🧾 Article 291 of the Indian Constitution (Repealed)
Title (Before Repeal): Payment of Privy Purses to Rulers of Indian States
⚠️ Status:
✅ Originally in Constitution
❌ Repealed by: 26th Constitutional Amendment Act, 1971
🏛️ Original Purpose of Article 291:
Article 291 provided for the payment of "privy purses" (personal allowances) to the former rulers of princely states who merged their territories into the Indian Union after independence.
These payments were part of the merger agreements between the Indian Government and princely rulers in 1947–49, ensuring:
-
Honorary recognition
-
Financial support
-
Smooth political integration of over 560 princely states
📘 Key Provisions (Before Repeal):
| Clause | Provision |
|---|---|
| Main Clause | The Union of India was obligated to pay privy purses to former rulers as per terms in merger agreements, and these payments were charged on the Consolidated Fund of India, meaning they couldn’t be voted upon in Parliament. |
❌ Why Was Article 291 Repealed?
-
Seen as incompatible with equality and democracy.
-
The 26th Amendment (1971):
-
Abolished privy purses
-
Deregistered royal titles and privileges
-
Repealed Articles 291 and 362
-
-
Then PM Indira Gandhi declared that India must be a truly equal and republic state, without royalty or hereditary privileges.
📊 Article 291 – Summary Chart
| Feature | Details (Before Repeal) |
|---|---|
| Purpose | Payment of privy purses to rulers of princely states |
| Fund Source | Consolidated Fund of India (non-votable) |
| Status Now | Repealed by the 26th Amendment Act, 1971 |
| Related Amendment | Article 363A inserted – terminated recognition of rulers |
| Constitutional Impact | Marked end of official princely privileges in India |
Here is a timeline-style chart showing the progression and status of Articles 285 to 291 of the Indian Constitution — including fiscal provisions, inter-governmental tax immunities, and the now-repealed Article 291 that dealt with privy purses for former rulers.
📜 Timeline & Status Chart: Articles 285 to 291
| Article | Title | Focus Area | Key Provision | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 285 | Exemption of Union property from State taxation | Union Tax Immunity | States cannot tax Union property (unless Parliament permits) | ✅ In Force |
| 286 | Restrictions on State taxation of inter-State trade | Trade Protection | States cannot tax inter-State, import/export sales | ✅ In Force |
| 287 | Exemption on electricity sold to/used by Union | Utility Tax Exemption | No State tax on electricity consumed by/sold to Union Government | ✅ In Force |
| 288 | Exemption on water/electricity for Union services | Utility Exemption for Railways/Union Projects | No State tax on water/electricity used for railways/Union-controlled services | ✅ In Force |
| 289 | Exemption of State income/property from Union taxation | State Tax Immunity | Union cannot tax State income/property, unless commercial | ✅ In Force |
| 290 | Adjustment of expenses/pensions | Financial Support to States | Union can grant aid to States for pre-1950 pensions/expenses | ✅ In Force |
| 291 | Privy Purses to former rulers | Merger Compensation (Princely States) | Union to pay privy purses from Consolidated Fund of India | ❌ Repealed (1971) |
📅 Timeline of Evolution
1949–50 → Articles 285–291 enacted in original Constitution
↓
1950s–60s → Used to structure Centre–State financial relations & princely integrations
↓
1971 → Article 291 repealed by 26th Amendment (Abolition of Privy Purses)
↓
Present → Articles 285–290 remain crucial to India's **federal fiscal framework**
🧠 Summary of Article Status
| ✅ In Force | ❌ Repealed |
|---|---|
| Article 285 – Union Tax Immunity | Article 291 – Privy Purses (Repealed 1971) |
| Article 286 – Trade Tax Restriction | |
| Article 287 – Electricity Exemption | |
| Article 288 – Utility Exemption (Railways/Union) | |
| Article 289 – State Tax Immunity | |
| Article 290 – Expense Adjustment Grants |
Follow Us