89 THE CONSTITUTION OF INDIA

PART IX
THE PANCHAYATS
2 4 3 . Def i ni ti ons .—In t h i s Part , u n les s t h e con t ex t ot h erwi s e req u i res ,—
(a) “district” means a district in a State;
(b) “Gram Sabha” means a body consisting of persons registered in the electoral rolls
relating to a village comprised within the area of Panchayat at the village level;
(c) “intermediate level” means a level between the village and district levels specified
by the Governor of a State by public notification to be the intermediate level for the
purposes of this Part;
(d) “Panchayat” means an institution (by whatever name called) of self- government
constituted under article 243B, for the rural areas;
(e) “Panchayat area” means the territorial area of a Panchayat;
(f) “Population” means the population as ascertained at the last preceding census of
which the relevant figures have been published;
(g) “village” means a village specified by the Governor by public notification to be a
village for the purposes of this Part and includes a group of villages so specified.
2 4 3 A. Gra m Sa bha .— A G ram Sab h a may ex erci s e s u ch p owers an d
p erform s u ch fu n ct i on s at t h e vi llage level as t h e Legi s lat u re of a St at e
may, b y law, p rovi d e.
2 4 3 B . Cons ti tuti on of P a ncha y a ts .—(1 ) Th ere s h all b e con s t i t u t ed i n
every St at e, Pan ch ayat s at t h e vi llage, i n t ermed i at e an d d i s t ri ct levels i n
accord an ce wi t h t h e p rovi s i on s of t h i s Part .
(2 ) Not wi t h s t an d i n g an yt h i n g i n clau s e (1 ), Pan ch ayat s at t h e
i n t ermed i at e level may n ot b e con s t i t u t ed i n a St at e h avi n g a p op u lat i on
n ot ex ceed i n g t wen t y lakh s .
2 4 3 C. Com pos i ti on of P a ncha y a ts .— (1 ) Su b j ect t o t h e p rovi s i on s of
t h i s Part , t h e Legi s lat u re of a St at e may, b y law, make p rovi s i on s wi t h
res p ect t o t h e comp os i t i on of Pan ch ayat s :
Provi d ed t h at t h e rat i o b et ween t h e p op u lat i on of t h e t erri t ori al area of a
Pan ch ayat at an y level an d t h e n u mb er of s eat s i n s u ch Pan ch ayat t o b e
fi lled b y elect i on s h all, s o far as p ract i cab le, b e t h e s ame t h rou gh ou t t h e
St at e.
(2 ) All t h e s eat s i n a Pan ch ayat s h all b e fi lled b y p ers on s ch os en b y
d i rect elect i on from t erri t ori al con s t i t u en ci es i n t h e Pan ch ayat area an d ,
for t h i s p u rp os e, each Pan ch ayat area s h all b e d i vi d ed i n t o t erri t ori al
con s t i t u en ci es i n s u ch man n er t h at t h e rat i o b et ween t h e p op u lat i on of each
con s t i t u en cy an d t h e n u mb er of s eat s allot t ed t o i t s h all, s o far as
p ract i cab le, b e t h e s ame t h rou gh ou t t h e p an ch ayat area.
(3 ) Th e Legi s lat u re of a St at e may, b y law, p rovi d e for t h e
rep res en t at i on —

89
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(a) of the Chairpersons of the Panchayats at the village level, in the Panchayats at the
intermediate level or, in the case of a State not having Panchayats at the intermediate
level, in the Panchayats at the district level;
(b) of the Chairpersons of the Panchayats at the intermediate level, in the Panchayats
at the district level;
(c) of the members of the House of the People and the members of the Legislative
Assembly of the State representing constituencies which comprise wholly or partly a
Panchayat area at a level other than the village level, in such Panchayat;
(d) of the members of the Council of States and the members of the Legislative
Council of the State, where they are registered as electors within—
(i) a Panchayat area at the intermediate level, in Panchayat at the intermediate
level;
(ii) a Panchayat area at the district level, in Panchayat at the district level.
(4 ) Th e Ch ai rp ers on of a Pan ch ayat an d ot h er memb ers of a Pan ch ayat
wh et h er or n ot ch os en b y d i rect elect i on from t erri t ori al con s t i t u en ci es i n
t h e Pan ch ayat area s h all h ave t h e ri gh t t o vot e i n t h e meet i n gs of t h e
Pan ch ayat s .
(5 ) Th e Ch ai rp ers on of—
(a) a panchayat at the village level shall be elected in such manner as the Legislature
of a State may, by law, provide; and
(b) a Panchayat at the intermediate level or district level shall be elected by, and from
amongst, the elected members thereof.
2 4 3 D. Res erva ti on of s ea ts .—(1 ) Seat s s h all b e res erved for—
(a) the Scheduled Castes; and
(b) the Scheduled Tribes,
i n every Pan ch ayat an d t h e n u mb er of s eat s s o res erved s h all b ear, as
n early as may b e, t h e s ame p rop ort i on t o t h e t ot al n u mb er of s eat s t o b e
fi lled b y d i rect elect i on i n t h at Pan ch ayat as t h e p op u lat i on of t h e
Sch ed u led Cas t es i n t h at Pan ch ayat area or of t h e Sch ed u led Tri b es i n t h at
Pan ch ayat area b ears t o t h e t ot al p op u lat i on of t h at area an d s u ch s eat s
may b e allot t ed b y rot at i on t o d i fferen t con s t i t u en ci es i n a Pan ch ayat .
(2 ) Not les s t h an on e-t h i rd of t h e t ot al n u mb er of s eat s res erved u n d er
clau s e (1 ) s h all b e res erved for women b elon gi n g t o t h e Sch ed u led Cas t es
or, as t h e cas e may b e, t h e Sch ed u led Tri b es .
(3 ) Not les s t h an on e-t h i rd (i n clu d i n g t h e n u mb er of s eat s res erved for
women b elon gi n g t o t h e Sch ed u led Cas t es an d t h e Sch ed u led Tri b es ) of t h e
t ot al n u mb er of s eat s t o b e fi lled b y d i rect elect i on i n every Pan ch ayat
s h all b e res erved for women an d s u ch s eat s may b e allot t ed b y rot at i on t o
d i fferen t con s t i t u en ci es i n a Pan ch ayat .
(4 ) Th e offi ces of t h e Ch ai rp ers on s i n t h e Pan ch ayat s at t h e vi llage or
an y ot h er level s h all b e res erved for t h e Sch ed u led Cas t es , t h e Sch ed u led
 91 THE CONSTITUTION OF INDIA

Tri b es an d women i n s u ch man n er as t h e Legi s lat u re of a St at e may, b y

law, p rovi d e:
Provi d ed t h at t h e n u mb er of offi ces of Ch ai rp ers on s res erved for t h e
Sch ed u led Cas t es an d t h e Sch ed u led Tri b es i n t h e Pan ch ayat s at each level
i n an y St at e s h all b ear, as n early as may b e, t h e s ame p rop ort i on t o t h e
t ot al n u mb er of s u ch offi ces i n t h e Pan ch ayat s at each level as t h e
p op u lat i on of t h e Sch ed u led Cas t es i n t h e St at e or of t h e Sch ed u led Tri b es
i n t h e St at e b ears t o t h e t ot al p op u lat i on of t h e St at e:
Provi d ed fu rt h er t h at n ot les s t h an on e-t h i rd of t h e t ot al n u mb er of
offi ces of Ch ai rp ers on s i n t h e Pan ch ayat s at each level s h all b e res erved
for women :
Provi d ed als o t h at t h e n u mb er of offi ces res erved u n d er t h i s clau s e s h all
b e allot t ed b y rot at i on t o d i fferen t Pan ch ayat s at each level.
(5 ) Th e res ervat i on of s eat s u n d er clau s es (1 ) an d (2 ) an d t h e res ervat i on
of offi ces of Ch ai rp ers on s (ot h er t h an t h e res ervat i on for women ) u n d er
clau s e (4 ) s h all ceas e t o h ave effect on t h e ex p i rat i on of t h e p eri od
s p eci fi ed i n art i cle 3 3 4 .
(6 ) Not h i n g i n t h i s Part s h all p reven t t h e Legi s lat u re of a St at e from
maki n g an y p rovi s i on for res ervat i on of s eat s i n an y Pan ch ayat or offi ces
of Ch ai rp ers on s i n t h e Pan ch ayat s at an y level i n favou r of b ackward clas s
of ci t i zen s .
2 4 3 E. Dura ti on of P a ncha y a ts , etc.—(1 ) Every Pan ch ayat , u n les s
s oon er d i s s olved u n d er an y law for t h e t i me b ei n g i n force, s h all con t i n u e
for fi ve years from t h e d at e ap p oi n t ed for i t s fi rs t meet i n g an d n o lon ger.
(2 ) No amen d men t of an y law for t h e t i me b ei n g i n force s h all h ave t h e
effect of cau s i n g d i s s olu t i on of a Pan ch ayat at an y level, wh i ch i s
fu n ct i on i n g i mmed i at ely b efore s u ch amen d men t , t i ll t h e ex p i rat i on of i t s
d u rat i on s p eci fi ed i n clau s e (1 ).
(3 ) An elect i on t o con s t i t u t e a Pan ch ayat s h all b e comp let ed —
(a) before the expiry of its duration specified in clause (1);
(b) before the expiration of a period of six months from the date of its dissolution:
Provi d ed t h at wh ere t h e remai n d er of t h e p eri od for wh i ch t h e d i s s olved
Pan ch ayat wou ld h ave con t i n u ed i s les s t h an s i x mon t h s , i t s h all n ot b e
n eces s ary t o h old an y elect i on u n d er t h i s clau s e for con s t i t u t i n g t h e
Pan ch ayat for s u ch p eri od .
(4 ) A Pan ch ayat con s t i t u t ed u p on t h e d i s s olu t i on of a Pan ch ayat b efore
t h e ex p i rat i on of i t s d u rat i on s h all con t i n u e on ly for t h e remai n d er of t h e
p eri od for wh i ch t h e d i s s olved Pan ch ayat wou ld h ave con t i n u ed u n d er
clau s e (1 ) h ad i t n ot b een s o d i s s olved .
2 4 3 F . Di s qua l i f i ca ti ons f or m em bers hi p.—(1 ) A p ers on s h all b e
d i s q u ali fi ed for b ei n g ch os en as , an d for b ei n g, a memb er of a Pan ch ayat —
(a) if he is so disqualified by or under any law for the time being in force for the
purposes of elections to the Legislature of the State concerned:
 92 THE CONSTITUTION OF INDIA

Provided that no person shall be disqualified on the ground that he is less than twenty-five
years of age, if he has attained the age of twenty-one years;
(b) if he is so disqualified by or under any law made by the Legislature of the State.
(2 ) If an y q u es t i on ari s es as t o wh et h er a memb er of a Pan ch ayat h as
b ecome s u b j ect t o an y of t h e d i s q u ali fi cat i on s men t i on ed i n clau s e (1 ), t h e
q u es t i on s h all b e referred for t h e d eci s i on of s u ch au t h ori t y an d i n s u ch
man n er as t h e Legi s lat u re of a St at e may, b y law, p rovi d e.
2 4 3 G. P ow ers , a uthori ty a nd res pons i bi l i ti es of P a ncha y a ts .—Su b j ect
t o t h e p rovi s i on s of t h i s Con s t i t u t i on , t h e Legi s lat u re of a St at e may, b y
law, en d ow t h e Pan ch ayat s wi t h s u ch p owers an d au t h ori t y as may b e
n eces s ary t o en ab le t h em t o fu n ct i on as i n s t i t u t i on s of s elf-govern men t an d
s u ch law may con t ai n p rovi s i on s for t h e d evolu t i on of p owers an d
res p on s i b i li t i es u p on Pan ch ayat s at t h e ap p rop ri at e level, s u b j ect t o s u ch
con d i t i on s as may b e s p eci fi ed t h erei n , wi t h res p ect t o—
(a) the preparation of plans for economic development and social justice;
(b) the implementation of schemes for economic development and social justice as
may be entrusted to them including those in relation to the matters listed in the Eleventh
Schedule.
2 4 3 H. P ow ers to i m pos e ta xes by , a nd F unds of , the P a ncha y a ts .—Th e
Legi s lat u re of a St at e may, b y law,—
(a) authorise a Panchayat to levy, collect and appropriate such taxes, duties, tolls and
fees in accordance with such procedure and subject to such limits;
(b) assign to a Panchayat such taxes, duties, tolls and fees levied and collected by the
State Government for such purposes and subject to such conditions and limits;
(c) provide for making such grants-in-aid to the Panchayats from the Consolidated
Fund of the State; and
(d) provide for constitution of such Funds for crediting all moneys received,
respectively, by or on behalf of the Panchayats and also for the withdrawal of such
moneys therefrom,
as may b e s p eci fi ed i n t h e law.
2 4 3 -I . Cons ti tuti on of F i na nce Com m i s s i on to revi ew f i na nci a l
pos i ti on.—(1 ) Th e G overn or of a St at e s h all, as s oon as may b e wi t h i n on e
year from t h e commen cemen t of t h e Con s t i t u t i on (Seven t y-t h i rd
Amen d men t ) Act , 1 9 9 2 , an d t h ereaft er at t h e ex p i rat i on of every fi ft h year,
con s t i t u t e a Fi n an ce Commi s s i on t o revi ew t h e fi n an ci al p os i t i on of t h e
Pan ch ayat s an d t o make recommen d at i on s t o t h e G overn or as t o—
(a) the principles which should govern—
(i) the distribution between the State and the Panchayats of the net proceeds of
the taxes, duties, tolls and fees leviable by the State, which may be divided between
them under this Part and the allocation between the Panchayats at all levels of their
respective shares of such proceeds;
 93 THE CONSTITUTION OF INDIA

(ii) the determination of the taxes, duties, tolls and fees which may be assigned
to, or appropriated by, the Panchayats;
(iii) the grants-in-aid to the Panchayats from the Consolidated Fund of the
State;
(b) the measures needed to improve the financial position of the Panchayats;
(c) any other matter referred to the Finance Commission by the Governor in the
interests of sound finance of the Panchayats.
(2 ) Th e Legi s lat u re of a St at e may, b y law, p rovi d e for t h e comp os i t i on
of t h e Commi s s i on , t h e q u ali fi cat i on s wh i ch s h all b e req u i s i t e for
ap p oi n t men t as memb ers t h ereof an d t h e man n er i n wh i ch t h ey s h all b e
s elect ed .
(3 ) Th e Commi s s i on s h all d et ermi n e t h ei r p roced u re an d s h all h ave s u ch
p owers i n t h e p erforman ce of t h ei r fu n ct i on s as t h e Legi s lat u re of t h e St at e
may, b y law, con fer on t h em.
(4 ) Th e G overn or s h all cau s e every recommen d at i on mad e b y t h e
Commi s s i on u n d er t h i s art i cle t oget h er wi t h an ex p lan at ory memoran d u m
as t o t h e act i on t aken t h ereon t o b e lai d b efore t h e Legi s lat u re of t h e St at e.
2 4 3 J . Audi t of a ccounts of P a ncha y a ts .—Th e Legi s lat u re of a St at e
may, b y law, make p rovi s i on s wi t h res p ect t o t h e mai n t en an ce of accou n t s
b y t h e Pan ch ayat s an d t h e au d i t i n g of s u ch accou n t s .
2 4 3 K. El ecti ons to the P a ncha y a ts .—(1 ) Th e s u p eri n t en d en ce, d i rect i on
an d con t rol of t h e p rep arat i on of elect oral rolls for, an d t h e con d u ct of, all
elect i on s t o t h e Pan ch ayat s s h all b e ves t ed i n a St at e Elect i on Commi s s i on
con s i s t i n g of a St at e Elect i on Commi s s i on er t o b e ap p oi n t ed b y t h e
G overn or.
(2 ) Su b j ect t o t h e p rovi s i on s of an y law mad e b y t h e Legi s lat u re of a
St at e, t h e con d i t i on s of s ervi ce an d t en u re of offi ce of t h e St at e Elect i on
Commi s s i on er s h all b e s u ch as t h e G overn or may b y ru le d et ermi n e:
Provi d ed t h at t h e St at e Elect i on Commi s s i on er s h all n ot b e removed
from h i s offi ce ex cep t i n li ke man n er an d on t h e li ke grou n d s as a J u d ge of
a Hi gh Cou rt an d t h e con d i t i on s of s ervi ce of t h e St at e Elect i on
Commi s s i on er s h all n ot b e vari ed t o h i s d i s ad van t age aft er h i s
ap p oi n t men t .
(3 ) Th e G overn or of a St at e s h all, wh en s o req u es t ed b y t h e St at e
Elect i on Commi s s i on , make avai lab le t o t h e St at e Elect i on Commi s s i on
s u ch s t aff as may b e n eces s ary for t h e d i s ch arge of t h e fu n ct i on s con ferred
on t h e St at e Elect i on Commi s s i on b y clau s e (1 ).
(4 ) Su b j ect t o t h e p rovi s i on s of t h i s Con s t i t u t i on , t h e Legi s lat u re of a
St at e may, b y law, make p rovi s i on wi t h res p ect t o all mat t ers relat i n g t o,
or i n con n ect i on wi t h , elect i on s t o t h e Pan ch ayat s .
2 4 3 L. Appl i ca ti on to Uni on terri tori es .—Th e p rovi s i on s of t h i s Part
s h all ap p ly t o t h e Un i on t erri t ori es an d s h all, i n t h ei r ap p li cat i on t o a
Un i on t erri t ory, h ave effect as i f t h e referen ces t o t h e G overn or of a St at e
 94 THE CONSTITUTION OF INDIA

were referen ces t o t h e Ad mi n i s t rat or of t h e Un i on t erri t ory ap p oi n t ed u n d er

art i cle 2 3 9 an d referen ces t o t h e Legi s lat u re or t h e legi s lat i ve As s emb ly of
a St at e were referen ces , i n relat i on t o a Un i on t erri t ory h avi n g a
Legi s lat i ve As s emb ly, t o t h at Legi s lat i ve As s emb ly:
Provi d ed t h at t h e Pres i d en t may, b y p u b li c n ot i fi cat i on , d i rect t h at t h e
p rovi s i on s of t h i s Part s h all ap p ly t o an y Un i on t erri t ory or p art t h ereof
s u b j ect t o s u ch ex cep t i on s an d mod i fi cat i on s as h e may s p eci fy i n t h e
n ot i fi cat i on .
2 4 3 M . P a rt not to a ppl y to certa i n a rea s .—(1 ) Not h i n g i n t h i s Part
s h all ap p ly t o t h e Sch ed u led Areas referred t o i n clau s e (1 ), an d t h e t ri b al
areas referred t o i n clau s e (2 ), of art i cle 2 4 4 .
(2 ) Not h i n g i n t h i s Part s h all ap p ly t o—
(a) the States of Nagaland, Meghalaya and Mizoram;
(b) the hill areas in the State of Manipur for which District Councils exist under any
law for the time being in force.
(3 ) Not h i n g i n t h i s Part —
(a) relating to Panchayats at the district level shall apply to the hill areas of the
District of Darjeeling in the State of West Bengal for which Darjeeling Gorkha Hill
Council exists under any law for the time being in force;
(b) shall be construed to affect the functions and powers of the Darjeeling Gorkha
Hill Council constituted under such law.
(3 A) Not h i n g i n art i cle 2 4 3 D, relat i n g t o res ervat i on of s eat s for t h e
Sch ed u led Cas t es , s h all ap p ly t o t h e St at e of Aru n ach al Prad es h .
(4 ) Not wi t h s t an d i n g an yt h i n g i n t h i s Con s t i t u t i on , —
(a) the Legislature of a State referred to in sub-clause (a) of clause (2) may, by law,
extend this part to that State, except the areas, if any, referred to in clause (1), if the
Legislative Assembly of that State passes a resolution to that effect by a majority of the
total membership of that House and by a majority of not less than two-thirds of the
members of that House present and voting;
(b) Parliament may, by law, extend the provisions of this Part to the Scheduled Areas
and the tribal areas referred to in clause (1) subject to such exceptions and modifications
as may be specified in such law, and no such law shall be deemed to be an amendment of
this Constitution for the purposes of article 368.
2 4 3 N. Conti nua nce of exi s ti ng l a w s a nd P a ncha y a ts .—Not wi t h s t an d i n g
an yt h i n g i n t h i s Part , an y p rovi s i on of an y law relat i n g t o Pan ch ayat s i n
force i n a St at e i mmed i at ely b efore t h e commen cemen t of t h e Con s t i t u t i on
(Seven t y-t h i rd Amen d men t ) Act , 1 9 9 2 , wh i ch i s i n con s i s t en t wi t h t h e
p rovi s i on s of t h i s Part , s h all con t i n u e t o b e i n force u n t i l amen d ed or
rep ealed b y a comp et en t Legi s lat u re or ot h er comp et en t au t h ori t y or u n t i l
t h e ex p i rat i on of on e year from s u ch commen cemen t , wh i ch ever i s earli er:
Provi d ed t h at all t h e Pan ch ayat s ex i s t i n g i mmed i at ely b efore s u ch
commen cemen t s h all con t i n u e t i ll t h e ex p i rat i on of t h ei r d u rat i on , u n les s
s oon er d i s s olved b y a res olu t i on p as s ed t o t h at effect b y t h e Legi s lat i ve
 95 THE CONSTITUTION OF INDIA

As s emb ly of t h at St at e or, i n t h e cas e of a St at e h avi n g a Legi s lat i ve

Cou n ci l, b y each Hou s e of t h e Legi s lat u re of t h at St at e.
2 4 3 -O. B a r to i nterf erence by courts i n el ectora l m a tters .—
Not wi t h s t an d i n g an yt h i n g i n t h i s Con s t i t u t i on ,—
(a) the validity of any law relating to the delimitation of constituencies or the
allotment of seats to such constituencies, made or purporting to be made under article
243K, shall not be called in question in any court;
(b) no election to any Panchayat shall be called in question except by an election
petition presented to such authority and in such manner as is provided for by or under any
law made by the Legislature of a State.

P ART I XA
 96 THE CONSTITUTION OF INDIA

PART IXA
THE MUNICIPALITIES
2 4 3 P . Def i ni ti ons .—In t h i s Part , u n les s t h e con t ex t ot h erwi s e
req u i res ,—
(a ) “Commi t t ee” mean s a Commi t t ee con s t i t u t ed u n d er art i cle 2 4 3 S;
(b ) “d i s t ri ct ” mean s a d i s t ri ct i n a St at e;
(c) “Met rop oli t an area” mean s an area h avi n g a p op u lat i on of t en
lakh s or more, comp ri s ed i n on e or more d i s t ri ct s an d con s i s t i n g of t wo
or more Mu n i ci p ali t i es or Pan ch ayat s or ot h er con t i gu ou s areas ,
s p eci fi ed b y t h e G overn or b y p u b li c n ot i fi cat i on t o b e a Met rop oli t an
area for t h e p u rp os es of t h i s Part ;
(d ) “Mu n i ci p al area” mean s t h e t erri t ori al area of a Mu n i ci p ali t y as
i s n ot i fi ed b y t h e G overn or;
(e) “Mu n i ci p ali t y” mean s an i n s t i t u t i on of s elf-govern men t
con s t i t u t ed u n d er art i cle 2 4 3 Q;
(f ) “Pan ch ayat ” mean s a Pan ch ayat con s t i t u t ed u n d er art i cle 2 4 3 B;
(g ) “p op u lat i on ” mean s t h e p op u lat i on as as cert ai n ed at t h e las t
p reced i n g cen s u s of wh i ch t h e relevan t fi gu res h ave b een p u b li s h ed .
2 4 3 Q. Cons ti tuti on of M uni ci pa l i ti es .—(1 ) Th ere s h all b e con s t i t u t ed
i n every St at e,—
(a ) a Nagar Pan ch ayat (b y wh at ever n ame called ) for a t ran s i t i on al
area, t h at i s t o s ay, an area i n t ran s i t i on from a ru ral area t o an u rb an
area;
(b ) a Mu n i ci p al Cou n ci l for a s maller u rb an area; an d
(c) a Mu n i ci p al Corp orat i on for a larger u rb an area,
i n accord an ce wi t h t h e p rovi s i on s of t h i s Part :
Provi d ed t h at a Mu n i ci p ali t y u n d er t h i s clau s e may n ot b e con s t i t u t ed i n
s u ch u rb an area or p art t h ereof as t h e G overn or may, h avi n g regard t o t h e
s i ze of t h e area an d t h e mu n i ci p al s ervi ces b ei n g p rovi d ed or p rop os ed t o
b e p rovi d ed b y an i n d u s t ri al es t ab li s h men t i n t h at area an d s u ch ot h er
fact ors as h e may d eem fi t , b y p u b li c n ot i fi cat i on , s p eci fy t o b e an
i n d u s t ri al t own s h i p .
(2 ) In t h i s art i cle, “a t ran s i t i on al area”, “a s maller u rb an area” or “a
larger u rb an area” mean s s u ch area as t h e G overn or may, h avi n g regard t o
t h e p op u lat i on of t h e area, t h e d en s i t y of t h e p op u lat i on t h erei n , t h e
reven u e gen erat ed for local ad mi n i s t rat i on , t h e p ercen t age of emp loymen t
i n n on -agri cu lt u ral act i vi t i es , t h e econ omi c i mp ort an ce or s u ch ot h er
fact ors as h e may d eem fi t , s p eci fy b y p u b li c n ot i fi cat i on for t h e p u rp os es
of t h i s Part .
2 4 3 R. Com pos i ti on of M uni ci pa l i ti es .—(1 ) Save as p rovi d ed i n clau s e
(2 ), all t h e s eat s i n a Mu n i ci p ali t y s h all b e fi lled b y p ers on s ch os en b y
d i rect elect i on from t h e t erri t ori al con s t i t u en ci es i n t h e Mu n i ci p al area an d

96
 97 THE CONSTITUTION OF INDIA

for t h i s p u rp os e each Mu n i ci p al area s h all b e d i vi d ed i n t o t erri t ori al

con s t i t u en ci es t o b e kn own as ward s .
(2 ) Th e Legi s lat u re of a St at e may, b y law, p rovi d e—
(a ) for t h e rep res en t at i on i n a Mu n i ci p ali t y of—
(i ) p ers on s h avi n g s p eci al kn owled ge or ex p eri en ce i n
Mu n i ci p al ad mi n i s t rat i on ;
(i i ) t h e memb ers of t h e Hou s e of t h e Peop le an d t h e memb ers of
t h e Legi s lat i ve As s emb ly of t h e St at e rep res en t i n g con s t i t u en ci es
wh i ch comp ri s e wh olly or p art ly t h e Mu n i ci p al area;
(i i i ) t h e memb ers of t h e Cou n ci l of St at es an d t h e memb ers of
t h e Legi s lat i ve Cou n ci l of t h e St at e regi s t ered as elect ors wi t h i n
t h e Mu n i ci p al area;
(i v) t h e Ch ai rp ers on s of t h e Commi t t ees con s t i t u t ed u n d er
clau s e (5 ) of art i cle 2 4 3 S:
Provi d ed t h at t h e p ers on s referred t o i n p aragrap h (i ) s h all n ot h ave t h e
ri gh t t o vot e i n t h e meet i n gs of t h e Mu n i ci p ali t y;
(b ) t h e man n er of elect i on of t h e Ch ai rp ers on of a Mu n i ci p ali t y.
2 4 3 S. Cons ti tuti on a nd com pos i ti on of Wa rds Com m i ttees , etc.—(1 )
Th ere s h all b e con s t i t u t ed Ward s Commi t t ees , con s i s t i n g of on e or more
ward s , wi t h i n t h e t erri t ori al area of a Mu n i ci p ali t y h avi n g a p op u lat i on of
t h ree lakh s or more.
(2 ) Th e Legi s lat u re of a St at e may, b y law, make p rovi s i on wi t h res p ect
t o—
(a ) t h e comp os i t i on an d t h e t erri t ori al area of a Ward s Commi t t ee;
(b ) t h e man n er i n wh i ch t h e s eat s i n a Ward s Commi t t ee s h all b e
fi lled .
(3 ) A memb er of a Mu n i ci p ali t y rep res en t i n g a ward wi t h i n t h e
t erri t ori al area of t h e Ward s Commi t t ee s h all b e a memb er of t h at
Commi t t ee.
(4 ) Wh ere a Ward s Commi t t ee con s i s t s of—
(a ) on e ward , t h e memb er rep res en t i n g t h at ward i n t h e
Mu n i ci p ali t y; or
(b ) t wo or more ward s , on e of t h e memb ers rep res en t i n g s u ch ward s
i n t h e Mu n i ci p ali t y elect ed b y t h e memb ers of t h e Ward s Commi t t ee,
s h all b e t h e Ch ai rp ers on of t h at Commi t t ee.
(5 ) Not h i n g i n t h i s art i cle s h all b e d eemed t o p reven t t h e Legi s lat u re of
a St at e from maki n g an y p rovi s i on for t h e con s t i t u t i on of Commi t t ees i n
ad d i t i on t o t h e Ward s Commi t t ees .
2 4 3 T. Res erva ti on of s ea ts .—(1 ) Seat s s h all b e res erved for t h e
Sch ed u led Cas t es an d t h e Sch ed u led Tri b es i n every Mu n i ci p ali t y an d t h e
n u mb er of s eat s s o res erved s h all b ear, as n early as may b e, t h e s ame
p rop ort i on t o t h e t ot al n u mb er of s eat s t o b e fi lled b y d i rect elect i on i n
 98 THE CONSTITUTION OF INDIA

t h at Mu n i ci p ali t y as t h e p op u lat i on of t h e Sch ed u led Cas t es i n t h e

Mu n i ci p al area or of t h e Sch ed u led Tri b es i n t h e Mu n i ci p al area b ears t o
t h e t ot al p op u lat i on of t h at area an d s u ch s eat s may b e allot t ed b y rot at i on
t o d i fferen t con s t i t u en ci es i n a Mu n i ci p ali t y.
(2 ) Not les s t h an on e-t h i rd of t h e t ot al n u mb er of s eat s res erved u n d er
clau s e (1 ) s h all b e res erved for women b elon gi n g t o t h e Sch ed u led Cas t es
or, as t h e cas e may b e, t h e Sch ed u led Tri b es .
(3 ) Not les s t h an on e-t h i rd (i n clu d i n g t h e n u mb er of s eat s res erved for
women b elon gi n g t o t h e Sch ed u led Cas t es an d t h e Sch ed u led Tri b es ) of t h e
t ot al n u mb er of s eat s t o b e fi lled b y d i rect elect i on i n every Mu n i ci p ali t y
s h all b e res erved for women an d s u ch s eat s may b e allot t ed b y rot at i on t o
d i fferen t con s t i t u en ci es i n a Mu n i ci p ali t y.
(4 ) Th e offi ces of Ch ai rp ers on s i n t h e Mu n i ci p ali t i es s h all b e res erved
for t h e Sch ed u led Cas t es , t h e Sch ed u led Tri b es an d women i n s u ch man n er
as t h e Legi s lat u re of a St at e may, b y law, p rovi d e.
(5 ) Th e res ervat i on of s eat s u n d er clau s es (1 ) an d (2 ) an d t h e res ervat i on
of offi ces of Ch ai rp ers on s (ot h er t h an t h e res ervat i on for women ) u n d er
clau s e (4 ) s h all ceas e t o h ave effect on t h e ex p i rat i on of t h e p eri od
s p eci fi ed i n art i cle 3 3 4 .
(6 ) Not h i n g i n t h i s Part s h all p reven t t h e Legi s lat u re of a St at e from
maki n g an y p rovi s i on for res ervat i on of s eat s i n an y Mu n i ci p ali t y or
offi ces of Ch ai rp ers on s i n t h e Mu n i ci p ali t i es i n favou r of b ackward clas s
of ci t i zen s .
2 4 3 U. Dura ti on of M uni ci pa l i ti es , etc.—(1 ) Every Mu n i ci p ali t y, u n les s
s oon er d i s s olved u n d er an y law for t h e t i me b ei n g i n force, s h all con t i n u e
for fi ve years from t h e d at e ap p oi n t ed for i t s fi rs t meet i n g an d n o lon ger:
Provi d ed t h at a Mu n i ci p ali t y s h all b e gi ven a reas on ab le op p ort u n i t y of
b ei n g h eard b efore i t s d i s s olu t i on .
(2 ) No amen d men t of an y law for t h e t i me b ei n g i n force s h all h ave t h e
effect of cau s i n g d i s s olu t i on of a Mu n i ci p ali t y at an y level, wh i ch i s
fu n ct i on i n g i mmed i at ely b efore s u ch amen d men t , t i ll t h e ex p i rat i on of i t s
d u rat i on s p eci fi ed i n clau s e (1 ).
(3 ) An elect i on t o con s t i t u t e a Mu n i ci p ali t y s h all b e comp let ed ,—
(a ) b efore t h e ex p i ry of i t s d u rat i on s p eci fi ed i n clau s e (1 );
(b ) b efore t h e ex p i rat i on of a p eri od of s i x mon t h s from t h e d at e of
i t s d i s s olu t i on :
Provi d ed t h at wh ere t h e remai n d er of t h e p eri od for wh i ch t h e d i s s olved
Mu n i ci p ali t y wou ld h ave con t i n u ed i s les s t h an s i x mon t h s , i t s h all n ot b e
n eces s ary t o h old an y elect i on u n d er t h i s clau s e for con s t i t u t i n g t h e
Mu n i ci p ali t y for s u ch p eri od .
(4 ) A Mu n i ci p ali t y con s t i t u t ed u p on t h e d i s s olu t i on of a Mu n i ci p ali t y
b efore t h e ex p i rat i on of i t s d u rat i on s h all con t i n u e on ly for t h e remai n d er
 99 THE CONSTITUTION OF INDIA

of t h e p eri od for wh i ch t h e d i s s olved Mu n i ci p ali t y wou ld h ave con t i n u ed

u n d er clau s e (1 ) h ad i t n ot b een s o d i s s olved .
2 4 3 V. Di s qua l i f i ca ti ons f or m em bers hi p.—(1 ) A p ers on s h all b e
d i s q u ali fi ed for b ei n g ch os en as , an d for b ei n g, a memb er of a
Mu n i ci p ali t y—
(a ) i f h e i s s o d i s q u ali fi ed b y or u n d er an y law for t h e t i me b ei n g i n
force for t h e p u rp os es of elect i on s t o t h e Legi s lat u re of t h e St at e
con cern ed :
Provi d ed t h at n o p ers on s h all b e d i s q u ali fi ed on t h e grou n d t h at h e i s
les s t h an t wen t y-fi ve years of age, i f h e h as at t ai n ed t h e age of t wen t y-on e
years ;
(b ) i f h e i s s o d i s q u ali fi ed b y or u n d er an y law mad e b y t h e
Legi s lat u re of t h e St at e.
(2 ) If an y q u es t i on ari s es as t o wh et h er a memb er of a Mu n i ci p ali t y h as
b ecome s u b j ect t o an y of t h e d i s q u ali fi cat i on s men t i on ed i n clau s e (1 ), t h e
q u es t i on s h all b e referred for t h e d eci s i on of s u ch au t h ori t y an d i n s u ch
man n er as t h e Legi s lat u re of a St at e may, b y law, p rovi d e.
2 4 3 W. P ow ers , a uthori ty a nd res pons i bi l i ti es of M uni ci pa l i ti es , etc.—
Su b j ect t o t h e p rovi s i on s of t h i s Con s t i t u t i on , t h e Legi s lat u re of a St at e
may, b y law, en d ow—
(a ) t h e Mu n i ci p ali t i es wi t h s u ch p owers an d au t h ori t y as may b e
n eces s ary t o en ab le t h em t o fu n ct i on as i n s t i t u t i on s of s elf-govern men t
an d s u ch law may con t ai n p rovi s i on s for t h e d evolu t i on of p owers an d
res p on s i b i li t i es u p on Mu n i ci p ali t i es , s u b j ect t o s u ch con d i t i on s as may
b e s p eci fi ed t h erei n , wi t h res p ect t o—
(i ) t h e p rep arat i on of p lan s for econ omi c d evelop men t an d
s oci al j u s t i ce;
(i i ) t h e p erforman ce of fu n ct i on s an d t h e i mp lemen t at i on of
s ch emes as may b e en t ru s t ed t o t h em i n clu d i n g t h os e i n relat i on t o
t h e mat t ers li s t ed i n t h e Twelft h Sch ed u le;
(b ) t h e Commi t t ees wi t h s u ch p owers an d au t h ori t y as may b e
n eces s ary t o en ab le t h em t o carry ou t t h e res p on s i b i li t i es con ferred
u p on t h em i n clu d i n g t h os e i n relat i on t o t h e mat t ers li s t ed i n t h e
Twelft h Sch ed u le.
2 4 3 X. P ow er to i m pos e ta xes by , a nd F unds of , the M uni ci pa l i ti es .—
Th e Legi s lat u re of a St at e may, b y law,—
(a ) au t h ori s e a Mu n i ci p ali t y t o levy, collect an d ap p rop ri at e s u ch
t ax es , d u t i es , t olls an d fees i n accord an ce wi t h s u ch p roced u re an d
s u b j ect t o s u ch li mi t s ;
(b ) as s i gn t o a Mu n i ci p ali t y s u ch t ax es , d u t i es , t olls an d fees levi ed
an d collect ed b y t h e St at e G overn men t for s u ch p u rp os es an d s u b j ect t o
s u ch con d i t i on s an d li mi t s ;
 100 THE CONSTITUTION OF INDIA

(c) p rovi d e for maki n g s u ch gran t s -i n -ai d t o t h e Mu n i ci p ali t i es from

t h e Con s oli d at ed Fu n d of t h e St at e; an d
(d ) p rovi d e for con s t i t u t i on of s u ch Fu n d s for cred i t i n g all mon eys
recei ved , res p ect i vely, b y or on b eh alf of t h e Mu n i ci p ali t i es an d als o for
t h e wi t h d rawal of s u ch mon eys t h erefrom,
as may b e s p eci fi ed i n t h e law.
2 4 3 Y. F i na nce Com m i s s i on.—(1 ) Th e Fi n an ce Commi s s i on con s t i t u t ed
u n d er art i cle 2 4 3 -I s h all als o revi ew t h e fi n an ci al p os i t i on of t h e
Mu n i ci p ali t i es an d make recommen d at i on s t o t h e G overn or as t o—
(a ) t h e p ri n ci p les wh i ch s h ou ld govern —
(i ) t h e d i s t ri b u t i on b et ween t h e St at e an d t h e Mu n i ci p ali t i es of
t h e n et p roceed s of t h e t ax es , d u t i es , t olls an d fees levi ab le b y t h e
St at e, wh i ch may b e d i vi d ed b et ween t h em u n d er t h i s Part an d t h e
allocat i on b et ween t h e Mu n i ci p ali t i es at all levels of t h ei r
res p ect i ve s h ares of s u ch p roceed s ;
(i i ) t h e d et ermi n at i on of t h e t ax es , d u t i es , t olls an d fees wh i ch
may b e as s i gn ed t o, or ap p rop ri at ed b y, t h e Mu n i ci p ali t i es ;
(i i i ) t h e gran t s -i n -ai d t o t h e Mu n i ci p ali t i es from t h e
Con s oli d at ed Fu n d of t h e St at e;
(b ) t h e meas u res n eed ed t o i mp rove t h e fi n an ci al p os i t i on of t h e
Mu n i ci p ali t i es ;
(c) an y ot h er mat t er referred t o t h e Fi n an ce Commi s s i on b y t h e
G overn or i n t h e i n t eres t s of s ou n d fi n an ce of t h e Mu n i ci p ali t i es .
(2 ) Th e G overn or s h all cau s e every recommen d at i on mad e b y t h e
Commi s s i on u n d er t h i s art i cle t oget h er wi t h an ex p lan at ory memoran d u m
as t o t h e act i on t aken t h ereon t o b e lai d b efore t h e Legi s lat u re of t h e St at e.
2 4 3 Z. Audi t of a ccounts of M uni ci pa l i ti es .—Th e Legi s lat u re of a St at e
may, b y law, make p rovi s i on s wi t h res p ect t o t h e mai n t en an ce of accou n t s
b y t h e Mu n i ci p ali t i es an d t h e au d i t i n g of s u ch accou n t s .
2 4 3 ZA. El ecti ons to the M uni ci pa l i ti es .—(1 ) Th e s u p eri n t en d en ce,
d i rect i on an d con t rol of t h e p rep arat i on of elect oral rolls for, an d t h e
con d u ct of, all elect i on s t o t h e Mu n i ci p ali t i es s h all b e ves t ed i n t h e St at e
Elect i on Commi s s i on referred t o i n art i cle 2 4 3 K.
(2 ) Su b j ect t o t h e p rovi s i on s of t h i s Con s t i t u t i on , t h e Legi s lat u re of a
St at e may, b y law, make p rovi s i on wi t h res p ect t o all mat t ers relat i n g t o,
or i n con n ect i on wi t h , elect i on s t o t h e Mu n i ci p ali t i es .
2 4 3 ZB . Appl i ca ti on to Uni on terri tori es .—Th e p rovi s i on s of t h i s Part
s h all ap p ly t o t h e Un i on t erri t ori es an d s h all, i n t h ei r ap p li cat i on t o a
Un i on t erri t ory, h ave effect as i f t h e referen ces t o t h e G overn or of a St at e
were referen ces t o t h e Ad mi n i s t rat or of t h e Un i on t erri t ory ap p oi n t ed u n d er
art i cle 2 3 9 an d referen ces t o t h e Legi s lat u re or t h e Legi s lat i ve As s emb ly
of a St at e were referen ces i n relat i on t o a Un i on t erri t ory h avi n g a
Legi s lat i ve As s emb ly, t o t h at Legi s lat i ve As s emb ly:
 101 THE CONSTITUTION OF INDIA

Provi d ed t h at t h e Pres i d en t may, b y p u b li c n ot i fi cat i on , d i rect t h at t h e

p rovi s i on s of t h i s Part s h all ap p ly t o an y Un i on t erri t ory or p art t h ereof
s u b j ect t o s u ch ex cep t i on s an d mod i fi cat i on s as h e may s p eci fy i n t h e
n ot i fi cat i on .
2 4 3 ZC. P a rt not to a ppl y to certa i n a rea s .—(1 ) Not h i n g i n t h i s Part
s h all ap p ly t o t h e Sch ed u led Areas referred t o i n clau s e (1 ), an d t h e t ri b al
areas referred t o i n clau s e (2 ), of art i cle 2 4 4 .
(2 ) Not h i n g i n t h i s Part s h all b e con s t ru ed t o affect t h e fu n ct i on s an d
p owers of t h e Darj eeli n g G orkh a Hi ll Cou n ci l con s t i t u t ed u n d er an y law
for t h e t i me b ei n g i n force for t h e h i ll areas of t h e d i s t ri ct of Darj eeli n g i n
t h e St at e of Wes t Ben gal.
(3 ) Not wi t h s t an d i n g an yt h i n g i n t h i s Con s t i t u t i on , Parli amen t may, b y
law, ex t en d t h e p rovi s i on s of t h i s Part t o t h e Sch ed u led Areas an d t h e
t ri b al areas referred t o i n clau s e (1 ) s u b j ect t o s u ch ex cep t i on s an d
mod i fi cat i on s as may b e s p eci fi ed i n s u ch law, an d n o s u ch law s h all b e
d eemed t o b e an amen d men t of t h i s Con s t i t u t i on for t h e p u rp os es of art i cle
368.
2 4 3 ZD. Com m i ttee f or di s tri ct pl a nni ng .—(1 ) Th ere s h all b e
con s t i t u t ed i n every St at e at t h e d i s t ri ct level a Di s t ri ct Plan n i n g
Commi t t ee t o con s oli d at e t h e p lan s p rep ared b y t h e Pan ch ayat s an d t h e
Mu n i ci p ali t i es i n t h e d i s t ri ct an d t o p rep are a d raft d evelop men t p lan for
t h e d i s t ri ct as a wh ole.
(2 ) Th e Legi s lat u re of a St at e may, b y law, make p rovi s i on wi t h res p ect
t o—
(a ) t h e comp os i t i on of t h e Di s t ri ct Plan n i n g Commi t t ees ;
(b ) t h e man n er i n wh i ch t h e s eat s i n s u ch Commi t t ees s h all b e fi lled :
Provi d ed t h at n ot les s t h an fou r-fi ft h s of t h e t ot al n u mb er of
memb ers of s u ch Commi t t ee s h all b e elect ed b y, an d from amon gs t , t h e
elect ed memb ers of t h e Pan ch ayat at t h e d i s t ri ct level an d of t h e
Mu n i ci p ali t i es i n t h e d i s t ri ct i n p rop ort i on t o t h e rat i o b et ween t h e
p op u lat i on of t h e ru ral areas an d of t h e u rb an areas i n t h e d i s t ri ct ;
(c) t h e fu n ct i on s relat i n g t o d i s t ri ct p lan n i n g wh i ch may b e as s i gn ed
t o s u ch Commi t t ees ;
(d ) t h e man n er i n wh i ch t h e Ch ai rp ers on s of s u ch Commi t t ees s h all
b e ch os en .
(3 ) Every Di s t ri ct Plan n i n g Commi t t ee s h all, i n p rep ari n g t h e d raft
d evelop men t p lan ,—
(a ) h ave regard t o—
(i ) mat t ers of common i n t eres t b et ween t h e Pan ch ayat s an d t h e
Mu n i ci p ali t i es i n clu d i n g s p at i al p lan n i n g, s h ari n g of wat er an d
ot h er p h ys i cal an d n at u ral res ou rces , t h e i n t egrat ed d evelop men t of
i n fras t ru ct u re an d en vi ron men t al con s ervat i on ;
 102 THE CONSTITUTION OF INDIA

