Key Terms & Concepts — UPSC Mains
Inter-State Council
"A constitutional forum under Article 263 for coordination and dispute discussion between the Centre and the states."
The Inter-State Council is a body that the President may establish under Article 263 of the Constitution to inquire into and advise on disputes between states, to investigate subjects of common interest to the Union and states, and to make recommendations for better coordination of policy and action. It was set up in 1990 on the recommendation of the Sarkaria Commission. Chaired by the Prime Minister, its members include Chief Ministers of all states, administrators of Union Territories and specified Union Ministers, and a Standing Committee supports its work.
GS2 (federalism, Centre-state and inter-state relations, constitutional bodies). Prelims tests Article 263, the 1990 establishment and the Sarkaria Commission link. Mains uses it to discuss cooperative federalism and coordination mechanisms. Anchor: with recurring Centre-state frictions through 2025-26 over finances and Governors, commentators repeatedly urged fuller and more regular use of the Inter-State Council.
- 1 Established under Article 263 of the Constitution
- 2 Set up in 1990 on the Sarkaria Commission's recommendation
- 3 Chaired by the Prime Minister
- 4 Members include all Chief Ministers and specified Union Ministers
- 5 A Standing Committee assists its functioning
- 6 It is a recommendatory and advisory body, not a decision-maker
Amid 2026 debates on fiscal federalism and Centre-state tensions, analysts pressed for regular meetings of the Inter-State Council as the constitutional platform for cooperative federalism.
