Home The Constitution Part XI Article 263

Art. 263 Part XI: Relations Between the Union and the States

Provisions With Respect to an Inter-State Council

Exact text — Constitution of India

If at any time it appears to the President that the public interests would be served by the establishment of a Council charged with the duty of—(a) inquiring into and advising upon disputes which may have arisen between States; (b) investigating and discussing subjects in which some or all of the States, or the Union and one or more of the States, have a common interest; or (c) making recommendations upon any such subject and, in particular, recommendations for the better co-ordination of policy and action with respect to that subject, it shall be lawful for the President by order to establish such a Council, and to define the nature of the duties to be be performed by it and its organisation and procedure.

In Plain English

What this Article actually means

This Article empowers the President to establish an Inter-State Council — a forum specifically for discussing and coordinating on matters of shared interest between states, or between the Union and states, and for advising on inter-state disputes. Unlike the specific river-dispute Tribunals under Article 262, this is a broader, general-purpose cooperative federalism forum.

Why This Matters To You

How it shows up in everyday life

The Inter-State Council (established under this Article) has periodically been an important venue for discussing significant Centre-State relations issues, including major recommendations from bodies like the Sarkaria Commission on how India's federal structure should function in practice.

Read alongside this one

Art. 262 — Adjudication of Inter-State River Water Disputes Art. 279a — Goods and Services Tax Council

Frequently Asked

Quick answers about Article 263

Is the Inter-State Council the same as the GST Council?

No — they're distinct bodies serving different purposes; the Inter-State Council (this Article) is a general Centre-State coordination forum, while the GST Council (Article 279A) is specifically focused on GST rate and policy recommendations.

← PreviousArticle 262: Adjudication of Disputes Relating to Waters of Inter-State Rivers or River Valleys Back toPart XI Overview

The text above reproduces Article 263 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.