(i i ) t h e ex t en t an d t yp e of avai lab le res ou rces wh et h er fi n an ci al

or ot h erwi s e;
(b ) con s u lt s u ch i n s t i t u t i on s an d organ i s at i on s as t h e G overn or
may, b y ord er, s p eci fy.
(4 ) Th e Ch ai rp ers on of every Di s t ri ct Plan n i n g Commi t t ee s h all forward
t h e d evelop men t p lan , as recommen d ed b y s u ch Commi t t ee, t o t h e
G overn men t of t h e St at e.
2 4 3 ZE. Com m i ttee f or M etropol i ta n pl a nni ng .—(1 ) Th ere s h all b e
con s t i t u t ed i n every Met rop oli t an area a Met rop oli t an Plan n i n g Commi t t ee
t o p rep are a d raft d evelop men t p lan for t h e Met rop oli t an area as a wh ole.
(2 ) Th e Legi s lat u re of a St at e may, b y law, make p rovi s i on wi t h res p ect
t o—
(a ) t h e comp os i t i on of t h e Met rop oli t an Plan n i n g Commi t t ees ;
(b ) t h e man n er i n wh i ch t h e s eat s i n s u ch Commi t t ees s h all b e fi lled :
Provi d ed t h at n ot les s t h an t wo-t h i rd s of t h e memb ers of s u ch Commi t t ee
s h all b e elect ed b y, an d from amon gs t , t h e elect ed memb ers of t h e
Mu n i ci p ali t i es an d Ch ai rp ers on s of t h e Pan ch ayat s i n t h e Met rop oli t an area
i n p rop ort i on t o t h e rat i o b et ween t h e p op u lat i on of t h e Mu n i ci p ali t i es an d
of t h e Pan ch ayat s i n t h at area;
(c) t h e rep res en t at i on i n s u ch Commi t t ees of t h e G overn men t of
In d i a an d t h e G overn men t of t h e St at e an d of s u ch organ i s at i on s an d
In s t i t u t i on s as may b e d eemed n eces s ary for carryi n g ou t t h e fu n ct i on s
as s i gn ed t o s u ch Commi t t ees ;
(d ) t h e fu n ct i on s relat i n g t o p lan n i n g an d coord i n at i on for t h e
Met rop oli t an area wh i ch may b e as s i gn ed t o s u ch Commi t t ees ;
(e) t h e man n er i n wh i ch t h e Ch ai rp ers on s of s u ch Commi t t ees s h all
b e ch os en .
(3 ) Every Met rop oli t an Plan n i n g Commi t t ee s h all, i n p rep ari n g t h e d raft
d evelop men t p lan ,—
(a ) h ave regard t o—
(i ) t h e p lan s p rep ared b y t h e Mu n i ci p ali t i es an d t h e Pan ch ayat s
i n t h e Met rop oli t an area;
(i i ) mat t ers of common i n t eres t b et ween t h e Mu n i ci p ali t i es an d
t h e Pan ch ayat s , i n clu d i n g co-ord i n at ed s p at i al p lan n i n g of t h e
area, s h ari n g of wat er an d ot h er p h ys i cal an d n at u ral res ou rces , t h e
i n t egrat ed d evelop men t of i n fras t ru ct u re an d en vi ron men t al
con s ervat i on ;
(i i i ) t h e overall ob j ect i ves an d p ri ori t i es s et b y t h e
G overn men t of In d i a an d t h e G overn men t of t h e St at e;
(i v) t h e ex t en t an d n at u re of i n ves t men t s li kely t o b e mad e i n
t h e Met rop oli t an area b y agen ci es of t h e G overn men t of In d i a an d
 103 THE CONSTITUTION OF INDIA

of t h e G overn men t of t h e St at e an d ot h er avai lab le res ou rces

wh et h er fi n an ci al or ot h erwi s e;
(b ) con s u lt s u ch i n s t i t u t i on s an d organ i s at i on s as t h e G overn or
may, b y ord er, s p eci fy.
(4 ) Th e Ch ai rp ers on of every Met rop oli t an Plan n i n g Commi t t ee s h all
forward t h e d evelop men t p lan , as recommen d ed b y s u ch Commi t t ee, t o t h e
G overn men t of t h e St at e.
2 4 3 ZF . Conti nua nce of exi s ti ng l a w s a nd M uni ci pa l i ti es .—
Not wi t h s t an d i n g an yt h i n g i n t h i s Part , an y p rovi s i on of an y law relat i n g t o
Mu n i ci p ali t i es i n force i n a St at e i mmed i at ely b efore t h e commen cemen t of
t h e Con s t i t u t i on (Seven t y-fou rt h Amen d men t ) Act , 1 9 9 2 , wh i ch i s
i n con s i s t en t wi t h t h e p rovi s i on s of t h i s Part , s h all con t i n u e t o b e i n force
u n t i l amen d ed or rep ealed b y a comp et en t Legi s lat u re or ot h er comp et en t
au t h ori t y or u n t i l t h e ex p i rat i on of on e year from s u ch commen cemen t ,
wh i ch ever i s earli er:
Provi d ed t h at all t h e Mu n i ci p ali t i es ex i s t i n g i mmed i at ely b efore s u ch
commen cemen t s h all con t i n u e t i ll t h e ex p i rat i on of t h ei r d u rat i on , u n les s
s oon er d i s s olved b y a res olu t i on p as s ed t o t h at effect b y t h e Legi s lat i ve
As s emb ly of t h at St at e or, i n t h e cas e of a St at e h avi n g a Legi s lat i ve
Cou n ci l, b y each Hou s e of t h e Legi s lat u re of t h at St at e.
2 4 3 ZG. B a r to i nterf erence by courts i n el ectora l m a tters .—
Not wi t h s t an d i n g an yt h i n g i n t h i s Con s t i t u t i on ,—
(a ) t h e vali d i t y of an y law relat i n g t o t h e d eli mi t at i on of
con s t i t u en ci es or t h e allot men t of s eat s t o s u ch con s t i t u en ci es , mad e or
p u rp ort i n g t o b e mad e u n d er art i cle 2 4 3 ZA s h all n ot b e called i n
q u es t i on i n an y cou rt ;
(b ) n o elect i on t o an y Mu n i ci p ali t y s h all b e called i n q u es t i on
ex cep t b y an elect i on p et i t i on p res en t ed t o s u ch au t h ori t y an d i n s u ch
man n er as i s p rovi d ed for b y or u n d er an y law mad e b y t h e Legi s lat u re
of a St at e.
 104 THE CONSTITUTION OF INDIA

PART X
THE SCHEDULED AND TRIBAL AREAS
2 4 4 . Adm i ni s tra ti on of Schedul ed Area s a nd tri ba l a rea s .—(1 ) Th e
p rovi s i on s of t h e Fi ft h Sch ed u le s h all ap p ly t o t h e ad mi n i s t rat i on an d
con t rol of t h e Sch ed u led Areas an d Sch ed u led Tri b es i n an y St at e ot h er
t h an t h e St at es of As s am, Megh alaya, Tri p u ra an d Mi zoram.
(2 ) Th e p rovi s i on s of t h e Si x t h Sch ed u le s h all ap p ly t o t h e
ad mi n i s t rat i on of t h e t ri b al areas i n t h e St at es of As s am, Megh alaya,
Tri p u ra an d Mi zoram.
2 4 4 A. F orm a ti on of a n a utonom ous Sta te com pri s i ng certa i n tri ba l
a rea s i n As s a m a nd crea ti on of l oca l Leg i s l a ture or Counci l of
M i ni s ters or both theref or.—(1 ) Not wi t h s t an d i n g an yt h i n g i n t h i s
Con s t i t u t i on , Parli amen t may, b y law, form wi t h i n t h e St at e of As s am an
au t on omou s St at e comp ri s i n g (wh et h er wh olly or i n p art ) all or an y of t h e
t ri b al areas s p eci fi ed i n Part I of t h e t ab le ap p en d ed t o p aragrap h 2 0 of t h e
Si x t h Sch ed u le an d creat e t h erefor—
(a ) a b od y, wh et h er elect ed or p art ly n omi n at ed an d p art ly elect ed ,
t o fu n ct i on as a Legi s lat u re for t h e au t on omou s St at e, or
(b ) a Cou n ci l of Mi n i s t ers ,
or b ot h wi t h s u ch con s t i t u t i on , p owers an d fu n ct i on s , i n each cas e, as may
b e s p eci fi ed i n t h e law.
(2 ) An y s u ch law as i s referred t o i n clau s e (1 ) may, i n p art i cu lar,—
(a ) s p eci fy t h e mat t ers en u merat ed i n t h e St at e Li s t or t h e
Con cu rren t Li s t wi t h res p ect t o wh i ch t h e Legi s lat u re of t h e au t on omou s
St at e s h all h ave p ower t o make laws for t h e wh ole or an y p art t h ereof,
wh et h er t o t h e ex clu s i on of t h e Legi s lat u re of t h e St at e of As s am or
ot h erwi s e;
(b ) d efi n e t h e mat t ers wi t h res p ect t o wh i ch t h e ex ecu t i ve p ower of
t h e au t on omou s St at e s h all ex t en d ;
(c) p rovi d e t h at an y t ax levi ed b y t h e St at e of As s am s h all b e
as s i gn ed t o t h e au t on omou s St at e i n s o far as t h e p roceed s t h ereof are
at t ri b u t ab le t o t h e au t on omou s St at e;
(d ) p rovi d e t h at an y referen ce t o a St at e i n an y art i cle of t h i s
Con s t i t u t i on s h all b e con s t ru ed as i n clu d i n g a referen ce t o t h e
au t on omou s St at e; an d
(e) make s u ch s u p p lemen t al, i n ci d en t al an d con s eq u en t i al
p rovi s i on s as may b e d eemed n eces s ary.
(3 ) An amen d men t of an y s u ch law as afores ai d i n s o far as s u ch
amen d men t relat es t o an y of t h e mat t ers s p eci fi ed i n s u b -clau s e (a ) or
s u b -clau s e (b ) of clau s e (2 ) s h all h ave n o effect u n les s t h e amen d men t i s
p as s ed i n each Hou s e of Parli amen t b y n ot les s t h an t wo-t h i rd s of t h e
memb ers p res en t an d vot i n g.

104
 105 THE CONSTITUTION OF INDIA

(4 ) An y s u ch law as i s referred t o i n t h i s art i cle s h all n ot b e d eemed t o

b e an amen d men t of t h i s Con s t i t u t i on for t h e p u rp os es of art i cle 3 6 8
n ot wi t h s t an d i n g t h at i t con t ai n s an y p rovi s i on wh i ch amen d s or h as t h e
effect of amen d i n g t h i s Con s t i t u t i on .
 106 THE CONSTITUTION OF INDIA

P ART XI
RELATIONS BETWEEN THE UNION AND THE STATES
C H AP T E R I.—L E G I S L AT I V E R E L AT I O N S
Di s t r i b u t i o n o f Leg i s l a t i ve Po wer s
2 4 5 . Extent of l a w s m a de by P a rl i a m ent a nd by the Leg i s l a tures of
Sta tes .—(1 ) Su b j ect t o t h e p rovi s i on s of t h i s Con s t i t u t i on , Parli amen t may
make laws for t h e wh ole or an y p art of t h e t erri t ory of In d i a, an d t h e
Legi s lat u re of a St at e may make laws for t h e wh ole or an y p art of t h e
St at e.
(2 ) No law mad e b y Parli amen t s h all b e d eemed t o b e i n vali d on t h e
grou n d t h at i t wou ld h ave ex t ra-t erri t ori al op erat i on .
2 4 6 . Subject-m a tter of l a w s m a de by P a rl i a m ent a nd by the
Leg i s l a tures of Sta tes .— (1 ) Not wi t h s t an d i n g an yt h i n g i n clau s es (2 ) an d
(3 ), Parli amen t h as ex clu s i ve p ower t o make laws wi t h res p ect t o an y of
t h e mat t ers en u merat ed i n Li s t I i n t h e Seven t h Sch ed u le (i n t h i s
Con s t i t u t i on referred t o as t h e “Un i on Li s t ”).
(2 ) Not wi t h s t an d i n g an yt h i n g i n clau s e (3 ), Parli amen t , an d , s u b j ect t o
clau s e (1 ), t h e Legi s lat u re of an y St at e als o, h ave p ower t o make laws wi t h
res p ect t o an y of t h e mat t ers en u merat ed i n Li s t III i n t h e Seven t h
Sch ed u le (i n t h i s Con s t i t u t i on referred t o as t h e “Con cu rren t Li s t ”).
(3 ) Su b j ect t o clau s es (1 ) an d (2 ), t h e Legi s lat u re of an y St at e h as
ex clu s i ve p ower t o make laws for s u ch St at e or an y p art t h ereof wi t h
res p ect t o an y of t h e mat t ers en u merat ed i n Li s t II i n t h e Seven t h Sch ed u le
(i n t h i s Con s t i t u t i on referred t o as t h e “St at e Li s t ”').
(4 ) Parli amen t h as p ower t o make laws wi t h res p ect t o an y mat t er for
an y p art of t h e t erri t ory of In d i a n ot i n clu d ed i n a St at e n ot wi t h s t an d i n g
t h at s u ch mat t er i s a mat t er en u merat ed i n t h e St at e Li s t .
2 4 7 . P ow er of P a rl i a m ent to provi de f or the es ta bl i s hm ent of certa i n
a ddi ti ona l courts .—Not wi t h s t an d i n g an yt h i n g i n t h i s Ch ap t er, Parli amen t
may b y law p rovi d e for t h e es t ab li s h men t of an y ad d i t i on al cou rt s for t h e
b et t er ad mi n i s t rat i on of laws mad e b y Parli amen t or of an y ex i s t i n g laws
wi t h res p ect t o a mat t er en u merat ed i n t h e Un i on Li s t .
2 4 8 . Res i dua ry pow ers of l eg i s l a ti on.—(1 ) Parli amen t h as ex clu s i ve
p ower t o make an y law wi t h res p ect t o an y mat t er n ot en u merat ed i n t h e
Con cu rren t Li s t or St at e Li s t .
(2 ) Su ch p ower s h all i n clu d e t h e p ower of maki n g an y law i mp os i n g a
t ax n ot men t i on ed i n ei t h er of t h os e Li s t s .
2 4 9 . P ow er of P a rl i a m ent to l eg i s l a te w i th res pect to a m a tter i n the
Sta te Li s t i n the na ti ona l i nteres t.—(1 ) Not wi t h s t an d i n g an yt h i n g i n t h e
foregoi n g p rovi s i on s of t h i s Ch ap t er, i f t h e Cou n ci l of St at es h as d eclared
b y res olu t i on s u p p ort ed b y n ot les s t h an t wo-t h i rd s of t h e memb ers p res en t
an d vot i n g t h at i t i s n eces s ary or ex p ed i en t i n t h e n at i on al i n t eres t t h at

106
 107 THE CONSTITUTION OF INDIA

Parli amen t s h ou ld make laws wi t h res p ect t o an y mat t er en u merat ed i n t h e

St at e Li s t s p eci fi ed i n t h e res olu t i on , i t s h all b e lawfu l for Parli amen t t o
make laws for t h e wh ole or an y p art of t h e t erri t ory of In d i a wi t h res p ect t o
t h at mat t er wh i le t h e res olu t i on remai n s i n force.
(2 ) A res olu t i on p as s ed u n d er clau s e (1 ) s h all remai n i n force for s u ch
p eri od n ot ex ceed i n g on e year as may b e s p eci fi ed t h erei n :
Provi d ed t h at , i f an d s o oft en as a res olu t i on ap p rovi n g t h e con t i n u an ce
i n force of an y s u ch res olu t i on i s p as s ed i n t h e man n er p rovi d ed i n clau s e
(1 ), s u ch res olu t i on s h all con t i n u e i n force for a fu rt h er p eri od of on e year
from t h e d at e on wh i ch u n d er t h i s clau s e i t wou ld ot h erwi s e h ave ceas ed t o
b e i n force.
(3 ) A law mad e b y Parli amen t wh i ch Parli amen t wou ld n ot b u t for t h e
p as s i n g of a res olu t i on u n d er clau s e (1 ) h ave b een comp et en t t o make
s h all, t o t h e ex t en t of t h e i n comp et en cy, ceas e t o h ave effect on t h e
ex p i rat i on of a p eri od of s i x mon t h s aft er t h e res olu t i on h as ceas ed t o b e i n
force, ex cep t as res p ect s t h i n gs d on e or omi t t ed t o b e d on e b efore t h e
ex p i rat i on of t h e s ai d p eri od .
2 5 0 . P ow er of P a rl i a m ent to l eg i s l a te w i th res pect to a ny m a tter i n
the Sta te Li s t i f a P rocl a m a ti on of Em erg ency i s i n opera ti on.—(1 )
Not wi t h s t an d i n g an yt h i n g i n t h i s Ch ap t er, Parli amen t s h all, wh i le a
Proclamat i on of Emergen cy i s i n op erat i on , h ave p ower t o make laws for
t h e wh ole or an y p art of t h e t erri t ory of In d i a wi t h res p ect t o an y of t h e
mat t ers en u merat ed i n t h e St at e Li s t .
(2 ) A law mad e b y Parli amen t wh i ch Parli amen t wou ld n ot b u t for t h e
i s s u e of a Proclamat i on of Emergen cy h ave b een comp et en t t o make s h all,
t o t h e ex t en t of t h e i n comp et en cy, ceas e t o h ave effect on t h e ex p i rat i on of
a p eri od of s i x mon t h s aft er t h e Proclamat i on h as ceas ed t o op erat e, ex cep t
as res p ect s t h i n gs d on e or omi t t ed t o b e d on e b efore t h e ex p i rat i on of t h e
s ai d p eri od .
2 5 1 . I ncons i s tency betw een l a w s m a de by P a rl i a m ent under a rti cl es
2 4 9 a nd 2 5 0 a nd l a w s m a de by the Leg i s l a tures of Sta tes .—Not h i n g i n
art i cles 2 4 9 an d 2 5 0 s h all res t ri ct t h e p ower of t h e Legi s lat u re of a St at e t o
make an y law wh i ch u n d er t h i s Con s t i t u t i on i t h as p ower t o make, b u t i f
an y p rovi s i on of a law mad e b y t h e Legi s lat u re of a St at e i s rep u gn an t t o
an y p rovi s i on of a law mad e b y Parli amen t wh i ch Parli amen t h as u n d er
ei t h er of t h e s ai d art i cles p ower t o make, t h e law mad e b y Parli amen t ,
wh et h er p as s ed b efore or aft er t h e law mad e b y t h e Legi s lat u re of t h e
St at e, s h all p revai l, an d t h e law mad e b y t h e Legi s lat u re of t h e St at e s h all
t o t h e ex t en t of t h e rep u gn an cy, b u t s o lon g on ly as t h e law mad e b y
Parli amen t con t i n u es t o h ave effect , b e i n op erat i ve.
2 5 2 . P ow er of P a rl i a m ent to l eg i s l a te f or tw o or m ore Sta tes by
cons ent a nd a dopti on of s uch l eg i s l a ti on by a ny other Sta te.—(1 ) If i t
ap p ears t o t h e Legi s lat u res of t wo or more St at es t o b e d es i rab le t h at an y
of t h e mat t ers wi t h res p ect t o wh i ch Parli amen t h as n o p ower t o make laws
for t h e St at es ex cep t as p rovi d ed i n art i cles 2 4 9 an d 2 5 0 s h ou ld b e
 108 THE CONSTITUTION OF INDIA

regu lat ed i n s u ch St at es b y Parli amen t b y law, an d i f res olu t i on s t o t h at

effect are p as s ed b y all t h e Hou s es of t h e Legi s lat u res of t h os e St at es , i t
s h all b e lawfu l for Parli amen t t o p as s an act for regu lat i n g t h at mat t er
accord i n gly, an d an y Act s o p as s ed s h all ap p ly t o s u ch St at es an d t o an y
ot h er St at e b y wh i ch i t i s ad op t ed aft erward s b y res olu t i on p as s ed i n t h at
b eh alf b y t h e Hou s e or, wh ere t h ere are t wo Hou s es , b y each of t h e Hou s es
of t h e Legi s lat u re of t h at St at e.
(2 ) An y Act s o p as s ed b y Parli amen t may b e amen d ed or rep ealed b y an
Act of Parli amen t p as s ed or ad op t ed i n li ke man n er b u t s h all n ot , as
res p ect s an y St at e t o wh i ch i t ap p li es , b e amen d ed or rep ealed b y an Act of
t h e Legi s lat u re of t h at St at e.
2 5 3 . Leg i s l a ti on f or g i vi ng ef f ect to i nterna ti ona l a g reem ents .—
Not wi t h s t an d i n g an yt h i n g i n t h e foregoi n g p rovi s i on s of t h i s Ch ap t er,
Parli amen t h as p ower t o make an y law for t h e wh ole or an y p art of t h e
t erri t ory of In d i a for i mp lemen t i n g an y t reat y, agreemen t or con ven t i on
wi t h an y ot h er cou n t ry or cou n t ri es or an y d eci s i on mad e at an y
i n t ern at i on al con feren ce, as s oci at i on or ot h er b od y.
2 5 4 . I ncons i s tency betw een l a w s m a de by P a rl i a m ent a nd l a w s m a de
by the Leg i s l a tures of Sta tes .—(1 ) If an y p rovi s i on of a law mad e b y t h e
Legi s lat u re of a St at e i s rep u gn an t t o an y p rovi s i on of a law mad e b y
Parli amen t wh i ch Parli amen t i s comp et en t t o en act , or t o an y p rovi s i on of
an ex i s t i n g law wi t h res p ect t o on e of t h e mat t ers en u merat ed i n t h e
Con cu rren t Li s t , t h en , s u b j ect t o t h e p rovi s i on s of clau s e (2 ), t h e law mad e
b y Parli amen t , wh et h er p as s ed b efore or aft er t h e law mad e b y t h e
Legi s lat u re of s u ch St at e, or, as t h e cas e may b e, t h e ex i s t i n g law, s h all
p revai l an d t h e law mad e b y t h e Legi s lat u re of t h e St at e s h all, t o t h e ex t en t
of t h e rep u gn an cy, b e voi d .
(2 ) Wh ere a law mad e b y t h e Legi s lat u re of a St at e wi t h res p ect t o on e
of t h e mat t ers en u merat ed i n t h e Con cu rren t Li s t con t ai n s an y p rovi s i on
rep u gn an t t o t h e p rovi s i on s of an earli er law mad e b y Parli amen t or an
ex i s t i n g law wi t h res p ect t o t h at mat t er, t h en , t h e law s o mad e b y t h e
Legi s lat u re of s u ch St at e s h all, i f i t h as b een res erved for t h e con s i d erat i on
of t h e Pres i d en t an d h as recei ved h i s as s en t , p revai l i n t h at St at e:
Provi d ed t h at n ot h i n g i n t h i s clau s e s h all p reven t Parli amen t from
en act i n g at an y t i me an y law wi t h res p ect t o t h e s ame mat t er i n clu d i n g a
law ad d i n g t o, amen d i n g, varyi n g or rep eali n g t h e law s o mad e b y t h e
Legi s lat u re of t h e St at e.
2 5 5 . Requi rem ents a s to recom m enda ti ons a nd previ ous s a ncti ons to
be reg a rded a s m a tters of procedure onl y .—No Act of Parli amen t or of
t h e Legi s lat u re of a St at e, an d n o p rovi s i on i n an y s u ch Act , s h all b e
i n vali d b y reas on on ly t h at s ome recommen d at i on or p revi ou s s an ct i on
req u i red b y t h i s Con s t i t u t i on was n ot gi ven , i f as s en t t o t h at Act was
gi ven —
(a ) wh ere t h e recommen d at i on req u i red was t h at of t h e G overn or,
ei t h er b y t h e G overn or or b y t h e Pres i d en t ;
 109 THE CONSTITUTION OF INDIA

(b ) wh ere t h e recommen d at i on req u i red was t h at of t h e Raj p ramu kh ,

ei t h er b y t h e Raj p ramu kh or b y t h e Pres i d en t ;
(c) wh ere t h e recommen d at i on or p revi ou s s an ct i on req u i red was
t h at of t h e Pres i d en t , b y t h e Pres i d en t .
C H AP T E R II.—A D M I N I S T R AT I V E R E L AT I O N S
Gen er a l
2 5 6 . Obl i g a ti on of Sta tes a nd the Uni on.—Th e ex ecu t i ve p ower of
every St at e s h all b e s o ex erci s ed as t o en s u re comp li an ce wi t h t h e laws
mad e b y Parli amen t an d an y ex i s t i n g laws wh i ch ap p ly i n t h at St at e, an d
t h e ex ecu t i ve p ower of t h e Un i on s h all ex t en d t o t h e gi vi n g of s u ch
d i rect i on s t o a St at e as may ap p ear t o t h e G overn men t of In d i a t o b e
n eces s ary for t h at p u rp os e.
2 5 7 . Control of the Uni on over Sta tes i n certa i n ca s es .—(1 ) Th e
ex ecu t i ve p ower of every St at e s h all b e s o ex erci s ed as n ot t o i mp ed e or
p rej u d i ce t h e ex erci s e of t h e ex ecu t i ve p ower of t h e Un i on , an d t h e
ex ecu t i ve p ower of t h e Un i on s h all ex t en d t o t h e gi vi n g of s u ch d i rect i on s
t o a St at e as may ap p ear t o t h e G overn men t of In d i a t o b e n eces s ary for
t h at p u rp os e.
(2 ) Th e ex ecu t i ve p ower of t h e Un i on s h all als o ex t en d t o t h e gi vi n g of
d i rect i on s t o a St at e as t o t h e con s t ru ct i on an d mai n t en an ce of mean s of
commu n i cat i on d eclared i n t h e d i rect i on t o b e of n at i on al or mi li t ary
i mp ort an ce:
Provi d ed t h at n ot h i n g i n t h i s clau s e s h all b e t aken as res t ri ct i n g t h e
p ower of Parli amen t t o d eclare h i gh ways or wat erways t o b e n at i on al
h i gh ways or n at i on al wat erways or t h e p ower of t h e Un i on wi t h res p ect t o
t h e h i gh ways or wat erways s o d eclared or t h e p ower of t h e Un i on t o
con s t ru ct an d mai n t ai n mean s of commu n i cat i on as p art of i t s fu n ct i on s
wi t h res p ect t o n aval, mi li t ary an d ai r force works .
(3 ) Th e ex ecu t i ve p ower of t h e Un i on s h all als o ex t en d t o t h e gi vi n g of
d i rect i on s t o a St at e as t o t h e meas u res t o b e t aken for t h e p rot ect i on of t h e
rai lways wi t h i n t h e St at e.
(4 ) Wh ere i n carryi n g ou t an y d i rect i on gi ven t o a St at e u n d er clau s e (2 )
as t o t h e con s t ru ct i on or mai n t en an ce of an y mean s of commu n i cat i on or
u n d er clau s e (3 ) as t o t h e meas u res t o b e t aken for t h e p rot ect i on of an y
rai lway, cos t s h ave b een i n cu rred i n ex ces s of t h os e wh i ch wou ld h ave
b een i n cu rred i n t h e d i s ch arge of t h e n ormal d u t i es of t h e St at e i f s u ch
d i rect i on h ad n ot b een gi ven , t h ere s h all b e p ai d b y t h e G overn men t of
In d i a t o t h e St at e s u ch s u m as may b e agreed , or, i n d efau lt of agreemen t ,
as may b e d et ermi n ed b y an arb i t rat or ap p oi n t ed b y t h e Ch i ef J u s t i ce of
In d i a, i n res p ect of t h e ex t ra cos t s s o i n cu rred b y t h e St at e.
2 5 7 A. [As s i s t a n ce t o S t a t es b y d ep l o ymen t o f a r med f o r ces o r o t h er
f o r ces o f t h e Un i o n .] Rep . b y t h e Co n s t i t u t i o n (Fo r t y-f o u r t h Amen d men t )
Act , 1 9 7 8 , s . 3 3 (w.e.f . 2 0 -6 -1 9 7 9 ).
 110 THE CONSTITUTION OF INDIA

2 5 8 . P ow er of the Uni on to conf er pow ers , etc., on Sta tes i n certa i n

ca s es .—(1 ) Not wi t h s t an d i n g an yt h i n g i n t h i s Con s t i t u t i on , t h e Pres i d en t
may, wi t h t h e con s en t of t h e G overn men t of a St at e, en t ru s t ei t h er
con d i t i on ally or u n con d i t i on ally t o t h at G overn men t or t o i t s offi cers
fu n ct i on s i n relat i on t o an y mat t er t o wh i ch t h e ex ecu t i ve p ower of t h e
Un i on ex t en d s .
(2 ) A law mad e b y Parli amen t wh i ch ap p li es i n an y St at e may,
n ot wi t h s t an d i n g t h at i t relat es t o a mat t er wi t h res p ect t o wh i ch t h e
Legi s lat u re of t h e St at e h as n o p ower t o make laws , con fer p owers an d
i mp os e d u t i es , or au t h ori s e t h e con ferri n g of p owers an d t h e i mp os i t i on of
d u t i es , u p on t h e St at e or offi cers an d au t h ori t i es t h ereof.
(3 ) Wh ere b y vi rt u e of t h i s art i cle p owers an d d u t i es h ave b een
con ferred or i mp os ed u p on a St at e or offi cers or au t h ori t i es t h ereof, t h ere
s h all b e p ai d b y t h e G overn men t of In d i a t o t h e St at e s u ch s u m as may b e
agreed , or, i n d efau lt of agreemen t , as may b e d et ermi n ed b y an arb i t rat or
ap p oi n t ed b y t h e Ch i ef J u s t i ce of In d i a, i n res p ect of an y ex t ra cos t s of
ad mi n i s t rat i on i n cu rred b y t h e St at e i n con n ect i on wi t h t h e ex erci s e of
t h os e p owers an d d u t i es .
2 5 8 A. P ow er of the Sta tes to entrus t f uncti ons to the Uni on.—
Not wi t h s t an d i n g an yt h i n g i n t h i s Con s t i t u t i on , t h e G overn or of a St at e
may, wi t h t h e con s en t of t h e G overn men t of In d i a, en t ru s t ei t h er
con d i t i on ally or u n con d i t i on ally t o t h at G overn men t or t o i t s offi cers
fu n ct i on s i n relat i on t o an y mat t er t o wh i ch t h e ex ecu t i ve p ower of t h e
St at e ex t en d s .
2 5 9 . [Ar med Fo r ces i n S t a t es i n Pa r t B o f t h e Fi r s t S ch ed u l e.] Rep . b y
t h e Co n s t i t u t i o n (S even t h Amen d men t ) Act , 1 9 5 6 , s . 2 9 a n d S ch .
2 6 0 . J uri s di cti on of the Uni on i n rel a ti on to terri tori es outs i de
I ndi a .—Th e G overn men t of In d i a may b y agreemen t wi t h t h e G overn men t
of an y t erri t ory n ot b ei n g p art of t h e t erri t ory of In d i a u n d ert ake an y
ex ecu t i ve, legi s lat i ve or j u d i ci al fu n ct i on s ves t ed i n t h e G overn men t of
s u ch t erri t ory, b u t every s u ch agreemen t s h all b e s u b j ect t o, an d govern ed
b y, an y law relat i n g t o t h e ex erci s e of forei gn j u ri s d i ct i on for t h e t i me
b ei n g i n force.
2 6 1 . P ubl i c a cts , records a nd judi ci a l proceedi ng s .—(1 ) Fu ll fai t h an d
cred i t s h all b e gi ven t h rou gh ou t t h e t erri t ory of In d i a t o p u b li c act s ,
record s an d j u d i ci al p roceed i n gs of t h e Un i on an d of every St at e.
(2 ) Th e man n er i n wh i ch an d t h e con d i t i on s u n d er wh i ch t h e act s ,
record s an d p roceed i n gs referred t o i n clau s e (1 ) s h all b e p roved an d t h e
effect t h ereof d et ermi n ed s h all b e as p rovi d ed b y law mad e b y Parli amen t .
(3 ) Fi n al j u d gmen t s or ord ers d eli vered or p as s ed b y ci vi l cou rt s i n an y
p art of t h e t erri t ory of In d i a s h all b e cap ab le of ex ecu t i on an ywh ere wi t h i n
t h at t erri t ory accord i n g t o law.
 111 THE CONSTITUTION OF INDIA

Di s p u t es r el a t i n g t o Wa t er s
2 6 2 . Adjudi ca ti on of di s putes rel a ti ng to w a ters of i nter-Sta te ri vers
or ri ver va l l ey s .—(1 ) Parli amen t may b y law p rovi d e for t h e ad j u d i cat i on
of an y d i s p u t e or comp lai n t wi t h res p ect t o t h e u s e, d i s t ri b u t i on or con t rol
of t h e wat ers of, or i n , an y i n t er-St at e ri ver or ri ver valley.
(2 ) Not wi t h s t an d i n g an yt h i n g i n t h i s Con s t i t u t i on , Parli amen t may b e
law p rovi d e t h at n ei t h er t h e Su p reme Cou rt n or an y ot h er cou rt s h all
ex erci s e j u ri s d i ct i on i n res p ect of an y s u ch d i s p u t e or comp lai n t as i s
referred t o i n clau s e (1 ).
Co -o r d i n a t i o n b et ween S t a t es
2 6 3 . P rovi s i ons w i th res pect to a n i nter-Sta te Counci l .—If at an y t i me
i t ap p ears t o t h e Pres i d en t t h at t h e p u b li c i n t eres t s wou ld b e s erved b y t h e
es t ab li s h men t of a Cou n ci l ch arged wi t h t h e d u t y of—
(a ) i n q u i ri n g i n t o an d ad vi s i n g u p on d i s p u t es wh i ch may h ave ari s en
b et ween St at es ;
(b ) i n ves t i gat i n g an d d i s cu s s i n g s u b j ect s i n wh i ch s ome or all of t h e
St at es , or t h e Un i on an d on e or more of t h e St at es , h ave a common
i n t eres t ; or
(c) maki n g recommen d at i on s u p on an y s u ch s u b j ect an d , i n
p art i cu lar, recommen d at i on s for t h e b et t er co-ord i n at i on of p oli cy an d
act i on wi t h res p ect t o t h at s u b j ect ,
i t s h all b e lawfu l for t h e Pres i d en t b y ord er t o es t ab li s h s u ch a Cou n ci l,
an d t o d efi n e t h e n at u re of t h e d u t i es t o b e p erformed b y i t an d i t s
organ i s at i on an d p roced u re.
 112 THE CONSTITUTION OF INDIA

P ART XI I
FINANCE, PROPERTY, CONTRACTS AND SUITS
C H AP T E R I.—F I N AN C E
Gen er a l
2 6 4 . I nterpreta ti on.—In t h i s Part , “Fi n an ce Commi s s i on ” mean s a
Fi n an ce Commi s s i on con s t i t u t ed u n d er art i cle 2 8 0 .
2 6 5 . Ta xes not to be i m pos ed s a ve by a uthori ty of l a w .—No t ax s h all
b e levi ed or collect ed ex cep t b y au t h ori t y of law.
2 6 6 . Cons ol i da ted F unds a nd publ i c a ccounts of I ndi a a nd of the
Sta tes .—(1 ) Su b j ect t o t h e p rovi s i on s of art i cle 2 6 7 an d t o t h e p rovi s i on s
of t h i s Ch ap t er wi t h res p ect t o t h e as s i gn men t of t h e wh ole or p art of t h e
n et p roceed s of cert ai n t ax es an d d u t i es t o St at es , all reven u es recei ved b y
t h e G overn men t of In d i a, all loan s rai s ed b y t h at G overn men t b y t h e i s s u e
of t reas u ry b i lls , loan s or ways an d mean s ad van ces an d all mon eys
recei ved b y t h at G overn men t i n rep aymen t of loan s s h all form on e
con s oli d at ed fu n d t o b e en t i t led “t h e Con s oli d at ed Fu n d of In d i a”, an d all
reven u es recei ved b y t h e G overn men t of a St at e, all loan s rai s ed b y t h at
G overn men t b y t h e i s s u e of t reas u ry b i lls , loan s or ways an d mean s
ad van ces an d all mon eys recei ved b y t h at G overn men t i n rep aymen t of
loan s s h all form on e con s oli d at ed fu n d t o b e en t i t led “t h e Con s oli d at ed
Fu n d of t h e St at e”.
(2 ) All ot h er p u b li c mon eys recei ved b y or on b eh alf of t h e G overn men t
of In d i a or t h e G overn men t of a St at e s h all b e cred i t ed t o t h e p u b li c
accou n t of In d i a or t h e p u b li c accou n t of t h e St at e, as t h e cas e may b e.
(3 ) No mon eys ou t of t h e Con s oli d at ed Fu n d of In d i a or t h e
Con s oli d at ed Fu n d of a St at e s h all b e ap p rop ri at ed ex cep t i n accord an ce
wi t h law an d for t h e p u rp os es an d i n t h e man n er p rovi d ed i n t h i s
Con s t i t u t i on .
2 6 7 . Conti ng ency F und.—(1 ) Parli amen t may b y law es t ab li s h a
Con t i n gen cy Fu n d i n t h e n at u re of an i mp res t t o b e en t i t led “t h e
Con t i n gen cy Fu n d of In d i a” i n t o wh i ch s h all b e p ai d from t i me t o t i me
s u ch s u ms as may b e d et ermi n ed b y s u ch law, an d t h e s ai d Fu n d s h all b e
p laced at t h e d i s p os al of t h e Pres i d en t t o en ab le ad van ces t o b e mad e b y
h i m ou t of s u ch Fu n d for t h e p u rp os es of meet i n g u n fores een ex p en d i t u re
p en d i n g au t h ori s at i on of s u ch ex p en d i t u re b y Parli amen t b y law u n d er
art i cle 1 1 5 or art i cle 1 1 6 .
(2 ) Th e Legi s lat u re of a St at e may b y law es t ab li s h a Con t i n gen cy Fu n d
i n t h e n at u re of an i mp res t t o b e en t i t led “t h e Con t i n gen cy Fu n d of t h e
St at e” i n t o wh i ch s h all b e p ai d from t i me t o t i me s u ch s u ms as may b e
d et ermi n ed b y s u ch law, an d t h e s ai d Fu n d s h all b e p laced at t h e d i s p os al
of t h e G overn or of t h e St at e t o en ab le ad van ces t o b e mad e b y h i m ou t of
s u ch Fu n d for t h e p u rp os es of meet i n g u n fores een ex p en d i t u re p en d i n g

112
 113 THE CONSTITUTION OF INDIA

au t h ori s at i on of s u ch ex p en d i t u re b y t h e Legi s lat u re of t h e St at e b y law

u n d er art i cle 2 0 5 or art i cle 2 0 6 .
Di s t r i b u t i o n o f Reven u es b et ween t h e Un i o n a n d t h e S t a t es
2 6 8 . Duti es l evi ed by the Uni on but col l ected a nd a ppropri a ted by the
Sta tes .—(1 ) Su ch s t amp d u t i es an d s u ch d u t i es of ex ci s e on med i ci n al an d
t oi let p rep arat i on s as are men t i on ed i n t h e Un i on Li s t s h all b e levi ed b y
t h e G overn men t of In d i a b u t s h all b e collect ed —
(a ) i n t h e cas e wh ere s u ch d u t i es are levi ab le wi t h i n an y Un i on
t erri t ory, b y t h e G overn men t of In d i a, an d
(b ) i n ot h er cas es , b y t h e St at es wi t h i n wh i ch s u ch d u t i es are
res p ect i vely levi ab le.
(2 ) Th e p roceed s i n an y fi n an ci al year of an y s u ch d u t y levi ab le wi t h i n
an y St at e s h all n ot form p art of t h e Con s oli d at ed Fu n d of In d i a, b u t s h all
b e as s i gn ed t o t h at St at e.
2 6 9 . Ta xes l evi ed a nd col l ected by the Uni on but a s s i g ned to the
Sta tes .—(1 ) Tax es on t h e s ale or p u rch as e of good s an d t ax es on t h e
con s i gn men t of good s s h all b e levi ed an d collect ed b y t h e G overn men t of
In d i a b u t s h all b e as s i gn ed an d s h all b e d eemed t o h ave b een as s i gn ed t o
t h e St at es on or aft er t h e 1 s t d ay of Ap ri l, 1 9 9 6 i n t h e man n er p rovi d ed i n
clau s e (2 ).
Exp l a n a t i o n .—For t h e p u rp os es of t h i s clau s e,-
(a ) t h e ex p res s i on "t ax es on t h e s ale or p u rch as e of good s " s h all
mean t ax es on s ale or p u rch as e of good s ot h er t h an n ews p ap ers , wh ere
s u ch s ale or p u rch as e t akes p lace i n t h e cou rs e of i n t er-St at e t rad e or
commerce;
(b ) t h e ex p res s i on "t ax es on t h e con s i gn men t of good s " s h all mean
t ax es on t h e con s i gn men t of good s (wh et h er t h e con s i gn men t i s t o t h e
p ers on maki n g i t or t o an y ot h er p ers on ), wh ere s u ch con s i gn men t t akes
p lace i n t h e cou rs e of i n t er-St at e t rad e or commerce.
(2 ) Th e n et p roceed s i n an y fi n an ci al year of an y s u ch t ax , ex cep t i n s o
far as t h os e p roceed s rep res en t p roceed s at t ri b u t ab le t o Un i on t erri t ori es ,
s h all n ot form p art of t h e Con s oli d at ed Fu n d of In d i a, b u t s h all b e as s i gn ed
t o t h e St at es wi t h i n wh i ch t h at t ax i s levi ab le i n t h at year, an d s h all b e
d i s t ri b u t ed amon g t h os e St at es i n accord an ce wi t h s u ch p ri n ci p les of
d i s t ri b u t i on as may b e formu lat ed b y Parli amen t b y law.
(3 ) Parli amen t may b y law formu lat e p ri n ci p les for d et ermi n i n g wh en a
s ale or p u rch as e of, or con s i gn men t of, good s t akes p lace i n t h e cou rs e of
i n t er-St at e t rad e or commerce.
2 7 0 . Ta xes l evi ed a nd di s tri buted betw een the Uni on a nd the
Sta tes .—(1 ) All t ax es an d d u t i es referred t o i n t h e Un i on Li s t , ex cep t t h e
d u t i es an d t ax es referred t o i n art i cles 2 6 8 an d 2 6 9 , res p ect i vely, s u rch arge
on t ax es an d d u t i es referred t o i n art i cle 2 7 1 an d an y ces s levi ed for
s p eci fi c p u rp os es u n d er an y law mad e b y Parli amen t s h all b e levi ed an d
 114 THE CONSTITUTION OF INDIA

collect ed b y t h e G overn men t of In d i a an d s h all b e d i s t ri b u t ed b et ween t h e

