Home The Constitution Part XI Article 258

Art. 258 Part XI: Relations Between the Union and the States

Power of the Union to Confer Powers, etc., on States in Certain Cases

Exact text — Constitution of India

(1) Notwithstanding anything in this Constitution, the President may, with the consent of the Government of a State, entrust either conditionally or unconditionally to that Government or to its officers functions in relation to any matter to which the executive power of the Union extends. (2) A law made by Parliament which applies in any State may, notwithstanding that it relates to a matter with respect to which the Legislature of the State has no power to make laws, confer powers and impose duties, or authorise the conferring of powers and the imposition of duties, upon the State or officers and authorities thereof.

In Plain English

What this Article actually means

This Article lets the Union (with a state's consent) delegate its own executive functions to that state's government or officials — a practical administrative tool avoiding the need for the Union to maintain a completely separate, duplicate administrative machinery in every state for every Union function.

Why This Matters To You

How it shows up in everyday life

This is why state government officials sometimes carry out functions that are technically Union responsibilities (like certain aspects of central scheme implementation) — it's often more efficient to use the existing state administrative machinery than build a parallel Union one, and this Article provides the legal basis for that arrangement.

Read alongside this one

Art. 258a — Power of States to Entrust Functions to the Union

Frequently Asked

Quick answers about Article 258

Can the Union force a state to take on these delegated functions without its consent?

No — clause (1) specifically requires the state government's consent for this kind of entrustment, making it a cooperative rather than a unilaterally imposed arrangement.

← PreviousArticle 257: Control of the Union Over States in Certain Cases Next →Article 258A: Power of the States to Entrust Functions to the Union

The text above reproduces Article 258 of the Constitution of India as amended to date, for general educational reference. It is public-domain legislative text, but we recommend cross-checking the authoritative version at legislative.gov.in or india.gov.in before relying on it for a legal matter. The explanation, examples and FAQs are general information, not legal advice — consult a qualified advocate for guidance on your specific situation.