Q. Which of the following matters come under residuary powers as per Schedule VII of the Indian Constitution?
1. Computer Software
2. Disaster Management
3. Currency and Coinage
4. Foreign Affairs
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
Exp) Option a is the correct answer.
The Constitution provides for a three-fold distribution of legislative subjects between the Centre and the states, viz., List-I (the Union List), List-II (the State List) and List-III (the Concurrent List) in the Seventh Schedule.
Option 1 and 2 are correct. Disaster management and computer software as a field of legislation does not find mention in either List II or List III, nor does any particular entry in List I specifically deal with this. Therefore, it falls under residuary powers.
Option 3 and 4 are incorrect. Currency and coinage and foreign affairs come under Union List. Residuary powers, put simply, refer to the power of jurisdiction upon subjects that are not mentioned in the state or concurrent list. The union government enjoys exclusive jurisdiction over such subjects. Article 248 of the constitution clearly states, “The Union Parliament has exclusive power to make any law with respect to any matter not enumerated in the Concurrent List or the State List.”