Un i on an d t h e St at es i n t h e man n er p rovi d ed i n clau s e (2 ).
(2 ) Su ch p ercen t age, as may b e p res cri b ed , of t h e n et p roceed s of an y
s u ch t ax or d u t y i n an y fi n an ci al year s h all n ot form p art of t h e
Con s oli d at ed Fu n d of In d i a, b u t s h all b e as s i gn ed t o t h e St at es wi t h i n
wh i ch t h at t ax or d u t y i s levi ab le i n t h at year, an d s h all b e d i s t ri b u t ed
amon g t h os e St at es i n s u ch man n er an d from s u ch t i me as may b e
p res cri b ed i n t h e man n er p rovi d ed i n clau s e (3 ).
(3 ) In t h i s art i cle, "p res cri b ed " mean s , —
(i ) u n t i l a Fi n an ce Commi s s i on h as b een con s t i t u t ed , p res cri b ed b y
t h e Pres i d en t b y ord er, an d
(i i ) aft er a Fi n an ce Commi s s i on h as b een con s t i t u t ed , p res cri b ed b y
t h e Pres i d en t b y ord er aft er con s i d eri n g t h e recommen d at i on s of t h e
Fi n an ce Commi s s i on .
2 7 1 . Surcha rg e on certa i n duti es a nd ta xes f or purpos es of the
Uni on.—Not wi t h s t an d i n g an yt h i n g i n art i cles 2 6 9 an d 2 7 0 , Parli amen t may
at an y t i me i n creas e an y of t h e d u t i es or t ax es referred t o i n t h os e art i cles
b y a s u rch arge for p u rp os es of t h e Un i on an d t h e wh ole p roceed s of an y
s u ch s u rch arge s h all form p art of t h e Con s oli d at ed Fu n d of In d i a.
2 7 2 . [ Ta xes wh i ch a r e l evi ed a n d co l l ect ed b y t h e Un i o n a n d ma y b e
d i s t r i b u t ed b et ween t h e Un i o n a n d t h e S t a t es .] —Rep . b y t h e Co n s t i t u t i o n
(Ei g h t i et h Amen d men t ) Act , 2 0 0 0 , s .4 .
2 7 3 . Gra nts i n l i eu of export duty on jute a nd jute products .—(1 )
Th ere s h all b e ch arged on t h e Con s oli d at ed Fu n d of In d i a i n each year as
gran t s -i n -ai d of t h e reven u es of t h e St at es of As s am, Bi h ar, Ori s s a an d
Wes t Ben gal, i n li eu of as s i gn men t of an y s h are of t h e n et p roceed s i n each
year of ex p ort d u t y on j u t e an d j u t e p rod u ct s t o t h os e St at es , s u ch s u ms as
may b e p res cri b ed .
(2 ) Th e s u ms s o p res cri b ed s h all con t i n u e t o b e ch arged on t h e
Con s oli d at ed Fu n d of In d i a s o lon g as an y ex p ort d u t y on j u t e or j u t e
p rod u ct s con t i n u es t o b e levi ed b y t h e G overn men t of In d i a or u n t i l t h e
ex p i rat i on of t en years from t h e commen cemen t of t h i s Con s t i t u t i on
wh i ch ever i s earli er.
(3 ) In t h i s art i cle, t h e ex p res s i on “p res cri b ed ” h as t h e s ame mean i n g as
i n art i cle 2 7 0 .
2 7 4 . P ri or recom m enda ti on of P res i dent requi red to B i l l s a f f ecti ng
ta xa ti on i n w hi ch Sta tes a re i nteres ted.—(1 ) No Bi ll or amen d men t
wh i ch i mp os es or vari es an y t ax or d u t y i n wh i ch St at es are i n t eres t ed , or
wh i ch vari es t h e mean i n g of t h e ex p res s i on “agri cu lt u ral i n come” as
d efi n ed for t h e p u rp os es of t h e en act men t s relat i n g t o In d i an i n come-t ax ,
or wh i ch affect s t h e p ri n ci p les on wh i ch u n d er an y of t h e foregoi n g
p rovi s i on s of t h i s Ch ap t er mon eys are or may b e d i s t ri b u t ab le t o St at es , or
wh i ch i mp os es an y s u ch s u rch arge for t h e p u rp os es of t h e Un i on as i s
men t i on ed i n t h e foregoi n g p rovi s i on s of t h i s Ch ap t er, s h all b e i n t rod u ced
 115 THE CONSTITUTION OF INDIA

or moved i n ei t h er Hou s e of Parli amen t ex cep t on t h e recommen d at i on of

t h e Pres i d en t .
(2 ) In t h i s art i cle, t h e ex p res s i on “t ax or d u t y i n wh i ch St at es are
i n t eres t ed ” mean s —
(a ) a t ax or d u t y t h e wh ole or p art of t h e n et p roceed s wh ereof are
as s i gn ed t o an y St at e; or
(b ) a t ax or d u t y b y referen ce t o t h e n et p roceed s wh ereof s u ms are
for t h e t i me b ei n g p ayab le ou t of t h e Con s oli d at ed Fu n d of In d i a t o an y
St at e.
2 7 5 . Gra nts f rom the Uni on to certa i n Sta tes .—(1 ) Su ch s u ms as
Parli amen t may b y law p rovi d e s h all b e ch arged on t h e Con s oli d at ed Fu n d
of In d i a i n each year as gran t s -i n -ai d of t h e reven u es of s u ch St at es as
Parli amen t may d et ermi n e t o b e i n n eed of as s i s t an ce, an d d i fferen t s u ms
may b e fi x ed for d i fferen t St at es :
Provi d ed t h at t h ere s h all b e p ai d ou t of t h e Con s oli d at ed Fu n d of In d i a
as gran t s -i n -ai d of t h e reven u es of a St at e s u ch cap i t al an d recu rri n g s u ms
as may b e n eces s ary t o en ab le t h at St at e t o meet t h e cos t s of s u ch s ch emes
of d evelop men t as may b e u n d ert aken b y t h e St at e wi t h t h e ap p roval of t h e
G overn men t of In d i a for t h e p u rp os e of p romot i n g t h e welfare of t h e
Sch ed u led Tri b es i n t h at St at e or rai s i n g t h e level of ad mi n i s t rat i on of t h e
Sch ed u led Areas t h erei n t o t h at of t h e ad mi n i s t rat i on of t h e res t of t h e
areas of t h at St at e:
Provi d ed fu rt h er t h at t h ere s h all b e p ai d ou t of t h e Con s oli d at ed Fu n d of
In d i a as gran t s -i n -ai d of t h e reven u es of t h e St at e of As s am s u ms , cap i t al
an d recu rri n g, eq u i valen t t o—
(a ) t h e average ex ces s of ex p en d i t u re over t h e reven u es d u ri n g t h e
t wo years i mmed i at ely p reced i n g t h e commen cemen t of t h i s Con s t i t u t i on
i n res p ect of t h e ad mi n i s t rat i on of t h e t ri b al areas s p eci fi ed i n Part I of
t h e t ab le ap p en d ed t o p aragrap h 2 0 of t h e Si x t h Sch ed u le; an d
(b ) t h e cos t s of s u ch s ch emes of d evelop men t as may b e u n d ert aken
b y t h at St at e wi t h t h e ap p roval of t h e G overn men t of In d i a for t h e
p u rp os e of rai s i n g t h e level of ad mi n i s t rat i on of t h e s ai d areas t o t h at of
t h e ad mi n i s t rat i on of t h e res t of t h e areas of t h at St at e.

(1 A) On an d from t h e format i on of t h e au t on omou s St at e u n d er art i cle

2 4 4 A,—
(i ) an y s u ms p ayab le u n d er clau s e (a ) of t h e s econ d p rovi s o t o
clau s e (1 ) s h all, i f t h e au t on omou s St at e comp ri s es all t h e t ri b al areas
referred t o t h erei n , b e p ai d t o t h e au t on omou s St at e, an d , i f t h e
au t on omou s St at e comp ri s es on ly s ome of t h os e t ri b al areas , b e
ap p ort i on ed b et ween t h e St at e of As s am an d t h e au t on omou s St at e as t h e
Pres i d en t may, b y ord er, s p eci fy;
(i i ) t h ere s h all b e p ai d ou t of t h e Con s oli d at ed Fu n d of In d i a as
gran t s -i n -ai d of t h e reven u es of t h e au t on omou s St at e s u ms , cap i t al an d
 116 THE CONSTITUTION OF INDIA

recu rri n g, eq u i valen t t o t h e cos t s of s u ch s ch emes of d evelop men t as

may b e u n d ert aken b y t h e au t on omou s St at e wi t h t h e ap p roval of t h e
G overn men t of In d i a for t h e p u rp os e of rai s i n g t h e level of
ad mi n i s t rat i on of t h at St at e t o t h at of t h e ad mi n i s t rat i on of t h e res t of
t h e St at e of As s am.
(2 ) Un t i l p rovi s i on i s mad e b y Parli amen t u n d er clau s e (1 ), t h e p owers
con ferred on Parli amen t u n d er t h at clau s e s h all b e ex erci s ab le b y t h e
Pres i d en t b y ord er an d an y ord er mad e b y t h e Pres i d en t u n d er t h i s clau s e
s h all h ave effect s u b j ect t o an y p rovi s i on s o mad e b y Parli amen t :
Provi d ed t h at aft er a Fi n an ce Commi s s i on h as b een con s t i t u t ed n o ord er
s h all b e mad e u n d er t h i s clau s e b y t h e Pres i d en t ex cep t aft er con s i d eri n g
t h e recommen d at i on s of t h e Fi n an ce Commi s s i on .
2 7 6 . Ta xes on prof es s i ons , tra des , ca l l i ng s a nd em pl oy m ents .—
(1 ) Not wi t h s t an d i n g an yt h i n g i n art i cle 2 4 6 , n o law of t h e Legi s lat u re of a
St at e relat i n g t o t ax es for t h e b en efi t of t h e St at e or of a mu n i ci p ali t y,
d i s t ri ct b oard , local b oard or ot h er local au t h ori t y t h erei n i n res p ect of
p rofes s i on s , t rad es , calli n gs or emp loymen t s s h all b e i n vali d on t h e grou n d
t h at i t relat es t o a t ax on i n come.
(2 ) Th e t ot al amou n t p ayab le i n res p ect of an y on e p ers on t o t h e St at e
or t o an y on e mu n i ci p ali t y, d i s t ri ct b oard , local b oard or ot h er local
au t h ori t y i n t h e St at e b y way of t ax es on p rofes s i on s , t rad es , calli n gs an d
emp loymen t s s h all n ot ex ceed t wo t h ou s an d an d fi ve h u n d red ru p ees p er
an n u m.
(3 ) Th e p ower of t h e Legi s lat u re of a St at e t o make laws as afores ai d
wi t h res p ect t o t ax es on p rofes s i on s , t rad es , calli n gs an d emp loymen t s
s h all n ot b e con s t ru ed as li mi t i n g i n an y way t h e p ower of Parli amen t t o
make laws wi t h res p ect t o t ax es on i n come accru i n g from or ari s i n g ou t of
p rofes s i on s , t rad es , calli n gs an d emp loymen t s .
2 7 7 . Sa vi ng s .—An y t ax es , d u t i es , ces s es or fees wh i ch , i mmed i at ely
b efore t h e commen cemen t of t h i s Con s t i t u t i on , were b ei n g lawfu lly levi ed
b y t h e G overn men t of an y St at e or b y an y mu n i ci p ali t y or ot h er local
au t h ori t y or b od y for t h e p u rp os es of t h e St at e, mu n i ci p ali t y, d i s t ri ct or
ot h er local area may, n ot wi t h s t an d i n g t h at t h os e t ax es , d u t i es , ces s es or
fees are men t i on ed i n t h e Un i on Li s t , con t i n u e t o b e levi ed an d t o b e
ap p li ed t o t h e s ame p u rp os es u n t i l p rovi s i on t o t h e con t rary i s mad e b y
Parli amen t b y law.
2 7 8 . [Ag r eemen t wi t h S t a t es i n Pa r t B o f t h e Fi r s t S ch ed u l e wi t h r eg a r d
t o cer t a i n f i n a n ci a l ma t t er s .] Rep . b y t h e Co n s t i t u t i o n (S even t h
Amen d men t ) Act , 1 9 5 6 , s . 2 9 a n d S ch .
2 7 9 . Ca l cul a ti on of “ net proceeds ” , etc.—(1 ) In t h e foregoi n g
p rovi s i on s of t h i s Ch ap t er, “n et p roceed s ” mean s i n relat i on t o an y t ax or
d u t y t h e p roceed s t h ereof red u ced b y t h e cos t of collect i on , an d for t h e
p u rp os es of t h os e p rovi s i on s t h e n et p roceed s of an y t ax or d u t y, or of an y
p art of an y t ax or d u t y, i n or at t ri b u t ab le t o an y area s h all b e as cert ai n ed
 117 THE CONSTITUTION OF INDIA

an d cert i fi ed b y t h e Comp t roller an d Au d i t or-G en eral of In d i a, wh os e

cert i fi cat e s h all b e fi n al.
(2 ) Su b j ect as afores ai d , an d t o an y ot h er ex p res s p rovi s i on of t h i s
Ch ap t er, a law mad e b y Parli amen t or an ord er of t h e Pres i d en t may, i n an y
cas e wh ere u n d er t h i s Part t h e p roceed s of an y d u t y or t ax are, or may b e,
as s i gn ed t o an y St at e, p rovi d e for t h e man n er i n wh i ch t h e p roceed s are t o
b e calcu lat ed , for t h e t i me from or at wh i ch an d t h e man n er i n wh i ch an y
p aymen t s are t o b e mad e, for t h e maki n g of ad j u s t men t s b et ween on e
fi n an ci al year an d an ot h er, an d for an y ot h er i n ci d en t al or an ci llary
mat t ers .
2 8 0 . F i na nce Com m i s s i on.—(1 ) Th e Pres i d en t s h all, wi t h i n t wo years
from t h e commen cemen t of t h i s Con s t i t u t i on an d t h ereaft er at t h e
ex p i rat i on of every fi ft h year or at s u ch earli er t i me as t h e Pres i d en t
con s i d ers n eces s ary, b y ord er con s t i t u t e a Fi n an ce Commi s s i on wh i ch s h all
con s i s t of a Ch ai rman an d fou r ot h er memb ers t o b e ap p oi n t ed b y t h e
Pres i d en t .
(2 ) Parli amen t may b y law d et ermi n e t h e q u ali fi cat i on s wh i ch s h all b e
req u i s i t e for ap p oi n t men t as memb ers of t h e Commi s s i on an d t h e man n er i n
wh i ch t h ey s h all b e s elect ed .
(3 ) It s h all b e t h e d u t y of t h e Commi s s i on t o make recommen d at i on s t o
t h e Pres i d en t as t o—
(a ) t h e d i s t ri b u t i on b et ween t h e Un i on an d t h e St at es of t h e n et
p roceed s of t ax es wh i ch are t o b e, or may b e, d i vi d ed b et ween t h em
u n d er t h i s Ch ap t er an d t h e allocat i on b et ween t h e St at es of t h e
res p ect i ve s h ares of s u ch p roceed s ;
(b ) t h e p ri n ci p les wh i ch s h ou ld govern t h e gran t s -i n -ai d of t h e
reven u es of t h e St at es ou t of t h e Con s oli d at ed Fu n d of In d i a;
(b b ) t h e meas u res n eed ed t o au gmen t t h e Con s oli d at ed Fu n d of a
St at e t o s u p p lemen t t h e res ou rces of t h e Pan ch ayat s i n t h e St at e on t h e
b as i s of t h e recommen d at i on s mad e b y t h e Fi n an ce Commi s s i on of t h e
St at e;
(c) t h e meas u res n eed ed t o au gmen t t h e Con s oli d at ed Fu n d of a
St at e t o s u p p lemen t t h e res ou rces of t h e Mu n i ci p ali t i es i n t h e St at e on
t h e b as i s of t h e recommen d at i on s mad e b y t h e Fi n an ce Commi s s i on of
t h e St at e;
(d ) an y ot h er mat t er referred t o t h e Commi s s i on b y t h e Pres i d en t i n
t h e i n t eres t s of s ou n d fi n an ce.
(4 ) Th e Commi s s i on s h all d et ermi n e t h ei r p roced u re an d s h all h ave s u ch
p owers i n t h e p erforman ce of t h ei r fu n ct i on s as Parli amen t may b y law
con fer on t h em.
2 8 1 . Recom m enda ti ons of the F i na nce Com m i s s i on.—Th e Pres i d en t
s h all cau s e every recommen d at i on mad e b y t h e Fi n an ce Commi s s i on u n d er
t h e p rovi s i on s of t h i s Con s t i t u t i on t oget h er wi t h an ex p lan at ory
 118 THE CONSTITUTION OF INDIA

memoran d u m as t o t h e act i on t aken t h ereon t o b e lai d b efore each Hou s e of

Parli amen t .
Mi s cel l a n eo u s Fi n a n ci a l Pr o vi s i o n s
2 8 2 . Expendi ture def ra y a bl e by the Uni on or a Sta te out of i ts
revenues .—Th e Un i on or a St at e may make an y gran t s for an y p u b li c
p u rp os e, n ot wi t h s t an d i n g t h at t h e p u rp os e i s n ot on e wi t h res p ect t o wh i ch
Parli amen t or t h e Legi s lat u re of t h e St at e, as t h e cas e may b e, may make
laws .
2 8 3 . Cus tody , etc., of Cons ol i da ted F unds , Conti ng ency F unds a nd
m oney s credi ted to the publ i c a ccounts .—(1 ) Th e cu s t od y of t h e
Con s oli d at ed Fu n d of In d i a an d t h e Con t i n gen cy Fu n d of In d i a, t h e
p aymen t of mon eys i n t o s u ch Fu n d s , t h e wi t h d rawal of mon eys t h erefrom,
t h e cu s t od y of p u b li c mon eys ot h er t h an t h os e cred i t ed t o s u ch Fu n d s
recei ved b y or on b eh alf of t h e G overn men t of In d i a, t h ei r p aymen t i n t o t h e
p u b li c accou n t of In d i a an d t h e wi t h d rawal of mon eys from s u ch accou n t
an d all ot h er mat t ers con n ect ed wi t h or an ci llary t o mat t ers afores ai d s h all
b e regu lat ed b y law mad e b y Parli amen t , an d , u n t i l p rovi s i on i n t h at b eh alf
i s s o mad e, s h all b e regu lat ed b y ru les mad e b y t h e Pres i d en t .
(2 ) Th e cu s t od y of t h e Con s oli d at ed Fu n d of a St at e an d t h e
Con t i n gen cy Fu n d of a St at e, t h e p aymen t of mon eys i n t o s u ch Fu n d s , t h e
wi t h d rawal of mon eys t h erefrom, t h e cu s t od y of p u b li c mon eys ot h er t h an
t h os e cred i t ed t o s u ch Fu n d s recei ved b y or on b eh alf of t h e G overn men t of
t h e St at e, t h ei r p aymen t i n t o t h e p u b li c accou n t of t h e St at e an d t h e
wi t h d rawal of mon eys from s u ch accou n t an d all ot h er mat t ers con n ect ed
wi t h or an ci llary t o mat t ers afores ai d s h all b e regu lat ed b y law mad e b y
t h e Legi s lat u re of t h e St at e, an d , u n t i l p rovi s i on i n t h at b eh alf i s s o mad e,
s h all b e regu lat ed b y ru les mad e b y t h e G overn or of t h e St at e.
2 8 4 . Cus tody of s ui tors ' depos i ts a nd other m oney s recei ved by
publ i c s erva nts a nd courts .—All mon eys recei ved b y or d ep os i t ed wi t h —
(a ) an y offi cer emp loyed i n con n ect i on wi t h t h e affai rs of t h e
Un i on or of a St at e i n h i s cap aci t y as s u ch , ot h er t h an reven u es or
p u b li c mon eys rai s ed or recei ved b y t h e G overn men t of In d i a or t h e
G overn men t of t h e St at e, as t h e cas e may b e, or
(b ) an y cou rt wi t h i n t h e t erri t ory of In d i a t o t h e cred i t of an y
cau s e, mat t er, accou n t or p ers on s ,
s h all b e p ai d i n t o t h e p u b li c accou n t of In d i a or t h e p u b li c accou n t of
St at e, as t h e cas e may b e.
2 8 5 . Exem pti on of property of the Uni on f rom Sta te ta xa ti on.—(1 )
Th e p rop ert y of t h e Un i on s h all, s ave i n s o far as Parli amen t may b y law
ot h erwi s e p rovi d e, b e ex emp t from all t ax es i mp os ed b y a St at e or b y an y
au t h ori t y wi t h i n a St at e.
(2 ) Not h i n g i n clau s e (1 ) s h all, u n t i l Parli amen t b y law ot h erwi s e
p rovi d es , p reven t an y au t h ori t y wi t h i n a St at e from levyi n g an y t ax on an y
 119 THE CONSTITUTION OF INDIA

p rop ert y of t h e Un i on t o wh i ch s u ch p rop ert y was i mmed i at ely b efore t h e

commen cemen t of t h i s Con s t i t u t i on li ab le or t reat ed as li ab le, s o lon g as
t h at t ax con t i n u es t o b e levi ed i n t h at St at e.
2 8 6 . Res tri cti ons a s to i m pos i ti on of ta x on the s a l e or purcha s e of
g oods .—(1 ) No law of a St at e s h all i mp os e, or au t h ori s e t h e i mp os i t i on of,
a t ax on t h e s ale or p u rch as e of good s wh ere s u ch s ale or p u rch as e t akes
p lace—
(a ) ou t s i d e t h e St at e; or
(b ) i n t h e cou rs e of t h e i mp ort of t h e good s i n t o, or ex p ort of t h e
good s ou t of, t h e t erri t ory of In d i a.
(2 ) Parli amen t may b y law formu lat e p ri n ci p les for d et ermi n i n g wh en a
s ale or p u rch as e of good s t akes p lace i n an y of t h e ways men t i on ed i n
clau s e (1 ).
(3 ) An y law of a St at e s h all, i n s o far as i t i mp os es , or au t h ori s es t h e
i mp os i t i on of,—
(a ) a t ax on t h e s ale or p u rch as e of good s d eclared b y Parli amen t
b y law t o b e of s p eci al i mp ort an ce i n i n t er-St at e t rad e or commerce; or
(b ) a t ax on t h e s ale or p u rch as e of good s , b ei n g a t ax of t h e n at u re
referred t o i n s u b -clau s e (b ), s u b -clau s e (c) or s u b -clau s e (d ) of clau s e
(2 9 A) of art i cle 3 6 6 ,
b e s u b j ect t o s u ch res t ri ct i on s an d con d i t i on s i n regard t o t h e s ys t em of
levy, rat es an d ot h er i n ci d en t s of t h e t ax as Parli amen t may b y law s p eci fy.
2 8 7 . Exem pti on f rom ta xes on el ectri ci ty .—Save i n s o far as
Parli amen t may b y law ot h erwi s e p rovi d e, n o law of a St at e s h all i mp os e,
or au t h ori s e t h e i mp os i t i on of, a t ax on t h e con s u mp t i on or s ale of
elect ri ci t y (wh et h er p rod u ced b y a G overn men t or ot h er p ers on s ) wh i ch
is—
(a ) con s u med b y t h e G overn men t of In d i a, or s old t o t h e
G overn men t of In d i a for con s u mp t i on b y t h at G overn men t ; or
(b ) con s u med i n t h e con s t ru ct i on , mai n t en an ce or op erat i on of an y
rai lway b y t h e G overn men t of In d i a or a rai lway comp an y op erat i n g t h at
rai lway, or s old t o t h at G overn men t or an y s u ch rai lway comp an y for
con s u mp t i on i n t h e con s t ru ct i on , mai n t en an ce or op erat i on of an y
rai lway,
an d an y s u ch law i mp os i n g, or au t h ori s i n g t h e i mp os i t i on of, a t ax on t h e
s ale of elect ri ci t y s h all s ecu re t h at t h e p ri ce of elect ri ci t y s old t o t h e
G overn men t of In d i a for con s u mp t i on b y t h at G overn men t , or t o an y s u ch
rai lway comp an y as afores ai d for con s u mp t i on i n t h e con s t ru ct i on ,
mai n t en an ce or op erat i on of an y rai lway, s h all b e les s b y t h e amou n t of t h e
t ax t h an t h e p ri ce ch arged t o ot h er con s u mers of a s u b s t an t i al q u an t i t y of
elect ri ci t y.
2 8 8 . Exem pti on f rom ta xa ti on by Sta tes i n res pect of w a ter or
el ectri ci ty i n certa i n ca s es .—(1 ) Save i n s o far as t h e Pres i d en t may b y
 120 THE CONSTITUTION OF INDIA

ord er ot h erwi s e p rovi d e, n o law of a St at e i n force i mmed i at ely b efore t h e

commen cemen t of t h i s Con s t i t u t i on s h all i mp os e, or au t h ori s e t h e
i mp os i t i on of, a t ax i n res p ect of an y wat er or elect ri ci t y s t ored , gen erat ed ,
con s u med , d i s t ri b u t ed or s old b y an y au t h ori t y es t ab li s h ed b y an y ex i s t i n g
law or an y law mad e b y Parli amen t for regu lat i n g or d evelop i n g an y i n t er-
St at e ri ver or ri ver-valley.
Exp l a n a t i o n .—Th e ex p res s i on “law of a St at e i n force” i n t h i s clau s e
s h all i n clu d e a law of a St at e p as s ed or mad e b efore t h e commen cemen t of
t h i s Con s t i t u t i on an d n ot p revi ou s ly rep ealed , n ot wi t h s t an d i n g t h at i t or
p art s of i t may n ot b e t h en i n op erat i on ei t h er at all or i n p art i cu lar areas .
(2 ) Th e Legi s lat u re of a St at e may b y law i mp os e, or au t h ori s e t h e
i mp os i t i on of, an y s u ch t ax as i s men t i on ed i n clau s e (1 ), b u t n o s u ch law
s h all h ave an y effect u n les s i t h as , aft er h avi n g b een res erved for t h e
con s i d erat i on of t h e Pres i d en t , recei ved h i s as s en t ; an d i f an y s u ch law
p rovi d es for t h e fi x at i on of t h e rat es an d ot h er i n ci d en t s of s u ch t ax b y
mean s of ru les or ord ers t o b e mad e u n d er t h e law b y an y au t h ori t y, t h e law
s h all p rovi d e for t h e p revi ou s con s en t of t h e Pres i d en t b ei n g ob t ai n ed t o
t h e maki n g of an y s u ch ru le or ord er.
2 8 9 . Exem pti on of property a nd i ncom e of a Sta te f rom Uni on
ta xa ti on.—(1 ) Th e p rop ert y an d i n come of a St at e s h all b e ex emp t from
Un i on t ax at i on .
(2 ) Not h i n g i n clau s e (1 ) s h all p reven t t h e Un i on from i mp os i n g, or
au t h ori s i n g t h e i mp os i t i on of, an y t ax t o s u ch ex t en t , i f an y, as Parli amen t
may b y law p rovi d e i n res p ect of a t rad e or b u s i n es s of an y ki n d carri ed on
b y, or on b eh alf of, t h e G overn men t of a St at e, or an y op erat i on s con n ect ed
t h erewi t h , or an y p rop ert y u s ed or occu p i ed for t h e p u rp os es of s u ch t rad e
or b u s i n es s , or an y i n come accru i n g or ari s i n g i n con n ect i on t h erewi t h .
(3 ) Not h i n g i n clau s e (2 ) s h all ap p ly t o an y t rad e or b u s i n es s , or t o an y
clas s of t rad e or b u s i n es s , wh i ch Parli amen t may b y law d eclare t o b e
i n ci d en t al t o t h e ord i n ary fu n ct i on s of G overn men t .
2 9 0 . Adjus tm ent i n res pect of certa i n expens es a nd pens i ons .—Wh ere
u n d er t h e p rovi s i on s of t h i s Con s t i t u t i on t h e ex p en s es of an y cou rt or
Commi s s i on , or t h e p en s i on p ayab le t o or i n res p ect of a p ers on wh o h as
s erved b efore t h e commen cemen t of t h i s Con s t i t u t i on u n d er t h e Crown i n
In d i a or aft er s u ch commen cemen t i n con n ect i on wi t h t h e affai rs of t h e
Un i on or of a St at e, are ch arged on t h e Con s oli d at ed Fu n d of In d i a or t h e
Con s oli d at ed Fu n d of a St at e, t h en , i f—
(a ) i n t h e cas e of a ch arge on t h e Con s oli d at ed Fu n d of In d i a, t h e
cou rt or Commi s s i on s erves an y of t h e s ep arat e n eed s of a St at e, or t h e
p ers on h as s erved wh olly or i n p art i n con n ect i on wi t h t h e affai rs of a
St at e; or
(b ) i n t h e cas e of a ch arge on t h e Con s oli d at ed Fu n d of a St at e, t h e
cou rt or Commi s s i on s erves an y of t h e s ep arat e n eed s of t h e Un i on or
an ot h er St at e, or t h e p ers on h as s erved wh olly or i n p art i n con n ect i on
wi t h t h e affai rs of t h e Un i on or an ot h er St at e,
 121 THE CONSTITUTION OF INDIA

t h ere s h all b e ch arged on an d p ai d ou t of t h e Con s oli d at ed Fu n d of t h e

St at e or, as t h e cas e may b e, t h e Con s oli d at ed Fu n d of In d i a or t h e
Con s oli d at ed Fu n d of t h e ot h er St at e, s u ch con t ri b u t i on i n res p ect of t h e
ex p en s es or p en s i on as may b e agreed , or as may i n d efau lt of agreemen t
b e d et ermi n ed b y an arb i t rat or t o b e ap p oi n t ed b y t h e Ch i ef J u s t i ce of
In d i a.
2 9 0 A. Annua l pa y m ent to certa i n Deva s w om F unds .—A s u m of fort y-
s i x lakh s an d fi ft y t h ou s an d ru p ees s h all b e ch arged on , an d p ai d ou t of,
t h e Con s oli d at ed Fu n d of t h e St at e of Kerala every year t o t h e Travan core
Devas wom Fu n d ; an d a s u m of t h i rt een lakh s an d fi ft y t h ou s an d ru p ees
s h all b e ch arged on , an d p ai d ou t of, t h e Con s oli d at ed Fu n d of t h e St at e of
Tami l Nad u every year t o t h e Devas wom Fu n d es t ab li s h ed i n t h at St at e for
t h e mai n t en an ce of Hi n d u t emp les an d s h ri n es i n t h e t erri t ori es t ran s ferred
t o t h at St at e on t h e 1 s t d ay of Novemb er, 1 9 5 6 , from t h e St at e of
Travan core-Coch i n .
2 9 1 . [Pr i vy p u r s e s u ms o f Ru l er s .] Rep . b y t h e Co n s t i t u t i o n (Twen t y-
s i xt h Amen d men t ) Act , 1 9 7 l, s . 2 .
C H AP T E R II.—B O R R O WI N G
2 9 2 . B orrow i ng by the Governm ent of I ndi a .—Th e ex ecu t i ve p ower of
t h e Un i on ex t en d s t o b orrowi n g u p on t h e s ecu ri t y of t h e Con s oli d at ed Fu n d
of In d i a wi t h i n s u ch li mi t s , i f an y, as may from t i me t o t i me b e fi x ed b y
Parli amen t b y law an d t o t h e gi vi n g of gu aran t ees wi t h i n s u ch li mi t s , i f
an y, as may b e s o fi x ed .
2 9 3 . B orrow i ng by Sta tes .—(1 ) Su b j ect t o t h e p rovi s i on s of t h i s art i cle,
t h e ex ecu t i ve p ower of a St at e ex t en d s t o b orrowi n g wi t h i n t h e t erri t ory of
In d i a u p on t h e s ecu ri t y of t h e Con s oli d at ed Fu n d of t h e St at e wi t h i n s u ch
li mi t s , i f an y, as may from t i me t o t i me b e fi x ed b y t h e Legi s lat u re of s u ch
St at e b y law an d t o t h e gi vi n g of gu aran t ees wi t h i n s u ch li mi t s , i f an y, as
may b e s o fi x ed .
(2 ) Th e G overn men t of In d i a may, s u b j ect t o s u ch con d i t i on s as may b e
lai d d own b y or u n d er an y law mad e b y Parli amen t , make loan s t o an y
St at e or, s o lon g as an y li mi t s fi x ed u n d er art i cle 2 9 2 are n ot ex ceed ed ,
gi ve gu aran t ees i n res p ect of loan s rai s ed b y an y St at e, an d an y s u ms
req u i red for t h e p u rp os e of maki n g s u ch loan s s h all b e ch arged on t h e
Con s oli d at ed Fu n d of In d i a.
(3 ) A St at e may n ot wi t h ou t t h e con s en t of t h e G overn men t of In d i a
rai s e an y loan i f t h ere i s s t i ll ou t s t an d i n g an y p art of a loan wh i ch h as b een
mad e t o t h e St at e b y t h e G overn men t of In d i a or b y i t s p red eces s or
G overn men t , or i n res p ect of wh i ch a gu aran t ee h as b een gi ven b y t h e
G overn men t of In d i a or b y i t s p red eces s or G overn men t .
(4 ) A con s en t u n d er clau s e (3 ) may b e gran t ed s u b j ect t o s u ch
con d i t i on s , i f an y, as t h e G overn men t of In d i a may t h i n k fi t t o i mp os e.
 122 THE CONSTITUTION OF INDIA

C H AP T E R III.—P R O P E R T Y . C O N T R AC T S , R I G H T S , L I AB I L I T I E S ,
O B L I G AT I O N S AN D S U I T S
2 9 4 . Succes s i on to property , a s s ets , ri g hts , l i a bi l i ti es a nd obl i g a ti ons
i n certa i n ca s es .—As from t h e commen cemen t of t h i s Con s t i t u t i on —
(a ) all p rop ert y an d as s et s wh i ch i mmed i at ely b efore s u ch
commen cemen t were ves t ed i n Hi s Maj es t y for t h e p u rp os es of t h e
G overn men t of t h e Domi n i on of In d i a an d all p rop ert y an d as s et s wh i ch
i mmed i at ely b efore s u ch commen cemen t were ves t ed i n Hi s Maj es t y for
t h e p u rp os es of t h e G overn men t of each G overn or's Provi n ce s h all ves t
res p ect i vely i n t h e Un i on an d t h e corres p on d i n g St at e, an d
(b ) all ri gh t s , li ab i li t i es an d ob li gat i on s of t h e G overn men t of t h e
Domi n i on of In d i a an d of t h e G overn men t of each G overn or's Provi n ce,
wh et h er ari s i n g ou t of an y con t ract or ot h erwi s e, s h all b e t h e ri gh t s ,
li ab i li t i es an d ob li gat i on s res p ect i vely of t h e G overn men t of In d i a an d
t h e G overn men t of each corres p on d i n g St at e,
s u b j ect t o an y ad j u s t men t mad e or t o b e mad e b y reas on of t h e creat i on
b efore t h e commen cemen t of t h i s Con s t i t u t i on of t h e Domi n i on of Paki s t an
or of t h e Provi n ces of Wes t Ben gal, Eas t Ben gal, Wes t Pu n j ab an d Eas t
Pu n j ab ,
2 9 5 . Succes s i on to property , a s s ets , ri g hts , l i a bi l i ti es a nd obl i g a ti ons
i n other ca s es .—(1 ) As from t h e commen cemen t of t h i s Con s t i t u t i on —
(a ) all p rop ert y an d as s et s wh i ch i mmed i at ely b efore s u ch
commen cemen t were ves t ed i n an y In d i an St at e corres p on d i n g t o a St at e
s p eci fi ed i n Part B of t h e Fi rs t Sch ed u le s h all ves t i n t h e Un i on , i f t h e
p u rp os es for wh i ch s u ch p rop ert y an d as s et s were h eld i mmed i at ely
b efore s u ch commen cemen t wi ll t h ereaft er b e p u rp os es of t h e Un i on
relat i n g t o an y of t h e mat t ers en u merat ed i n t h e Un i on Li s t , an d
(b ) all ri gh t s , li ab i li t i es an d ob li gat i on s of t h e G overn men t of an y
In d i an St at e corres p on d i n g t o a St at e s p eci fi ed i n Part B of t h e Fi rs t
Sch ed u le, wh et h er ari s i n g ou t of an y con t ract or ot h erwi s e, s h all b e t h e
ri gh t s , li ab i li t i es an d ob li gat i on s of t h e G overn men t of In d i a, i f t h e
p u rp os es for wh i ch s u ch ri gh t s were acq u i red or li ab i li t i es or
ob li gat i on s were i n cu rred b efore s u ch commen cemen t wi ll t h ereaft er b e
p u rp os es of t h e G overn men t of In d i a relat i n g t o an y of t h e mat t ers
en u merat ed i n t h e Un i on Li s t ,
s u b j ect t o an y agreemen t en t ered i n t o i n t h at b eh alf b y t h e G overn men t of
In d i a wi t h t h e G overn men t of t h at St at e.
(2 ) Su b j ect as afores ai d , t h e G overn men t of each St at e s p eci fi ed i n Part
B of t h e Fi rs t Sch ed u le s h all, as from t h e commen cemen t of t h i s
Con s t i t u t i on , b e t h e s u cces s or of t h e G overn men t of t h e corres p on d i n g
In d i an St at e as regard s all p rop ert y an d as s et s an d all ri gh t s , li ab i li t i es an d
ob li gat i on s , wh et h er ari s i n g ou t of an y con t ract or ot h erwi s e, ot h er t h an
t h os e referred t o i n clau s e (1 ).
 123 THE CONSTITUTION OF INDIA

2 9 6 . P roperty a ccrui ng by es chea t or l a ps e or a s b o na va ca nt i a .—

Su b j ect as h erei n aft er p rovi d ed , an y p rop ert y i n t h e t erri t ory of In d i a
wh i ch , i f t h i s Con s t i t u t i on h ad n ot come i n t o op erat i on , wou ld h ave
accru ed t o Hi s Maj es t y or, as t h e cas e may b e, t o t h e Ru ler of an In d i an
St at e b y es ch eat or lap s e, or as b o n a va ca n t i a for wan t of a ri gh t fu l own er,
s h all, i f i t i s p rop ert y s i t u at e i n a St at e, ves t i n s u ch St at e, an d s h all, i n
an y ot h er cas e, ves t i n t h e Un i on :
Provi d ed t h at an y p rop ert y wh i ch at t h e d at e wh en i t wou ld h ave s o
accru ed t o Hi s Maj es t y or t o t h e Ru ler of an In d i an St at e was i n t h e
p os s es s i on or u n d er t h e con t rol of t h e G overn men t of In d i a or t h e
G overn men t of a St at e s h all, accord i n g as t h e p u rp os es for wh i ch i t was
t h en u s ed or h eld were p u rp os es of t h e Un i on or of a St at e, ves t i n t h e
Un i on or i n t h at St at e.
Exp l a n a t i o n .—In t h i s art i cle, t h e ex p res s i on s “Ru ler” an d “In d i an St at e”
h ave t h e s ame mean i n gs as i n art i cle 3 6 3 .
2 9 7 . Thi ng s of va l ue w i thi n terri tori a l w a ters or conti nenta l s hel f
a nd res ources of the excl us i ve econom i c zone to ves t i n the Uni on.— (1 )
All lan d s , mi n erals an d ot h er t h i n gs of valu e u n d erlyi n g t h e ocean wi t h i n
t h e t erri t ori al wat ers , or t h e con t i n en t al s h elf, or t h e ex clu s i ve econ omi c
zon e, of In d i a s h all ves t i n t h e Un i on an d b e h eld for t h e p u rp os es of t h e
Un i on .
(2 ) All ot h er res ou rces of t h e ex clu s i ve econ omi c zon e of In d i a s h all
als o ves t i n t h e Un i on an d b e h eld for t h e p u rp os es of t h e Un i on .
(3 ) Th e li mi t s of t h e t erri t ori al wat ers , t h e con t i n en t al s h elf, t h e
ex clu s i ve econ omi c zon e, an d ot h er mari t i me zon es , of In d i a s h all b e s u ch
as may b e s p eci fi ed , from t i me t o t i me, b y or u n d er an y law mad e b y
Parli amen t .
2 9 8 . P ow er to ca rry on tra de, etc.— Th e ex ecu t i ve p ower of t h e Un i on
an d of each St at e s h all ex t en d t o t h e carryi n g on of an y t rad e or b u s i n es s
an d t o t h e acq u i s i t i on , h old i n g an d d i s p os al of p rop ert y an d t h e maki n g of
con t ract s for an y p u rp os e:
Provi d ed t h at —
(a ) t h e s ai d ex ecu t i ve p ower of t h e Un i on s h all, i n s o far as s u ch
t rad e or b u s i n es s or s u ch p u rp os e i s n ot on e wi t h res p ect t o wh i ch
Parli amen t may make laws , b e s u b j ect i n each St at e t o legi s lat i on b y t h e
St at e; an d
(b ) t h e s ai d ex ecu t i ve p ower of each St at e s h all, i n s o far as s u ch
t rad e or b u s i n es s or s u ch p u rp os e i s n ot on e wi t h res p ect t o wh i ch t h e
St at e Legi s lat u re may make laws , b e s u b j ect t o legi s lat i on b y
Parli amen t .
2 9 9 . Contra cts .—(1 ) All con t ract s mad e i n t h e ex erci s e of t h e ex ecu t i ve
p ower of t h e Un i on or of a St at e s h all b e ex p res s ed t o b e mad e b y t h e
Pres i d en t , or b y t h e G overn or of t h e St at e, as t h e cas e may b e, an d all s u ch
con t ract s an d all as s u ran ces of p rop ert y mad e i n t h e ex erci s e of t h at p ower
 124 THE CONSTITUTION OF INDIA

s h all b e ex ecu t ed on b eh alf of t h e Pres i d en t or t h e G overn or b y s u ch

p ers on s an d i n s u ch man n er as h e may d i rect or au t h ori s e.
(2 ) Nei t h er t h e Pres i d en t n or t h e G overn or s h all b e p ers on ally li ab le i n
res p ect of an y con t ract or as s u ran ce mad e or ex ecu t ed for t h e p u rp os es of
t h i s Con s t i t u t i on , or for t h e p u rp os es of an y en act men t relat i n g t o t h e
G overn men t of In d i a h eret ofore i n force, n or s h all an y p ers on maki n g or
ex ecu t i n g an y s u ch con t ract or as s u ran ce on b eh alf of an y of t h em b e
p ers on ally li ab le i n res p ect t h ereof.
3 0 0 . Sui ts a nd proceedi ng s .—(1 ) Th e G overn men t of In d i a may s u e or
b e s u ed b y t h e n ame of t h e Un i on of In d i a an d t h e G overn men t of a St at e
may s u e or b e s u ed b y t h e n ame of t h e St at e an d may, s u b j ect t o an y
p rovi s i on s wh i ch may b e mad e b y Act of Parli amen t or of t h e Legi s lat u re
of s u ch St at e en act ed b y vi rt u e of p owers con ferred b y t h i s Con s t i t u t i on ,
s u e or b e s u ed i n relat i on t o t h ei r res p ect i ve affai rs i n t h e li ke cas es as t h e
Domi n i on of In d i a an d t h e corres p on d i n g Provi n ces or t h e corres p on d i n g
In d i an St at es mi gh t h ave s u ed or b een s u ed i f t h i s Con s t i t u t i on h ad n ot
b een en act ed .
(2 ) If at t h e commen cemen t of t h i s Con s t i t u t i on —
(a ) an y legal p roceed i n gs are p en d i n g t o wh i ch t h e Domi n i on of
In d i a i s a p art y, t h e Un i on of In d i a s h all b e d eemed t o b e s u b s t i t u t ed for
t h e Domi n i on i n t h os e p roceed i n gs ; an d
(b ) an y legal p roceed i n gs are p en d i n g t o wh i ch a Provi n ce or an
In d i an St at e i s a p art y, t h e corres p on d i n g St at e s h all b e d eemed t o b e
s u b s t i t u t ed for t h e Provi n ce or t h e In d i an St at e i n t h os e p roceed i n gs .
C H AP T E R IV.—R I G H T TO PROPERTY
300A. Persons not to be deprived of property save by authority of law.— No person
shall be deprived of his property save by authority of law.
 125 THE CONSTITUTION OF INDIA

