PYQ Vault · Paper 1 · Indian Federalism
Discuss the composition and functions of the Inter-State Council. To what extent has this body been successful in achieving its objectives?
How the answer moves
The flow snapshot — the routes in, the body, the counter-view and the routes out.
Flow snapshot — how the answer moves
Intro routes
rR! ISC as the chief institution of cooperative federalism → Art 263, set up 1990 on Sarkaria recommendation R2 shared-rule forum under Art 263 → President establishes it when public interest requires
Body flow
composition: a rare body uniting Union, States, UTs → PM as chair + State CMs + UT CMs with legislatures + Administrators of other UTs + Governors under President's Rule + six Union Cabinet Ministers → functions under Art 263: inquire into and advise on inter-State disputes → discuss subjects of common interest → recommend coordination of policy and action
Counter-view
(success limited) → non-permanent Presidential Order → advisory, non- binding → infrequent meetings, 2006-2016 gap → weak secretariat under Home Ministry → bypassed by party channels, GST Council, NITI Aayog → Saxena: abysmal performance
Conclusion routes
R1 institutionally important but operationally underused R2 Punchhi reforms — statutory status, regular meetings, permanent secretariat — to give it real weight
Model answer
Handwritten, in the form it would be written in the examination hall.
