Home The Constitution Part XI Article 253

Art. 253 Part XI: Relations Between the Union and the States

Legislation for Giving Effect to International Agreements

Exact text — Constitution of India

Notwithstanding anything in the foregoing provisions of this Chapter, Parliament has power to make any law for the whole or any part of the territory of India for implementing any treaty, agreement or convention with any other country or countries or any decision made at any international conference, association or other body.

In Plain English

What this Article actually means

This Article gives Parliament broad power to legislate on ANY subject — even one that would normally be exclusively a State List matter — if it's implementing an international treaty, agreement, or decision from an international body. This is how India honours its international legal commitments even when the specific subject matter would otherwise sit outside Parliament's ordinary domain.

Why This Matters To You

How it shows up in everyday life

This is the constitutional basis allowing Parliament to pass laws implementing international environmental treaties, human rights conventions, or trade agreements, even on subjects that might technically fall within State List territory in a purely domestic context.

Landmark Cases

How courts have interpreted this Article

Maganbhai Ishwarbhai Patel v. Union of IndiaAIR 1969 SC 783 — Clarified that while the Union's executive power extends to entering into treaties, actually IMPLEMENTING a treaty that affects citizens' rights or requires new domestic law generally needs Parliamentary legislation, often under this Article. Verify this case

Read alongside this one

Art. 246 — Union, State and Concurrent Lists

Frequently Asked

Quick answers about Article 253

Can Parliament use this Article to override any State List subject just by citing an international treaty?

In principle this Article gives it that power, though the specific implementing law must genuinely relate to giving effect to the international commitment, not be a pretext for unrelated central legislation on state subjects.

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The text above reproduces Article 253 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.