PART XIII
TRADE, COMMERCE AND INTERCOURSE WITHIN THE
TERRITORY OF INDIA
3 0 1 . F reedom of tra de, com m erce a nd i ntercours e.—Su b j ect t o t h e
ot h er p rovi s i on s of t h i s Part , t rad e, commerce an d i n t ercou rs e t h rou gh ou t
t h e t erri t ory of In d i a s h all b e free.
3 0 2 . P ow er of P a rl i a m ent to i m pos e res tri cti ons on tra de, com m erce
a nd i ntercours e.—Parli amen t may b y law i mp os e s u ch res t ri ct i on s on t h e
freed om of t rad e, commerce or i n t ercou rs e b et ween on e St at e an d an ot h er
or wi t h i n an y p art of t h e t erri t ory of In d i a as may b e req u i red i n t h e
p u b li c i n t eres t .
3 0 3 . Res tri cti ons on the l eg i s l a ti ve pow ers of the Uni on a nd of the
Sta tes w i th reg a rd to tra de a nd com m erce.—(1 ) Not wi t h s t an d i n g
an yt h i n g i n art i cle 3 0 2 , n ei t h er Parli amen t n or t h e Legi s lat u re of a St at e
s h all h ave p ower t o make an y law gi vi n g, or au t h ori s i n g t h e gi vi n g of, an y
p referen ce t o on e St at e over an ot h er, or maki n g, or au t h ori s i n g t h e maki n g
of, an y d i s cri mi n at i on b et ween on e St at e an d an ot h er, b y vi rt u e of an y
en t ry relat i n g t o t rad e an d commerce i n an y of t h e Li s t s i n t h e Seven t h
Sch ed u le.
(2 ) Not h i n g i n clau s e (1 ) s h all p reven t Parli amen t from maki n g an y law
gi vi n g, or au t h ori s i n g t h e gi vi n g of, an y p referen ce or maki n g, or
au t h ori s i n g t h e maki n g of, an y d i s cri mi n at i on i f i t i s d eclared b y s u ch law
t h at i t i s n eces s ary t o d o s o for t h e p u rp os e of d eali n g wi t h a s i t u at i on
ari s i n g from s carci t y of good s i n an y p art of t h e t erri t ory of In d i a.
3 0 4 . Res tri cti ons on tra de, com m erce a nd i ntercours e a m ong
Sta tes .—Not wi t h s t an d i n g an yt h i n g i n art i cle 3 0 1 or art i cle 3 0 3 , t h e
Legi s lat u re of a St at e may b y law—
(a ) i mp os e on good s i mp ort ed from ot h er St at es or t h e Un i on
t erri t ori es an y t ax t o wh i ch s i mi lar good s man u fact u red or p rod u ced i n
t h at St at e are s u b j ect , s o, h owever, as n ot t o d i s cri mi n at e b et ween good s
s o i mp ort ed an d good s s o man u fact u red or p rod u ced ; an d
(b ) i mp os e s u ch reas on ab le res t ri ct i on s on t h e freed om of t rad e,
commerce or i n t ercou rs e wi t h or wi t h i n t h at St at e as may b e req u i red i n
t h e p u b li c i n t eres t :
Provi d ed t h at n o Bi ll or amen d men t for t h e p u rp os es of clau s e (b ) s h all
b e i n t rod u ced or moved i n t h e Legi s lat u re of a St at e wi t h ou t t h e p revi ou s
s an ct i on of t h e Pres i d en t .
3 0 5 . Sa vi ng of exi s ti ng l a w s a nd l a w s provi di ng f or Sta te
m onopol i es .—Not h i n g i n art i cles 3 0 1 an d 3 0 3 s h all affect t h e p rovi s i on s
of an y ex i s t i n g law ex cep t i n s o far as t h e Pres i d en t may b y ord er
ot h erwi s e d i rect ; an d n ot h i n g i n art i cle 3 0 1 s h all affect t h e op erat i on of
an y law mad e b efore t h e commen cemen t of t h e Con s t i t u t i on (Fou rt h
Amen d men t ) Act , 1 9 5 5 , i n s o far as i t relat es t o, or p reven t Parli amen t or

125
 126 THE CONSTITUTION OF INDIA

t h e Legi s lat u re of a St at e from maki n g an y law relat i n g t o, an y s u ch mat t er

as i s referred t o i n s u b -clau s e (i i ) of clau s e (6 ) of art i cle 1 9 .
3 0 6 . [Po wer o f cer t a i n S t a t es i n Pa r t B o f t h e Fi r s t S ch ed u l e t o i mp o s e
r es t r i ct i o n s o n t r a d e a n d co mmer ce.] Rep . b y t h e Co n s t i t u t i o n (S even t h
Amen d men t ) Act , 1 9 5 6 , s . 2 9 a n d S ch .
3 0 7 . Appoi ntm ent of a uthori ty f or ca rry i ng out the purpos es of
a rti cl es 3 0 1 to 3 0 4 .—Parli amen t may b y law ap p oi n t s u ch au t h ori t y as i t
con s i d ers ap p rop ri at e for carryi n g ou t t h e p u rp os es of art i cles 3 0 1 , 3 0 2 ,
3 0 3 an d 3 0 4 , an d con fer on t h e au t h ori t y s o ap p oi n t ed s u ch p owers an d
s u ch d u t i es as i t t h i n ks n eces s ary.
 127 THE CONSTITUTION OF INDIA

PART XIV
SERVICES UNDER THE UNION AND THE STATES
C H AP T E R I.— S E R V I C E S
3 0 8 . I nterpreta ti on.—In t h i s Part , u n les s t h e con t ex t ot h erwi s e
req u i res , t h e ex p res s i on “St at e” d oes n ot i n clu d e t h e St at e of J ammu an d
Kas h mi r.
3 0 9 . Recrui tm ent a nd condi ti ons of s ervi ce of pers ons s ervi ng the
Uni on or a Sta te.—Su b j ect t o t h e p rovi s i on s of t h i s Con s t i t u t i on , Act s of
t h e ap p rop ri at e Legi s lat u re may regu lat e t h e recru i t men t , an d con d i t i on s of
s ervi ce of p ers on s ap p oi n t ed , t o p u b li c s ervi ces an d p os t s i n con n ect i on
wi t h t h e affai rs of t h e Un i on or of an y St at e:
Provi d ed t h at i t s h all b e comp et en t for t h e Pres i d en t or s u ch p ers on as
h e may d i rect i n t h e cas e of s ervi ces an d p os t s i n con n ect i on wi t h t h e
affai rs of t h e Un i on , an d for t h e G overn or of a St at e or s u ch p ers on as h e
may d i rect i n t h e cas e of s ervi ces an d p os t s i n con n ect i on wi t h t h e affai rs
of t h e St at e, t o make ru les regu lat i n g t h e recru i t men t , an d t h e con d i t i on s
of s ervi ce of p ers on s ap p oi n t ed , t o s u ch s ervi ces an d p os t s u n t i l p rovi s i on
i n t h at b eh alf i s mad e b y or u n d er an Act of t h e ap p rop ri at e Legi s lat u re
u n d er t h i s art i cle, an d an y ru les s o mad e s h all h ave effect s u b j ect t o t h e
p rovi s i on s of an y s u ch Act .
3 1 0 . Tenure of of f i ce of pers ons s ervi ng the Uni on or a Sta te.—(1 )
Ex cep t as ex p res s ly p rovi d ed b y t h i s Con s t i t u t i on , every p ers on wh o i s a
memb er of a d efen ce s ervi ce or of a ci vi l s ervi ce of t h e Un i on or of an
all-In d i a s ervi ce or h old s an y p os t con n ect ed wi t h d efen ce or an y ci vi l p os t
u n d er t h e Un i on h old s offi ce d u ri n g t h e p leas u re of t h e Pres i d en t , an d
every p ers on wh o i s a memb er of a ci vi l s ervi ce of a St at e or h old s an y
ci vi l p os t u n d er a St at e h old s offi ce d u ri n g t h e p leas u re of t h e G overn or
of t h e St at e.
(2 ) Not wi t h s t an d i n g t h at a p ers on h old i n g a ci vi l p os t u n d er t h e Un i on
or a St at e h old s offi ce d u ri n g t h e p leas u re of t h e Pres i d en t or, as t h e cas e
may b e, of t h e G overn or of t h e St at e, an y con t ract u n d er wh i ch a p ers on ,
n ot b ei n g a memb er of a d efen ce s ervi ce or of an all-In d i a s ervi ce or of a
ci vi l s ervi ce of t h e Un i on or a St at e, i s ap p oi n t ed u n d er t h i s Con s t i t u t i on
t o h old s u ch a p os t may, i f t h e Pres i d en t or t h e G overn or, as t h e cas e may
b e, d eems i t n eces s ary i n ord er t o s ecu re t h e s ervi ces of a p ers on h avi n g
s p eci al q u ali fi cat i on s , p rovi d e for t h e p aymen t t o h i m of comp en s at i on , i f
b efore t h e ex p i rat i on of an agreed p eri od t h at p os t i s ab oli s h ed or h e i s , for
reas on s n ot con n ect ed wi t h an y mi s con d u ct on h i s p art , req u i red t o vacat e
t h at p os t .
3 1 1 . Di s m i s s a l , rem ova l or reducti on i n ra nk of pers ons em pl oy ed i n
ci vi l ca pa ci ti es under the Uni on or a Sta te.—(1 ) No p ers on wh o i s a
memb er of a ci vi l s ervi ce of t h e Un i on or an all-In d i a s ervi ce or a ci vi l
s ervi ce of a St at e or h old s a ci vi l p os t u n d er t h e Un i on or a St at e s h all b e

127
 128 THE CONSTITUTION OF INDIA

d i s mi s s ed or removed b y an au t h ori t y s u b ord i n at e t o t h at b y wh i ch h e was

ap p oi n t ed .
(2 ) No s u ch p ers on as afores ai d s h all b e d i s mi s s ed or removed or
red u ced i n ran k ex cep t aft er an i n q u i ry i n wh i ch h e h as b een i n formed of
t h e ch arges agai n s t h i m an d gi ven a reas on ab le op p ort u n i t y of b ei n g h eard
i n res p ect of t h os e ch arges :
Provi d ed t h at wh ere i t i s p rop os ed aft er s u ch i n q u i ry, t o i mp os e u p on
h i m an y s u ch p en alt y, s u ch p en alt y may b e i mp os ed on t h e b as i s of t h e
evi d en ce ad d u ced d u ri n g s u ch i n q u i ry an d i t s h all n ot b e n eces s ary t o gi ve
s u ch p ers on an y op p ort u n i t y of maki n g rep res en t at i on on t h e p en alt y
p rop os ed :
Provi d ed fu rt h er t h at t h i s clau s e s h all n ot ap p ly—
(a ) wh ere a p ers on i s d i s mi s s ed or removed or red u ced i n ran k on
t h e grou n d of con d u ct wh i ch h as led t o h i s con vi ct i on on a cri mi n al
ch arge; or
(b ) wh ere t h e au t h ori t y emp owered t o d i s mi s s or remove a p ers on or
t o red u ce h i m i n ran k i s s at i s fi ed t h at for s ome reas on , t o b e record ed
b y t h at au t h ori t y i n wri t i n g, i t i s n ot reas on ab ly p ract i cab le t o h old
s u ch i n q u i ry; or
(c) wh ere t h e Pres i d en t or t h e G overn or, as t h e cas e may b e, i s
s at i s fi ed t h at i n t h e i n t eres t of t h e s ecu ri t y of t h e St at e i t i s n ot
ex p ed i en t t o h old s u ch i n q u i ry.
(3 ) If, i n res p ect of an y s u ch p ers on as afores ai d , a q u es t i on ari s es
wh et h er i t i s reas on ab ly p ract i cab le t o h old s u ch i n q u i ry as i s referred t o i n
clau s e (2 ), t h e d eci s i on t h ereon of t h e au t h ori t y emp owered t o d i s mi s s or
remove s u ch p ers on or t o red u ce h i m i n ran k s h all b e fi n al.
3 1 2 . Al l -I ndi a s ervi ces .—(1 ) Not wi t h s t an d i n g an yt h i n g i n Ch ap t er VI of
Part VI or Part XI, i f t h e Cou n ci l of St at es h as d eclared b y res olu t i on
s u p p ort ed b y n ot les s t h an t wo-t h i rd s of t h e memb ers p res en t an d vot i n g
t h at i t i s n eces s ary or ex p ed i en t i n t h e n at i on al i n t eres t s o t o d o,
Parli amen t may b y law p rovi d e for t h e creat i on of on e or more all In d i a
s ervi ces (i n clu d i n g an all-In d i a j u d i ci al s ervi ce) common t o t h e Un i on an d
t h e St at es , an d , s u b j ect t o t h e ot h er p rovi s i on s of t h i s Ch ap t er, regu lat e t h e
recru i t men t , an d t h e con d i t i on s of s ervi ce of p ers on s ap p oi n t ed , t o an y
s u ch s ervi ce.
(2 ) Th e s ervi ces kn own at t h e commen cemen t of t h i s Con s t i t u t i on as t h e
In d i an Ad mi n i s t rat i ve Servi ce an d t h e In d i an Poli ce Servi ce s h all b e
d eemed t o b e s ervi ces creat ed b y Parli amen t u n d er t h i s art i cle.
(3 ) Th e all-In d i a j u d i ci al s ervi ce referred t o i n clau s e (1 ) s h all n ot
i n clu d e an y p os t i n feri or t o t h at of a d i s t ri ct j u d ge as d efi n ed i n art i cle
236.
(4 ) Th e law p rovi d i n g for t h e creat i on of t h e all-In d i a j u d i ci al s ervi ce
afores ai d may con t ai n s u ch p rovi s i on s for t h e amen d men t of Ch ap t er VI of
Part VI as may b e n eces s ary for gi vi n g effect t o t h e p rovi s i on s of t h at law
 129 THE CONSTITUTION OF INDIA

an d n o s u ch law s h all b e d eemed t o b e an amen d men t of t h i s Con s t i t u t i on

for t h e p u rp os es of art i cle 3 6 8 .
3 1 2 A. P ow er of P a rl i a m ent to va ry or revoke condi ti ons of s ervi ce of
of f i cers of certa i n s ervi ces .—(1 ) Parli amen t may b y law—
(a ) vary or revoke, wh et h er p ros p ect i vely or ret ros p ect i vely, t h e
con d i t i on s of s ervi ces as res p ect s remu n erat i on , leave an d p en s i on an d
t h e ri gh t s as res p ect s d i s ci p li n ary mat t ers of p ers on s wh o, h avi n g b een
ap p oi n t ed b y t h e Secret ary of St at e or Secret ary of St at e i n Cou n ci l t o a
ci vi l s ervi ce of t h e Crown i n In d i a b efore t h e commen cemen t of t h i s
Con s t i t u t i on , con t i n u e on an d aft er t h e commen cemen t of t h e
Con s t i t u t i on (Twen t y-ei gh t h Amen d men t ) Act , 1 9 7 2 , t o s erve u n d er t h e
G overn men t of In d i a or of a St at e i n an y s ervi ce or p os t ;
(b ) vary or revoke, wh et h er p ros p ect i vely or ret ros p ect i vely, t h e
con d i t i on s of s ervi ce as res p ect s p en s i on of p ers on s wh o, h avi n g b een
ap p oi n t ed b y t h e Secret ary of St at e or Secret ary of St at e i n Cou n ci l t o a
ci vi l s ervi ce of t h e Crown i n In d i a b efore t h e commen cemen t of t h i s
Con s t i t u t i on , ret i red or ot h erwi s e ceas ed t o b e i n s ervi ce at an y t i me
b efore t h e commen cemen t of t h e Con s t i t u t i on (Twen t y-ei gh t h
Amen d men t ) Act , 1 9 7 2 :
Provi d ed t h at i n t h e cas e of an y s u ch p ers on wh o i s h old i n g or h as h eld
t h e offi ce of t h e Ch i ef J u s t i ce or ot h er J u d ge of t h e Su p reme Cou rt or a
Hi gh Cou rt , t h e Comp t roller an d Au d i t or-G en eral of In d i a, t h e Ch ai rman or
ot h er memb er of t h e Un i on or a St at e Pu b li c Servi ce Commi s s i on or t h e
Ch i ef Elect i on Commi s s i on er, n ot h i n g i n s u b -clau s e (a ) or s u b -clau s e (b )
s h all b e con s t ru ed as emp oweri n g Parli amen t t o vary or revoke, aft er h i s
ap p oi n t men t t o s u ch p os t , t h e con d i t i on s of h i s s ervi ce t o h i s d i s ad van t age
ex cep t i n s o far as s u ch con d i t i on s of s ervi ce are ap p li cab le t o h i m b y
reas on of h i s b ei n g a p ers on ap p oi n t ed b y t h e Secret ary of St at e or
Secret ary of St at e i n Cou n ci l t o a ci vi l s ervi ce of t h e Crown i n In d i a.
(2 ) Ex cep t t o t h e ex t en t p rovi d ed for b y Parli amen t b y law u n d er t h i s
art i cle, n ot h i n g i n t h i s art i cle s h all affect t h e p ower of an y Legi s lat u re or
ot h er au t h ori t y u n d er an y ot h er p rovi s i on of t h i s Con s t i t u t i on t o regu lat e
t h e con d i t i on s of s ervi ce of p ers on s referred t o i n clau s e (1 ).
(3 ) Nei t h er t h e Su p reme Cou rt n or an y ot h er cou rt s h all h ave
j u ri s d i ct i on i n —
(a ) an y d i s p u t e ari s i n g ou t of an y p rovi s i on of, or an y en d ors emen t
on , an y coven an t , agreemen t or ot h er s i mi lar i n s t ru men t wh i ch was
en t ered i n t o or ex ecu t ed b y an y p ers on referred t o i n clau s e (1 ), or
ari s i n g ou t of an y let t er i s s u ed t o s u ch p ers on , i n relat i on t o h i s
ap p oi n t men t t o an y ci vi l s ervi ce of t h e Crown i n In d i a or h i s
con t i n u an ce i n s ervi ce u n d er t h e G overn men t of t h e Domi n i on of In d i a
or a Provi n ce t h ereof;
(b ) an y d i s p u t e i n res p ect of an y ri gh t , li ab i li t y or ob li gat i on u n d er
art i cle 3 1 4 as ori gi n ally en act ed .
 130 THE CONSTITUTION OF INDIA

(4 ) Th e p rovi s i on s of t h i s art i cle s h all h ave effect n ot wi t h s t an d i n g

an yt h i n g i n art i cle 3 1 4 as ori gi n ally en act ed or i n an y ot h er p rovi s i on of
t h i s Con s t i t u t i on .
3 1 3 . Tra ns i ti ona l provi s i ons .—Un t i l ot h er p rovi s i on i s mad e i n t h i s
b eh alf u n d er t h i s Con s t i t u t i on , all t h e laws i n force i mmed i at ely b efore t h e
commen cemen t of t h i s Con s t i t u t i on an d ap p li cab le t o an y p u b li c s ervi ce or
an y p os t wh i ch con t i n u es t o ex i s t aft er t h e commen cemen t of t h i s
Con s t i t u t i on , as an all-In d i a s ervi ce or as s ervi ce or p os t u n d er t h e Un i on
or a St at e s h all con t i n u e i n force s o far as con s i s t en t wi t h t h e p rovi s i on s of
t h i s Con s t i t u t i on .
3 1 4 . [Pr o vi s i o n f o r p r o t ect i o n o f exi s t i n g o f f i cer s o f cer t a i n s er vi ces .]
Rep . b y t h e Co n s t i t u t i o n (Twen t y-ei g h t h Amen d men t ) Act , 1 9 7 2 , s . 3 (w.e.f .
2 9 -8 -1 9 7 2 ).
C HAPTER II.— P U BLIC S ER V IC E C O M M ISSIO N S
3 1 5 . P ubl i c Servi ce Com m i s s i ons f or the Uni on a nd f or the Sta tes .—
(1 ) Su b j ect t o t h e p rovi s i on s of t h i s art i cle, t h ere s h all b e a Pu b li c
Servi ce Commi s s i on for t h e Un i on an d a Pu b li c Servi ce Commi s s i on for
each St at e.
(2 ) Two or more St at es may agree t h at t h ere s h all b e on e Pu b li c Servi ce
Commi s s i on for t h at grou p of St at es , an d i f a res olu t i on t o t h at effect i s
p as s ed b y t h e Hou s e or, wh ere t h ere are t wo Hou s es , b y each Hou s e of t h e
Legi s lat u re of each of t h os e St at es , Parli amen t may b y law p rovi d e for t h e
ap p oi n t men t of a J oi n t St at e Pu b li c Servi ce Commi s s i on (referred t o i n t h i s
Ch ap t er as J oi n t Commi s s i on ) t o s erve t h e n eed s of t h os e St at es .
(3 ) An y s u ch law as afores ai d may con t ai n s u ch i n ci d en t al an d
con s eq u en t i al p rovi s i on s as may b e n eces s ary or d es i rab le for gi vi n g effect
t o t h e p u rp os es of t h e law.
(4 ) Th e Pu b li c Servi ce Commi s s i on for t h e Un i on , i f req u es t ed s o t o d o
b y t h e G overn or of a St at e may, wi t h t h e ap p roval of t h e Pres i d en t , agree
t o s erve all or an y of t h e n eed s of t h e St at e.
(5 ) Referen ces i n t h i s Con s t i t u t i on t o t h e Un i on Pu b li c Servi ce
Commi s s i on or a St at e Pu b li c Servi ce Commi s s i on s h all, u n les s t h e con t ex t
ot h erwi s e req u i res , b e con s t ru ed as referen ces t o t h e Commi s s i on s ervi n g
t h e n eed s of t h e Un i on or, as t h e cas e may b e, t h e St at e as res p ect s t h e
p art i cu lar mat t er i n q u es t i on .
3 1 6 . Appoi ntm ent a nd term of of f i ce of m em bers .—(1 ) Th e Ch ai rman
an d ot h er memb ers of a Pu b li c Servi ce Commi s s i on s h all b e ap p oi n t ed , i n
t h e cas e of t h e Un i on Commi s s i on or a J oi n t Commi s s i on , b y t h e
Pres i d en t , an d i n t h e cas e of a St at e Commi s s i on , b y t h e G overn or of t h e
St at e:
Provi d ed t h at as n early as may b e on e-h alf of t h e memb ers of every
Pu b li c Servi ce Commi s s i on s h all b e p ers on s wh o at t h e d at es of t h ei r
res p ect i ve ap p oi n t men t s h ave h eld offi ce for at leas t t en years ei t h er u n d er
 131 THE CONSTITUTION OF INDIA

t h e G overn men t of In d i a or u n d er t h e G overn men t of a St at e, an d i n

comp u t i n g t h e s ai d p eri od of t en years an y p eri od b efore t h e
commen cemen t of t h i s Con s t i t u t i on d u ri n g wh i ch a p ers on h as h eld offi ce
u n d er t h e Crown i n In d i a or u n d er t h e G overn men t of an In d i an St at e s h all
b e i n clu d ed .
(1 A) If t h e offi ce of t h e Ch ai rman of t h e Commi s s i on b ecomes vacan t or
i f an y s u ch Ch ai rman i s b y reas on of ab s en ce or for an y ot h er reas on
u n ab le t o p erform t h e d u t i es of h i s offi ce, t h os e d u t i es s h all, u n t i l s ome
p ers on ap p oi n t ed u n d er clau s e (1 ) t o t h e vacan t offi ce h as en t ered on t h e
d u t i es t h ereof or, as t h e cas e may b e, u n t i l t h e Ch ai rman h as res u med h i s
d u t i es , b e p erformed b y s u ch on e of t h e ot h er memb ers of t h e Commi s s i on
as t h e Pres i d en t , i n t h e cas e of t h e Un i on Commi s s i on or a J oi n t
Commi s s i on , an d t h e G overn or of t h e St at e i n t h e cas e of a St at e
Commi s s i on , may ap p oi n t for t h e p u rp os e.
(2 ) A memb er of a Pu b li c Servi ce Commi s s i on s h all h old offi ce for a
t erm of s i x years from t h e d at e on wh i ch h e en t ers u p on h i s offi ce or u n t i l
h e at t ai n s , i n t h e cas e of t h e Un i on Commi s s i on , t h e age of s i x t y-fi ve
years , an d i n t h e cas e of a St at e Commi s s i on or a J oi n t Commi s s i on , t h e
age of s i x t y-t wo years , wh i ch ever i s earli er:
Provi d ed t h at —
(a ) a memb er of a Pu b li c Servi ce Commi s s i on may, b y wri t i n g
u n d er h i s h an d ad d res s ed , i n t h e cas e of t h e Un i on Commi s s i on or a
J oi n t Commi s s i on , t o t h e Pres i d en t , an d i n t h e cas e of a St at e
Commi s s i on , t o t h e G overn or of t h e St at e, res i gn h i s offi ce;
(b ) a memb er of a Pu b li c Servi ce Commi s s i on may b e removed from
h i s offi ce i n t h e man n er p rovi d ed i n clau s e (1 ) or clau s e (3 ) of art i cle
317.
(3 ) A p ers on wh o h old s offi ce as a memb er of a Pu b li c Servi ce
Commi s s i on s h all, on t h e ex p i rat i on of h i s t erm of offi ce, b e i n eli gi b le for
re-ap p oi n t men t t o t h at offi ce.
3 1 7 . Rem ova l a nd s us pens i on of a m em ber of a P ubl i c Servi ce
Com m i s s i on.—(1 ) Su b j ect t o t h e p rovi s i on s of clau s e (3 ), t h e Ch ai rman or
an y ot h er memb er of a Pu b li c Servi ce Commi s s i on s h all on ly b e removed
from h i s offi ce b y ord er of t h e Pres i d en t on t h e grou n d of mi s b eh avi ou r
aft er t h e Su p reme Cou rt , on referen ce b ei n g mad e t o i t b y t h e Pres i d en t ,
h as , on i n q u i ry h eld i n accord an ce wi t h t h e p roced u re p res cri b ed i n t h at
b eh alf u n d er art i cle 1 4 5 , rep ort ed t h at t h e Ch ai rman or s u ch ot h er memb er,
as t h e cas e may b e, ou gh t on an y s u ch grou n d t o b e removed .
(2 ) Th e Pres i d en t , i n t h e cas e of t h e Un i on Commi s s i on or a J oi n t
Commi s s i on , an d t h e G overn or i n t h e cas e of a St at e Commi s s i on , may
s u s p en d from offi ce t h e Ch ai rman or an y ot h er memb er of t h e Commi s s i on
i n res p ect of wh om a referen ce h as b een mad e t o t h e Su p reme Cou rt u n d er
clau s e (1 ) u n t i l t h e Pres i d en t h as p as s ed ord ers on recei p t of t h e rep ort of
t h e Su p reme Cou rt on s u ch referen ce.
 132 THE CONSTITUTION OF INDIA

(3 ) Not wi t h s t an d i n g an yt h i n g i n clau s e (1 ), t h e Pres i d en t may b y ord er

remove from offi ce t h e Ch ai rman or an y ot h er memb er of a Pu b li c Servi ce
Commi s s i on i f t h e Ch ai rman or s u ch ot h er memb er, as t h e cas e may b e,—
(a ) i s ad j u d ged an i n s olven t ; or
(b ) en gages d u ri n g h i s t erm of offi ce i n an y p ai d emp loymen t ou t s i d e
t h e d u t i es of h i s offi ce; or
(c) i s , i n t h e op i n i on of t h e Pres i d en t , u n fi t t o con t i n u e i n offi ce b y
reas on of i n fi rmi t y of mi n d or b od y.
(4 ) If t h e Ch ai rman or an y ot h er memb er of a Pu b li c Servi ce
Commi s s i on i s or b ecomes i n an y way con cern ed or i n t eres t ed i n an y
con t ract or agreemen t mad e b y or on b eh alf of t h e G overn men t of In d i a or
t h e G overn men t of a St at e or p art i ci p at es i n an y way i n t h e p rofi t t h ereof
or i n an y b en efi t or emolu men t ari s i n g t h erefrom ot h erwi s e t h an as a
memb er an d i n common wi t h t h e ot h er memb ers of an i n corp orat ed
comp an y, h e s h all, for t h e p u rp os es of clau s e (1 ), b e d eemed t o b e gu i lt y
of mi s b eh avi ou r.
3 1 8 . P ow er to m a ke reg ul a ti ons a s to condi ti ons of s ervi ce of
m em bers a nd s ta f f of the Com m i s s i on.—In t h e cas e of t h e Un i on
Commi s s i on or a J oi n t Commi s s i on , t h e Pres i d en t an d , i n t h e cas e of a
St at e Commi s s i on , t h e G overn or of t h e St at e may b y regu lat i on s —
(a ) d et ermi n e t h e n u mb er of memb ers of t h e Commi s s i on an d t h ei r
con d i t i on s of s ervi ce; an d
(b ) make p rovi s i on wi t h res p ect t o t h e n u mb er of memb ers of t h e
s t aff of t h e Commi s s i on an d t h ei r con d i t i on s of s ervi ce:
Provi d ed t h at t h e con d i t i on s of s ervi ce of a memb er of a Pu b li c Servi ce
Commi s s i on s h all n ot b e vari ed t o h i s d i s ad van t age aft er h i s ap p oi n t men t .
3 1 9 . P rohi bi ti on a s to the hol di ng of of f i ces by m em bers of
Com m i s s i on on cea s i ng to be s uch m em bers .—On ceas i n g t o h old
offi ce—
(a ) t h e Ch ai rman of t h e Un i on Pu b li c Servi ce Commi s s i on s h all b e
i n eli gi b le for fu rt h er emp loymen t ei t h er u n d er t h e G overn men t of In d i a
or u n d er t h e G overn men t of a St at e;
(b ) t h e Ch ai rman of a St at e Pu b li c Servi ce Commi s s i on s h all b e
eli gi b le for ap p oi n t men t as t h e Ch ai rman or an y ot h er memb er of t h e
Un i on Pu b li c Servi ce Commi s s i on or as t h e Ch ai rman of an y ot h er St at e
Pu b li c Servi ce Commi s s i on , b u t n ot for an y ot h er emp loymen t ei t h er
u n d er t h e G overn men t of In d i a or u n d er t h e G overn men t of a St at e;
(c) a memb er ot h er t h an t h e Ch ai rman of t h e Un i on Pu b li c Servi ce
Commi s s i on s h all b e eli gi b le for ap p oi n t men t as t h e Ch ai rman of t h e
Un i on Pu b li c Servi ce Commi s s i on or as t h e Ch ai rman of a St at e Pu b li c
Servi ce Commi s s i on , b u t n ot for an y ot h er emp loymen t ei t h er u n d er t h e
G overn men t of In d i a or u n d er t h e G overn men t of a St at e;
 133 THE CONSTITUTION OF INDIA

(d ) a memb er ot h er t h an t h e Ch ai rman of a St at e Pu b li c Servi ce

Commi s s i on s h all b e eli gi b le for ap p oi n t men t as t h e Ch ai rman or an y
ot h er memb er of t h e Un i on Pu b li c Servi ce Commi s s i on or as t h e
Ch ai rman of t h at or an y ot h er St at e Pu b li c Servi ce Commi s s i on , b u t n ot
for an y ot h er emp loymen t ei t h er u n d er t h e G overn men t of In d i a or u n d er
t h e G overn men t of a St at e.
3 2 0 . F uncti ons of P ubl i c Servi ce Com m i s s i ons .—(1 ) It s h all b e t h e
d u t y of t h e Un i on an d t h e St at e Pu b li c Servi ce Commi s s i on s t o con d u ct
ex ami n at i on s for ap p oi n t men t s t o t h e s ervi ces of t h e Un i on an d t h e
s ervi ces of t h e St at e res p ect i vely.
(2 ) It s h all als o b e t h e d u t y of t h e Un i on Pu b li c Servi ce Commi s s i on , i f
req u es t ed b y an y t wo or more St at es s o t o d o, t o as s i s t t h os e St at es i n
frami n g an d op erat i n g s ch emes of j oi n t recru i t men t for an y s ervi ces for
wh i ch can d i d at es p os s es s i n g s p eci al q u ali fi cat i on s are req u i red .
(3 ) Th e Un i on Pu b li c Servi ce Commi s s i on or t h e St at e Pu b li c Servi ce
Commi s s i on , as t h e cas e may b e, s h all b e con s u lt ed —
(a ) on all mat t ers relat i n g t o met h od s of recru i t men t t o ci vi l
s ervi ces an d for ci vi l p os t s ;
(b ) on t h e p ri n ci p les t o b e followed i n maki n g ap p oi n t men t s t o ci vi l
s ervi ces an d p os t s an d i n maki n g p romot i on s an d t ran s fers from on e
s ervi ce t o an ot h er an d on t h e s u i t ab i li t y of can d i d at es for s u ch
ap p oi n t men t s , p romot i on s or t ran s fers ;
(c) on all d i s ci p li n ary mat t ers affect i n g a p ers on s ervi n g u n d er t h e
G overn men t of In d i a or t h e G overn men t of a St at e i n a ci vi l cap aci t y,
i n clu d i n g memori als or p et i t i on s relat i n g t o s u ch mat t ers ;
(d ) on an y clai m b y or i n res p ect of a p ers on wh o i s s ervi n g or h as
s erved u n d er t h e G overn men t of In d i a or t h e G overn men t of a St at e or
u n d er t h e Crown i n In d i a or u n d er t h e G overn men t of an In d i an St at e, i n
a ci vi l cap aci t y, t h at an y cos t s i n cu rred b y h i m i n d efen d i n g legal
p roceed i n gs i n s t i t u t ed agai n s t h i m i n res p ect of act s d on e or p u rp ort i n g
t o b e d on e i n t h e ex ecu t i on of h i s d u t y s h ou ld b e p ai d ou t of t h e
Con s oli d at ed Fu n d of In d i a, or, as t h e cas e may b e, ou t of t h e
Con s oli d at ed Fu n d of t h e St at e;
(e) on an y clai m for t h e award of a p en s i on i n res p ect of i n j u ri es
s u s t ai n ed b y a p ers on wh i le s ervi n g u n d er t h e G overn men t of In d i a or
t h e G overn men t of a St at e or u n d er t h e Crown i n In d i a or u n d er t h e
G overn men t of an In d i an St at e, i n a ci vi l cap aci t y, an d an y q u es t i on as
t o t h e amou n t of an y s u ch award ,
an d i t s h all b e t h e d u t y of a Pu b li c Servi ce Commi s s i on t o ad vi s e on an y
mat t er s o referred t o t h em an d on an y ot h er mat t er wh i ch t h e Pres i d en t , or,
as t h e cas e may b e, t h e G overn or of t h e St at e, may refer t o t h em:
Provi d ed t h at t h e Pres i d en t as res p ect s t h e all-In d i a s ervi ces an d als o as
res p ect s ot h er s ervi ces an d p os t s i n con n ect i on wi t h t h e affai rs of t h e
Un i on , an d t h e G overn or, as res p ect s ot h er s ervi ces an d p os t s i n
 134 THE CONSTITUTION OF INDIA

con n ect i on wi t h t h e affai rs of a St at e, may make regu lat i on s s p eci fyi n g t h e

mat t ers i n wh i ch ei t h er gen erally, or i n an y p art i cu lar clas s of cas e or i n
an y p art i cu lar ci rcu ms t an ces , i t s h all n ot b e n eces s ary for a Pu b li c Servi ce
Commi s s i on t o b e con s u lt ed .
(4 ) Not h i n g i n clau s e (3 ) s h all req u i re a Pu b li c Servi ce Commi s s i on t o
b e con s u lt ed as res p ect s t h e man n er i n wh i ch an y p rovi s i on referred t o i n
clau s e (4 ) of art i cle 1 6 may b e mad e or as res p ect s t h e man n er i n wh i ch
effect may b e gi ven t o t h e p rovi s i on s of art i cle 3 3 5 .
(5 ) All regu lat i on s mad e u n d er t h e p rovi s o t o clau s e (3 ) b y t h e Pres i d en t
or t h e G overn or of a St at e s h all b e lai d for n ot les s t h an fou rt een d ays
b efore each Hou s e of Parli amen t or t h e Hou s e or each Hou s e of t h e
Legi s lat u re of t h e St at e, as t h e cas e may b e, as s oon as p os s i b le aft er t h ey
are mad e, an d s h all b e s u b j ect t o s u ch mod i fi cat i on s , wh et h er b y way of
rep eal or amen d men t , as b ot h Hou s es of Parli amen t or t h e Hou s e or b ot h
Hou s es of t h e Legi s lat u re of t h e St at e may make d u ri n g t h e s es s i on i n
wh i ch t h ey are s o lai d .
3 2 1 . P ow er to extend f uncti ons of P ubl i c Servi ce Com m i s s i ons .— An
Act mad e b y Parli amen t or, as t h e cas e may b e, t h e Legi s lat u re of a St at e
may p rovi d e for t h e ex erci s e of ad d i t i on al fu n ct i on s b y t h e Un i on Pu b li c
Servi ce Commi s s i on or t h e St at e Pu b li c Servi ce Commi s s i on as res p ect s
t h e s ervi ces of t h e Un i on or t h e St at e an d als o as res p ect s t h e s ervi ces of
an y local au t h ori t y or ot h er b od y corp orat e con s t i t u t ed b y law or of an y
p u b li c i n s t i t u t i on .
3 2 2 . Expens es of P ubl i c Servi ce Com m i s s i ons .— Th e ex p en s es of t h e
Un i on or a St at e Pu b li c Servi ce Commi s s i on , i n clu d i n g an y s alari es ,
allowan ces an d p en s i on s p ayab le t o or i n res p ect of t h e memb ers or s t aff of
t h e Commi s s i on , s h all b e ch arged on t h e Con s oli d at ed Fu n d of In d i a or, as
t h e cas e may b e, t h e Con s oli d at ed Fu n d of t h e St at e.
3 2 3 . Reports of P ubl i c Servi ce Com m i s s i ons .— (1 ) It s h all b e t h e d u t y
of t h e Un i on Commi s s i on t o p res en t an n u ally t o t h e Pres i d en t a rep ort as t o
t h e work d on e b y t h e Commi s s i on an d on recei p t of s u ch rep ort t h e
Pres i d en t s h all cau s e a cop y t h ereof t oget h er wi t h a memoran d u m
ex p lai n i n g, as res p ect s t h e cas es , i f an y, wh ere t h e ad vi ce of t h e
Commi s s i on was n ot accep t ed , t h e reas on s for s u ch n on -accep t an ce t o b e
lai d b efore each Hou s e of Parli amen t .
(2 ) It s h all b e t h e d u t y of a St at e Commi s s i on t o p res en t an n u ally t o t h e
G overn or of t h e St at e a rep ort as t o t h e work d on e b y t h e Commi s s i on , an d
i t s h all b e t h e d u t y of a J oi n t Commi s s i on t o p res en t an n u ally t o t h e
G overn or of each of t h e St at es t h e n eed s of wh i ch are s erved b y t h e J oi n t
Commi s s i on a rep ort as t o t h e work d on e b y t h e Commi s s i on i n relat i on t o
t h at St at e, an d i n ei t h er cas e t h e G overn or, s h all, on recei p t of s u ch rep ort ,
cau s e a cop y t h ereof t oget h er wi t h a memoran d u m ex p lai n i n g, as res p ect s
t h e cas es , i f an y, wh ere t h e ad vi ce of t h e Commi s s i on was n ot accep t ed ,
t h e reas on s for s u ch n on -accep t an ce t o b e lai d b efore t h e Legi s lat u re of t h e
St at e.
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P ART XI VA
TRIBUNALS
3 2 3 A. Adm i ni s tra ti ve tri buna l s .—(1 ) Parli amen t may, b y law, p rovi d e
for t h e ad j u d i cat i on or t ri al b y ad mi n i s t rat i ve t ri b u n als of d i s p u t es an d
comp lai n t s wi t h res p ect t o recru i t men t an d con d i t i on s of s ervi ce of p ers on s
ap p oi n t ed t o p u b li c s ervi ces an d p os t s i n con n ect i on wi t h t h e affai rs of t h e
Un i on or of an y St at e or of an y local or ot h er au t h ori t y wi t h i n t h e t erri t ory
of In d i a or u n d er t h e con t rol of t h e G overn men t of In d i a or of an y
corp orat i on own ed or con t rolled b y t h e G overn men t .
(2 ) A law mad e u n d er clau s e (1 ) may—
(a ) p rovi d e for t h e es t ab li s h men t of an ad mi n i s t rat i ve t ri b u n al for
t h e Un i on an d a s ep arat e ad mi n i s t rat i ve t ri b u n al for each St at e or for
t wo or more St at es ;
(b ) s p eci fy t h e j u ri s d i ct i on , p owers (i n clu d i n g t h e p ower t o p u n i s h
for con t emp t ) an d au t h ori t y wh i ch may b e ex erci s ed b y each of t h e s ai d
t ri b u n als ;
(c) p rovi d e for t h e p roced u re (i n clu d i n g p rovi s i on s as t o li mi t at i on
an d ru les of evi d en ce) t o b e followed b y t h e s ai d t ri b u n als ;
(d ) ex clu d e t h e j u ri s d i ct i on of all cou rt s , ex cep t t h e j u ri s d i ct i on of
t h e Su p reme Cou rt u n d er art i cle 1 3 6 , wi t h res p ect t o t h e d i s p u t es or
comp lai n t s referred t o i n clau s e (1 );
(e) p rovi d e for t h e t ran s fer t o each s u ch ad mi n i s t rat i ve t ri b u n al of
an y cas es p en d i n g b efore an y cou rt or ot h er au t h ori t y i mmed i at ely
b efore t h e es t ab li s h men t of s u ch t ri b u n al as wou ld h ave b een wi t h i n t h e
j u ri s d i ct i on of s u ch t ri b u n al i f t h e cau s es of act i on on wh i ch s u ch s u i t s
or p roceed i n gs are b as ed h ad ari s en aft er s u ch es t ab li s h men t ;
(f ) rep eal or amen d an y ord er mad e b y t h e Pres i d en t u n d er clau s e (3 )
of art i cle 3 7 1 D;
(g ) con t ai n s u ch s u p p lemen t al, i n ci d en t al an d con s eq u en t i al
p rovi s i on s (i n clu d i n g p rovi s i on s as t o fees ) as Parli amen t may d eem
n eces s ary for t h e effect i ve fu n ct i on i n g of, an d for t h e s p eed y d i s p os al
of cas es b y, an d t h e en forcemen t of t h e ord ers of, s u ch t ri b u n als .
(3 ) Th e p rovi s i on s of t h i s art i cle s h all h ave effect n ot wi t h s t an d i n g
an yt h i n g i n an y ot h er p rovi s i on of t h i s Con s t i t u t i on or i n an y ot h er law for
t h e t i me b ei n g i n force.
3 2 3 B . Tri buna l s f or other m a tters .— (1 ) Th e ap p rop ri at e Legi s lat u re
may, b y law, p rovi d e for t h e ad j u d i cat i on or t ri al b y t ri b u n als of an y
d i s p u t es , comp lai n t s , or offen ces wi t h res p ect t o all or an y of t h e mat t ers
s p eci fi ed i n clau s e (2 ) wi t h res p ect t o wh i ch s u ch Legi s lat u re h as p ower t o
make laws .
(2 ) Th e mat t ers referred t o i n clau s e (1 ) are t h e followi n g, n amely:—
(a ) levy, as s es s men t , collect i on an d en forcemen t of an y t ax ;

135
136 THE CONSTITUTION OF INDIA

(b ) forei gn ex ch an ge, i mp ort an d ex p ort acros s cu s t oms fron t i ers ;

