What is the Inter State Council? Composition, Functions, Highlights

Q: How many zonal councils are there in India?

At present India has six zonal councils. They are the Northern Zonal Council, Central Zonal Council, Eastern Zonal Council, Western Zonal Council, Southern Zonal Council, and Northeastern council.

Why in news?

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin on Thursday (June 16) requested Prime Minister Narendra Modi to hold a maximum of three meetings of the Inter-State Council to strengthen the spirit of cooperative federalism. Recently Inter-state council is reconstituted with Prime Minister as chairman and chief ministers and other Union ministers as Ex-Officio members of the committee. Ten Union ministers are Permanent invitees to the Inter-state council. The Government also reconstituted the Standing committees with the Home minister as a chairman.

Inter State Council Composition

Prime Minister as Chairman
Chief Ministers of all States Members
Chief Ministers of Union Territories having a Legislative Assembly and Administrators of UTs
Six Ministers of Cabinet rank in the Union Council of Ministers to be nominated by the Prime Minister Members.

What is the function of the Inter State Council :

Inquiring and advising on disputes between states.
Investigating and discussing subjects in which two states or states and the Union have a common interest, and making recommendations for a better policy.

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Highlights of 11th Inter State Council Meeting

Consideration of Punchhi commission recommendations on Centre-State Relations. Use of Aadhaar and DBT for providing Subsidies, benefits, and Public Services. Enhancing the quality of education with a focus on improving learning outcomes, incentivizing better performance, etc.
Internal Security with a focus on intelligence sharing and synchronization for fighting Terrorism and Insurgency Police Reforms and Police Modernization.

>> Read the article in Bengali: Link

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Inter-State Council FAQs

What is the function of Inter-State Council?

It was set up with the policy of center-state and inter-state cooperation and coordination in India. The Inter-state council was established under Article 263 of the constitution.

How many zonal councils are there in India?

At present India has six zonal councils. They are the Northern Zonal Council, Central Zonal Council, Eastern Zonal Council, Western Zonal Council, Southern Zonal Council, and Northeastern council.

How many states are in India?

The system of government in states closely resembles that of the Union. There are 28 states and 8 Union territories in the country. Union Territories are administered by the President through an Administrator appointed by him/her.

Who is the chairman of Inter state council?

Prime Minister is the chairman of the Inter-state council.

What is the composition of Inter state council?

The composition of the Inter-state council is-

Prime Minister as Chairman
Chief Ministers of all States Members
Chief Ministers of Union Territories having a Legislative Assembly and Administrators of UTs
Six Ministers of Cabinet rank in the Union Council of Ministers to be nominated by the Prime Minister Members.