Administrative Relations

By : Neha Dhyani

Updated : Dec 21, 2022, 17:45

Administrative Relations help to establish integration between the States and the Centre. India's Constitution is based on the division of power and is divided into States and the Centre. Both have different legislative, administrative, and financial powers. Administrative Relations between Centre and State are necessary to run the nation smoothly. ensure harmony within the nation.

In the Constitution of India, the various provisions of Administrative Relations between Centre and State are stated from Article 256 to Article 263. We have shared further information about the same here.

Administrative Relations - Meaning

Administrative Relations Between Centre and State government come under Articles 256 to 263 in Part XI of the Indian Constitution. The President of India can constitute an Inter-State Council (under Article 263) to examine and evaluate subjects of mutual interest between the Centre and the states.

The President might establish an Inter-State Council to investigate and discuss matters of common interest in administrative Relations between Centre and state under Article 263. This Inter-State Council was formed in 1990.

Administrative Relations between Centre and State

The Administrative Relations between Centre and State are divided on the basis of the distribution of legislative powers. Legislative relations care for the law-making bodies between the Centre and States whereas Administrative Relations form the spirit of the federal structure. Moreover, the administrative jurisdiction wholly demonstrates the supremacy of the Centre over the States.

Administrative Relations - Center's Control Over State Legislation

  • The state's edifice and operation of communications networks.
  • Provision of appropriate facilities for students from linguistic minority groups in the state to receive primary school education in their native language.
  • Specific programs for the welfare of the state's Scheduled Tribes are being developed and implemented.
  • The coercive sanction underpinning the Central Directions under Article 365 also applies in specific circumstances.

Administrative Relations between Centre and State - Articles

In the Indian Constitution, dedicated Articles lay down the details about the Administrative Relations between Centre and State. Here, we have shared further information about these Articles -

Article 256 of the Indian Constitution

According to this provision of Administrative Relations, the executive power of states should not prejudice or impede the executive powers of the C entre, and States ensure compliance with the Parliament's laws.

Article 257 of the Indian Constitution

Just like article 256, this provision also states the superiority of the Centre's power over States. This provision offers the power to the Centre to give directions to States regarding the maintenance and construction of highways and waterways, means of communication, and measures to be taken for the protection of railways. Moreover, the central executive has the power to eliminate the hurdles that any centre agency finds to function with states.

Articles 258 & 259 of the Indian Constitution

These Articles also describe the Administrative Relations between Centre and State. The Central power can entrust the governor or the officer of State either conditionally or unconditionally to do certain functions of the Union concerning any matter to which the executive power of State extends.

Article 260 of the Indian Constitution

This provision of Administrative Relations states that with agreement governed by the laws associating the exercise of a foreign jurisdiction with the other territory's Government, the Government of India can undertake legislative, executive, or judicial functions of the foreign territory.

Article 261 of the Indian Constitution

This provision of Administrative Relations between Centre and State states that Indian citizens shall give full faith and credit throughout India's territory to public records, acts, and judicial proceedings of the Centre and States.

Article 262 of the Indian Constitution

This provision of Administrative Relations provides adjudication associated with any complaint or dispute relating to water. The Centre clears out all the disputes of States regarding water.

Article 263 of the Indian Constitution

According to this provision of Administrative Relations between Centre and State, the President may establish ISC (Inter-State Council) to inquire into, investigate, discuss and advise upon disputes between the States.

Administrative Relations - Distribution of Executive Powers

The Constitution has distributed the executive power of Administrative Relations between Centre and State, which are the following -

  • The executive power of the Union extends across the whole country, whereas the executive power of States extends to matters where the State legislature has its legislative jurisdiction.
  • The Centre's executive power extends to the matters associated with the Union List, whereas States' power extends to the State List.
  • The Centre's executive power extends to exercising authority, jurisdiction, and rights conferred by any agreement and treaty.
  • When the Parliament and the State legislature have legislative power, the executive power belongs to the states, except for parliamentary statute or Constitutional provision expressly placed in the Union.

Adjusting Administrative Relations between the Centre and the States is challenging in a federal system. But the Constitution of India is neither entirely federal nor unitary. Thus, the provisions of the Constitution help to quickly resolve the muddles and provide integration between the Centre and the State for a better-running nation.

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FAQs on Administrative Relations

Q1) What are Administrative Relations?

India's Constitution is based on the division of power and is divided into States and the Centre. Administrative Relations between the Centre and the State are described in the Constitution for the smooth functioning of the Indian democracy. Both Centre and the State have unique legislative, administrative, and financial powers

Q2) What are the Administrative Relations between Centre and State in India?

The Indian Constitution has dedicated Articles that describe the Administrative Relations between Centre and State. The executive and legislative powers differ for the Centre and the State, with the Centre having more power than the State administration.

Q3) Which articles deal with Administrative Relations Between Centre and State?

The Constitution of India contains various provisions of Administrative Relations, which are from Article 256 to Article 263. These articles describe the various executive and legislative powers between the Centre and the State in India.

Q4) Under which article can the President constitute an Inter-State Council to examine the Administrative Relations Between Centre and State?

According to Article 263 of Administrative Relations between Centre and State, the President may establish ISC (Inter-State Council) to inquire into, investigate, discuss and advise upon disputes between the States.