(c) i n d u s t ri al an d lab ou r d i s p u t es ;
(d ) lan d reforms b y way of acq u i s i t i on b y t h e St at e of an y es t at e as
d efi n ed i n art i cle 3 1 A or of an y ri gh t s t h erei n or t h e ex t i n gu i s h men t or
mod i fi cat i on of an y s u ch ri gh t s or b y way of cei li n g on agri cu lt u ral lan d
or i n an y ot h er way;
(e) cei li n g on u rb an p rop ert y;
(f ) elect i on s t o ei t h er Hou s e of Parli amen t or t h e Hou s e or ei t h er
Hou s e of t h e Legi s lat u re of a St at e, b u t ex clu d i n g t h e mat t ers referred
t o i n art i cle 3 2 9 an d art i cle 3 2 9 A;
(g ) p rod u ct i on , p rocu remen t , s u p p ly an d d i s t ri b u t i on of food -s t u ffs
(i n clu d i n g ed i b le oi ls eed s an d oi ls ) an d s u ch ot h er good s as t h e
Pres i d en t may, b y p u b li c n ot i fi cat i on , d eclare t o b e es s en t i al good s for
t h e p u rp os e of t h i s art i cle an d con t rol of p ri ces of s u ch good s ;
(h ) ren t , i t s regu lat i on an d con t rol an d t en an cy i s s u es i n clu d i n g t h e
ri gh t , t i t le an d i n t eres t of lan d lord s an d t en an t s ;
(i ) offen ces agai n s t laws wi t h res p ect t o an y of t h e mat t ers s p eci fi ed
i n s u b -clau s es (a ) t o (h ) an d fees i n res p ect of an y of t h os e mat t ers ;
(j ) an y mat t er i n ci d en t al t o an y of t h e mat t ers s p eci fi ed i n s u b -
clau s es (a ) t o (i ).
(3 ) A law mad e u n d er clau s e (1 ) may—
(a ) p rovi d e for t h e es t ab li s h men t of a h i erarch y of t ri b u n als ;
(b ) s p eci fy t h e j u ri s d i ct i on , p owers (i n clu d i n g t h e p ower t o p u n i s h
for con t emp t ) an d au t h ori t y wh i ch may b e ex erci s ed b y each of t h e s ai d
t ri b u n als ;
(c) p rovi d e for t h e p roced u re (i n clu d i n g p rovi s i on s as t o li mi t at i on
an d ru les of evi d en ce) t o b e followed b y t h e s ai d t ri b u n als ;
(d ) ex clu d e t h e j u ri s d i ct i on of all cou rt s , ex cep t t h e j u ri s d i ct i on of
t h e Su p reme Cou rt u n d er art i cle 1 3 6 , wi t h res p ect t o all or an y of t h e
mat t ers falli n g wi t h i n t h e j u ri s d i ct i on of t h e s ai d t ri b u n als ;
(e) p rovi d e for t h e t ran s fer t o each s u ch t ri b u n al of an y cas es
p en d i n g b efore an y cou rt or an y ot h er au t h ori t y i mmed i at ely b efore t h e
es t ab li s h men t of s u ch t ri b u n al as wou ld h ave b een wi t h i n t h e
j u ri s d i ct i on of s u ch t ri b u n al i f t h e cau s es of act i on on wh i ch s u ch s u i t s
or p roceed i n gs are b as ed h ad ari s en aft er s u ch es t ab li s h men t ;
(f ) con t ai n s u ch s u p p lemen t al, i n ci d en t al an d con s eq u en t i al
p rovi s i on s (i n clu d i n g p rovi s i on s as t o fees ) as t h e ap p rop ri at e
Legi s lat u re may d eem n eces s ary for t h e effect i ve fu n ct i on i n g of, an d for
t h e s p eed y d i s p os al of cas es b y, an d t h e en forcemen t of t h e ord ers of,
s u ch t ri b u n als .
 137 THE CONSTITUTION OF INDIA

(4 ) Th e p rovi s i on s of t h i s art i cle s h all h ave effect n ot wi t h s t an d i n g

an yt h i n g i n an y ot h er p rovi s i on of t h i s Con s t i t u t i on or i n an y ot h er law for
t h e t i me b ei n g i n force.
Exp l a n a t i o n .—In t h i s art i cle, “ap p rop ri at e Legi s lat u re”, i n relat i on t o
an y mat t er, mean s Parli amen t or, as t h e cas e may b e, a St at e Legi s lat u re
comp et en t t o make laws wi t h res p ect t o s u ch mat t er i n accord an ce wi t h t h e
p rovi s i on s of Part XI.
 138 THE CONSTITUTION OF INDIA

PART XV
ELECTIONS
3 2 4 . Superi ntendence, di recti on a nd control of el ecti ons to be ves ted
i n a n El ecti on Com m i s s i on.— (1 ) Th e s u p eri n t en d en ce, d i rect i on an d
con t rol of t h e p rep arat i on of t h e elect oral rolls for, an d t h e con d u ct of, all
elect i on s t o Parli amen t an d t o t h e Legi s lat u re of every St at e an d of
elect i on s t o t h e offi ces of Pres i d en t an d Vi ce-Pres i d en t h eld u n d er t h i s
Con s t i t u t i on s h all b e ves t ed i n a Commi s s i on (referred t o i n t h i s
Con s t i t u t i on as t h e Elect i on Commi s s i on ).
(2 ) Th e Elect i on Commi s s i on s h all con s i s t of t h e Ch i ef Elect i on
Commi s s i on er an d s u ch n u mb er of ot h er Elect i on Commi s s i on ers , i f an y, as
t h e Pres i d en t may from t i me t o t i me fi x an d t h e ap p oi n t men t of t h e Ch i ef
Elect i on Commi s s i on er an d ot h er Elect i on Commi s s i on ers s h all, s u b j ect t o
t h e p rovi s i on s of an y law mad e i n t h at b eh alf b y Parli amen t , b e mad e b y
t h e Pres i d en t .
(3 ) Wh en an y ot h er Elect i on Commi s s i on er i s s o ap p oi n t ed t h e Ch i ef
Elect i on Commi s s i on er s h all act as t h e Ch ai rman of t h e Elect i on
Commi s s i on .
(4 ) Before each gen eral elect i on t o t h e Hou s e of t h e Peop le an d t o t h e
Legi s lat i ve As s emb ly of each St at e, an d b efore t h e fi rs t gen eral elect i on
an d t h ereaft er b efore each b i en n i al elect i on t o t h e Legi s lat i ve Cou n ci l of
each St at e h avi n g s u ch Cou n ci l, t h e Pres i d en t may als o ap p oi n t aft er
con s u lt at i on wi t h t h e Elect i on Commi s s i on s u ch Regi on al Commi s s i on ers
as h e may con s i d er n eces s ary t o as s i s t t h e Elect i on Commi s s i on i n t h e
p erforman ce of t h e fu n ct i on s con ferred on t h e Commi s s i on b y clau s e (1 ).
(5 ) Su b j ect t o t h e p rovi s i on s of an y law mad e b y Parli amen t , t h e
con d i t i on s of s ervi ce an d t en u re of offi ce of t h e Elect i on Commi s s i on ers
an d t h e Regi on al Commi s s i on ers s h all b e s u ch as t h e Pres i d en t may b y ru le
d et ermi n e:
Provi d ed t h at t h e Ch i ef Elect i on Commi s s i on er s h all n ot b e removed
from h i s offi ce ex cep t i n li ke man n er an d on t h e li ke grou n d s as a J u d ge of
t h e Su p reme Cou rt an d t h e con d i t i on s of s ervi ce of t h e Ch i ef Elect i on
Commi s s i on er s h all n ot b e vari ed t o h i s d i s ad van t age aft er h i s
ap p oi n t men t :
Provi d ed fu rt h er t h at an y ot h er Elect i on Commi s s i on er or a Regi on al
Commi s s i on er s h all n ot b e removed from offi ce ex cep t on t h e
recommen d at i on of t h e Ch i ef Elect i on Commi s s i on er.
(6 ) Th e Pres i d en t , or t h e G overn or of a St at e, s h all, wh en s o req u es t ed
b y t h e Elect i on Commi s s i on , make avai lab le t o t h e Elect i on Commi s s i on or
t o a Regi on al Commi s s i on er s u ch s t aff as may b e n eces s ary for t h e
d i s ch arge of t h e fu n ct i on s con ferred on t h e Elect i on Commi s s i on b y clau s e
(1 ).

138
 139 THE CONSTITUTION OF INDIA

3 2 5 . No pers on to be i nel i g i bl e f or i ncl us i on i n, or to cl a i m to be

i ncl uded i n a s peci a l , el ectora l rol l on g rounds of rel i g i on, ra ce, ca s te
or s ex.— Th ere s h all b e on e gen eral elect oral roll for every t erri t ori al
con s t i t u en cy for elect i on t o ei t h er Hou s e of Parli amen t or t o t h e Hou s e or
ei t h er Hou s e of t h e Legi s lat u re of a St at e an d n o p ers on s h all b e i n eli gi b le
for i n clu s i on i n an y s u ch roll or clai m t o b e i n clu d ed i n an y s p eci al
elect oral roll for an y s u ch con s t i t u en cy on grou n d s on ly of reli gi on , race,
cas t e, s ex or an y of t h em.
3 2 6 . El ecti ons to the Hous e of the P eopl e a nd to the Leg i s l a ti ve
As s em bl i es of Sta tes to be on the ba s i s of a dul t s uf f ra g e.— Th e elect i on s
t o t h e Hou s e of t h e Peop le an d t o t h e Legi s lat i ve As s emb ly of every St at e
s h all b e on t h e b as i s of ad u lt s u ffrage; t h at i s t o s ay, every p ers on wh o i s a
ci t i zen of In d i a an d wh o i s n ot les s t h an ei gh t een years of age on s u ch d at e
as may b e fi x ed i n t h at b eh alf b y or u n d er an y law mad e b y t h e ap p rop ri at e
Legi s lat u re an d i s n ot ot h erwi s e d i s q u ali fi ed u n d er t h i s Con s t i t u t i on or an y
law mad e b y t h e ap p rop ri at e Legi s lat u re on t h e grou n d of n on -res i d en ce,
u n s ou n d n es s of mi n d , cri me or corru p t or i llegal p ract i ce, s h all b e en t i t led
t o b e regi s t ered as a vot er at an y s u ch elect i on .
3 2 7 . P ow er of P a rl i a m ent to m a ke provi s i on w i th res pect to el ecti ons
to Leg i s l a tures .— Su b j ect t o t h e p rovi s i on s of t h i s Con s t i t u t i on ,
Parli amen t may from t i me t o t i me b y law make p rovi s i on wi t h res p ect t o
all mat t ers relat i n g t o, or i n con n ect i on wi t h , elect i on s t o ei t h er Hou s e of
Parli amen t or t o t h e Hou s e or ei t h er Hou s e of t h e Legi s lat u re of a St at e
i n clu d i n g t h e p rep arat i on of elect oral rolls , t h e d eli mi t at i on of
con s t i t u en ci es an d all ot h er mat t ers n eces s ary for s ecu ri n g the due
con s t i t u t i on of s u ch Hou s e or Hou s es .
3 2 8 . P ow er of Leg i s l a ture of a Sta te to m a ke provi s i on w i th res pect
to el ecti ons to s uch Leg i s l a ture.—Su b j ect t o t h e p rovi s i on s of t h i s
Con s t i t u t i on an d i n s o far as p rovi s i on i n t h at b eh alf i s n ot mad e b y
Parli amen t , t h e Legi s lat u re of a St at e may from t i me t o t i me b y law make
p rovi s i on wi t h res p ect t o all mat t ers relat i n g t o, or i n con n ect i on wi t h , t h e
elect i on s t o t h e Hou s e or ei t h er Hou s e of t h e Legi s lat u re of t h e St at e
i n clu d i n g t h e p rep arat i on of elect oral rolls an d all ot h er mat t ers n eces s ary
for s ecu ri n g t h e d u e con s t i t u t i on of s u ch Hou s e or Hou s es .
3 2 9 . B a r to i nterf erence by courts i n el ectora l m a tters .—
Not wi t h s t an d i n g an yt h i n g i n t h i s Con s t i t u t i on —
(a ) t h e vali d i t y of an y law relat i n g t o t h e d eli mi t at i on of
con s t i t u en ci es or t h e allot men t of s eat s t o s u ch con s t i t u en ci es , mad e or
p u rp ort i n g t o b e mad e u n d er art i cle 3 2 7 or art i cle 3 2 8 , s h all n ot b e
called i n q u es t i on i n an y cou rt ;
(b ) n o elect i on t o ei t h er Hou s e of Parli amen t or t o t h e Hou s e or
ei t h er Hou s e of t h e Legi s lat u re of a St at e s h all b e called i n q u es t i on
ex cep t b y an elect i on p et i t i on p res en t ed t o s u ch au t h ori t y an d i n s u ch
man n er as may b e p rovi d ed for b y or u n d er an y law mad e b y t h e
ap p rop ri at e Legi s lat u re.
 140 THE CONSTITUTION OF INDIA

3 2 9 A. [S p eci a l p r o vi s i o n a s t o el ect i o n s t o Pa r l i a men t i n t h e ca s e o f

Pr i me Mi n i s t er a n d S p ea ker .] Rep . b y t h e Co n s t i t u t i o n (Fo r t y-f o u r t h
Amen d men t ) Act , 1 9 7 8 , s . 3 6 (w.e.f . 2 0 -6 -1 9 7 9 ).
 141 THE CONSTITUTION OF INDIA

PART XVI
SPECIAL PROVISIONS RELATING
TO CERTAIN CLASSES
3 3 0 . Res erva ti on of s ea ts f or Schedul ed Ca s tes a nd Schedul ed Tri bes
i n the Hous e of the P eopl e.—(1 ) Seat s s h all b e res erved i n t h e Hou s e of
t h e Peop le for —
(a ) t h e Sch ed u led Cas t es ;
(b ) t h e Sch ed u led Tri b es ex cep t t h e Sch ed u led Tri b es i n t h e
au t on omou s d i s t ri ct s of As s am; an d
(c) t h e Sch ed u led Tri b es i n t h e au t on omou s d i s t ri ct s of As s am.
(2 ) Th e n u mb er of s eat s res erved i n an y St at e or Un i on t erri t ory for t h e
Sch ed u led Cas t es or t h e Sch ed u led Tri b es u n d er clau s e (1 ) s h all b ear, as
n early as may b e, t h e s ame p rop ort i on t o t h e t ot al n u mb er of s eat s allot t ed
t o t h at St at e or Un i on t erri t ory i n t h e Hou s e of t h e Peop le as t h e
p op u lat i on of t h e Sch ed u led Cas t es i n t h e St at e or Un i on t erri t ory or of t h e
Sch ed u led Tri b es i n t h e St at e or Un i on t erri t ory or p art of t h e St at e or
Un i on t erri t ory, as t h e cas e may b e, i n res p ect of wh i ch s eat s are s o
res erved , b ears t o t h e t ot al p op u lat i on of t h e St at e or Un i on t erri t ory.
(3 ) Not wi t h s t an d i n g an yt h i n g con t ai n ed i n clau s e (2 ), t h e n u mb er of
s eat s res erved i n t h e Hou s e of t h e Peop le for t h e Sch ed u led Tri b es i n t h e
au t on omou s d i s t ri ct s of As s am s h all b ear t o t h e t ot al n u mb er of s eat s
allot t ed t o t h at St at e a p rop ort i on n ot les s t h an t h e p op u lat i on of t h e
Sch ed u led Tri b es i n t h e s ai d au t on omou s d i s t ri ct s b ears t o t h e t ot al
p op u lat i on of t h e St at e.
Exp l a n a t i o n . —In t h i s art i cle an d i n art i cle 3 3 2 , t h e ex p res s i on
“p op u lat i on ” mean s t h e p op u lat i on as as cert ai n ed at t h e las t p reced i n g
cen s u s of wh i ch t h e relevan t fi gu res h ave b een p u b li s h ed :
Provi d ed t h at t h e referen ce i n t h i s Exp l a n a t i o n t o t h e las t p reced i n g
cen s u s of wh i ch t h e relevan t fi gu res h ave b een p u b li s h ed s h all, u n t i l t h e
relevan t fi gu res for t h e fi rs t cen s u s t aken aft er t h e year 2 0 2 6 h ave b een
p u b li s h ed , b e con s t ru ed as a referen ce t o t h e 2 0 0 1 cen s u s .
3 3 1 . Repres enta ti on of the Ang l o-I ndi a n Com m uni ty i n the Hous e of
the P eopl e.— Not wi t h s t an d i n g an yt h i n g i n art i cle 8 1 , t h e Pres i d en t may, i f
h e i s of op i n i on t h at t h e An glo-In d i an commu n i t y i s n ot ad eq u at ely
rep res en t ed i n t h e Hou s e of t h e Peop le, n omi n at e n ot more t h an t wo
memb ers of t h at commu n i t y t o t h e Hou s e of t h e Peop le.
3 3 2 . Res erva ti on of s ea ts f or Schedul ed Ca s tes a nd Schedul ed Tri bes
i n the Leg i s l a ti ve As s em bl i es of the Sta tes .— (1 ) Seat s s h all b e res erved
for t h e Sch ed u led Cas t es an d t h e Sch ed u led Tri b es , ex cep t t h e Sch ed u led
Tri b es i n t h e au t on omou s d i s t ri ct s of As s am, i n t h e Legi s lat i ve As s emb ly
of every St at e.

141
 142 THE CONSTITUTION OF INDIA

(2 ) Seat s s h all b e res erved als o for t h e au t on omou s d i s t ri ct s i n t h e

Legi s lat i ve As s emb ly of t h e St at e of As s am.
(3 ) Th e n u mb er of s eat s res erved for t h e Sch ed u led Cas t es or t h e
Sch ed u led Tri b es i n t h e Legi s lat i ve As s emb ly of an y St at e u n d er clau s e (1 )
s h all b ear, as n early as may b e, t h e s ame p rop ort i on t o t h e t ot al n u mb er of
s eat s i n t h e As s emb ly as t h e p op u lat i on of t h e Sch ed u led Cas t es i n t h e
St at e or of t h e Sch ed u led Tri b es i n t h e St at e or p art of t h e St at e, as t h e
cas e may b e, i n res p ect of wh i ch s eat s are s o res erved , b ears t o t h e t ot al
p op u lat i on of t h e St at e.
(3 A) Not wi t h s t an d i n g an yt h i n g con t ai n ed i n clau s e (3 ), u n t i l t h e t aki n g
effect , u n d er art i cle 1 7 0 , of t h e re-ad j u s t men t , on t h e b as i s of t h e fi rs t
cen s u s aft er t h e year 2 0 2 6 , of t h e n u mb er of s eat s i n t h e Legi s lat i ve
As s emb li es of t h e St at es of Aru n ach al Prad es h , Megh alaya, Mi zoram an d
Nagalan d , t h e s eat s wh i ch s h all b e res erved for t h e Sch ed u led Tri b es i n t h e
Legi s lat i ve As s emb ly of an y s u ch St at e s h all b e,—
(a ) i f all t h e s eat s i n t h e Legi s lat i ve As s emb ly of s u ch St at e i n
ex i s t en ce on t h e d at e of comi n g i n t o force of t h e Con s t i t u t i on (Fi ft y-
s even t h Amen d men t ) Act , 1 9 8 7 (h ereaft er i n t h i s clau s e referred t o as
t h e ex i s t i n g As s emb ly) are h eld b y memb ers of t h e Sch ed u led Tri b es ,
all t h e s eat s ex cep t on e;
(b ) i n an y ot h er cas e, s u ch n u mb er of s eat s as b ears t o t h e t ot al
n u mb er of s eat s , a p rop ort i on n ot les s t h an t h e n u mb er (as on t h e s ai d
d at e) of memb ers b elon gi n g t o t h e Sch ed u led Tri b es i n t h e ex i s t i n g
As s emb ly b ears t o t h e t ot al n u mb er of s eat s i n t h e ex i s t i n g As s emb ly.
(3 B) Not wi t h s t an d i n g an yt h i n g con t ai n ed i n clau s e (3 ), u n t i l t h e re-
ad j u s t men t , u n d er art i cle 1 7 0 , t akes effect on t h e b as i s of t h e fi rs t cen s u s
aft er t h e year 2 0 2 6 , of t h e n u mb er of s eat s i n t h e Legi s lat i ve As s emb ly of
t h e St at e of Tri p u ra, t h e s eat s wh i ch s h all b e res erved for t h e Sch ed u led
Tri b es i n t h e Legi s lat i ve As s emb ly s h all b e, s u ch n u mb er of s eat s as b ears
t o t h e t ot al n u mb er of s eat s , a p rop ort i on n ot les s t h an t h e n u mb er, as on
t h e d at e of comi n g i n t o force of t h e Con s t i t u t i on (Seven t y-s econ d
Amen d men t ) Act , 1 9 9 2 , of memb ers b elon gi n g t o t h e Sch ed u led Tri b es i n
t h e Legi s lat i ve As s emb ly i n ex i s t en ce on t h e s ai d d at e b ears t o t h e t ot al
n u mb er of s eat s i n t h at As s emb ly.
(4 ) Th e n u mb er of s eat s res erved for an au t on omou s d i s t ri ct i n t h e
Legi s lat i ve As s emb ly of t h e St at e of As s am s h all b ear t o t h e t ot al n u mb er
of s eat s i n t h at As s emb ly a p rop ort i on n ot les s t h an t h e p op u lat i on of t h e
d i s t ri ct b ears t o t h e t ot al p op u lat i on of t h e St at e.
(5 ) Th e con s t i t u en ci es for t h e s eat s res erved for an y au t on omou s d i s t ri ct
of As s am s h all n ot comp ri s e an y area ou t s i d e t h at d i s t ri ct .
(6 ) No p ers on wh o i s n ot a memb er of a Sch ed u led Tri b e of an y
au t on omou s d i s t ri ct of t h e St at e of As s am s h all b e eli gi b le for elect i on t o
t h e Legi s lat i ve As s emb ly of t h e St at e from an y con s t i t u en cy of t h at
d i s t ri ct :
 143 THE CONSTITUTION OF INDIA

Provi d ed t h at for elect i on s t o t h e Legi s lat i ve As s emb ly of t h e St at e of

As s am, t h e rep res en t at i on of t h e Sch ed u led Tri b es an d n on -Sch ed u led
Tri b es i n t h e con s t i t u en ci es i n clu d ed i n t h e Bod olan d Terri t ori al Areas
Di s t ri ct , s o n ot i fi ed , an d ex i s t i n g p ri or t o t h e con s t i t u t i on of Bod olan d
Terri t ori al Areas Di s t ri ct , s h all b e mai n t ai n ed .
3 3 3 . Repres enta ti on of the Ang l o-I ndi a n com m uni ty i n the
Leg i s l a ti ve As s em bl i es of the Sta tes .— Not wi t h s t an d i n g an yt h i n g i n
art i cle 1 7 0 , t h e G overn or of a St at e may, i f h e i s of op i n i on t h at t h e An glo-
In d i an commu n i t y n eed s rep res en t at i on i n t h e Legi s lat i ve As s emb ly of t h e
St at e an d i s n ot ad eq u at ely rep res en t ed t h erei n , n omi n at e on e memb er of
t h at commu n i t y t o t h e As s emb ly.
334. Reservation of seats and special representation to cease after sixty years.—
Notwithstanding anything in the foregoing provisions of this Part, the provisions of this
Constitution relating to—
(a) the reservation of seats for the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes in the
House of the People and in the Legislative Assemblies of the States; and
(b) the representation of the Anglo-Indian community in the House of the People and
in the Legislative Assemblies of the States by nomination,
shall cease to have effect on the expiration of a period of sixty years from the commencement
of this Constitution:
Provided that nothing in this article shall affect any representation in the House of the
People or in the Legislative Assembly of a State until the dissolution of the then existing
House or Assembly, as the case may be.
335. Claims of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes to services and posts.—The
claims of the members of the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes shall be taken into
consideration, consistently with the maintenance of efficiency of administration, in the
making of appointments to services and posts in connection with the affairs of the Union or of
a State:
Provided that nothing in this article shall prevent in making of any provision in favour of
the members of the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes for relaxation in qualifying
marks in any examination or lowering the standards of evaluation, for reservation in matters
or promotion to any class or classes of services or posts in connection with the affairs of the
Union or of a State.
336. Special provision for Anglo-Indian community in certain services.— (1) During
the first two years after the commencement of this Constitution, appointments of members of
the Anglo-Indian community to posts in the railway, customs, postal and telegraph services of
the Union shall be made on the same basis as immediately before the fifteenth day of August,
1947.
During every succeeding period of two years, the number of posts reserved for the
members of the said community in the said services shall, as nearly as possible, be less by ten
per cent. than the numbers so reserved during the immediately preceding period of two years:
Provided that at the end of ten years from the commencement of this Constitution all such
reservations shall cease.
 144 THE CONSTITUTION OF INDIA

(2) Nothing in clause (1) shall bar the appointment of members of the Anglo-Indian
community to posts other than, or in addition to, those reserved for the community under that
clause if such members are found qualified for appointment on merit as compared with the
members of other communities.
337. Special provision with respect to educational grants for the benefit of Anglo-
Indian community.— During the first three financial years after the commencement of this
Constitution, the same grants, if any, shall be made by the Union and by each State for the
benefit of the Anglo-Indian community in respect of education as were made in the financial
year ending on the thirty-first day of March, 1948.
During every succeeding period of three years the grants may be less by ten per cent. than
those for the immediately preceding period of three years :
Provided that at the end of ten years from the commencement of this Constitution such
grants, to the extent to which they are a special concession to the Anglo-Indian community,
shall cease:
Provi d ed fu rt h er t h at n o ed u cat i on al i n s t i t u t i on s h all b e en t i t led t o
recei ve an y gran t u n d er t h i s art i cle u n les s at leas t fort y p er cen t . of t h e
an n u al ad mi s s i on s t h erei n are mad e avai lab le t o memb ers of commu n i t i es
ot h er t h an t h e An glo-In d i an commu n i t y.
338. National Commission for Scheduled Castes.— (1) There shall be a Commission
for the Scheduled Castes to be known as the National Commission for the Scheduled Castes.
(2) Subject to the provisions of any law made in this behalf by Parliament, the
Commission shall consist of a Chairperson, Vice- Chairperson and three other Members and
the conditions of service and tenure of office of the Chairperson, Vice-Chairperson and other
Members so appointed shall be such as the President may by rule determine.
(3 ) Th e Ch ai rp ers on , Vi ce-Ch ai rp ers on an d ot h er Memb ers of t h e
Commi s s i on s h all b e ap p oi n t ed b y t h e Pres i d en t b y warran t u n d er h i s h an d
an d s eal.
(4 ) Th e Commi s s i on s h all h ave t h e p ower t o regu lat e i t s own p roced u re.
(5 ) It s h all b e t h e d u t y of t h e Commi s s i on —
(a ) t o i n ves t i gat e an d mon i t or all mat t ers relat i n g t o t h e s afegu ard s
p rovi d ed for t h e Sch ed u led Cas t es u n d er t h i s Con s t i t u t i on or u n d er an y
ot h er law for t h e t i me b ei n g i n force or u n d er an y ord er of t h e
G overn men t an d t o evalu at e t h e worki n g of s u ch s afegu ard s ;
(b ) t o i n q u i re i n t o s p eci fi c comp lai n t s wi t h res p ect t o t h e
d ep ri vat i on of ri gh t s an d s afegu ard s of t h e Sch ed u led Cas t es ;
(c) t o p art i ci p at e an d ad vi s e on t h e p lan n i n g p roces s of s oci o-
econ omi c d evelop men t of t h e Sch ed u led Cas t es an d t o evalu at e t h e
p rogres s of t h ei r d evelop men t u n d er t h e Un i on an d an y St at e;
(d ) t o p res en t t o t h e Pres i d en t , an n u ally an d at s u ch ot h er t i mes as
t h e Commi s s i on may d eem fi t , rep ort s u p on t h e worki n g of t h os e
s afegu ard s ;
(e) t o make i n s u ch rep ort s recommen d at i on s as t o t h e meas u res t h at
s h ou ld b e t aken b y t h e Un i on or an y St at e for t h e effect i ve
 145 THE CONSTITUTION OF INDIA

i mp lemen t at i on of t h os e s afegu ard s an d ot h er meas u res for t h e

p rot ect i on , welfare an d s oci o-econ omi c d evelop men t of t h e Sch ed u led
Cas t es ; an d
(f ) t o d i s ch arge s u ch ot h er fu n ct i on s i n relat i on t o t h e p rot ect i on ,
welfare an d d evelop men t an d ad van cemen t of t h e Sch ed u led Cas t es as
t h e Pres i d en t may, s u b j ect t o t h e p rovi s i on s of an y law mad e b y
Parli amen t , b y ru le s p eci fy.
(6 ) Th e Pres i d en t s h all cau s e all s u ch rep ort s t o b e lai d b efore each
Hou s e of Parli amen t alon g wi t h a memoran d u m ex p lai n i n g t h e act i on t aken
or p rop os ed t o b e t aken on t h e recommen d at i on s relat i n g t o t h e Un i on an d
t h e reas on s for t h e n on -accep t an ce, i f an y, of an y of s u ch
recommen d at i on s .
(7 ) Wh ere an y s u ch rep ort , or an y p art t h ereof, relat es t o an y mat t er wi t h
wh i ch an y St at e G overn men t i s con cern ed , a cop y of s u ch rep ort s h all b e
forward ed t o t h e G overn or of t h e St at e wh o s h all cau s e i t t o b e lai d b efore
t h e Legi s lat u re of t h e St at e alon g wi t h a memoran d u m ex p lai n i n g t h e
act i on t aken or p rop os ed t o b e t aken on t h e recommen d at i on s relat i n g t o
t h e St at e an d t h e reas on s for t h e n on -accep t an ce, i f an y, of an y of s u ch
recommen d at i on s .
(8 ) Th e Commi s s i on s h all, wh i le i n ves t i gat i n g an y mat t er referred t o i n
s u b -clau s e (a ) or i n q u i ri n g i n t o an y comp lai n t referred t o i n s u b -clau s e (b )
of clau s e (5 ), h ave all t h e p owers of a ci vi l cou rt t ryi n g a s u i t an d i n
p art i cu lar i n res p ect of t h e followi n g mat t ers , n amely :—
(a ) s u mmon i n g an d en forci n g t h e at t en d an ce of an y p ers on from an y
p art of In d i a an d ex ami n i n g h i m on oat h ;
(b ) req u i ri n g t h e d i s covery an d p rod u ct i on of an y d ocu men t ;
(c) recei vi n g evi d en ce on affi d avi t s ;
(d ) req u i s i t i on i n g an y p u b li c record or cop y t h ereof from an y cou rt
or offi ce;
(e) i s s u i n g commi s s i on s for t h e ex ami n at i on of wi t n es s es an d
d ocu men t s ;
(f ) an y ot h er mat t er wh i ch t h e Pres i d en t may, b y ru le, d et ermi n e.
(9 ) Th e Un i on an d every St at e G overn men t s h all con s u lt t h e Commi s s i on
on all maj or p oli cy mat t es affect i n g Sch ed u led Cas t es .
(1 0 ) In t h i s art i cle, referen ces t o t h e Sch ed u led Cas t es s h all b e
con s t ru ed as i n clu d i n g referen ces t o s u ch ot h er b ackward clas s es as t h e
Pres i d en t may, on recei p t of t h e rep ort of a Commi s s i on ap p oi n t ed u n d er
clau s e (1 ) of art i cle 3 4 0 , b y ord er s p eci fy an d als o t o t h e An glo-In d i an
commu n i t y.
338A. National Commission for Scheduled Tribes.—(1) There shall be a
Commission for the Scheduled Tribes to be known as the National Commission for the
Scheduled Tribes.
 146 THE CONSTITUTION OF INDIA

(2) Subject to the provisions of any law made in this behalf by Parliament, the
Commission shall consist of a Chairperson, Vice-Chairperson and three other Members and
the conditions of service and tenure of office of the Chairperson, Vice-Chairperson and other
Members so appointed shall be such as the President by rule determine.
(3) The Chairperson, Vice-Chairperson and other Members of the Commission shall be
appointed by the President by warrant under his hand and seal.
(4) The Commission shall have the power to regulate its own procedure.
(5) It shall be the duty of the Commission—
(a) to investigate and monitor all matters relating to the safeguards provided for
the Scheduled Tribes under this Constitution or under any other law for the time being
in force or under any order of the Government and to evaluate the working of such
safeguards;
(b) to inquire into specific complaints with respect to the deprivation of rights and
safeguards of the Scheduled Tribes;
(c) to participate and advise on the planning process of socio-economic
development of the Scheduled Tribes and to evaluate the progress of their development
under the Union and any State;
(d) to present to the President, annually and at such other times as the Commission
may deem fit, reports upon the working of those safeguards;
(e) to make in such reports recommendation as to the measures that should be
taken by the Union or any State for the effective implementation of those safeguards
and other measures for the protection, welfare and socioeconomic development of the
Scheduled Tribes; and
(f) to discharge such other functions in relation to the protection, welfare and
development and advancement of the Scheduled Tribes as the President may, subject to
the provisions of any law made by Parliament, by rule specify.
(6) The President shall cause all such reports to be laid before each House of Parliament
along with a memorandum explaining the action taken or proposed to be taken on the
recommendations relating to the Union and the reasons for the non-acceptance, if any, of
any such recommendations.

(7) Where any such report, or any part thereof, relates to any matter with which any
State Government is concerned, a copy of such report shall be forwarded to the Governor of
the State who shall cause it to be laid before the Legislature of the State along with a
memorandum explaining the action taken or proposed to be taken on the recommendations
relating to the State and the reasons for the non-acceptance, if any, of any of such
recommendations.
(8) The Commission shall, while investigating any matter referred to in sub-clause (a) or
inquiring into any complaint referred to in sub-clause (b) of clause (5), have all the powers
of a civil court trying a suit and in particular in respect of the following matters, namely: —
(a) summoning and enforcing the attendance of any person from any part of India
and examining him on oath;
(b) requiring the discovery and production of any document;
(c) receiving evidence on affidavits;
 147 THE CONSTITUTION OF INDIA

(d) requisitioning any public record or copy thereof from any court or office;
(e) issuing commissions for the examination of witnesses and documents;
(f) any other matter which the President may, by rule, determine.
(9) The Union and every State Government shall consult the Commission on all major
policy matters affecting Scheduled Tribes.
3 3 9 . Control of the Uni on over the a dm i ni s tra ti on of Schedul ed Area s
a nd the w el f a re of Schedul ed Tri bes .—(1 ) Th e Pres i d en t may at an y t i me
an d s h all, at t h e ex p i rat i on of t en years from t h e commen cemen t of t h i s
Con s t i t u t i on b y ord er ap p oi n t a Commi s s i on t o rep ort on t h e ad mi n i s t rat i on
of t h e Sch ed u led Areas an d t h e welfare of t h e Sch ed u led Tri b es i n t h e
St at es .
Th e ord er may d efi n e t h e comp os i t i on , p owers an d p roced u re of t h e
Commi s s i on an d may con t ai n s u ch i n ci d en t al or an ci llary p rovi s i on s as t h e
Pres i d en t may con s i d er n eces s ary or d es i rab le.
(2 ) Th e ex ecu t i ve p ower of t h e Un i on s h all ex t en d t o t h e gi vi n g of
d i rect i on s t o a St at e as t o t h e d rawi n g u p an d ex ecu t i on of s ch emes
s p eci fi ed i n t h e d i rect i on t o b e es s en t i al for t h e welfare of t h e Sch ed u led
Tri b es i n t h e St at e.
3 4 0 . Appoi ntm ent of a Com m i s s i on to i nves ti g a te the condi ti ons of
ba ckw a rd cl a s s es .—(1 ) Th e Pres i d en t may b y ord er ap p oi n t a Commi s s i on
con s i s t i n g of s u ch p ers on s as h e t h i n ks fi t t o i n ves t i gat e t h e con d i t i on s of
s oci ally an d ed u cat i on ally b ackward clas s es wi t h i n t h e t erri t ory of In d i a
an d t h e d i ffi cu lt i es u n d er wh i ch t h ey lab ou r an d t o make recommen d at i on s
as t o t h e s t ep s t h at s h ou ld b e t aken b y t h e Un i on or an y St at e t o remove
s u ch d i ffi cu lt i es an d t o i mp rove t h ei r con d i t i on an d as t o t h e gran t s t h at
s h ou ld b e mad e for t h e p u rp os e b y t h e Un i on or an y St at e an d t h e
con d i t i on s s u b j ect t o wh i ch s u ch gran t s s h ou ld b e mad e, an d t h e ord er
ap p oi n t i n g s u ch Commi s s i on s h all d efi n e t h e p roced u re t o b e followed b y
t h e Commi s s i on .
(2 ) A Commi s s i on s o ap p oi n t ed s h all i n ves t i gat e t h e mat t ers referred t o
t h em an d p res en t t o t h e Pres i d en t a rep ort s et t i n g ou t t h e fact s as fou n d b y
t h em an d maki n g s u ch recommen d at i on s as t h ey t h i n k p rop er.
(3 ) Th e Pres i d en t s h all cau s e a cop y of t h e rep ort s o p res en t ed t oget h er
wi t h a memoran d u m ex p lai n i n g t h e act i on t aken t h ereon t o b e lai d b efore
each Hou s e of Parli amen t .
3 4 1 . Schedul ed Ca s tes .—(1 ) Th e Pres i d en t may wi t h res p ect t o an y
St at e or Un i on t erri t ory, an d wh ere i t i s a St at e, aft er con s u lt at i on wi t h t h e
G overn or t h ereof, b y p u b li c n ot i fi cat i on , s p eci fy t h e cas t es , races or t ri b es
or p art s of or grou p s wi t h i n cas t es , races or t ri b es wh i ch s h all for t h e
p u rp os es of t h i s Con s t i t u t i on b e d eemed t o b e Sch ed u led Cas t es i n relat i on
t o t h at St at e or Un i on t erri t ory, as t h e cas e may b e.
(2 ) Parli amen t may b y law i n clu d e i n or ex clu d e from t h e li s t of
Sch ed u led Cas t es s p eci fi ed i n a n ot i fi cat i on i s s u ed u n d er clau s e (1 ) an y
cas t e, race or t ri b e or p art of or grou p wi t h i n an y cas t e, race or t ri b e, b u t
 148 THE CONSTITUTION OF INDIA

s ave as afores ai d a n ot i fi cat i on i s s u ed u n d er t h e s ai d clau s e s h all n ot b e

vari ed b y an y s u b s eq u en t n ot i fi cat i on .
3 4 2 . Schedul ed Tri bes .—(1 ) Th e Pres i d en t may wi t h res p ect t o an y
St at e or Un i on t erri t ory, an d wh ere i t i s a St at e, aft er con s u lt at i on wi t h t h e
G overn or t h ereof, b y p u b li c n ot i fi cat i on , s p eci fy t h e t ri b es or t ri b al
commu n i t i es or p art s of or grou p s wi t h i n t ri b es or t ri b al commu n i t i es
wh i ch s h all for t h e p u rp os es of t h i s Con s t i t u t i on b e d eemed t o b e
Sch ed u led Tri b es i n relat i on t o t h at St at e or Un i on t erri t ory, as t h e cas e
may b e.
(2) Parliament may by law include in or exclude from the list of Scheduled Tribes
specified in a notification issued under clause (1) any tribe or tribal community or part of or
group within any tribe or tribal community, but save as aforesaid a notification issued under
the said clause shall not be varied by any subsequent notification.
 149 THE CONSTITUTION OF INDIA

PART XVII
OFFICIAL LANGUAGE
C HAPTER I.—L AN G U AG E O F THE U N IO N
3 4 3 . Of f i ci a l l a ng ua g e of the Uni on.—(1 ) Th e offi ci al lan gu age of t h e
Un i on s h all b e Hi n d i i n Devan agari s cri p t .
Th e form of n u merals t o b e u s ed for t h e offi ci al p u rp os es of t h e Un i on
s h all b e t h e i n t ern at i on al form of In d i an n u merals .
(2 ) Not wi t h s t an d i n g an yt h i n g i n clau s e (1 ), for a p eri od of fi ft een years
from t h e commen cemen t of t h i s Con s t i t u t i on , t h e En gli s h lan gu age s h all
con t i n u e t o b e u s ed for all t h e offi ci al p u rp os es of t h e Un i on for wh i ch i t
was b ei n g u s ed i mmed i at ely b efore s u ch commen cemen t :
Provi d ed t h at t h e Pres i d en t may, d u ri n g t h e s ai d p eri od , b y ord er
au t h ori s e t h e u s e of t h e Hi n d i lan gu age i n ad d i t i on t o t h e En gli s h lan gu age
an d of t h e Devan agari form of n u merals i n ad d i t i on t o t h e i n t ern at i on al
form of In d i an n u merals for an y of t h e offi ci al p u rp os es of t h e Un i on .
(3 ) Not wi t h s t an d i n g an yt h i n g i n t h i s art i cle, Parli amen t may b y law
p rovi d e for t h e u s e, aft er t h e s ai d p eri od of fi ft een years , of—
(a ) t h e En gli s h lan gu age, or
(b ) t h e Devan agari form of n u merals ,
for s u ch p u rp os es as may b e s p eci fi ed i n t h e law.
3 4 4 . Com m i s s i on a nd Com m i ttee of P a rl i a m ent on of f i ci a l
l a ng ua g e.—(1 ) Th e Pres i d en t s h all, at t h e ex p i rat i on of fi ve years from t h e
commen cemen t of t h i s Con s t i t u t i on an d t h ereaft er at t h e ex p i rat i on of t en
years from s u ch commen cemen t , b y ord er con s t i t u t e a Commi s s i on wh i ch
s h all con s i s t of a Ch ai rman an d s u ch ot h er memb ers rep res en t i n g t h e
d i fferen t lan gu ages s p eci fi ed i n t h e Ei gh t h Sch ed u le as t h e Pres i d en t may
ap p oi n t , an d t h e ord er s h all d efi n e t h e p roced u re t o b e followed b y t h e
Commi s s i on .
(2 ) It s h all b e t h e d u t y of t h e Commi s s i on t o make recommen d at i on s t o
t h e Pres i d en t as t o—
(a ) t h e p rogres s i ve u s e of t h e Hi n d i lan gu age for t h e offi ci al
p u rp os es of t h e Un i on ;
(b ) res t ri ct i on s on t h e u s e of t h e En gli s h lan gu age for all or an y of
t h e offi ci al p u rp os es of t h e Un i on ;
(c) t h e lan gu age t o b e u s ed for all or an y of t h e p u rp os es men t i on ed
i n art i cle 3 4 8 ;
(d ) t h e form of n u merals t o b e u s ed for an y on e or more s p eci fi ed
p u rp os es of t h e Un i on ;
(e) an y ot h er mat t er referred t o t h e Commi s s i on b y t h e Pres i d en t as
regard s t h e offi ci al lan gu age of t h e Un i on an d t h e lan gu age for

