Home The Constitution Part XIV Article 312

Art. 312 Part XIV: Services Under the Union and the States

All-India Services

Exact text — Constitution of India

(1) Notwithstanding anything in Chapter VI of Part VI or Part XI, if the Council of States has declared by resolution supported by not less than two-thirds of the members present and voting that it is necessary or expedient in the national interest so to do, Parliament may by law provide for the creation of one or more all-India services (including an all-India judicial service) common to the Union and the States, and, subject to the other provisions of this Chapter, regulate the recruitment, and the conditions of service of persons appointed, to any such service.

In Plain English

What this Article actually means

This Article is the constitutional basis for India's distinctive 'All-India Services' — most famously the IAS (Indian Administrative Service) and IPS (Indian Police Service) — which serve both the Union and individual states simultaneously, recruited and broadly regulated centrally but posted to work within specific state cadres. Creating a NEW all-India service requires the Rajya Sabha's two-thirds approval, the same kind of state-protective safeguard used elsewhere in Part XI.

Why This Matters To You

How it shows up in everyday life

This is why an IAS or IPS officer posted to a state government still ultimately answers to a nationally uniform service structure, rather than being purely a state employee — a deliberate design meant to maintain administrative uniformity and a degree of central oversight across India's civil administration, even in matters otherwise handled at the state level.

Read alongside this one

Art. 233 — Subordinate Courts

Frequently Asked

Quick answers about Article 312

Why does India have IAS/IPS officers working for state governments instead of just state civil services?

The framers wanted a unifying administrative backbone connecting the Union and states, ensuring consistent administrative standards and providing the central government some visibility/coordination even into state-level administration — this Article's Rajya Sabha-approval requirement reflects that this arrangement does require genuine buy-in from states' representatives.

Has an all-India judicial service actually been created under this Article?

Despite being specifically mentioned in this Article's text and periodically discussed, an All-India Judicial Service has not yet been created as of 2026 — it remains a live, debated policy proposal.

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The text above reproduces Article 312 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.