XI.
In Simple Citizen Words
Article 258A ('Power of the States to entrust functions to the Union') in Part XI (Relations between the Union and the States) structures Indian federalism. It governs territorial and subject-matter jurisdiction under the Union, State, and Concurrent Lists of the Seventh Schedule, GST concurrent powers (Art 246A), residuary powers (Art 248), inconsistency/repugnancy rules (Art 254), inter-state river water disputes (Art 262), or the Inter-State Council (Art 263). Specifically: Notwithstanding anything in this Constitution, the Governor of a State may, with the consent of the Government of India, entrust either conditionally or unconditionally to that Government or to its officers functions in relation to any...
Key Constitutional Provisions
Constitutional Mandate (Art. 258A): Directly codifies the legal rule for 'Power of the States to entrust functions to the Union' under Part XI
Sets a direct, self-contained constitutional command binding on public authorities across India
Exercises of constitutional office under this article must follow aid, advice, and established constitutional conventions
Exceptions & Reasonable Restrictions
Federalism is part of the Basic Structure of the Constitution (S.R. Bommai v. Union of India, 1994); neither the Union nor the States can usurp the exclusive legislative domain assigned to the other.
Why This Matters in Daily Life
Clarifies which government (Central or State) is responsible and accountable for every law, tax, and public service affecting your life.
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