149
 150 THE CONSTITUTION OF INDIA

commu n i cat i on b et ween t h e Un i on an d a St at e or b et ween on e St at e an d

an ot h er an d t h ei r u s e.
(3 ) In maki n g t h ei r recommen d at i on s u n d er clau s e (2 ), t h e Commi s s i on
s h all h ave d u e regard t o t h e i n d u s t ri al, cu lt u ral an d s ci en t i fi c ad van cemen t
of In d i a, an d t h e j u s t clai ms an d t h e i n t eres t s of p ers on s b elon gi n g t o t h e
n on -Hi n d i s p eaki n g areas i n regard t o t h e p u b li c s ervi ces .
(4 ) Th ere s h all b e con s t i t u t ed a Commi t t ee con s i s t i n g of t h i rt y memb ers ,
of wh om t wen t y s h all b e memb ers of t h e Hou s e of t h e Peop le an d t en s h all
b e memb ers of t h e Cou n ci l of St at es t o b e elect ed res p ect i vely b y t h e
memb ers of t h e Hou s e of t h e Peop le an d t h e memb ers of t h e Cou n ci l of
St at es i n accord an ce wi t h t h e s ys t em of p rop ort i on al rep res en t at i on b y
mean s of t h e s i n gle t ran s ferab le vot e.
(5 ) It s h all b e t h e d u t y of t h e Commi t t ee t o ex ami n e t h e
recommen d at i on s of t h e Commi s s i on con s t i t u t ed u n d er clau s e (1 ) an d t o
rep ort t o t h e Pres i d en t t h ei r op i n i on t h ereon .
(6 ) Not wi t h s t an d i n g an yt h i n g i n art i cle 3 4 3 , t h e Pres i d en t may, aft er
con s i d erat i on of t h e rep ort referred t o i n clau s e (5 ), i s s u e d i rect i on s i n
accord an ce wi t h t h e wh ole or an y p art of t h at rep ort .
C H AP T E R II.—R E G I O N AL L AN G U AG E S
3 4 5 . Of f i ci a l l a ng ua g e or l a ng ua g es of a Sta te.—Su b j ect t o t h e
p rovi s i on s of art i cles 3 4 6 an d 3 4 7 , t h e Legi s lat u re of a St at e may b y law
ad op t an y on e or more of t h e lan gu ages i n u s e i n t h e St at e or Hi n d i as t h e
lan gu age or lan gu ages t o b e u s ed for all or an y of t h e offi ci al p u rp os es of
t h at St at e:
Provi d ed t h at , u n t i l t h e Legi s lat u re of t h e St at e ot h erwi s e p rovi d es b y
law, t h e En gli s h lan gu age s h all con t i n u e t o b e u s ed for t h os e offi ci al
p u rp os es wi t h i n t h e St at e for wh i ch i t was b ei n g u s ed i mmed i at ely b efore
t h e commen cemen t of t h i s Con s t i t u t i on .
3 4 6 . Of f i ci a l l a ng ua g e f or com m uni ca ti on betw een one Sta te a nd
a nother or betw een a Sta te a nd the Uni on.—Th e lan gu age for t h e t i me
b ei n g au t h ori s ed for u s e i n t h e Un i on for offi ci al p u rp os es s h all b e t h e
offi ci al lan gu age for commu n i cat i on b et ween on e St at e an d an ot h er St at e
an d b et ween a St at e an d t h e Un i on :
Provi d ed t h at i f t wo or more St at es agree t h at t h e Hi n d i lan gu age s h ou ld
b e t h e offi ci al lan gu age for commu n i cat i on b et ween s u ch St at es , t h at
lan gu age may b e u s ed for s u ch commu n i cat i on .
3 4 7 . Speci a l provi s i on rel a ti ng to l a ng ua g e s poken by a s ecti on of the
popul a ti on of a Sta te.—On a d eman d b ei n g mad e i n t h at b eh alf t h e
Pres i d en t may, i f h e i s s at i s fi ed t h at a s u b s t an t i al p rop ort i on of t h e
p op u lat i on of a St at e d es i re t h e u s e of an y lan gu age s p oken b y t h em t o b e
recogn i s ed b y t h at St at e, d i rect t h at s u ch lan gu age s h all als o b e offi ci ally
recogn i s ed t h rou gh ou t t h at St at e or an y p art t h ereof for s u ch p u rp os e as h e
may s p eci fy.
 151 THE CONSTITUTION OF INDIA

C H AP T E R III.—L AN G U AG E O F T H E S U P R E M E C O U R T ,
HIGH COURTS, ETC.
3 4 8 . La ng ua g e to be us ed i n the Suprem e Court a nd i n the Hi g h
Courts a nd f or Acts , B i l l s , etc.—(1 ) Not wi t h s t an d i n g an yt h i n g i n t h e
foregoi n g p rovi s i on s of t h i s Part , u n t i l Parli amen t b y law ot h erwi s e
p rovi d es —
(a ) all p roceed i n gs i n t h e Su p reme Cou rt an d i n every Hi gh Cou rt ,
(b ) t h e au t h ori t at i ve t ex t s —
(i ) of all Bi lls t o b e i n t rod u ced or amen d men t s t h eret o t o b e
moved i n ei t h er Hou s e of Parli amen t or i n t h e Hou s e or ei t h er
Hou s e of t h e Legi s lat u re of a St at e,
(i i ) of all Act s p as s ed b y Parli amen t or t h e Legi s lat u re of a
St at e an d of all Ord i n an ces p romu lgat ed b y t h e Pres i d en t or t h e
G overn or of a St at e, an d
(i i i ) of all ord ers , ru les , regu lat i on s an d b ye-laws i s s u ed u n d er
t h i s Con s t i t u t i on or u n d er an y law mad e b y Parli amen t or t h e
Legi s lat u re of a St at e,
s h all b e i n t h e En gli s h lan gu age.
(2 ) Not wi t h s t an d i n g an yt h i n g i n s u b -clau s e (a ) of clau s e (1 ), t h e
G overn or of a St at e may, wi t h t h e p revi ou s con s en t of t h e Pres i d en t ,
au t h ori s e t h e u s e of t h e Hi n d i lan gu age, or an y ot h er lan gu age u s ed for an y
offi ci al p u rp os es of t h e St at e, i n p roceed i n gs i n t h e Hi gh Cou rt h avi n g i t s
p ri n ci p al s eat i n t h at St at e:
Provi d ed t h at n ot h i n g i n t h i s clau s e s h all ap p ly t o an y j u d gmen t , d ecree
or ord er p as s ed or mad e b y s u ch Hi gh Cou rt .
(3 ) Not wi t h s t an d i n g an yt h i n g i n s u b -clau s e (b ) of clau s e (1 ), wh ere t h e
Legi s lat u re of a St at e h as p res cri b ed an y lan gu age ot h er t h an t h e En gli s h
lan gu age for u s e i n Bi lls i n t rod u ced i n , or Act s p as s ed b y, t h e Legi s lat u re
of t h e St at e or i n Ord i n an ces p romu lgat ed b y t h e G overn or of t h e St at e or
i n an y ord er, ru le, regu lat i on or b ye-law referred t o i n p aragrap h (i i i ) of
t h at s u b -clau s e, a t ran s lat i on of t h e s ame i n t h e En gli s h lan gu age p u b li s h ed
u n d er t h e au t h ori t y of t h e G overn or of t h e St at e i n t h e Offi ci al G azet t e of
t h at St at e s h all b e d eemed t o b e t h e au t h ori t at i ve t ex t t h ereof i n t h e
En gli s h lan gu age u n d er t h i s art i cle.
3 4 9 . Speci a l procedure f or ena ctm ent of certa i n l a w s rel a ti ng to
l a ng ua g e.—Du ri n g t h e p eri od of fi ft een years from t h e commen cemen t of
t h i s Con s t i t u t i on , n o Bi ll or amen d men t maki n g p rovi s i on for t h e lan gu age
t o b e u s ed for an y of t h e p u rp os es men t i on ed i n clau s e (1 ) of art i cle 3 4 8
s h all b e i n t rod u ced or moved i n ei t h er Hou s e of Parli amen t wi t h ou t t h e
p revi ou s s an ct i on of t h e Pres i d en t , an d t h e Pres i d en t s h all n ot gi ve h i s
s an ct i on t o t h e i n t rod u ct i on of an y s u ch Bi ll or t h e movi n g of an y s u ch
amen d men t ex cep t aft er h e h as t aken i n t o con s i d erat i on t h e
recommen d at i on s of t h e Commi s s i on con s t i t u t ed u n d er clau s e (1 ) of art i cle
 152 THE CONSTITUTION OF INDIA

3 4 4 an d t h e rep ort of t h e Commi t t ee con s t i t u t ed u n d er clau s e (4 ) of t h at

art i cle.
C H AP T E R IV.—S P E C I AL D I R E C T I V E S
3 5 0 . La ng ua g e to be us ed i n repres enta ti ons f or redres s of
g ri eva nces .—Every p ers on s h all b e en t i t led t o s u b mi t a rep res en t at i on for
t h e red res s of an y gri evan ce t o an y offi cer or au t h ori t y of t h e Un i on or a
St at e i n an y of t h e lan gu ages u s ed i n t h e Un i on or i n t h e St at e, as t h e cas e
may b e.
3 5 0 A. F a ci l i ti es f or i ns tructi on i n m other-tong ue a t pri m a ry s ta g e.—
It s h all b e t h e en d eavou r of every St at e an d of every local au t h ori t y wi t h i n
t h e St at e t o p rovi d e ad eq u at e faci li t i es for i n s t ru ct i on i n t h e mot h er-t on gu e
at t h e p ri mary s t age of ed u cat i on t o ch i ld ren b elon gi n g t o li n gu i s t i c
mi n ori t y grou p s ; an d t h e Pres i d en t may i s s u e s u ch d i rect i on s t o an y St at e
as h e con s i d ers n eces s ary or p rop er for s ecu ri n g t h e p rovi s i on of s u ch
faci li t i es .
3 5 0 B . Speci a l Of f i cer f or l i ng ui s ti c m i nori ti es .—(1 ) Th ere s h all b e a
Sp eci al Offi cer for li n gu i s t i c mi n ori t i es t o b e ap p oi n t ed b y t h e Pres i d en t .
(2 ) It s h all b e t h e d u t y of t h e Sp eci al Offi cer t o i n ves t i gat e all mat t ers
relat i n g t o t h e s afegu ard s p rovi d ed for li n gu i s t i c mi n ori t i es u n d er t h i s
Con s t i t u t i on an d rep ort t o t h e Pres i d en t u p on t h os e mat t ers at s u ch
i n t ervals as t h e Pres i d en t may d i rect , an d t h e Pres i d en t s h all cau s e all s u ch
rep ort s t o b e lai d b efore each Hou s e of Parli amen t , an d s en t t o t h e
G overn men t s of t h e St at es con cern ed .
3 5 1 . Di recti ve f or devel opm ent of the Hi ndi l a ng ua g e.—It s h all b e t h e
d u t y of t h e Un i on t o p romot e t h e s p read of t h e Hi n d i lan gu age, t o d evelop
i t s o t h at i t may s erve as a med i u m of ex p res s i on for all t h e elemen t s of t h e
comp os i t e cu lt u re of In d i a an d t o s ecu re i t s en ri ch men t b y as s i mi lat i n g
wi t h ou t i n t erferi n g wi t h i t s gen i u s , t h e forms , s t yle an d ex p res s i on s u s ed i n
Hi n d u s t an i an d i n t h e ot h er lan gu ages of In d i a s p eci fi ed i n t h e Ei gh t h
Sch ed u le, an d b y d rawi n g, wh erever n eces s ary or d es i rab le, for i t s
vocab u lary, p ri mari ly on San s kri t an d s econ d ari ly on ot h er lan gu ages .
 153 THE CONSTITUTION OF INDIA

P ART XVI I I
EMERG ENCY PROVISIONS
3 5 2 . P rocl a m a ti on of Em erg ency .—(1 ) If t h e Pres i d en t i s s at i s fi ed t h at
a grave emergen cy ex i s t s wh ereb y t h e s ecu ri t y of In d i a or of an y p art of
t h e t erri t ory t h ereof i s t h reat en ed , wh et h er b y war or ex t ern al aggres s i on
or armed reb elli on , h e may, b y Proclamat i on , make a d eclarat i on t o t h at
effect i n res p ect of t h e wh ole of In d i a or of s u ch p art of t h e t erri t ory
t h ereof as may b e s p eci fi ed i n t h e Proclamat i on .
Exp l a n a t i o n .—A Proclamat i on of Emergen cy d eclari n g t h at t h e s ecu ri t y
of In d i a or an y p art of t h e t erri t ory t h ereof i s t h reat en ed b y war or b y
ex t ern al aggres s i on or b y armed reb elli on may b e mad e b efore t h e act u al
occu rren ce of war or of an y s u ch aggres s i on or reb elli on , i f t h e Pres i d en t
i s s at i s fi ed t h at t h ere i s i mmi n en t d an ger t h ereof.
(2 ) A Proclamat i on i s s u ed u n d er clau s e (1 ) may b e vari ed or revoked b y
a s u b s eq u en t Proclamat i on .
(3 ) Th e Pres i d en t s h all n ot i s s u e a Proclamat i on u n d er clau s e (1 ) or a
Proclamat i on varyi n g s u ch Proclamat i on u n les s t h e d eci s i on of t h e Un i on
Cab i n et (t h at i s t o s ay, t h e Cou n ci l con s i s t i n g of t h e Pri me Mi n i s t er an d
ot h er Mi n i s t ers of Cab i n et ran k ap p oi n t ed u n d er art i cle 7 5 ) t h at s u ch a
Proclamat i on may b e i s s u ed h as b een commu n i cat ed t o h i m i n wri t i n g.
(4 ) Every Proclamat i on i s s u ed u n d er t h i s art i cle s h all b e lai d b efore each
Hou s e of Parli amen t an d s h all, ex cep t wh ere i t i s a Proclamat i on revoki n g
a p revi ou s Proclamat i on , ceas e t o op erat e at t h e ex p i rat i on of on e mon t h
u n les s b efore t h e ex p i rat i on of t h at p eri od i t h as b een ap p roved b y
res olu t i on s of b ot h Hou s es of Parli amen t :
Provi d ed t h at i f an y s u ch Proclamat i on (n ot b ei n g a Proclamat i on
revoki n g a p revi ou s Proclamat i on ) i s i s s u ed at a t i me wh en t h e Hou s e of
t h e Peop le h as b een d i s s olved , or t h e d i s s olu t i on of t h e Hou s e of t h e
Peop le t akes p lace d u ri n g t h e p eri od of on e mon t h referred t o i n t h i s
clau s e, an d i f a res olu t i on ap p rovi n g t h e Proclamat i on h as b een p as s ed b y
t h e Cou n ci l of St at es , b u t n o res olu t i on wi t h res p ect t o s u ch Proclamat i on
h as b een p as s ed b y t h e Hou s e of t h e Peop le b efore t h e ex p i rat i on of t h at
p eri od , t h e Proclamat i on s h all ceas e t o op erat e at t h e ex p i rat i on of t h i rt y
d ays from t h e d at e on wh i ch t h e Hou s e of t h e Peop le fi rs t s i t s aft er i t s
recon s t i t u t i on , u n les s b efore t h e ex p i rat i on of t h e s ai d p eri od of t h i rt y d ays
a res olu t i on ap p rovi n g t h e Proclamat i on h as b een als o p as s ed b y t h e Hou s e
of t h e Peop le.
(5 ) A Proclamat i on s o ap p roved s h all, u n les s revoked , ceas e t o op erat e
on t h e ex p i rat i on of a p eri od of s i x mon t h s from t h e d at e of t h e p as s i n g of
t h e s econ d of t h e res olu t i on s ap p rovi n g t h e Proclamat i on u n d er clau s e (4 ):
Provi d ed t h at i f an d s o oft en as a res olu t i on ap p rovi n g t h e con t i n u an ce
i n force of s u ch a Proclamat i on i s p as s ed b y b ot h Hou s es of Parli amen t t h e
Proclamat i on s h all, u n les s revoked , con t i n u e i n force for a fu rt h er p eri od

153
 154 THE CONSTITUTION OF INDIA

of s i x mon t h s from t h e d at e on wh i ch i t wou ld ot h erwi s e h ave ceas ed t o

op erat e u n d er t h i s clau s e:
Provi d ed fu rt h er t h at i f t h e d i s s olu t i on of t h e Hou s e of t h e Peop le t akes
p lace d u ri n g an y s u ch p eri od of s i x mon t h s an d a res olu t i on ap p rovi n g t h e
con t i n u an ce i n force of s u ch Proclamat i on h as b een p as s ed b y t h e Cou n ci l
of St at es b u t n o res olu t i on wi t h res p ect t o t h e con t i n u an ce i n force of s u ch
Proclamat i on h as b een p as s ed b y t h e Hou s e of t h e Peop le d u ri n g t h e s ai d
p eri od , t h e Proclamat i on s h all ceas e t o op erat e at t h e ex p i rat i on of t h i rt y
d ays from t h e d at e on wh i ch t h e Hou s e of t h e Peop le fi rs t s i t s aft er i t s
recon s t i t u t i on u n les s b efore t h e ex p i rat i on of t h e s ai d p eri od of t h i rt y
d ays , a res olu t i on ap p rovi n g t h e con t i n u an ce i n force of t h e Proclamat i on
h as b een als o p as s ed b y t h e Hou s e of t h e Peop le.
(6 ) For t h e p u rp os es of clau s es (4 ) an d (5 ), a res olu t i on may b e p as s ed
b y ei t h er Hou s e of Parli amen t on ly b y a maj ori t y of t h e t ot al memb ers h i p
of t h at Hou s e an d b y a maj ori t y of n ot les s t h an t wo-t h i rd s of t h e Memb ers
of t h at Hou s e p res en t an d vot i n g.
(7 ) Not wi t h s t an d i n g an yt h i n g con t ai n ed i n t h e foregoi n g clau s es , t h e
Pres i d en t s h all revoke a Proclamat i on i s s u ed u n d er clau s e (1 ) or a
Proclamat i on varyi n g s u ch Proclamat i on i f t h e Hou s e of t h e Peop le p as s es
a res olu t i on d i s ap p rovi n g, or, as t h e cas e may b e, d i s ap p rovi n g t h e
con t i n u an ce i n force of, s u ch Proclamat i on .
(8 ) Wh ere a n ot i ce i n wri t i n g s i gn ed b y n ot les s t h an on e-t en t h of t h e
t ot al n u mb er of memb ers of t h e Hou s e of t h e Peop le h as b een gi ven , of
t h ei r i n t en t i on t o move a res olu t i on for d i s ap p rovi n g, or, as t h e cas e may
b e, for d i s ap p rovi n g t h e con t i n u an ce i n force of, a Proclamat i on i s s u ed
u n d er clau s e (1 ) or a Proclamat i on varyi n g s u ch Proclamat i on ,—
(a ) t o t h e Sp eaker, i f t h e Hou s e i s i n s es s i on ; or
(b ) t o t h e Pres i d en t , i f t h e Hou s e i s n ot i n s es s i on ,
a s p eci al s i t t i n g of t h e Hou s e s h all b e h eld wi t h i n fou rt een d ays from t h e
d at e on wh i ch s u ch n ot i ce i s recei ved b y t h e Sp eaker, or, as t h e cas e may
b e, b y t h e Pres i d en t , for t h e p u rp os e of con s i d eri n g s u ch res olu t i on .
(9 ) Th e p ower con ferred on t h e Pres i d en t b y t h i s art i cle s h all i n clu d e t h e
p ower t o i s s u e d i fferen t Proclamat i on s on d i fferen t grou n d s , b ei n g war
or ex t ern al aggres s i on or armed reb elli on or i mmi n en t d an ger of war or
ex t ern al aggres s i on or armed reb elli on , wh et h er or n ot t h ere i s a
Proclamat i on alread y i s s u ed b y t h e Pres i d en t u n d er clau s e (1 ) an d s u ch
Proclamat i on i s i n op erat i on .
* * * * *

3 5 3 . Ef f ect of P rocl a m a ti on of Em erg ency .—Wh i le a Proclamat i on

of Emergen cy i s i n op erat i on , t h en —
(a ) n ot wi t h s t an d i n g an yt h i n g i n t h i s Con s t i t u t i on , t h e ex ecu t i ve
p ower of t h e Un i on s h all ex t en d t o t h e gi vi n g of d i rect i on s t o an y St at e
 155 THE CONSTITUTION OF INDIA

as t o t h e man n er i n wh i ch t h e ex ecu t i ve p ower t h ereof i s t o b e

ex erci s ed ;
(b ) t h e p ower of Parli amen t t o make laws wi t h res p ect t o an y mat t er
s h all i n clu d e p ower t o make laws con ferri n g p owers an d i mp os i n g
d u t i es , or au t h ori s i n g t h e con ferri n g of p owers an d t h e i mp os i t i on of
d u t i es , u p on t h e Un i on or offi cers an d au t h ori t i es of t h e Un i on as
res p ect s t h at mat t er, n ot wi t h s t an d i n g t h at i t i s on e wh i ch i s n ot
en u merat ed i n t h e Un i on Li s t :
Provi d ed t h at wh ere a Proclamat i on of Emergen cy i s i n op erat i on on ly
i n an y p art of t h e t erri t ory of In d i a,—
(i ) t h e ex ecu t i ve p ower of t h e Un i on t o gi ve d i rect i on s u n d er clau s e
(a ), an d
(i i ) t h e p ower of Parli amen t t o make laws u n d er clau s e (b ),
s h all als o ex t en d t o an y St at e ot h er t h an a St at e i n wh i ch or i n an y p art of
wh i ch t h e Proclamat i on of Emergen cy i s i n op erat i on i f an d i n s o far as
t h e s ecu ri t y of In d i a or an y p art of t h e t erri t ory t h ereof i s t h reat en ed b y
act i vi t i es i n or i n relat i on t o t h e p art of t h e t erri t ory of In d i a i n wh i ch t h e
Proclamat i on of Emergen cy i s i n op erat i on .
3 5 4 . Appl i ca ti on of provi s i ons rel a ti ng to di s tri buti on of revenues
w hi l e a P rocl a m a ti on of Em erg ency i s i n opera ti on.—(1 ) Th e Pres i d en t
may, wh i le a Proclamat i on of Emergen cy i s i n op erat i on , b y ord er d i rect
t h at all or an y of t h e p rovi s i on s of art i cles 2 6 8 t o 2 7 9 s h all for s u ch
p eri od , n ot ex t en d i n g i n an y cas e b eyon d t h e ex p i rat i on of t h e fi n an ci al
year i n wh i ch s u ch Proclamat i on ceas es t o op erat e, as may b e s p eci fi ed i n
t h e ord er, h ave effect s u b j ect t o s u ch ex cep t i on s or mod i fi cat i on s as h e
t h i n ks fi t .
(2 ) Every ord er mad e u n d er clau s e (1 ) s h all, as s oon as may b e aft er i t i s
mad e, b e lai d b efore each Hou s e of Parli amen t .
3 5 5 . Duty of the Uni on to protect Sta tes a g a i ns t externa l a g g res s i on
a nd i nterna l di s turba nce.—It s h all b e t h e d u t y of t h e Un i on t o p rot ect
every St at e agai n s t ex t ern al aggres s i on an d i n t ern al d i s t u rb an ce an d t o
en s u re t h at t h e govern men t of every St at e i s carri ed on i n accord an ce wi t h
t h e p rovi s i on s of t h i s Con s t i t u t i on .
3 5 6 . P rovi s i ons i n ca s e of f a i l ure of cons ti tuti ona l m a chi nery i n
Sta tes .—(1 ) If t h e Pres i d en t , on recei p t of a rep ort from t h e G overn or of a
St at e or ot h erwi s e, i s s at i s fi ed t h at a s i t u at i on h as ari s en i n wh i ch t h e
G overn men t of t h e St at e can n ot b e carri ed on i n accord an ce wi t h t h e
p rovi s i on s of t h i s Con s t i t u t i on , t h e Pres i d en t may b y Proclamat i on —
(a ) as s u me t o h i ms elf all or an y of t h e fu n ct i on s of t h e G overn men t
of t h e St at e an d all or an y of t h e p owers ves t ed i n or ex erci s ab le b y t h e
G overn or or an y b od y or au t h ori t y i n t h e St at e ot h er t h an t h e
Legi s lat u re of t h e St at e;
(b ) d eclare t h at t h e p owers of t h e Legi s lat u re of t h e St at e s h all b e
ex erci s ab le b y or u n d er t h e au t h ori t y of Parli amen t ;
 156 THE CONSTITUTION OF INDIA

(c) make s u ch i n ci d en t al an d con s eq u en t i al p rovi s i on s as ap p ear t o

t h e Pres i d en t t o b e n eces s ary or d es i rab le for gi vi n g effect t o t h e
ob j ect s of t h e Proclamat i on , i n clu d i n g p rovi s i on s for s u s p en d i n g i n
wh ole or i n p art t h e op erat i on of an y p rovi s i on s of t h i s Con s t i t u t i on
relat i n g t o an y b od y or au t h ori t y i n t h e St at e:
Provi d ed t h at n ot h i n g i n t h i s clau s e s h all au t h ori s e t h e Pres i d en t t o
as s u me t o h i ms elf an y of t h e p owers ves t ed i n or ex erci s ab le b y a Hi gh
Cou rt , or t o s u s p en d i n wh ole or i n p art t h e op erat i on of an y p rovi s i on of
t h i s Con s t i t u t i on relat i n g t o Hi gh Cou rt s .
(2 ) An y s u ch Proclamat i on may b e revoked or vari ed b y a s u b s eq u en t
Proclamat i on .
(3 ) Every Proclamat i on u n d er t h i s art i cle s h all b e lai d b efore each
Hou s e of Parli amen t an d s h all, ex cep t wh ere i t i s a Proclamat i on revoki n g
a p revi ou s Proclamat i on , ceas e t o op erat e at t h e ex p i rat i on of t wo mon t h s
u n les s b efore t h e ex p i rat i on of t h at p eri od i t h as b een ap p roved b y
res olu t i on s of b ot h Hou s es of Parli amen t :
Provi d ed t h at i f an y s u ch Proclamat i on (n ot b ei n g a Proclamat i on
revoki n g a p revi ou s Proclamat i on ) i s i s s u ed at a t i me wh en t h e Hou s e of
t h e Peop le i s d i s s olved or t h e d i s s olu t i on of t h e Hou s e of t h e Peop le t akes
p lace d u ri n g t h e p eri od of t wo mon t h s referred t o i n t h i s clau s e, an d i f a
res olu t i on ap p rovi n g t h e Proclamat i on h as b een p as s ed b y t h e Cou n ci l of
St at es , b u t n o res olu t i on wi t h res p ect t o s u ch Proclamat i on h as b een
p as s ed b y t h e Hou s e of t h e Peop le b efore t h e ex p i rat i on of t h at p eri od , t h e
Proclamat i on s h all ceas e t o op erat e at t h e ex p i rat i on of t h i rt y d ays from
t h e d at e on wh i ch t h e Hou s e of t h e Peop le fi rs t s i t s aft er i t s recon s t i t u t i on
u n les s b efore t h e ex p i rat i on of t h e s ai d p eri od of t h i rt y d ays a res olu t i on
ap p rovi n g t h e Proclamat i on h as b een als o p as s ed b y t h e Hou s e of t h e
Peop le.
(4 ) A Proclamat i on s o ap p roved s h all, u n les s revoked , ceas e t o op erat e
on t h e ex p i rat i on of a p eri od of s i x mon t h s from t h e d at e of i s s u e of t h e
Proclamat i on :
Provi d ed t h at i f an d s o oft en as a res olu t i on ap p rovi n g t h e con t i n u an ce
i n force of s u ch a Proclamat i on i s p as s ed b y b ot h Hou s es of Parli amen t ,
t h e Proclamat i on s h all, u n les s revoked , con t i n u e i n force for a fu rt h er
p eri od of s i x mon t h s from t h e d at e on wh i ch u n d er t h i s clau s e i t wou ld
ot h erwi s e h ave ceas ed t o op erat e, b u t n o s u ch Proclamat i on s h all i n an y
cas e remai n i n force for more t h an t h ree years :
Provi d ed fu rt h er t h at i f t h e d i s s olu t i on of t h e Hou s e of t h e Peop le t akes
p lace d u ri n g an y s u ch p eri od of s i x mon t h s an d a res olu t i on ap p rovi n g t h e
con t i n u an ce i n force of s u ch Proclamat i on h as b een p as s ed b y t h e Cou n ci l
of St at es , b u t n o res olu t i on wi t h res p ect t o t h e con t i n u an ce i n force of
s u ch Proclamat i on h as b een p as s ed b y t h e Hou s e of t h e Peop le d u ri n g t h e
s ai d p eri od , t h e Proclamat i on s h all ceas e t o op erat e at t h e ex p i rat i on of
t h i rt y d ays from t h e d at e on wh i ch t h e Hou s e of t h e Peop le fi rs t s i t s aft er
i t s recon s t i t u t i on u n les s b efore t h e ex p i rat i on of t h e s ai d p eri od of t h i rt y
 157 THE CONSTITUTION OF INDIA

d ays a res olu t i on ap p rovi n g t h e con t i n u an ce i n force of t h e Proclamat i on

h as b een als o p as s ed b y t h e Hou s e of t h e Peop le:
Provi d ed als o t h at i n t h e cas e of t h e Proclamat i on i s s u ed u n d er clau s e
(1 ) on t h e 1 1 t h d ay of May, 1 9 8 7 wi t h res p ect t o t h e St at e of Pu n j ab , t h e
referen ce i n t h e fi rs t p rovi s o t o t h i s clau s e t o “t h ree years ” s h all b e
con s t ru ed as a referen ce t o fi ve years .
(5 ) Not wi t h s t an d i n g an yt h i n g con t ai n ed i n clau s e (4 ), a res olu t i on wi t h
res p ect t o t h e con t i n u an ce i n force of a Proclamat i on ap p roved u n d er
clau s e (3 ) for an y p eri od b eyon d t h e ex p i rat i on of on e year from t h e d at e
of i s s u e of s u ch Proclamat i on s h all n ot b e p as s ed b y ei t h er Hou s e of
Parli amen t u n les s —
(a ) a Proclamat i on of Emergen cy i s i n op erat i on , i n t h e wh ole of
In d i a or, as t h e cas e may b e, i n t h e wh ole or an y p art of t h e St at e, at t h e
t i me of t h e p as s i n g of s u ch res olu t i on , an d
(b ) t h e Elect i on Commi s s i on cert i fi es t h at t h e con t i n u an ce i n force of
t h e Proclamat i on ap p roved u n d er clau s e (3 ) d u ri n g t h e p eri od s p eci fi ed
i n s u ch res olu t i on i s n eces s ary on accou n t of d i ffi cu lt i es i n h old i n g
gen eral elect i on s t o t h e Legi s lat i ve As s emb ly of t h e St at e con cern ed :
Provi d ed t h at n ot h i n g i n t h i s clau s e s h all ap p ly t o t h e Proclamat i on
i s s u ed u n d er clau s e (1 ) on t h e 1 1 t h d ay of May, 1 9 8 7 wi t h res p ect t o t h e
St at e of Pu n j ab .
3 5 7 . Exerci s e of l eg i s l a ti ve pow ers under P rocl a m a ti on i s s ued under
a rti cl e 3 5 6 .— (1 ) Wh ere b y a Proclamat i on i s s u ed u n d er clau s e (1 ) of
art i cle 3 5 6 , i t h as b een d eclared t h at t h e p owers of t h e Legi s lat u re of t h e
St at e s h all b e ex erci s ab le b y or u n d er t h e au t h ori t y of Parli amen t , i t s h all
b e comp et en t —
(a ) for Parli amen t t o con fer on t h e Pres i d en t t h e p ower of t h e
Legi s lat u re of t h e St at e t o make laws , an d t o au t h ori s e t h e Pres i d en t t o
d elegat e, s u b j ect t o s u ch con d i t i on s as h e may t h i n k fi t t o i mp os e, t h e
p ower s o con ferred t o an y ot h er au t h ori t y t o b e s p eci fi ed b y h i m i n t h at
b eh alf;
(b ) for Parli amen t , or for t h e Pres i d en t or ot h er au t h ori t y i n wh om
s u ch p ower t o make laws i s ves t ed u n d er s u b -clau s e (a ), t o make laws
con ferri n g p owers an d i mp os i n g d u t i es , or au t h ori s i n g t h e con ferri n g of
p owers an d t h e i mp os i t i on of d u t i es , u p on t h e Un i on or offi cers an d
au t h ori t i es t h ereof;
(c) for t h e Pres i d en t t o au t h ori s e wh en t h e Hou s e of t h e Peop le i s
n ot i n s es s i on ex p en d i t u re from t h e Con s oli d at ed Fu n d of t h e St at e
p en d i n g t h e s an ct i on of s u ch ex p en d i t u re b y Parli amen t .
(2 ) An y law mad e i n ex erci s e of t h e p ower of t h e Legi s lat u re of t h e
St at e b y Parli amen t or t h e Pres i d en t or ot h er au t h ori t y referred t o i n s u b -
clau s e (a ) of clau s e (1 ) wh i ch Parli amen t or t h e Pres i d en t or s u ch ot h er
au t h ori t y wou ld n ot , b u t for t h e i s s u e of a Proclamat i on u n d er art i cle 3 5 6 ,
h ave b een comp et en t t o make s h all, aft er t h e Proclamat i on h as ceas ed t o
 158 THE CONSTITUTION OF INDIA

op erat e, con t i n u e i n force u n t i l alt ered or rep ealed or amen d ed b y a

comp et en t Legi s lat u re or ot h er au t h ori t y.
3 5 8 . Sus pens i on of provi s i ons of a rti cl e 1 9 duri ng em erg enci es .—(1 )
Wh i le a Proclamat i on of Emergen cy d eclari n g t h at t h e s ecu ri t y of In d i a or
an y p art of t h e t erri t ory t h ereof i s t h reat en ed b y war or b y ex t ern al
aggres s i on i s i n op erat i on , n ot h i n g i n art i cle 1 9 s h all res t ri ct t h e p ower of
t h e St at e as d efi n ed i n Part III t o make an y law or t o t ake an y ex ecu t i ve
act i on wh i ch t h e St at e wou ld b u t for t h e p rovi s i on s con t ai n ed i n t h at Part
b e comp et en t t o make or t o t ake, b u t an y law s o mad e s h all, t o t h e ex t en t
of t h e i n comp et en cy, ceas e t o h ave effect as s oon as t h e Proclamat i on
ceas es t o op erat e, ex cep t as res p ect s t h i n gs d on e or omi t t ed t o b e d on e
b efore t h e law s o ceas es t o h ave effect :
Provi d ed t h at wh ere s u ch Proclamat i on of Emergen cy i s i n op erat i on
on ly i n an y p art of t h e t erri t ory of In d i a, an y s u ch law may b e mad e, or an y
s u ch ex ecu t i ve act i on may b e t aken , u n d er t h i s art i cle i n relat i on t o or i n
an y St at e or Un i on t erri t ory i n wh i ch or i n an y p art of wh i ch t h e
Proclamat i on of Emergen cy i s n ot i n op erat i on , i f an d i n s o far as t h e
s ecu ri t y of In d i a or an y p art of t h e t erri t ory t h ereof i s t h reat en ed b y
act i vi t i es i n or i n relat i on t o t h e p art of t h e t erri t ory of In d i a i n wh i ch t h e
Proclamat i on of Emergen cy i s i n op erat i on .
(2 ) Not h i n g i n clau s e (1 ) s h all ap p ly—
(a ) t o an y law wh i ch d oes n ot con t ai n a reci t al t o t h e effect t h at
s u ch law i s i n relat i on t o t h e Proclamat i on of Emergen cy i n op erat i on
wh en i t i s mad e; or
(b ) t o an y ex ecu t i ve act i on t aken ot h erwi s e t h an u n d er a law
con t ai n i n g s u ch a reci t al.
3 5 9 . Sus pens i on of the enf orcem ent of the ri g hts conf erred by P a rt
I I I duri ng em erg enci es .—(1 ) Wh ere a Proclamat i on of Emergen cy i s i n
op erat i on , t h e Pres i d en t may b y ord er d eclare t h at t h e ri gh t t o move an y
cou rt for t h e en forcemen t of s u ch of t h e ri gh t s con ferred b y Part III
(ex cep t art i cles 2 0 an d 2 1 ) as may b e men t i on ed i n t h e ord er an d all
p roceed i n gs p en d i n g i n an y cou rt for t h e en forcemen t of t h e ri gh t s s o
men t i on ed s h all remai n s u s p en d ed for t h e p eri od d u ri n g wh i ch t h e
Proclamat i on i s i n force or for s u ch s h ort er p eri od as may b e s p eci fi ed i n
t h e ord er.
(1 A) Wh i le an ord er mad e u n d er clau s e (1 ) men t i on i n g an y of t h e ri gh t s
con ferred b y Part III (ex cep t art i cles 2 0 an d 2 1 ) i s i n op erat i on , n ot h i n g i n
t h at Part con ferri n g t h os e ri gh t s s h all res t ri ct t h e p ower of t h e St at e as
d efi n ed i n t h e s ai d Part t o make an y law or t o t ake an y ex ecu t i ve act i on
wh i ch t h e St at e wou ld b u t for t h e p rovi s i on s con t ai n ed i n t h at Part b e
comp et en t t o make or t o t ake, b u t an y law s o mad e s h all, t o t h e ex t en t of
t h e i n comp et en cy, ceas e t o h ave effect as s oon as t h e ord er afores ai d
ceas es t o op erat e, ex cep t as res p ect s t h i n gs d on e or omi t t ed t o b e d on e
b efore t h e law s o ceas es t o h ave effect :
 159 THE CONSTITUTION OF INDIA

Provi d ed t h at wh ere a Proclamat i on of Emergen cy i s i n op erat i on on ly i n

an y p art of t h e t erri t ory of In d i a, an y s u ch law may b e mad e, or an y s u ch
ex ecu t i ve act i on may b e t aken , u n d er t h i s art i cle i n relat i on t o or i n an y
St at e or Un i on t erri t ory i n wh i ch or i n an y p art of wh i ch t h e Proclamat i on
of Emergen cy i s n ot i n op erat i on , i f an d i n s o far as t h e s ecu ri t y of In d i a or
an y p art of t h e t erri t ory t h ereof i s t h reat en ed b y act i vi t i es i n or i n relat i on
t o t h e p art of t h e t erri t ory of In d i a i n wh i ch t h e Proclamat i on of
Emergen cy i s i n op erat i on .
(1 B) Not h i n g i n clau s e (1 A) s h all ap p ly—
(a ) t o an y law wh i ch d oes n ot con t ai n a reci t al t o t h e effect t h at
s u ch law i s i n relat i on t o t h e Proclamat i on of Emergen cy i n op erat i on
wh en i t i s mad e; or
(b ) t o an y ex ecu t i ve act i on t aken ot h erwi s e t h an u n d er a law
con t ai n i n g s u ch a reci t al.
(2 ) An ord er mad e as afores ai d may ex t en d t o t h e wh ole or an y p art of
t h e t erri t ory of In d i a:
Provi d ed t h at wh ere a Proclamat i on of Emergen cy i s i n op erat i on on ly i n
a p art of t h e t erri t ory of In d i a, an y s u ch ord er s h all n ot ex t en d t o an y ot h er
p art of t h e t erri t ory of In d i a u n les s t h e Pres i d en t , b ei n g s at i s fi ed t h at t h e
s ecu ri t y of In d i a or an y p art of t h e t erri t ory t h ereof i s t h reat en ed b y
act i vi t i es i n or i n relat i on t o t h e p art of t h e t erri t ory of In d i a i n wh i ch t h e
Proclamat i on of Emergen cy i s i n op erat i on , con s i d ers s u ch ex t en s i on t o b e
n eces s ary.
(3 ) Every ord er mad e u n d er clau s e (1 ) s h all, as s oon as may b e aft er i t i s
mad e, b e lai d b efore each Hou s e of Parli amen t .
3 5 9 A. [Ap p l i ca t i o n o f t h i s Pa r t t o t h e S t a t e o f Pu n j a b .] Rep . b y t h e
Co n s t i t u t i o n (S i xt y-t h i r d Amen d men t ) Act , 1 9 8 9 , s . 3 (w.e.f . 6 -1 -1 9 9 0 ).
3 6 0 . P rovi s i ons a s to f i na nci a l em erg ency .—(1 ) If t h e Pres i d en t i s
s at i s fi ed t h at a s i t u at i on h as ari s en wh ereb y t h e fi n an ci al s t ab i li t y or cred i t
of In d i a or of an y p art of t h e t erri t ory t h ereof i s t h reat en ed , h e may b y a
Proclamat i on make a d eclarat i on t o t h at effect .
(2 ) A Proclamat i on i s s u ed u n d er clau s e (1 )—
(a ) may b e revoked or vari ed b y a s u b s eq u en t Proclamat i on ;
(b ) s h all b e lai d b efore each Hou s e of Parli amen t ;
(c) s h all ceas e t o op erat e at t h e ex p i rat i on of t wo mon t h s , u n les s
b efore t h e ex p i rat i on of t h at p eri od i t h as b een ap p roved b y res olu t i on s
of b ot h Hou s es of Parli amen t :
Provi d ed t h at i f an y s u ch Proclamat i on i s i s s u ed at a t i me wh en t h e
Hou s e of t h e Peop le h as b een d i s s olved or t h e d i s s olu t i on of t h e Hou s e of
t h e Peop le t akes p lace d u ri n g t h e p eri od of t wo mon t h s referred t o i n s u b -
clau s e (c), an d i f a res olu t i on ap p rovi n g t h e Proclamat i on h as b een p as s ed
b y t h e Cou n ci l of St at es , b u t n o res olu t i on wi t h res p ect t o s u ch
Proclamat i on h as b een p as s ed b y t h e Hou s e of t h e Peop le b efore t h e
 160 THE CONSTITUTION OF INDIA

ex p i rat i on of t h at p eri od , t h e Proclamat i on s h all ceas e t o op erat e at t h e

ex p i rat i on of t h i rt y d ays from t h e d at e on wh i ch t h e Hou s e of t h e Peop le
fi rs t s i t s aft er i t s recon s t i t u t i on u n les s b efore t h e ex p i rat i on of t h e s ai d
p eri od of t h i rt y d ays a res olu t i on ap p rovi n g t h e Proclamat i on h as b een als o
p as s ed b y t h e Hou s e of t h e Peop le.
(3 ) Du ri n g t h e p eri od an y s u ch Proclamat i on as i s men t i on ed i n clau s e
(1 ) i s i n op erat i on , t h e ex ecu t i ve au t h ori t y of t h e Un i on s h all ex t en d t o t h e
gi vi n g of d i rect i on s t o an y St at e t o ob s erve s u ch can on s of fi n an ci al
p rop ri et y as may b e s p eci fi ed i n t h e d i rect i on s , an d t o t h e gi vi n g of s u ch
ot h er d i rect i on s as t h e Pres i d en t may d eem n eces s ary an d ad eq u at e for t h e
p u rp os e.
(4 ) Not wi t h s t an d i n g an yt h i n g i n t h i s Con s t i t u t i on —
(a ) an y s u ch d i rect i on may i n clu d e—
(i ) a p rovi s i on req u i ri n g t h e red u ct i on of s alari es an d allowan ces
of all or an y clas s of p ers on s s ervi n g i n con n ect i on wi t h t h e affai rs
of a St at e;
(i i ) a p rovi s i on req u i ri n g all Mon ey Bi lls or ot h er Bi lls t o wh i ch
t h e p rovi s i on s of art i cle 2 0 7 ap p ly t o b e res erved for t h e
con s i d erat i on of t h e Pres i d en t aft er t h ey are p as s ed b y t h e
Legi s lat u re of t h e St at e;
(b ) i t s h all b e comp et en t for t h e Pres i d en t d u ri n g t h e p eri od an y
Proclamat i on i s s u ed u n d er t h i s art i cle i s i n op erat i on t o i s s u e d i rect i on s
for t h e red u ct i on of s alari es an d allowan ces of all or an y clas s of
p ers on s s ervi n g i n con n ect i on wi t h t h e affai rs of t h e Un i on i n clu d i n g
t h e J u d ges of t h e Su p reme Cou rt an d t h e Hi gh Cou rt s .
 161 THE CONSTITUTION OF INDIA

PART XIX
MISCELLANEOUS
3 6 1 . P rotecti on of P res i dent a nd Governors a nd Ra jpra m ukhs .—(1 )
Th e Pres i d en t , or t h e G overn or or Raj p ramu kh of a St at e, s h all n ot b e
an s werab le t o an y cou rt for t h e ex erci s e an d p erforman ce of t h e p owers an d
d u t i es of h i s offi ce or for an y act d on e or p u rp ort i n g t o b e d on e b y h i m i n
t h e ex erci s e an d p erforman ce of t h os e p owers an d d u t i es :
Provi d ed t h at t h e con d u ct of t h e Pres i d en t may b e b rou gh t u n d er revi ew
b y an y cou rt , t ri b u n al or b od y ap p oi n t ed or d es i gn at ed b y ei t h er Hou s e of
Parli amen t for t h e i n ves t i gat i on of a ch arge u n d er art i cle 6 1 :
Provi d ed fu rt h er t h at n ot h i n g i n t h i s clau s e s h all b e con s t ru ed as
res t ri ct i n g t h e ri gh t of an y p ers on t o b ri n g ap p rop ri at e p roceed i n gs agai n s t
t h e G overn men t of In d i a or t h e G overn men t of a St at e.
(2 ) No cri mi n al p roceed i n gs wh at s oever s h all b e i n s t i t u t ed or con t i n u ed
agai n s t t h e Pres i d en t , or t h e G overn or of a St at e, i n an y cou rt d u ri n g h i s
t erm of offi ce.
(3 ) No p roces s for t h e arres t or i mp ri s on men t of t h e Pres i d en t , or t h e
G overn or of a St at e, s h all i s s u e from an y cou rt d u ri n g h i s t erm of offi ce.
(4 ) No ci vi l p roceed i n gs i n wh i ch reli ef i s clai med agai n s t t h e Pres i d en t ,
or t h e G overn or of a St at e, s h all b e i n s t i t u t ed d u ri n g h i s t erm of offi ce i n
an y cou rt i n res p ect of an y act d on e or p u rp ort i n g t o b e d on e b y h i m i n h i s
p ers on al cap aci t y, wh et h er b efore or aft er h e en t ered u p on h i s offi ce as
Pres i d en t , or as G overn or of s u ch St at e, u n t i l t h e ex p i rat i on of t wo mon t h s
n ex t aft er n ot i ce i n wri t i n g h as b een d eli vered t o t h e Pres i d en t or t h e
G overn or, as t h e cas e may b e, or left at h i s offi ce s t at i n g t h e n at u re of t h e
p roceed i n gs , t h e cau s e of act i on t h erefor, t h e n ame, d es cri p t i on an d p lace
of res i d en ce of t h e p art y b y wh om s u ch p roceed i n gs are t o b e i n s t i t u t ed
an d t h e reli ef wh i ch h e clai ms .
3 6 1 A. P rotecti on of publ i ca ti on of proceedi ng s of P a rl i a m ent a nd
Sta te Leg i s l a tures .—(1 ) No p ers on s h all b e li ab le t o an y p roceed i n gs ,
ci vi l or cri mi n al, i n an y cou rt i n res p ect of t h e p u b li cat i on i n a n ews p ap er
of a s u b s t an t i ally t ru e rep ort of an y p roceed i n gs of ei t h er Hou s e of
Parli amen t or t h e Legi s lat i ve As s emb ly, or, as t h e cas e may b e, ei t h er
Hou s e of t h e Legi s lat u re, of a St at e, u n les s t h e p u b li cat i on i s p roved t o
h ave b een mad e wi t h mali ce:
Provi d ed t h at n ot h i n g i n t h i s clau s e s h all ap p ly t o t h e p u b li cat i on of an y
rep ort of t h e p roceed i n gs of a s ecret s i t t i n g of ei t h er Hou s e of Parli amen t
or t h e Legi s lat i ve As s emb ly, or, as t h e cas e may b e, ei t h er Hou s e of t h e
Legi s lat u re, of a St at e.

161
165
 162 THE CONSTITUTION OF INDIA

(2 ) Clau s e (1 ) s h all ap p ly i n relat i on t o rep ort s or mat t ers b road cas t b y

mean s of wi reles s t elegrap h y as p art of an y p rogramme or s ervi ce p rovi d ed
b y mean s of a b road cas t i n g s t at i on as i t ap p li es i n relat i on t o rep ort s or
mat t ers p u b li s h ed i n a n ews p ap er.
Explanation.—In this article, “newspaper” includes a news agency report containing
material for publication in a newspaper.
3 6 1 B . Di s qua l i f i ca ti on f or a ppoi ntm ent on rem unera ti ve pol i ti ca l
pos t.—A memb er of a Hou s e b elon gi n g t o an y p oli t i cal p art y wh o i s
d i s q u ali fi ed for b ei n g a memb er of t h e Hou s e u n d er p aragrap h 2 of t h e
Ten t h Sch ed u le s h all als o b e d i s q u ali fi ed t o h old an y remu n erat i ve
p oli t i cal p os t for d u rat i on of t h e p eri od commen ci n g from t h e d at e of h i s
d i s q u ali fi cat i on t i ll t h e d at e on wh i ch t h e t erm of h i s offi ce as s u ch
memb er wou ld ex p i re or t i ll t h e d at e on wh i ch h e con t es t s an elect i on t o a
Hou s e an d i s d eclared elect ed , wh i ch ever i s earli er.
Exp l a n a t i o n .- For t h e p u rp os es of t h i s art i cle,—
(a ) t h e ex p res s i on “Hou s e” h as t h e mean i n g as s i gn ed t o i t i n
clau s e (a) of p aragrap h 1 of t h e Ten t h Sch ed u le;
(b ) t h e ex p res s i on “remu n erat i ve p oli t i cal p os t ” mean s an y
offi ce—
(i ) u n d er t h e G overn men t of In d i a or t h e G overn men t of a
St at e wh ere t h e s alary or remu n erat i on for s u ch offi ce i s p ai d ou t
of t h e p u b li c reven u e of t h e G overn men t of In d i a or t h e
G overn men t of t h e St at e, as t h e cas e may b e; or

(i i ) u n d er a b od y, wh et h er i n corp orat ed or n ot , wh i ch i s
wh olly or p art i ally own ed b y t h e G overn men t of In d i a or t h e
G overn men t of t h e St at e, an d t h e s alary or remu n erat i on for s u ch
offi ce i s p ai d b y s u ch b od y,
ex cep t wh ere s u ch s alary or remu n erat i on p ai d i s comp en s at ory i n n at u re.
362. [Rights and privileges of Rulers of Indian States.] Rep. by the Constitution (Twenty-
sixth Amendment) Act, 1971, s. 2.
363. Bar to interference by courts in disputes arising out of certain treaties,
agreements, etc.—(1) Notwithstanding anything in this Constitution but subject to the
provisions of article 143, neither the Supreme Court nor any other court shall have
jurisdiction in any dispute arising out of any provision of a treaty, agreement, covenant,
engagement, sanad or other similar instrument which was entered into or executed before the
commencement of this Constitution by any Ruler of an Indian State and to which the
Government of the Dominion of India or any of its predecessor Governments was a party and
which has or has been continued in operation after such commencement, or in any dispute in
respect of any right accruing under or any liability or obligation arising out of any of the
provisions of this Constitution relating to any such treaty, agreement, covenant, engagement,
sanad or other similar instrument.
 163 THE CONSTITUTION OF INDIA

(2) In this article—

(a) “Indian State” means any territory recognised before the commencement of this
Constitution by His Majesty or the Government of the Dominion of India as being such a
State; and
(b) “Ruler” includes the Prince, Chief or other person recognised before such
commencement by His Majesty or the Government of the Dominion of India as the Ruler
of any Indian State.
363A. Recognition granted to Rulers of Indian States to cease and privy purses to be
abolished.—Notwithstanding anything in this Constitution or in any law for the time being in
force—
(a) the Prince, Chief or other person who, at any time before the commencement of
the Constitution (Twenty-sixth Amendment) Act, 1971, was recognised by the President
as the Ruler of an Indian State or any person who, at any time before such
commencement, was recognised by the President as the successor of such ruler shall, on
and from such commencement, cease to be recognised as such Ruler or the successor of
such Ruler;
(b) on and from the commencement of the Constitution (Twenty-sixth Amendment)
Act, 1971, privy purse is abolished and all rights, liabilities and obligations in respect of
privy purse are extinguished and accordingly the Ruler or, as the case may be, the
successor of such Ruler, referred to in clause (a) or any other person shall not be paid any
sum as privy purse.
3 6 4 . Speci a l provi s i ons a s to m a jor ports a nd a erodrom es .—(1 )
Not wi t h s t an d i n g an yt h i n g i n t h i s Con s t i t u t i on , t h e Pres i d en t may b y p u b li c
n ot i fi cat i on d i rect t h at as from s u ch d at e as may b e s p eci fi ed i n t h e
n ot i fi cat i on —
(a ) an y law mad e b y Parli amen t or b y t h e Legi s lat u re of a St at e
s h all n ot ap p ly t o an y maj or p ort or aerod rome or s h all ap p ly t h eret o
s u b j ect t o s u ch ex cep t i on s or mod i fi cat i on s as may b e s p eci fi ed i n t h e
n ot i fi cat i on , or
(b ) an y ex i s t i n g law s h all ceas e t o h ave effect i n an y maj or p ort or
aerod rome ex cep t as res p ect s t h i n gs d on e or omi t t ed t o b e d on e b efore
t h e s ai d d at e, or s h all i n i t s ap p li cat i on t o s u ch p ort or aerod rome h ave
effect s u b j ect t o s u ch ex cep t i on s or mod i fi cat i on s as may b e s p eci fi ed i n
t h e n ot i fi cat i on .
(2 ) In t h i s art i cle—
(a ) “maj or p ort ” mean s a p ort d eclared t o b e a maj or p ort b y or
u n d er an y law mad e b y Parli amen t or an y ex i s t i n g law an d i n clu d es all
areas for t h e t i me b ei n g i n clu d ed wi t h i n t h e li mi t s of s u ch p ort ;
(b ) “aerod rome” mean s aerod rome as d efi n ed for t h e p u rp os es of t h e
en act men t s relat i n g t o ai rways , ai rcraft an d ai r n avi gat i on .
3 6 5 . Ef f ect of f a i l ure to com pl y w i th, or to g i ve ef f ect to, di recti ons
g i ven by the Uni on.—Wh ere an y St at e h as fai led t o comp ly wi t h , or t o
 164 THE CONSTITUTION OF INDIA

gi ve effect t o, an y d i rect i on s gi ven i n t h e ex erci s e of t h e ex ecu t i ve p ower

of t h e Un i on u n d er an y of t h e p rovi s i on s of t h i s Con s t i t u t i on , i t s h all b e
lawfu l for t h e Pres i d en t t o h old t h at a s i t u at i on h as ari s en i n wh i ch t h e
G overn men t of t h e St at e can n ot b e carri ed on i n accord an ce wi t h t h e
p rovi s i on s of t h i s Con s t i t u t i on .
3 6 6 . Def i ni ti ons .—In t h i s Con s t i t u t i on , u n les s t h e con t ex t ot h erwi s e
req u i res , t h e followi n g ex p res s i on s h ave t h e mean i n gs h ereb y res p ect i vely
as s i gn ed t o t h em, t h at i s t o s ay—
(1 ) “agri cu lt u ral i n come” mean s agri cu lt u ral i n come as d efi n ed for
t h e p u rp os es of t h e en act men t s relat i n g t o In d i an i n come-t ax ;
(2 ) “an An glo-In d i an ” mean s a p ers on wh os e fat h er or an y of wh os e
ot h er male p rogen i t ors i n t h e male li n e i s or was of Eu rop ean d es cen t
b u t wh o i s d omi ci led wi t h i n t h e t erri t ory of In d i a an d i s or was b orn
wi t h i n s u ch t erri t ory of p aren t s h ab i t u ally res i d en t t h erei n an d n ot
es t ab li s h ed t h ere for t emp orary p u rp os es on ly;
(3 ) “art i cle” mean s an art i cle of t h i s Con s t i t u t i on ;
(4 ) “b orrow” i n clu d es t h e rai s i n g of mon ey b y t h e gran t of
an n u i t i es , an d “loan ” s h all b e con s t ru ed accord i n gly;
* * * * *
(5 ) “clau s e” mean s a clau s e of t h e art i cle i n wh i ch t h e ex p res s i on
occu rs ;
(6 ) “corp orat i on t ax ” mean s an y t ax on i n come, s o far as t h at t ax i s
p ayab le b y comp an i es an d i s a t ax i n t h e cas e of wh i ch t h e followi n g
con d i t i on s are fu lfi lled :—
(a ) t h at i t i s n ot ch argeab le i n res p ect of agri cu lt u ral i n come;
(b ) t h at n o d ed u ct i on i n res p ect of t h e t ax p ai d b y comp an i es i s ,
b y an y en act men t s wh i ch may ap p ly t o t h e t ax , au t h ori s ed t o b e
mad e from d i vi d en d s p ayab le b y t h e comp an i es t o i n d i vi d u als ;
(c) t h at n o p rovi s i on ex i s t s for t aki n g t h e t ax s o p ai d i n t o
accou n t i n comp u t i n g for t h e p u rp os es of In d i an i n come-t ax t h e
t ot al i n come of i n d i vi d u als recei vi n g s u ch d i vi d en d s , or i n
comp u t i n g t h e In d i an i n come-t ax p ayab le b y, or refu n d ab le t o, s u ch
i n d i vi d u als ;
(7 ) “corres p on d i n g Provi n ce”, “corres p on d i n g In d i an St at e” or
“corres p on d i n g St at e” mean s i n cas es of d ou b t s u ch Provi n ce, In d i an
St at e or St at e as may b e d et ermi n ed b y t h e Pres i d en t t o b e t h e
corres p on d i n g Provi n ce, t h e corres p on d i n g In d i an St at e or t h e
corres p on d i n g St at e, as t h e cas e may b e, for t h e p art i cu lar p u rp os e i n
q u es t i on ;
(8 ) “d eb t ” i n clu d es an y li ab i li t y i n res p ect of an y ob li gat i on t o
rep ay cap i t al s u ms b y way of an n u i t i es an d an y li ab i li t y u n d er an y
gu aran t ee, an d “d eb t ch arges ” s h all b e con s t ru ed accord i n gly;
(9 ) “es t at e d u t y” mean s a d u t y t o b e as s es s ed on or b y referen ce t o
t h e p ri n ci p al valu e, as cert ai n ed i n accord an ce wi t h s u ch ru les as may b e
165 THE CONSTITUTION OF INDIA

p res cri b ed b y or u n d er laws mad e b y Parli amen t or t h e Legi s lat u re of a

St at e relat i n g t o t h e d u t y, of all p rop ert y p as s i n g u p on d eat h or d eemed ,
u n d er t h e p rovi s i on s of t h e s ai d laws , s o t o p as s ;
(1 0 ) “ex i s t i n g law” mean s an y law, Ord i n an ce, ord er, b ye-law, ru le
or regu lat i on p as s ed or mad e b efore t h e commen cemen t of t h i s
Con s t i t u t i on b y an y Legi s lat u re, au t h ori t y or p ers on h avi n g p ower t o
make s u ch a law, Ord i n an ce, ord er, b ye-law, ru le or regu lat i on ;
(1 1 ) “Fed eral Cou rt ” mean s t h e Fed eral Cou rt con s t i t u t ed u n d er t h e
G overn men t of In d i a Act , 1 9 3 5 ;
(1 2 ) “good s ” i n clu d es all mat eri als , commod i t i es , an d art i cles ;
(1 3 ) “gu aran t ee” i n clu d es an y ob li gat i on u n d ert aken b efore t h e
commen cemen t of t h i s Con s t i t u t i on t o make p aymen t s i n t h e even t of
t h e p rofi t s of an u n d ert aki n g falli n g s h ort of a s p eci fi ed amou n t ;
(1 4 ) “Hi gh Cou rt ” mean s an y Cou rt wh i ch i s d eemed for t h e
p u rp os es of t h i s Con s t i t u t i on t o b e a Hi gh Cou rt for an y St at e an d
i n clu d es —
(a ) an y Cou rt i n t h e t erri t ory of In d i a con s t i t u t ed or
recon s t i t u t ed u n d er t h i s Con s t i t u t i on as a Hi gh Cou rt , an d
(b ) an y ot h er Cou rt i n t h e t erri t ory of In d i a wh i ch may b e
d eclared b y Parli amen t b y law t o b e a Hi gh Cou rt for all or an y of
t h e p u rp os es of t h i s Con s t i t u t i on ;
(1 5 ) “In d i an St at e” mean s an y t erri t ory wh i ch t h e G overn men t of t h e
Domi n i on of In d i a recogn i s ed as s u ch a St at e;
(1 6 ) “Part ” mean s a Part of t h i s Con s t i t u t i on ;
(1 7 ) “p en s i on ” mean s a p en s i on , wh et h er con t ri b u t ory or n ot , of an y
ki n d wh at s oever p ayab le t o or i n res p ect of an y p ers on , an d i n clu d es
ret i red p ay s o p ayab le; a grat u i t y s o p ayab le an d an y s u m or s u ms s o
p ayab le b y way of t h e ret u rn , wi t h or wi t h ou t i n t eres t t h ereon or an y
ot h er ad d i t i on t h eret o, of s u b s cri p t i on s t o a p rovi d en t fu n d ;
(1 8 ) “Proclamat i on of Emergen cy” mean s a Proclamat i on i s s u ed
u n d er clau s e (1 ) of art i cle 3 5 2 ;
(1 9 ) “p u b li c n ot i fi cat i on ” mean s a n ot i fi cat i on i n t h e G azet t e of
In d i a, or, as t h e cas e may b e, t h e Offi ci al G azet t e of a St at e;
(2 0 ) “rai lway” d oes n ot i n clu d e—
(a ) a t ramway wh olly wi t h i n a mu n i ci p al area, or
(b ) an y ot h er li n e of commu n i cat i on wh olly s i t u at e i n on e St at e
an d d eclared b y Parli amen t b y law n ot t o b e a rai lway;
* * * * *
(2 2 ) “Ru ler” mean s t h e Pri n ce, Ch i ef or ot h er p ers on wh o, at an y
t i me b efore t h e commen cemen t of t h e Con s t i t u t i on (Twen t y-s i x t h
Amen d men t ) Act , 1 9 7 1 , was recogn i s ed b y t h e Pres i d en t as t h e Ru ler of
an In d i an St at e or an y p ers on wh o, at an y t i me b efore s u ch
commen cemen t , was recogn i s ed b y t h e Pres i d en t as t h e s u cces s or of
s u ch Ru ler;
166 THE CONSTITUTION OF INDIA

(2 3 ) “Sch ed u le” mean s a Sch ed u le t o t h i s Con s t i t u t i on ;

(2 4 ) “Sch ed u led Cas t es ” mean s s u ch cas t es , races or t ri b es or p art s
of or grou p s wi t h i n s u ch cas t es , races or t ri b es as are d eemed u n d er
art i cle 3 4 1 t o b e Sch ed u led Cas t es for t h e p u rp os es of t h i s Con s t i t u t i on ;
(2 5 ) “Sch ed u led Tri b es ” mean s s u ch t ri b es or t ri b al commu n i t i es or
p art s of or grou p s wi t h i n s u ch t ri b es or t ri b al commu n i t i es as are
d eemed u n d er art i cle 3 4 2 t o b e Sch ed u led Tri b es for t h e p u rp os es of t h i s
Con s t i t u t i on ;
(2 6 ) “s ecu ri t i es ” i n clu d es s t ock;
* * * * *
(2 7 ) “s u b -clau s e” mean s a s u b -clau s e of t h e clau s e i n wh i ch t h e
ex p res s i on occu rs ;
(2 8 ) “t ax at i on ” i n clu d es t h e i mp os i t i on of an y t ax or i mp os t ,
wh et h er gen eral or local or s p eci al, an d “t ax ” s h all b e con s t ru ed
accord i n gly;
(2 9 ) “t ax on i n come” i n clu d es a t ax i n t h e n at u re of an ex ces s
p rofi t s t ax ;
(2 9 A) “t ax on t h e s ale or p u rch as e of good s ” i n clu d es —
(a ) a t ax on t h e t ran s fer, ot h erwi s e t h an i n p u rs u an ce of a
con t ract , of p rop ert y i n an y good s for cas h , d eferred p aymen t or
ot h er valu ab le con s i d erat i on ;
(b ) a t ax on t h e t ran s fer of p rop ert y i n good s (wh et h er as good s
or i n s ome ot h er form) i n volved i n t h e ex ecu t i on of a works
con t ract ;
(c) a t ax on t h e d eli very of good s on h i re-p u rch as e or an y
s ys t em of p aymen t b y i n s t almen t s ;
(d ) a t ax on t h e t ran s fer of t h e ri gh t t o u s e an y good s for an y
p u rp os e (wh et h er or n ot for a s p eci fi ed p eri od ) for cas h , d eferred
p aymen t or ot h er valu ab le con s i d erat i on ;
(e) a t ax on t h e s u p p ly of good s b y an y u n i n corp orat ed
as s oci at i on or b od y of p ers on s t o a memb er t h ereof for cas h ,
d eferred p aymen t or ot h er valu ab le con s i d erat i on ;
(f ) a t ax on t h e s u p p ly, b y way of or as p art of an y s ervi ce or i n
an y ot h er man n er wh at s oever, of good s , b ei n g food or an y ot h er
art i cle for h u man con s u mp t i on or an y d ri n k (wh et h er or n ot
i n t ox i cat i n g), wh ere s u ch s u p p ly or s ervi ce, i s for cas h , d eferred
p aymen t or ot h er valu ab le con s i d erat i on ;
an d s u ch t ran s fer, d eli very or s u p p ly of an y good s s h all b e d eemed t o
b e a s ale of t h os e good s b y t h e p ers on maki n g t h e t ran s fer, d eli very or
s u p p ly an d a p u rch as e of t h os e good s b y t h e p ers on t o wh om s u ch
t ran s fer, d eli very or s u p p ly i s mad e;
(3 0 ) "Un i on t erri t ory" mean s an y Un i on t erri t ory s p eci fi ed i n t h e
Fi rs t Sch ed u le an d i n clu d es an y ot h er t erri t ory comp ri s ed wi t h i n t h e
t erri t ory of In d i a b u t n ot s p eci fi ed i n t h at Sch ed u le.
 167 THE CONSTITUTION OF INDIA

3 6 7 . I nterpreta ti on.—(1 ) Un les s t h e con t ex t ot h erwi s e req u i res , t h e

G en eral Clau s es Act , 1 8 9 7 , s h all, s u b j ect t o an y ad ap t at i on s an d
mod i fi cat i on s t h at may b e mad e t h erei n u n d er art i cle 3 7 2 , ap p ly for t h e
i n t erp ret at i on of t h i s Con s t i t u t i on as i t ap p li es for t h e i n t erp ret at i on of an
Act of t h e Legi s lat u re of t h e Domi n i on of In d i a.
(2 ) An y referen ce i n t h i s Con s t i t u t i on t o Act s or laws of, or mad e b y,
Parli amen t , or t o Act s or laws of, or mad e b y, t h e Legi s lat u re of a St at e,
s h all b e con s t ru ed as i n clu d i n g a referen ce t o an Ord i n an ce mad e b y t h e
Pres i d en t or, t o an Ord i n an ce mad e b y a G overn or, as t h e cas e may b e.
(3 ) For t h e p u rp os es of t h i s Con s t i t u t i on “forei gn St at e” mean s an y St at e
ot h er t h an In d i a:
Provi d ed t h at , s u b j ect t o t h e p rovi s i on s of an y law mad e b y Parli amen t ,
t h e Pres i d en t may b y ord er d eclare an y St at e n ot t o b e a forei gn St at e for
s u ch p u rp os es as may b e s p eci fi ed i n t h e ord er.
 168 THE CONSTITUTION OF INDIA

PART XX
AMENDMENT OF THE CONSTITUTION
3 6 8 . P ow er of P a rl i a m ent to a m end the Cons ti tuti on a nd procedure
theref or.— (1 ) Not wi t h s t an d i n g an yt h i n g i n t h i s Con s t i t u t i on , Parli amen t
may i n ex erci s e of i t s con s t i t u en t p ower amen d b y way of ad d i t i on ,
vari at i on or rep eal an y p rovi s i on of t h i s Con s t i t u t i on i n accord an ce wi t h
t h e p roced u re lai d d own i n t h i s art i cle.
(2 ) An amen d men t of t h i s Con s t i t u t i on may b e i n i t i at ed on ly b y t h e
i n t rod u ct i on of a Bi ll for t h e p u rp os e i n ei t h er Hou s e of Parli amen t , an d
wh en t h e Bi ll i s p as s ed i n each Hou s e b y a maj ori t y of t h e t ot al
memb ers h i p of t h at Hou s e an d b y a maj ori t y of n ot les s t h an t wo-t h i rd s of
t h e memb ers of t h at Hou s e p res en t an d vot i n g, i t s h all b e p res en t ed t o t h e
Pres i d en t wh o s h all gi ve h i s as s en t t o t h e Bi ll an d t h ereu p on t h e
Con s t i t u t i on s h all s t an d amen d ed i n accord an ce wi t h t h e t erms of t h e Bi ll:
Provi d ed t h at i f s u ch amen d men t s eeks t o make an y ch an ge i n —
(a ) art i cle 5 4 , art i cle 5 5 , art i cle 7 3 , art i cle 1 6 2 or art i cle 2 4 1 , or
(b ) Ch ap t er IV of Part V, Ch ap t er V of Part VI, or Ch ap t er I of
Part XI, or
(c) an y of t h e Li s t s i n t h e Seven t h Sch ed u le, or
(d ) t h e rep res en t at i on of St at es i n Parli amen t , or
(e) t h e p rovi s i on s of t h i s art i cle,
t h e amen d men t s h all als o req u i re t o b e rat i fi ed b y t h e Legi s lat u res of n ot
les s t h an on e-h alf of t h e St at es b y res olu t i on s t o t h at effect p as s ed b y
t h os e Legi s lat u res b efore t h e Bi ll maki n g p rovi s i on for s u ch amen d men t i s
p res en t ed t o t h e Pres i d en t for as s en t .
(3 ) Not h i n g i n art i cle 1 3 s h all ap p ly t o an y amen d men t mad e u n d er t h i s
art i cle.
1
[(4 ) No amen d men t of t h i s Con s t i t u t i on (i n clu d i n g t h e p rovi s i on s of
Part III) mad e or p u rp ort i n g t o h ave b een mad e u n d er t h i s art i cle wh et h er
b efore or aft er t h e commen cemen t of s ect i on 5 5 of t h e Con s t i t u t i on (Fort y-
s econ d Amen d men t ) Act , 1 9 7 6 s h all b e called i n q u es t i on i n an y cou rt on
an y grou n d .
(5 ) For t h e removal of d ou b t s , i t i s h ereb y d eclared t h at t h ere s h all b e
n o li mi t at i on wh at ever on t h e con s t i t u en t p ower of Parli amen t t o amen d b y
way of ad d i t i on , vari at i on or rep eal t h e p rovi s i on s of t h i s Con s t i t u t i on
u n d er t h i s art i cle.]

1. Cls. (4) and (5) were ins. “in article 368 by s. 55 of the Constitution (Forty-second Amendment) Act, 1976. This section
has been declared invalid by the Supreme Court in Minerva Mills Ltd. and Others Vs. Union of India and Others
(1980 ) 2 S.C.C. 591.

168
 169 THE CONSTITUTION OF INDIA

PART XXI
TEMPORARY, TRANSITIONAL AND SPECIAL
PROVISIONS
3 6 9 . Tem pora ry pow er to P a rl i a m ent to m a ke l a w s w i th res pect to
certa i n m a tters i n the Sta te Li s t a s i f they w ere m a tters i n the
Concurrent Li s t.—Not wi t h s t an d i n g an yt h i n g i n t h i s Con s t i t u t i on ,
Parli amen t s h all, d u ri n g a p eri od of fi ve years from t h e commen cemen t of
t h i s Con s t i t u t i on , h ave p ower t o make laws wi t h res p ect t o t h e followi n g
mat t ers as i f t h ey were en u merat ed i n t h e Con cu rren t Li s t , n amely:—
(a ) t rad e an d commerce wi t h i n a St at e i n , an d t h e p rod u ct i on , s u p p ly
an d d i s t ri b u t i on of, cot t on an d woollen t ex t i les , raw cot t on (i n clu d i n g
gi n n ed cot t on an d u n gi n n ed cot t on or ka p a s ), cot t on s eed , p ap er
(i n clu d i n g n ews p ri n t ), food -s t u ffs (i n clu d i n g ed i b le oi ls eed s an d oi l),
cat t le fod d er (i n clu d i n g oi l-cakes an d ot h er con cen t rat es ), coal
(i n clu d i n g coke an d d eri vat i ves of coal), i ron , s t eel an d mi ca;
(b ) offen ces agai n s t laws wi t h res p ect t o an y of t h e mat t ers
men t i on ed i n clau s e (a ), j u ri s d i ct i on an d p owers of all cou rt s ex cep t t h e
Su p reme Cou rt wi t h res p ect t o an y of t h os e mat t ers , an d fees i n res p ect
of an y of t h os e mat t ers b u t n ot i n clu d i n g fees t aken i n an y cou rt ;
b u t an y law mad e b y Parli amen t , wh i ch Parli amen t wou ld n ot b u t for t h e
p rovi s i on s of t h i s art i cle h ave b een comp et en t t o make, s h all, t o t h e ex t en t
of t h e i n comp et en cy, ceas e t o h ave effect on t h e ex p i rat i on of t h e s ai d
p eri od , ex cep t as res p ect s t h i n gs d on e or omi t t ed t o b e d on e b efore t h e
ex p i rat i on t h ereof.
1
3 7 0 . Tem pora ry provi s i ons w i th res pect to the Sta te of J a m m u a nd
Ka s hm i r.—(1 ) Not wi t h s t an d i n g an yt h i n g i n t h i s Con s t i t u t i on ,—
(a ) t h e p rovi s i on s of art i cle 2 3 8 s h all n ot ap p ly i n relat i on t o t h e
St at e of J ammu an d Kas h mi r;
(b ) t h e p ower of Parli amen t t o make laws for t h e s ai d St at e s h all b e
li mi t ed t o—
(i ) t h os e mat t ers i n t h e Un i on Li s t an d t h e Con cu rren t Li s t
wh i ch , i n con s u lt at i on wi t h t h e G overn men t of t h e St at e, are
d eclared b y t h e Pres i d en t t o corres p on d t o mat t ers s p eci fi ed i n t h e
In s t ru men t of Acces s i on govern i n g t h e acces s i on of t h e St at e t o t h e
Domi n i on of In d i a as t h e mat t ers wi t h res p ect t o wh i ch t h e
Domi n i on Legi s lat u re may make laws for t h at St at e; an d
(i i ) s u ch ot h er mat t ers i n t h e s ai d Li s t s as , wi t h t h e con cu rren ce
of t h e G overn men t of t h e St at e, t h e Pres i d en t may b y ord er s p eci fy.

________________________________________________________________________________________
1. In exercise of the powers conferred by this article the President, on the recommendation of the Constituent
Assembly of the State of Jammu and Kashmir, declared that, as from the 17th day of November, 1952, the
said art. 370 shall be operative with the modification that for the Explanation in cl. (1) thereof, the following
Explanation is substituted, namely:-
“Explanation – For the purposes of this article, the Government of the State means the person for the time
being recognised by the President on the recommendation of the Legislative Assembly of the State as the
*Sadar-I Riyasat of Jammu and Kashmir, acting on the advice of the Council of Ministers of the State for
the time being in office.”.
(Ministry of Law Order No. C.O. 44, dated the 15th November, 1952).
*Now “Governor”.
169
 170 THE CONSTITUTION OF INDIA

Exp l a n a t i o n .— For t h e p u rp os es of t h i s art i cle, t h e G overn men t

of t h e St at e mean s t h e p ers on for t h e t i me b ei n g recogn i s ed b y t h e
Pres i d en t as t h e Mah araj a of J ammu an d Kas h mi r act i n g on t h e ad vi ce of
t h e Cou n ci l of Mi n i s t ers for t h e t i me b ei n g i n offi ce u n d er t h e Mah araj a’s
Proclamat i on d at ed t h e fi ft h d ay of March , 1 9 4 8 ;
(c) t h e p rovi s i on s of art i cle 1 an d of t h i s art i cle s h all ap p ly i n
relat i on t o t h at St at e;
(d ) s u ch of t h e ot h er p rovi s i on s of t h i s Con s t i t u t i on s h all ap p ly i n
relat i on t o t h at St at e s u b j ect t o s u ch ex cep t i on s an d mod i fi cat i on s as t h e
Pres i d en t may b y ord er s p eci fy:
Provi d ed t h at n o s u ch ord er wh i ch relat es t o t h e mat t ers s p eci fi ed i n t h e
In s t ru men t of Acces s i on of t h e St at e referred t o i n p aragrap h (i ) of s u b -
clau s e (b ) s h all b e i s s u ed ex cep t i n con s u lt at i on wi t h t h e G overn men t of
t h e St at e:
Provi d ed fu rt h er t h at n o s u ch ord er wh i ch relat es t o mat t ers ot h er t h an
t h os e referred t o i n t h e las t p reced i n g p rovi s o s h all b e i s s u ed ex cep t wi t h
t h e con cu rren ce of t h at G overn men t .
(2 ) If t h e con cu rren ce of t h e G overn men t of t h e St at e referred t o i n
p aragrap h (i i ) of s u b -clau s e (b ) of clau s e (1 ) or i n t h e s econ d p rovi s o t o
s u b -clau s e (d ) of t h at clau s e b e gi ven b efore t h e Con s t i t u en t As s emb ly for
t h e p u rp os e of frami n g t h e Con s t i t u t i on of t h e St at e i s con ven ed , i t s h all
b e p laced b efore s u ch As s emb ly for s u ch d eci s i on as i t may t ake t h ereon .
(3 ) Not wi t h s t an d i n g an yt h i n g i n t h e foregoi n g p rovi s i on s of t h i s art i cle,
t h e Pres i d en t may, b y p u b li c n ot i fi cat i on , d eclare t h at t h i s art i cle s h all
ceas e t o b e op erat i ve or s h all b e op erat i ve on ly wi t h s u ch ex cep t i on s an d
mod i fi cat i on s an d from s u ch d at e as h e may s p eci fy:
Provi d ed t h at t h e recommen d at i on of t h e Con s t i t u en t As s emb ly of t h e
St at e referred t o i n clau s e (2 ) s h all b e n eces s ary b efore t h e Pres i d en t
i s s u es s u ch a n ot i fi cat i on .
3 7 1 . Speci a l provi s i on w i th res pect to the Sta tes of M a ha ra s htra a nd
Guja ra t.— * * * * *
(2 ) Not wi t h s t an d i n g an yt h i n g i n t h i s Con s t i t u t i on , t h e Pres i d en t may b y
ord er mad e wi t h res p ect t o t h e St at e of Mah aras h t ra or G u j arat , p rovi d e for
an y s p eci al res p on s i b i li t y of t h e G overn or for—
(a ) t h e es t ab li s h men t of s ep arat e d evelop men t b oard s for Vi d arb h a,
Marat h wad a, an d t h e res t of Mah aras h t ra or, as t h e cas e may b e,
Sau ras h t ra, Ku t ch an d t h e res t of G u j arat wi t h t h e p rovi s i on t h at a
rep ort on t h e worki n g of each of t h es e b oard s wi ll b e p laced each year
b efore t h e St at e Legi s lat i ve As s emb ly;
(b ) t h e eq u i t ab le allocat i on of fu n d s for d evelop men t al ex p en d i t u re
over t h e s ai d areas , s u b j ect t o t h e req u i remen t s of t h e St at e as a wh ole;
an d
 171 THE CONSTITUTION OF INDIA

(c) an eq u i t ab le arran gemen t p rovi d i n g ad eq u at e faci li t i es for

t ech n i cal ed u cat i on an d vocat i on al t rai n i n g, an d ad eq u at e op p ort u n i t i es
for emp loymen t i n s ervi ces u n d er t h e con t rol of t h e St at e G overn men t ,
i n res p ect of all t h e s ai d areas , s u b j ect t o t h e req u i remen t s of t h e St at e
as a wh ole.
3 7 1 A. Speci a l provi s i on w i th res pect to the Sta te of Na g a l a nd.—(1 )
Not wi t h s t an d i n g an yt h i n g i n t h i s Con s t i t u t i on ,—
(a ) n o Act of Parli amen t i n res p ect of—
(i ) reli gi ou s or s oci al p ract i ces of t h e Nagas ,
(i i ) Naga cu s t omary law an d p roced u re,
(i i i ) ad mi n i s t rat i on of ci vi l an d cri mi n al j u s t i ce i n volvi n g
d eci s i on s accord i n g t o Naga cu s t omary law,
(i v) own ers h i p an d t ran s fer of lan d an d i t s res ou rces ,
s h all ap p ly t o t h e St at e of Nagalan d u n les s t h e Legi s lat i ve As s emb ly of
Nagalan d b y a res olu t i on s o d eci d es ;
(b ) t h e G overn or of Nagalan d s h all h ave s p eci al res p on s i b i li t y wi t h
res p ect t o law an d ord er i n t h e St at e of Nagalan d for s o lon g as i n h i s
op i n i on i n t ern al d i s t u rb an ces occu rri n g i n t h e Naga Hi lls -Tu en s an g Area
i mmed i at ely b efore t h e format i on of t h at St at e con t i n u e t h erei n or i n
an y p art t h ereof an d i n t h e d i s ch arge of h i s fu n ct i on s i n relat i on t h eret o
t h e G overn or s h all, aft er con s u lt i n g t h e Cou n ci l of Mi n i s t ers , ex erci s e
h i s i n d i vi d u al j u d gmen t as t o t h e act i on t o b e t aken :
Provi d ed t h at i f an y q u es t i on ari s es wh et h er an y mat t er i s or i s n ot a
mat t er as res p ect s wh i ch t h e G overn or i s u n d er t h i s s u b -clau s e req u i red t o
act i n t h e ex erci s e of h i s i n d i vi d u al j u d gmen t , t h e d eci s i on of t h e G overn or
i n h i s d i s cret i on s h all b e fi n al, an d t h e vali d i t y of an yt h i n g d on e b y t h e
G overn or s h all n ot b e called i n q u es t i on on t h e grou n d t h at h e ou gh t or
ou gh t n ot t o h ave act ed i n t h e ex erci s e of h i s i n d i vi d u al j u d gmen t :
Provi d ed fu rt h er t h at i f t h e Pres i d en t on recei p t of a rep ort from t h e
G overn or or ot h erwi s e i s s at i s fi ed t h at i t i s n o lon ger n eces s ary for t h e
G overn or t o h ave s p eci al res p on s i b i li t y wi t h res p ect t o law an d ord er i n t h e
St at e of Nagalan d , h e may b y ord er d i rect t h at t h e G overn or s h all ceas e t o
h ave s u ch res p on s i b i li t y wi t h effect from s u ch d at e as may b e s p eci fi ed i n
t h e ord er;
(c) i n maki n g h i s recommen d at i on wi t h res p ect t o an y d eman d for a
gran t , t h e G overn or of Nagalan d s h all en s u re t h at an y mon ey p rovi d ed
b y t h e G overn men t of In d i a ou t of t h e Con s oli d at ed Fu n d of In d i a for
an y s p eci fi c s ervi ce or p u rp os e i s i n clu d ed i n t h e d eman d for a gran t
relat i n g t o t h at s ervi ce or p u rp os e an d n ot i n an y ot h er d eman d ;
(d ) as from s u ch d at e as t h e G overn or of Nagalan d may b y p u b li c
n ot i fi cat i on i n t h i s b eh alf s p eci fy, t h ere s h all b e es t ab li s h ed a regi on al
cou n ci l for t h e Tu en s an g d i s t ri ct con s i s t i n g of t h i rt y-fi ve memb ers an d
t h e G overn or s h all i n h i s d i s cret i on make ru les p rovi d i n g for—
 172 THE CONSTITUTION OF INDIA

(i ) t h e comp os i t i on of t h e regi on al cou n ci l an d t h e man n er i n

wh i ch t h e memb ers of t h e regi on al cou n ci l s h all b e ch os en :
Provided that the Deputy Commissioner of the Tuensang district shall be the
Chairman ex officio of the regional council and the Vice-Chairman of the regional council
shall be elected by the members thereof from amongst themselves;
(ii) the qualifications for being chosen as, and for being, members of the
regional council;
(iii) the term of office of, and the salaries and allowances, if any, to be paid to
members of, the regional council;
(iv) the procedure and conduct of business of the regional council;
(v) the appointment of officers and staff of the regional council and their
conditions of services; and
(vi) any other matter in respect of which it is necessary to make rules for the
constitution and proper functioning of the regional council.
(2) Notwithstanding anything in this Constitution, for a period of ten years from the date
of the formation of the State of Nagaland or for such further period as the Governor may, on
the recommendation of the regional council, by public notification specify in this behalf,—
(a) the administration of the Tuensang district shall be carried on by the Governor;
(b) where any money is provided by the Government of India to the Government of
Nagaland to meet the requirements of the State of Nagaland as a whole, the Governor
shall in his discretion arrange for an equitable allocation of that money between the
Tuensang district and the rest of the State;
(c) no Act of the Legislature of Nagaland shall apply to Tuensang district unless the
Governor, on the recommendation of the regional council, by public notification so directs
and the Governor in giving such direction with respect to any such Act may direct that the
Act shall in its application to the Tuensang district or any part thereof have effect subject
to such exceptions or modifications as the Governor may specify on the recommendation
of the regional council:
Provided that any direction given under this sub-clause may be given so as to have
retrospective effect;
(d) the Governor may make regulations for the peace, progress and good government
of the Tuensang district and any regulations so made may repeal or amend with
retrospective effect, if necessary, any Act of Parliament or any other law which is for the
time being applicable to that district;
(e) (i) one of the members representing the Tuensang district in the Legislative
Assembly of Nagaland shall be appointed Minister for Tuensang affairs by the Governor
on the advice of the Chief Minister and the Chief Minister in tendering his advice shall act
on the recommendation of the majority of the members as aforesaid;
(i i ) t h e Mi n i s t er for Tu en s an g affai rs s h all d eal wi t h , an d h ave
d i rect acces s t o t h e G overn or on , all mat t ers relat i n g t o t h e Tu en s an g
d i s t ri ct b u t h e s h all keep t h e Ch i ef Mi n i s t er i n formed ab ou t t h e s ame;
(f ) n ot wi t h s t an d i n g an yt h i n g i n t h e foregoi n g p rovi s i on s of t h i s
clau s e, t h e fi n al d eci s i on on all mat t ers relat i n g t o t h e Tu en s an g d i s t ri ct
s h all b e mad e b y t h e G overn or i n h i s d i s cret i on ;
 173 THE CONSTITUTION OF INDIA

(g ) i n art i cles 5 4 an d 5 5 an d clau s e (4 ) of art i cle 8 0 , referen ces t o

t h e elect ed memb ers of t h e Legi s lat i ve As s emb ly of a St at e or t o each
s u ch memb er s h all i n clu d e referen ces t o t h e memb ers or memb er of t h e
Legi s lat i ve As s emb ly of Nagalan d elect ed b y t h e regi on al cou n ci l
es t ab li s h ed u n d er t h i s art i cle;
(h ) i n art i cle 1 7 0 —
(i ) clau s e (1 ) s h all, i n relat i on t o t h e Legi s lat i ve As s emb ly of
Nagalan d , h ave effect as i f for t h e word “s i x t y”, t h e word “fort y-
s i x ” h ad b een s u b s t i t u t ed ;
(i i ) i n t h e s ai d clau s e, t h e referen ce t o d i rect elect i on from
t erri t ori al con s t i t u en ci es i n t h e St at e s h all i n clu d e elect i on b y t h e
memb ers of t h e regi on al cou n ci l es t ab li s h ed u n d er t h i s art i cle;
(i i i ) i n clau s es (2 ) an d (3 ), referen ces t o t erri t ori al
con s t i t u en ci es s h all mean referen ces t o t erri t ori al con s t i t u en ci es i n
t h e Koh i ma an d Mokokch u n g d i s t ri ct s .
(3 ) If an y d i ffi cu lt y ari s es i n gi vi n g effect t o an y of t h e foregoi n g
p rovi s i on s of t h i s art i cle, t h e Pres i d en t may b y ord er d o an yt h i n g
(i n clu d i n g an y ad ap t at i on or mod i fi cat i on of an y ot h er art i cle) wh i ch
ap p ears t o h i m t o b e n eces s ary for t h e p u rp os e of removi n g t h at d i ffi cu lt y:
Provi d ed t h at n o s u ch ord er s h all b e mad e aft er t h e ex p i rat i on of t h ree
years from t h e d at e of t h e format i on of t h e St at e of Nagalan d .
Exp l a n a t i o n ..—In t h i s art i cle, t h e Koh i ma, Mokokch u n g an d Tu en s an g
d i s t ri ct s s h all h ave t h e s ame mean i n gs as i n t h e St at e of Nagalan d Act ,
1962.
3 7 1 B . Speci a l provi s i on w i th res pect to the Sta te of As s a m .—
Not wi t h s t an d i n g an yt h i n g i n t h i s Con s t i t u t i on , t h e Pres i d en t may, b y ord er
mad e wi t h res p ect t o t h e St at e of As s am, p rovi d e for t h e con s t i t u t i on an d
fu n ct i on s of a commi t t ee of t h e Legi s lat i ve As s emb ly of t h e St at e
con s i s t i n g of memb ers of t h at As s emb ly elect ed from t h e t ri b al areas
s p eci fi ed i n Part I of t h e t ab le ap p en d ed t o p aragrap h 2 0 of t h e Si x t h
Sch ed u le an d s u ch n u mb er of ot h er memb ers of t h at As s emb ly as may b e
s p eci fi ed i n t h e ord er an d for t h e mod i fi cat i on s t o b e mad e i n t h e ru les of
p roced u re of t h at As s emb ly for t h e con s t i t u t i on an d p rop er fu n ct i on i n g of
s u ch commi t t ee.
3 7 1 C. Speci a l provi s i on w i th res pect to the Sta te of M a ni pur.—(1 )
Not wi t h s t an d i n g an yt h i n g i n t h i s Con s t i t u t i on , t h e Pres i d en t may, b y ord er
mad e wi t h res p ect t o t h e St at e of Man i p u r, p rovi d e for t h e con s t i t u t i on an d
fu n ct i on s of a commi t t ee of t h e Legi s lat i ve As s emb ly of t h e St at e
con s i s t i n g of memb ers of t h at As s emb ly elect ed from t h e Hi ll Areas of t h at
St at e, for t h e mod i fi cat i on s t o b e mad e i n t h e ru les of b u s i n es s of t h e
G overn men t an d i n t h e ru les of p roced u re of t h e Legi s lat i ve As s emb ly of
t h e St at e an d for an y s p eci al res p on s i b i li t y of t h e G overn or i n ord er t o
s ecu re t h e p rop er fu n ct i on i n g of s u ch commi t t ee.
 174 THE CONSTITUTION OF INDIA

(2) The Governor shall annually, or whenever so required by the President, make a report
to the President regarding the administration of the Hill Areas in the State of Manipur and the
executive power of the Union shall extend to the giving of directions to the State as to the
administration of the said areas.
Explanation.—In this article, the expression “Hill Areas” means such areas as the
President may, by order, declare to be Hill areas.
371D. Special provisions with respect to the State of Andhra Pradesh.—(1) The
President may by order made with respect to the State of Andhra Pradesh provide, having
regard to the requirements of the State as a whole, for equitable opportunities and facilities for
the people belonging to different parts of the State, in the matter of public employment and in
the matter of education, and different provisions may be made for various parts of the State.
(2) An order made under clause (1) may, in particular,—
(a) require the State Government to organise any class or classes of posts in a civil
service of, or any class or classes of civil posts under, the State into different local cadres
for different parts of the State and allot in accordance with such principles and procedure
as may be specified in the order the persons holding such posts to the local cadres so
organised;
(b) specify any part or parts of the State which shall be regarded as the local area—
(i) for direct recruitment to posts in any local cadre (whether organised in
pursuance of an order under this article or constituted otherwise) under the State
Government;
(ii) for direct recruitment to posts in any cadre under any local authority within the
State; and
(iii) for the purposes of admission to any University within the State or to any other
educational institution which is subject to the control of the State Government;
(c) specify the extent to which, the manner in which and the conditions subject to
which, preference or reservation shall be given or made—
(i) in the matter of direct recruitment to posts in any such cadre referred to in
sub-clause (b) as may be specified in this behalf in the order;
(ii) in the matter of admission to any such University or other educational
institution referred to in sub-clause (b) as may be specified in this behalf in the
order,
t o or i n favou r of can d i d at es wh o h ave res i d ed or s t u d i ed for an y p eri od
s p eci fi ed i n t h e ord er i n t h e local area i n res p ect of s u ch cad re, Un i vers i t y
or ot h er ed u cat i on al i n s t i t u t i on , as t h e cas e may b e.
(3 ) Th e Pres i d en t may, b y ord er, p rovi d e for t h e con s t i t u t i on of an
Ad mi n i s t rat i ve Tri b u n al for t h e St at e of An d h ra Prad es h t o ex erci s e s u ch
j u ri s d i ct i on , p owers an d au t h ori t y [i n clu d i n g an y j u ri s d i ct i on , p ower an d
au t h ori t y wh i ch i mmed i at ely b efore t h e commen cemen t of t h e Con s t i t u t i on
(Th i rt y-s econ d Amen d men t ) Act , 1 9 7 3 , was ex erci s ab le b y an y cou rt (ot h er
t h an t h e Su p reme Cou rt ) or b y an y t ri b u n al or ot h er au t h ori t y] as may b e
s p eci fi ed i n t h e ord er wi t h res p ect t o t h e followi n g mat t ers , n amely:—
 175 THE CONSTITUTION OF INDIA

(a ) ap p oi n t men t , allot men t or p romot i on t o s u ch clas s or clas s es of

p os t s i n an y ci vi l s ervi ce of t h e St at e, or t o s u ch clas s or clas s es of ci vi l
p os t s u n d er t h e St at e, or t o s u ch clas s or clas s es of p os t s u n d er t h e
con t rol of an y local au t h ori t y wi t h i n t h e St at e, as may b e s p eci fi ed i n
t h e ord er;
(b ) s en i ori t y of p ers on s ap p oi n t ed , allot t ed or p romot ed t o s u ch
clas s or clas s es of p os t s i n an y ci vi l s ervi ce of t h e St at e, or t o s u ch
clas s or clas s es of ci vi l p os t s u n d er t h e St at e, or t o s u ch clas s or clas s es
of p os t s u n d er t h e con t rol of an y local au t h ori t y wi t h i n t h e St at e, as may
b e s p eci fi ed i n t h e ord er;
(c) s u ch ot h er con d i t i on s of s ervi ce of p ers on s ap p oi n t ed , allot t ed or
p romot ed t o s u ch clas s or clas s es of p os t s i n an y ci vi l s ervi ce of t h e
St at e or t o s u ch clas s or clas s es of ci vi l p os t s u n d er t h e St at e or t o s u ch
clas s or clas s es of p os t s u n d er t h e con t rol of an y local au t h ori t y wi t h i n
t h e St at e, as may b e s p eci fi ed i n t h e ord er.
(4 ) An ord er mad e u n d er clau s e (3 ) may—
(a ) au t h ori s e the Ad mi n i s t rat i ve Tri b u n al to recei ve
rep res en t at i on s for t h e red res s of gri evan ces relat i n g t o an y mat t er
wi t h i n i t s j u ri s d i ct i on as t h e Pres i d en t may s p eci fy i n t h e ord er an d
t o make s u ch ord ers t h ereon as t h e Ad mi n i s t rat i ve Tri b u n al d eems
fi t ;
(b ) con t ai n s u ch p rovi s i on s wi t h res p ect t o t h e p owers an d
au t h ori t i es an d p roced u re of t h e Ad mi n i s t rat i ve Tri b u n al (i n clu d i n g
p rovi s i on s wi t h res p ect t o t h e p owers of t h e Ad mi n i s t rat i ve Tri b u n al
t o p u n i s h for con t emp t of i t s elf) as t h e Pres i d en t may d eem
n eces s ary;
(c) p rovi d e for t h e t ran s fer t o t h e Ad mi n i s t rat i ve Tri b u n al of
s u ch clas s es of p roceed i n gs , b ei n g p roceed i n gs relat i n g t o mat t ers
wi t h i n i t s j u ri s d i ct i on an d p en d i n g b efore an y cou rt (ot h er t h an t h e
Su p reme Cou rt ) or t ri b u n al or ot h er au t h ori t y i mmed i at ely b efore
t h e commen cemen t of s u ch ord er, as may b e s p eci fi ed i n t h e ord er;
(d ) con t ai n s u ch s u p p lemen t al, i n ci d en t al an d con s eq u en t i al
p rovi s i on s (i n clu d i n g p rovi s i on s as t o fees an d as t o li mi t at i on ,
evi d en ce or for t h e ap p li cat i on of an y law for t h e t i me b ei n g i n
force s u b j ect t o an y ex cep t i on s or mod i fi cat i on s ) as t h e Pres i d en t
may d eem n eces s ary.
1
(5 ) Th e Ord er of t h e Ad mi n i s t rat i ve Tri b u n al fi n ally d i s p os i n g of an y
cas e s h all b ecome effect i ve u p on i t s con fi rmat i on b y t h e St at e G overn men t
or on t h e ex p i ry of t h ree mon t h s from t h e d at e on wh i ch t h e ord er i s mad e,
wh i ch ever i s earli er:
Provi d ed t h at t h e St at e G overn men t may, b y s p eci al ord er mad e i n
wri t i n g an d for reas on s t o b e s p eci fi ed t h erei n , mod i fy or an n u l an y ord er
of t h e Ad mi n i s t rat i ve Tri b u n al b efore i t b ecomes effect i ve an d i n s u ch a
cas e, t h e ord er of t h e Ad mi n i s t rat i ve Tri b u n al s h all h ave effect on ly i n
s u ch mod i fi ed form or b e of n o effect , as t h e cas e may b e.

_______________________________________________
1. In P. Sambamurthy and others vs. State of Andhara Pradesh and other (1987) 1SCC, p. 362, the Supreme Court
declared clause (5) of art. 371D along with the proviso to be unconstitutional and void.
 176 THE CONSTITUTION OF INDIA

(6 ) Every s p eci al ord er mad e b y t h e St at e G overn men t u n d er t h e p rovi s o

t o clau s e (5 ) s h all b e lai d , as s oon as may b e aft er i t i s mad e, b efore b ot h
Hou s es of t h e St at e Legi s lat u re.
(7 ) Th e Hi gh Cou rt for t h e St at e s h all n ot h ave an y p owers of
s u p eri n t en d en ce over t h e Ad mi n i s t rat i ve Tri b u n al an d n o cou rt (ot h er t h an
t h e Su p reme Cou rt ) or t ri b u n al s h all ex erci s e an y j u ri s d i ct i on , p ower or
au t h ori t y i n res p ect of an y mat t er s u b j ect t o t h e j u ri s d i ct i on , p ower or
au t h ori t y of, or i n relat i on t o, t h e Ad mi n i s t rat i ve Tri b u n al.
(8 ) If t h e Pres i d en t i s s at i s fi ed t h at t h e con t i n u ed ex i s t en ce of t h e
Ad mi n i s t rat i ve Tri b u n al i s n ot n eces s ary, t h e Pres i d en t may b y ord er
ab oli s h t h e Ad mi n i s t rat i ve Tri b u n al an d make s u ch p rovi s i on s i n s u ch
ord er as h e may d eem fi t for t h e t ran s fer an d d i s p os al of cas es p en d i n g
b efore t h e Tri b u n al i mmed i at ely b efore s u ch ab oli t i on .
(9 ) Not wi t h s t an d i n g an y j u d gmen t , d ecree or ord er of an y cou rt , t ri b u n al
or ot h er au t h ori t y,—
(a ) n o ap p oi n t men t , p os t i n g, p romot i on or t ran s fer of an y p ers on —
(i ) mad e b efore t h e 1 s t d ay of Novemb er, 1 9 5 6 , t o an y p os t
u n d er t h e G overn men t of, or an y local au t h ori t y wi t h i n , t h e St at e of
Hyd erab ad as i t ex i s t ed b efore t h at d at e; or
(i i ) mad e b efore t h e commen cemen t of t h e Con s t i t u t i on (Th i rt y-
s econ d Amen d men t ) Act , 1 9 7 3 , t o an y p os t u n d er t h e G overn men t
of, or an y local or ot h er au t h ori t y wi t h i n , t h e St at e of An d h ra
Prad es h ; an d
(b ) n o act i on t aken or t h i n g d on e b y or b efore an y p ers on referred t o
i n s u b -clau s e (a ),
s h all b e d eemed t o b e i llegal or voi d or ever t o h ave b ecome i llegal or voi d
merely on t h e grou n d t h at t h e ap p oi n t men t , p os t i n g, p romot i on or t ran s fer
of s u ch p ers on was n ot mad e i n accord an ce wi t h an y law, t h en i n force,
p rovi d i n g for an y req u i remen t as t o res i d en ce wi t h i n t h e St at e of
Hyd erab ad or, as t h e cas e may b e, wi t h i n an y p art of t h e St at e of An d h ra
Prad es h , i n res p ect of s u ch ap p oi n t men t , p os t i n g, p romot i on or t ran s fer.
(1 0 ) Th e p rovi s i on s of t h i s art i cle an d of an y ord er mad e b y t h e
Pres i d en t t h ereu n d er s h all h ave effect n ot wi t h s t an d i n g an yt h i n g i n an y
ot h er p rovi s i on of t h i s Con s t i t u t i on or i n an y ot h er law for t h e t i me b ei n g
i n force.
3 7 1 E. Es ta bl i s hm ent of Centra l Uni vers i ty i n Andhra P ra des h.—
Parli amen t may b y law p rovi d e for t h e es t ab li s h men t of a Un i vers i t y i n t h e
St at e of An d h ra Prad es h .
3 7 1 F . Speci a l provi s i ons w i th res pect to the Sta te of Si kki m .—
Not wi t h s t an d i n g an yt h i n g i n t h i s Con s t i t u t i on ,—
(a ) t h e Legi s lat i ve As s emb ly of t h e St at e of Si kki m s h all con s i s t of
n ot les s t h an t h i rt y memb ers ;
177 THE CONSTITUTION OF INDIA

(b ) as from t h e d at e of commen cemen t of t h e Con s t i t u t i on (Th i rt y-

s i x t h Amen d men t ) Act , 1 9 7 5 (h ereaft er i n t h i s art i cle referred t o as t h e
ap p oi n t ed d ay)—
(i ) t h e As s emb ly for Si kki m formed as a res u lt of t h e elect i on s
h eld i n Si kki m i n Ap ri l, 1 9 7 4 wi t h t h i rt y-t wo memb ers elect ed i n
t h e s ai d elect i on s (h erei n aft er referred t o as t h e s i t t i n g memb ers )
s h all b e d eemed t o b e t h e Legi s lat i ve As s emb ly of t h e St at e of
Si kki m d u ly con s t i t u t ed u n d er t h i s Con s t i t u t i on ;
(i i ) t h e s i t t i n g memb ers s h all b e d eemed t o b e t h e memb ers of
t h e Legi s lat i ve As s emb ly of t h e St at e of Si kki m d u ly elect ed u n d er
t h i s Con s t i t u t i on ; an d
(i i i ) t h e s ai d Legi s lat i ve As s emb ly of t h e St at e of Si kki m s h all
ex erci s e t h e p owers an d p erform t h e fu n ct i on s of t h e Legi s lat i ve
As s emb ly of a St at e u n d er t h i s Con s t i t u t i on ;
(c) i n t h e cas e of t h e As s emb ly d eemed t o b e t h e Legi s lat i ve
As s emb ly of t h e St at e of Si kki m u n d er clau s e (b ), t h e referen ces t o t h e
p eri od of fi ve years , i n clau s e (1 ) of art i cle 1 7 2 s h all b e con s t ru ed as
referen ces t o a p eri od of fou r years an d t h e s ai d p eri od of fou r years
s h all b e d eemed t o commen ce from t h e ap p oi n t ed d ay;
(d ) u n t i l ot h er p rovi s i on s are mad e b y Parli amen t b y law, t h ere
s h all b e allot t ed t o t h e St at e of Si kki m on e s eat i n t h e Hou s e of t h e
Peop le an d t h e St at e of Si kki m s h all form on e p arli amen t ary
con s t i t u en cy t o b e called t h e p arli amen t ary con s t i t u en cy for Si kki m;
(e) t h e rep res en t at i ve of t h e St at e of Si kki m i n t h e Hou s e of t h e
Peop le i n ex i s t en ce on t h e ap p oi n t ed d ay s h all b e elect ed b y t h e
memb ers of t h e Legi s lat i ve As s emb ly of t h e St at e of Si kki m;
(f ) Parli amen t may, for t h e p u rp os e of p rot ect i n g t h e ri gh t s an d
i n t eres t s of t h e d i fferen t s ect i on s of t h e p op u lat i on of Si kki m make
p rovi s i on for t h e n u mb er of s eat s i n t h e Legi s lat i ve As s emb ly of t h e
St at e of Si kki m wh i ch may b e fi lled b y can d i d at es b elon gi n g t o s u ch
s ect i on s an d for t h e d eli mi t at i on of t h e as s emb ly con s t i t u en ci es from
wh i ch can d i d at es b elon gi n g t o s u ch s ect i on s alon e may s t an d for
elect i on t o t h e Legi s lat i ve As s emb ly of t h e St at e of Si kki m;
(g) the Governor of Sikkim shall have special responsibility for peace and for an
equitable arrangement for ensuring the social and economic advancement of different
sections of the population of Sikkim and in the discharge of his special responsibility
under this clause, the Governor of Sikkim shall, subject to such directions as the President
may, from time to time, deem fit to issue, act in his discretion;
(h) all property and assets (whether within or outside the territories comprised in the
State of Sikkim) which immediately before the appointed day were vested in the
Government of Sikkim or in any other authority or in any person for the purposes of the
Government of Sikkim shall, as from the appointed day, vest in the Government of the
State of Sikkim;
 178 THE CONSTITUTION OF INDIA

(i) the High Court functioning as such immediately before the appointed day in the
territories comprised in the State of Sikkim shall, on and from the appointed day, be
deemed to be the High Court for the State of Sikkim;
(j) all courts of civil, criminal and revenue jurisdiction, all authorities and all officers,
judicial, executive and ministerial, throughout the territory of the State of Sikkim shall
continue on and from the appointed day to exercise their respective functions subject to
the provisions of this Constitution;
(k) all laws in force immediately before the appointed day in the territories comprised
in the State of Sikkim or any part thereof shall continue to be in force therein until
amended or repealed by a competent Legislature or other competent authority;
(l) for the purpose of facilitating the application of any such law as is referred to in
clause (k) in relation to the administration of the State of Sikkim and for the purpose of
bringing the provisions of any such law into accord with the provisions of this
Constitution, the President may, within two years from the appointed day, by order, make
such adaptations and modifications of the law, whether by way of repeal or amendment,
as may be necessary or expedient, and thereupon, every such law shall have effect subject
to the adaptations and modifications so made, and any such adaptation or modification
shall not be questioned in any court of law;
(m) neither the Supreme Court nor any other court shall have jurisdiction in respect
of any dispute or other matter arising out of any treaty, agreement, engagement or other
similar instrument relating to Sikkim which was entered into or executed before the
appointed day and to which the Government of India or any of its predecessor
Governments was a party, but nothing in this clause shall be construed to derogate from
the provisions of article 143;
(n) the President may, by public notification, extend with such restrictions or
modifications as he thinks fit to the State of Sikkim any enactment which is in force in a
State in India at the date of the notification;
(o) if any difficulty arises in giving effect to any of the foregoing provisions of this
article, the President may, by order, do anything (including any adaptation or modification
of any other article) which appears to him to be necessary for the purpose of removing
that difficulty:
Provi d ed t h at n o s u ch ord er s h all b e mad e aft er t h e ex p i ry of t wo
years from t h e ap p oi n t ed d ay;
(p) all things done and all actions taken in or in relation to the State of Sikkim or the
territories comprised therein during the period commencing on the appointed day and
ending immediately before the date on which the Constitution (Thirty-sixth Amendment)
Act, 1975, receives the assent of the President shall, in so far as they are in conformity
with the provisions of this Constitution as amended by the Constitution (Thirty-sixth
Amendment) Act, 1975, be deemed for all purposes to have been validly done or taken
under this Constitution as so amended.
371G. Special provision with respect to the State of Mizoram.—Notwithstanding
anything in this Constitution,—
(a) no Act of Parliament in respect of—
(i) religious or social practices of the Mizos,
(ii) Mizo customary law and procedure,
 179 THE CONSTITUTION OF INDIA

(iii) administration of civil and criminal justice involving decisions according

to Mizo customary law,
(iv) ownership and transfer of land,
shall apply to the State of Mizoram unless the Legislative Assembly of the State of
Mizoram by a resolution so decides :
Provided that nothing in this clause shall apply to any Central Act in force in the
Union territory of Mizoram immediately before the commencement of the Constitution
(Fifty-third Amendment) Act, 1986;
(b ) t h e Legi s lat i ve As s emb ly of t h e St at e of Mi zoram s h all con s i s t
of n ot les s t h an fort y memb ers .
371H. Special provision with respect to the State of Arunachal Pradesh.—
Notwithstanding anything in this Constitution,—
(a) the Governor of Arunachal Pradesh shall have special responsibility with respect
to law and order in the State of Arunachal Pradesh and in the discharge of his functions in
relation thereto, the Governor shall, after consulting the Council of Ministers, exercise his
individual judgment as to the action to be taken:
Provided that if any question arises whether any matter is or is not a matter as
respects which the Governor is under this clause required to act in the exercise of his
individual judgment, the decision of the Governor in his discretion shall be final, and the
validity of anything done by the Governor shall not be called in question on the ground
that he ought or ought not to have acted in the exercise of his individual judgment:
Provided further that if the President on receipt of a report from the Governor or
otherwise is satisfied that it is no longer necessary for the Governor to have special
responsibility with respect to law and order in the State of Arunachal Pradesh, he may by
order direct that the Governor shall cease to have such responsibility with effect from such
date as may be specified in the order;
(b ) t h e Legi s lat i ve As s emb ly of t h e St at e of Aru n ach al Prad es h s h all
con s i s t of n ot les s t h an t h i rt y memb ers .
3 7 1 -I . Speci a l provi s i on w i th res pect to the Sta te of Goa .—
Not wi t h s t an d i n g an yt h i n g i n t h i s Con s t i t u t i on , t h e Legi s lat i ve As s emb ly of
t h e St at e of G oa s h all con s i s t of n ot les s t h an t h i rt y memb ers .
3 7 2 . Conti nua nce i n f orce of exi s ti ng l a w s a nd thei r a da pta ti on.—(1 )
Not wi t h s t an d i n g t h e rep eal b y t h i s Con s t i t u t i on of t h e en act men t s referred
t o i n art i cle 3 9 5 b u t s u b j ect t o t h e ot h er p rovi s i on s of t h i s Con s t i t u t i on , all
t h e law i n force i n t h e t erri t ory of In d i a i mmed i at ely b efore t h e
commen cemen t of t h i s Con s t i t u t i on s h all con t i n u e i n force t h erei n u n t i l
alt ered or rep ealed or amen d ed b y a comp et en t Legi s lat u re or ot h er
comp et en t au t h ori t y.
(2 ) For t h e p u rp os e of b ri n i n g t h e p rovi s i on s of an y law i n force i n t h e
t erri t ory of In d i a i n t o accord wi t h t h e p rovi s i on s of t h i s Con s t i t u t i on , t h e
Pres i d en t may b y ord er make s u ch ad ap t at i on s an d mod i fi cat i on s of s u ch
law, wh et h er b y way of rep eal or amen d men t , as may b e n eces s ary or
ex p ed i en t , an d p rovi d e t h at t h e law s h all, as from s u ch d at e as may b e
s p eci fi ed i n t h e ord er, h ave effect s u b j ect t o t h e ad ap t at i on s an d
 180 THE CONSTITUTION OF INDIA

mod i fi cat i on s s o mad e, an d an y s u ch ad ap t at i on or mod i fi cat i on s h all n ot

b e q u es t i on ed i n an y cou rt of law.
(3 ) Not h i n g i n clau s e (2 ) s h all b e d eemed —
(a ) t o emp ower t h e Pres i d en t t o make an y ad ap t at i on or mod i fi cat i on
of an y law aft er t h e ex p i rat i on of t h ree years from t h e commen cemen t of
t h i s Con s t i t u t i on ; or
(b ) t o p reven t an y comp et en t Legi s lat u re or ot h er comp et en t
au t h ori t y from rep eali n g or amen d i n g an y law ad ap t ed or mod i fi ed b y
t h e Pres i d en t u n d er t h e s ai d clau s e.
Exp l a n a t i o n I.—Th e ex p res s i on “law i n force” i n t h i s art i cle s h all
i n clu d e a law p as s ed or mad e b y a Legi s lat u re or ot h er comp et en t au t h ori t y
i n t h e t erri t ory of In d i a b efore t h e commen cemen t of t h i s Con s t i t u t i on an d
n ot p revi ou s ly rep ealed , n ot wi t h s t an d i n g t h at i t or p art s of i t may n ot b e
t h en i n op erat i on ei t h er at all or i n p art i cu lar areas .
Exp l a n a t i o n II.—An y law p as s ed or mad e b y a Legi s lat u re or ot h er
comp et en t au t h ori t y i n t h e t erri t ory of In d i a wh i ch i mmed i at ely b efore t h e
commen cemen t of t h i s Con s t i t u t i on h ad ex t ra-t erri t ori al effect as well as
effect i n t h e t erri t ory of In d i a s h all, s u b j ect t o an y s u ch ad ap t at i on s an d
mod i fi cat i on s as afores ai d , con t i u e t o h ave s u ch ex t ra-t erri t ori al effect .
Exp l a n a t i o n III.—Not h i n g i n t h i s art i cle s h all b e con s t ru ed as
con t i n u i n g an y t emp orary law i n force b eyon d t h e d at e fi x ed for i t s
ex p i rat i on or t h e d at e on wh i ch i t wou ld h ave ex p i red i f t h i s Con s t i t u t i on
h ad n ot come i n t o force.
Exp l a n a t i o n IV.—An Ord i n an ce p romu lgat ed b y t h e G overn or of a
Provi n ce u n d er s ect i on 8 8 of t h e G overn men t of In d i a Act , 1 9 3 5 , an d i n
force i mmed i at ely b efore t h e commen cemen t of t h i s Con s t i t u t i on s h all,
u n les s wi t h d rawn b y t h e G overn or of t h e corres p on d i n g St at e earli er, ceas e
t o op erat e at t h e ex p i rat i on of s i x weeks from t h e fi rs t meet i n g aft er s u ch
commen cemen t of t h e Legi s lat i ve As s emb ly of t h at St at e fu n ct i on i n g u n d er
clau s e (1 ) of art i cle 3 8 2 , an d n ot h i n g i n t h i s art i cle s h all b e con s t ru ed as
con t i n u i n g an y s u ch Ord i n an ce i n force b eyon d t h e s ai d p eri od .
3 7 2 A. P ow er of the P res i dent to a da pt l a w s .—(1 ) For t h e p u rp os es of
b ri n gi n g t h e p rovi s i on s of an y law i n force i n In d i a or i n an y p art t h ereof,
i mmed i at ely b efore t h e commen cemen t of t h e Con s t i t u t i on (Seven t h
Amen d men t ) Act , 1 9 5 6 , i n t o accord wi t h t h e p rovi s i on s of t h i s
Con s t i t u t i on as amen d ed b y t h at Act , t h e Pres i d en t may b y ord er mad e
b efore t h e fi rs t d ay of Novemb er, 1 9 5 7 , make s u ch ad ap t at i on s an d
mod i fi cat i on s of t h e law, wh et h er b y way of rep eal or amen d men t , as may
b e n eces s ary or ex p ed i en t , an d p rovi d e t h at t h e law s h all, as from s u ch
d at e as may b e s p eci fi ed i n t h e ord er, h ave effect s u b j ect t o t h e
ad ap t at i on s an d mod i fi cat i on s s o mad e, an d an y s u ch ad ap t at i on or
mod i fi cat i on s h all n ot b e q u es t i on ed i n an y cou rt of law.
(2 ) Not h i n g i n clau s e (1 ) s h all b e d eemed t o p reven t a comp et en t
Legi s lat u re or ot h er comp et en t au t h ori t y from rep eali n g or amen d i n g an y
law ad ap t ed or mod i fi ed b y t h e Pres i d en t u n d er t h e s ai d clau s e.
 181 THE CONSTITUTION OF INDIA

3 7 3 . P ow er of P res i dent to m a ke order i n res pect of pers ons under

preventi ve detenti on i n certa i n ca s es .—Un t i l p rovi s i on i s mad e b y
Parli amen t u n d er clau s e (7 ) of art i cle 2 2 , or u n t i l t h e ex p i rat i on of on e
year from t h e commen cemen t of t h i s Con s t i t u t i on , wh i ch ever i s earli er,
t h e s ai d art i cle s h all h ave effect as i f for an y referen ce t o Parli amen t i n
clau s es (4 ) an d (7 ) t h ereof t h ere were s u b s t i t u t ed a referen ce t o t h e
Pres i d en t an d for an y referen ce t o an y law mad e b y Parli amen t i n t h os e
clau s es t h ere were s u b s t i t u t ed a referen ce t o an ord er mad e b y t h e
Pres i d en t .
3 7 4 . P rovi s i ons a s to J udg es of the F edera l Court a nd proceedi ng s
pendi ng i n the F edera l Court or bef ore Hi s M a jes ty i n Counci l .—(1 )
Th e J u d ges of t h e Fed eral Cou rt h old i n g offi ce i mmed i at ely b efore t h e
commen cemen t of t h i s Con s t i t u t i on s h all, u n les s t h ey h ave elect ed
ot h erwi s e, b ecome on s u ch commen cemen t t h e J u d ges of t h e Su p reme
Cou rt an d s h all t h ereu p on b e en t i t led t o s u ch s alari es an d allowan ces an d
t o s u ch ri gh t s i n res p ect of leave of ab s en ce an d p en s i on as are p rovi d ed
for u n d er art i cle 1 2 5 i n res p ect of t h e J u d ges of t h e Su p reme Cou rt .
(2 ) All s u i t s , ap p eals an d p roceed i n gs , ci vi l or cri mi n al, p en d i n g i n t h e
Fed eral Cou rt at t h e commen cemen t of t h i s Con s t i t u t i on s h all s t an d
removed t o t h e Su p reme Cou rt , an d t h e Su p reme Cou rt s h all h ave
j u ri s d i ct i on t o h ear an d d et ermi n e t h e s ame, an d t h e j u d gmen t s an d ord ers
of t h e Fed eral Cou rt d eli vered or mad e b efore t h e commen cemen t of t h i s
Con s t i t u t i on s h all h ave t h e s ame force an d effect as i f t h ey h ad b een
d eli vered or mad e b y t h e Su p reme Cou rt .
(3 ) Not h i n g i n t h i s Con s t i t u t i on s h all op erat e t o i n vali d at e t h e ex erci s e
of j u ri s d i ct i on b y Hi s Maj es t y i n Cou n ci l t o d i s p os e of ap p eals an d
p et i t i on s from, or i n res p ect of, an y j u d gmen t , d ecree or ord er of an y cou rt
wi t h i n t h e t erri t ory of In d i a i n s o far as t h e ex erci s e of s u ch j u ri s d i ct i on i s
au t h ori s ed b y law, an d an y ord er of Hi s Maj es t y i n Cou n ci l mad e on an y
s u ch ap p eal or p et i t i on aft er t h e commen cemen t of t h i s Con s t i t u t i on s h all
for all p u rp os es h ave effect as i f i t were an ord er or d ecree mad e b y t h e
Su p reme Cou rt i n t h e ex erci s e of t h e j u ri s d i ct i on con ferred on s u ch Cou rt
b y t h i s Con s t i t u t i on .
(4 ) On an d from t h e commen cemen t of t h i s Con s t i t u t i on t h e j u ri s d i ct i on
of t h e au t h ori t y fu n ct i on i n g as t h e Pri vy Cou n ci l i n a St at e s p eci fi ed i n
Part B of t h e Fi rs t Sch ed u le t o en t ert ai n an d d i s p os e of ap p eals an d
p et i t i on s from or i n res p ect of an y j u d gmen t , d ecree or ord er of an y cou rt
wi t h i n t h at St at e s h all ceas e, an d all ap p eals an d ot h er p roceed i n gs p en d i n g
b efore t h e s ai d au t h ori t y at s u ch commen cemen t s h all b e t ran s ferred t o,
an d d i s p os ed of b y, t h e Su p reme Cou rt .
(5 ) Fu rt h er p rovi s i on may b e mad e b y Parli amen t b y law t o gi ve effect
t o t h e p rovi s i on s of t h i s art i cle.
3 7 5 . Courts , a uthori ti es a nd of f i cers to conti nue to f uncti on s ubject
to the provi s i ons of the Cons ti tuti on.—All cou rt s of ci vi l, cri mi n al an d
reven u e j u ri s d i ct i on , all au t h ori t i es an d all offi cers , j u d i ci al, ex ecu t i ve an d
 182 THE CONSTITUTION OF INDIA

mi n i s t eri al, t h rou gh ou t t h e t erri t ory of In d i a, s h all con t i n u e t o ex erci s e

t h ei r res p ect i ve fu n ct i on s s u b j ect t o t h e p rovi s i on s of t h i s Con s t i t u t i on .
3 7 6 . P rovi s i ons a s to J udg es of Hi g h Courts .—(1 ) Not wi t h s t an d i n g
an yt h i n g i n clau s e (2 ) of art i cle 2 1 7 , t h e J u d ges of a Hi gh Cou rt i n an y
Provi n ce h old i n g offi ce i mmed i at ely b efore t h e commen cemen t of t h i s
Con s t i t u t i on s h all, u n les s t h ey h ave elect ed ot h erwi s e, b ecome on s u ch
commen cemen t t h e J u d ges of t h e Hi gh Cou rt i n t h e corres p on d i n g St at e,
an d s h all t h ereu p on b e en t i t led t o s u ch s alari es an d allowan ces an d t o s u ch
ri gh t s i n res p ect of leave of ab s en ce an d p en s i on as are p rovi d ed for u n d er
art i cle 2 2 1 i n res p ect of t h e J u d ges of s u ch Hi gh Cou rt . An y s u ch J u d ge
s h all, n ot wi t h s t an d i n g t h at h e i s n ot a ci t i zen of In d i a, b e eli gi b le for
ap p oi n t men t as Ch i ef J u s t i ce of s u ch Hi gh Cou rt , or as Ch i ef J u s t i ce or
ot h er J u d ge of an y ot h er Hi gh Cou rt .
(2 ) Th e J u d ges of a Hi gh Cou rt i n an y In d i an St at e corres p on d i n g t o an y
St at e s p eci fi ed i n Part B of t h e Fi rs t Sch ed u le h old i n g offi ce i mmed i at ely
b efore t h e commen cemen t of t h i s Con s t i t u t i on s h all, u n les s t h ey h ave
elect ed ot h erwi s e, b ecome on s u ch commen cemen t t h e J u d ges of t h e Hi gh
Cou rt i n t h e St at e s o s p eci fi ed an d s h all, n ot wi t h s t an d i n g an yt h i n g i n
clau s es (1 ) an d (2 ) of art i cle 2 1 7 b u t s u b j ect t o t h e p rovi s o t o clau s e (1 )
of t h at art i cle, con t i n u e t o h old offi ce u n t i l t h e ex p i rat i on of s u ch p eri od as
t h e Pres i d en t may b y ord er d et ermi n e.
(3 ) In t h i s art i cle, t h e ex p res s i on “J u d ge” d oes n ot i n clu d e an act i n g
J u d ge or an ad d i t i on al J u d ge.
3 7 7 . P rovi s i ons a s to Com ptrol l er a nd Audi tor-Genera l of I ndi a .—
Th e Au d i t or-G en eral of In d i a h old i n g offi ce i mmed i at ely b efore t h e
commen cemen t of t h i s Con s t i t u t i on s h all, u n les s h e h as elect ed ot h erwi s e,
b ecome on s u ch commen cemen t t h e Comp t roller an d Au d i t or-G en eral of
In d i a an d s h all t h ereu p on b e en t i t led t o s u ch s alari es an d t o s u ch ri gh t s i n
res p ect of leave of ab s en ce an d p en s i on as are p rovi d ed for u n d er clau s e
(3 ) of art i cle 1 4 8 i n res p ect of t h e Comp t roller an d Au d i t or-G en eral of
In d i a an d b e en t i t led t o con t i n u e t o h old offi ce u n t i l t h e ex p i rat i on of h i s
t erm of offi ce as d et ermi n ed u n d er t h e p rovi s i on s wh i ch were ap p li cab le t o
h i m i mmed i at ely b efore s u ch commen cemen t .
3 7 8 . P rovi s i ons a s to P ubl i c Servi ce Com m i s s i ons .—(1 ) Th e memb ers
of t h e Pu b li c Servi ce Commi s s i on for t h e Domi n i on of In d i a h old i n g offi ce
i mmed i at ely b efore t h e commen cemen t of t h i s Con s t i t u t i on s h all, u n les s
t h ey h ave elect ed ot h erwi s e, b ecome on s u ch commen cemen t t h e memb ers
of t h e Pu b li c Servi ce Commi s s i on for t h e Un i on an d s h all, n ot wi t h s t an d i n g
an yt h i n g i n clau s es (1 ) an d (2 ) of art i cle 3 1 6 b u t s u b j ect t o t h e p rovi s o t o
clau s e (2 ) of t h at art i cle, con t i n u e t o h old offi ce u n t i l t h e ex p i rat i on of
t h ei r t erm of offi ce as d et ermi n ed u n d er t h e ru les wh i ch were ap p li cab le
i mmed i at ely b efore s u ch commen cemen t t o s u ch memb ers .
(2 ) Th e Memb ers of a Pu b li c Servi ce Commi s s i on of a Provi n ce or of a
Pu b li c Servi ce Commi s s i on s ervi n g t h e n eed s of a grou p of Provi n ces
h old i n g offi ce i mmed i at ely b efore t h e commen cemen t of t h i s Con s t i t u t i on
 183 THE CONSTITUTION OF INDIA

s h all, u n les s t h ey h ave elect ed ot h erwi s e, b ecome on s u ch commen cemen t

t h e memb ers of t h e Pu b li c Servi ce Commi s s i on for t h e corres p on d i n g St at e
or t h e memb ers of t h e J oi n t St at e Pu b li c Servi ce Commi s s i on s ervi n g t h e
n eed s of t h e corres p on d i n g St at es , as t h e cas e may b e, an d s h all,
n ot wi t h s t an d i n g an yt h i n g i n clau s es (1 ) an d (2 ) of art i cle 3 1 6 b u t s u b j ect
t o t h e p rovi s o t o clau s e (2 ) of t h at art i cle, con t i n u e t o h old offi ce u n t i l t h e
ex p i rat i on of t h ei r t erm of offi ce as d et ermi n ed u n d er t h e ru les wh i ch
were ap p li cab le i mmed i at ely b efore s u ch commen cemen t t o s u ch memb ers .
3 7 8 A. Speci a l provi s i on a s to dura ti on of Andhra P ra des h Leg i s l a ti ve
As s em bl y .—Not wi t h s t an d i n g an yt h i n g con t ai n ed i n art i cle 1 7 2 , t h e
Legi s lat i ve As s emb ly of t h e St at e of An d h ra Prad es h as con s t i t u t ed u n d er
t h e p rovi s i on s of s ect i on s 2 8 an d 2 9 of t h e St at es Reorgan i s at i on Act ,
1 9 5 6 , s h all, u n les s s oon er d i s s olved , con t i n u e for a p eri od of fi ve years
from t h e d at e referred t o i n t h e s ai d s ect i on 2 9 an d n o lon ger an d t h e
ex p i rat i on of t h e s ai d p eri od s h all op erat e as a d i s s olu t i on of t h at
Legi s lat i ve As s emb ly.
3 7 9 .—3 9 1 . Rep . b y t h e Co n s t i t u t i o n (S even t h Amen d men t ) Act , 1 9 5 6 , s .
2 9 a n d S ch .
3 9 2 . P ow er of the P res i dent to rem ove di f f i cul ti es .—(1 ) Th e Pres i d en t
may, for t h e p u rp os e of removi n g an y d i ffi cu lt i es , p art i cu larly i n relat i on
t o t h e t ran s i t i on from t h e p rovi s i on s of t h e G overn men t of In d i a Act , 1 9 3 5 ,
t o t h e p rovi s i on s of t h i s Con s t i t u t i on , b y ord er d i rect t h at t h i s Con s t i t u t i on
s h all, d u ri n g s u ch p eri od as may b e s p eci fi ed i n t h e ord er, h ave effect
s u b j ect t o s u ch ad ap t at i on s , wh et h er b y way of mod i fi cat i on , ad d i t i on or
omi s s i on , as h e may d eem t o b e n eces s ary or ex p ed i en t :
Provi d ed t h at n o s u ch ord er s h all b e mad e aft er t h e fi rs t meet i n g of
Parli amen t d u ly con s t i t u t ed u n d er Ch ap t er II of Part V.
(2 ) Every ord er mad e u n d er clau s e (1 ) s h all b e lai d b efore Parli amen t .
(3 ) Th e p owers con ferred on t h e Pres i d en t b y t h i s art i cle, b y art i cle 3 2 4 ,
b y clau s e (3 ) of art i cle 3 6 7 an d b y art i cle 3 9 1 s h all, b efore t h e
commen cemen t of t h i s Con s t i t u t i on , b e ex erci s ab le b y t h e G overn or-
G en eral of t h e Domi n i on of In d i a.
 184 THE CONSTITUTION OF INDIA

PART XXII
SHORT TITLE, COMMENCEMENT, AUTHORITATIVE
TEXT IN HINDI AND REPEALS
3 9 3 . Short ti tl e.—Th i s Con s t i t u t i on may b e called t h e Con s t i t u t i on of
In d i a.
3 9 4 . Com m encem ent.—Th i s art i cle an d art i cles 5 , 6 , 7 , 8 , 9 , 6 0 , 3 2 4 ,
3 6 6 , 3 6 7 , 3 7 9 , 3 8 0 , 3 8 8 , 3 9 1 , 3 9 2 an d 3 9 3 s h all come i n t o force at on ce,
an d t h e remai n i n g p rovi s i on s of t h i s Con s t i t u t i on s h all come i n t o force on
t h e t wen t y-s i x t h d ay of J an u ary, 1 9 5 0 , wh i ch d ay i s referred t o i n t h i s
Con s t i t u t i on as t h e commen cemen t of t h i s Con s t i t u t i on .
3 9 4 A. Authori ta ti ve text i n the Hi ndi l a ng ua g e.—(1 ) Th e Pres i d en t
s h all cau s e t o b e p u b li s h ed u n d er h i s au t h ori t y,—
(a ) t h e t ran s lat i on of t h i s Con s t i t u t i on i n t h e Hi n d i lan gu age, s i gn ed
b y t h e memb ers of t h e Con s t i t u en t As s emb ly, wi t h s u ch mod i fi cat i on s as
may b e n eces s ary t o b ri n g i t i n con formi t y wi t h t h e lan gu age, s t yle an d
t ermi n ology ad op t ed i n t h e au t h ori t at i ve t ex t s of Cen t ral Act s i n t h e
Hi n d i lan gu age, an d i n corp orat i n g t h erei n all t h e amen d men t s of t h i s
Con s t i t u t i on mad e b efore s u ch p u b li cat i on ; an d
(b ) t h e t ran s lat i on i n t h e Hi n d i lan gu age of every amen d men t of t h i s
Con s t i t u t i on mad e i n t h e En gli s h lan gu age.
(2 ) Th e t ran s lat i on of t h i s Con s t i t u t i on an d of every amen d men t t h ereof
p u b li s h ed u n d er clau s e (1 ) s h all b e con s t ru ed t o h ave t h e s ame mean i n g as
t h e ori gi n al t h ereof an d i f an y d i ffi cu lt y ari s es i n s o con s t ru i n g an y p art of
s u ch t ran s lat i on , t h e Pres i d en t s h all cau s e t h e s ame t o b e revi s ed s u i t ab ly.
(3 ) Th e t ran s lat i on of t h i s Con s t i t u t i on an d of every amen d men t t h ereof
p u b li s h ed u n d er t h i s art i cle s h all b e d eemed t o b e, for all p u rp os es , t h e
au t h ori t at i ve t ex t t h ereof i n t h e Hi n d i lan gu age.
3 9 5 . Repea l s .—Th e In d i an In d ep en d en ce Act , 1 9 4 7 , an d t h e G overn men t
of In d i a Act , 1 9 3 5 , t oget h er wi t h all en act men t s amen d i n g or
s u p p lemen t i n g t h e lat t er Act , b u t n ot i n clu d i n g t h e Ab oli t i on of Pri vy
Cou n ci l J u ri s d i ct i on Act , 1 9 4 9 , are h ereb y rep ealed .

184