📜 Article 263 of the Indian Constitution
Title: Provisions with respect to an inter-State Council
Part XI – Relations Between the Union and the States
Chapter II – Administrative Relations
🔍 Text Summary of Article 263:
Article 263 empowers the President of India to establish an Inter-State Council to improve coordination between States and the Centre and to resolve inter-State disputes through discussion.
🧠 Key Points of Article 263:
| 🔢 Provision |
📘 Description |
| Who can create it? |
The President of India, if it seems necessary in the public interest |
| Nature |
It is an advisory body, not judicial or legislative |
| Purpose |
To promote cooperation and coordination between States and the Union |
| Functions (suggested): |
|
| 1️⃣ |
Inquire and advise on inter-State disputes |
| 2️⃣ |
Discuss policies affecting more than one State or the Union |
| 3️⃣ |
Recommend improvements to inter-governmental coordination |
🏛️ Inter-State Council (ISC):
| 📅 Established |
🗓️ 1990 (based on Sarkaria Commission recommendation) |
| 🧑⚖️ Constitutional Basis |
Article 263 |
| 👥 Chairman |
Prime Minister of India |
| 👥 Members |
Union Ministers + All Chief Ministers + Administrators of UTs |
🧪 Example Situations for ISC Use:
| 🧾 Issue |
⚖️ Role of ISC |
| River water disputes between States |
Facilitate dialogue and prevent escalation |
| Implementation of national policies (like GST or NEP) |
Encourage uniform adoption and resolve concerns |
| Law and order issues in border areas |
Coordinate between affected States and Centre |
🔁 Related Articles & Bodies:
| 📘 Related Article / Commission |
📌 Relevance |
| Article 262 |
Settlement of inter-State river disputes |
| Sarkaria Commission (1983–1988) |
Recommended the activation of Inter-State Council |
| Punchhi Commission (2010) |
Suggested strengthening the ISC’s role |
🧠 In Simple Words:
Article 263 allows the President to create a forum (Inter-State Council) where States and the Centre can talk, cooperate, and resolve disputes — like a roundtable for better federal harmony.
Here's a 📊 Comparison Chart of Article 262 vs Article 263 — both deal with inter-State issues, but with different approaches:
⚖️ Chart: Article 262 vs Article 263 of the Indian Constitution
| 🔢 Aspect |
🟫 Article 262 |
🟦 Article 263 |
| 📘 Title |
Adjudication of disputes relating to inter-State rivers |
Provisions with respect to an Inter-State Council |
| 🧑⚖️ Focus |
Judicial/Legal settlement of river water disputes |
Coordination, discussion, and advisory role between Union and States |
| 🏛️ Authority Involved |
Parliament frames law to resolve disputes |
President of India can establish Inter-State Council |
| ⚖️ Nature |
Binding decisions through tribunal |
Advisory body, not binding |
| 🚫 Court Jurisdiction |
Parliament can bar the Supreme Court and High Courts from interfering |
Courts not barred; ISC is not judicial |
| 📄 Example Law / Body |
Inter-State River Water Disputes Act, 1956 |
Inter-State Council (formed in 1990) |
| 👥 Participants |
Concerned States & Tribunal |
Prime Minister, CMs, Union Ministers, UT Administrators |
| 🔁 Outcome |
Legal resolution of specific water disputes |
Suggestions & discussions for general Centre-State or State-State issues |
| 🧠 Purpose |
Prevent and settle conflicts over water sharing |
Enhance cooperation & policy coordination |
| 📍 Area of Use |
River/river valley water conflicts only |
Any inter-State or Union-State matter |
🧠 In Simple Words:
| ⚖️ Article |
🎯 Deals With |
🧩 Main Tool |
| 262 |
Water disputes between States |
Tribunal (legal) |
| 263 |
General cooperation & coordination |
Council (advisory) |
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