Restrictions on trade, commerce and intercourse among States
Quick Summary (TL;DR)
Article 304 (Restrictions on trade, commerce and intercourse among States): Guarantees free trade, commerce, and movement of goods across state borders within India (Part XIII).
In Simple Citizen Words
Article 304 ('Restrictions on trade, commerce and intercourse among States') in Part XIII (Articles 301–307) ensures the economic unity of India. While Article 301 declares that trade, commerce, and intercourse throughout the territory of India shall be free, Articles 302–307 regulate when Parliament or a State Legislature may impose non-discriminatory restrictions in the public interest. Specifically: Notwithstanding anything in article 301 or article 303, the Legislature of a State may by law — (a) impose on goods imported from other States 1 [or the Union territories] any tax to which similar goods manufactured or produced in that...
Key Constitutional Provisions
Constitutional Mandate (Art. 304): Directly codifies the legal rule for 'Restrictions on trade, commerce and intercourse among States' under Part XIII
Structured across 1 clause(s) and 3 sub-clause(s) with explicit constitutional provisos/safeguards
Exercises of constitutional office under this article must follow aid, advice, and established constitutional conventions
Exceptions & Reasonable Restrictions
Under Article 304(b), any State Bill imposing reasonable restrictions on inter-state trade in the public interest requires the previous sanction of the President (Atiabari Tea Co. & Jindal Stainless rulings).
Why This Matters in Daily Life
Allows farmers, traders, transporters, and businesses to sell and move goods across all 28 States and 8 UTs as one common national market.
Want deeper legal & historical context? Explore the official Bare Act or Supreme Court Precedents & CAD Debates: