Question map
Which one of the following statements is correct as per the Constitution of India ?
Explanation
The correct answer is option C because inter-state quarantine is indeed a Union subject under the Union List of the Seventh Schedule of the Constitution of India. The 7th schedule of the Constitution has pandemic-related entries in all three lists: Union list – inter-state migration & quarantine (entry 81)[1], which confirms that inter-state quarantine falls under Union jurisdiction.
The other options are incorrect. Inter-State Trade and commerce became a topic of legislation in the Union List (Entry List 1, Seventh Schedule)[2], making option A wrong. Inter-State migration is[3] a subject in List I of the Seventh Schedule to the Constitution[3] (List I being the Union List), so option B is also incorrect. Regarding option D, corporation tax (tax on income of companies) is a Union subject, not a State subject, as taxes on income fall under the Union's domain. Therefore, option C is the only correct statement about the constitutional distribution of legislative powers.
Sources- [1] https://eacpm.gov.in/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Enumeration-of-Legislative-Powers-in-India-1.pdf
- [2] https://www.nujs.edu/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/File-65.pdf
- [3] https://cabsec.gov.in/writereaddata/allocationbusinessrule/completeaobrules/english/1_Upload_1187.pdf
PROVENANCE & STUDY PATTERN
Guest previewThis is a classic 'Static inspired by Current Affairs' question. The keywords 'Quarantine' and 'Migration' were central to the COVID-19 news cycle. While standard books summarize lists, this question demanded a look at the specific Bare Act entries triggered by the pandemic.
This question can be broken into the following sub-statements. Tap a statement sentence to jump into its detailed analysis.
- Statement 1: As per the Seventh Schedule of the Constitution of India, is "inter‑State trade and commerce" listed as a State subject in the State List?
- Statement 2: As per the Seventh Schedule of the Constitution of India, is "inter‑State migration" listed as a State subject in the State List?
- Statement 3: As per the Seventh Schedule of the Constitution of India, is "inter‑State quarantine" listed as a Union subject in the Union List?
- Statement 4: As per the Seventh Schedule of the Constitution of India, is "corporation tax" (tax on income of companies) listed as a State subject in the State List?
- Explicitly states that 'Inter-State Trade and commerce' is a topic of legislation in the Union List (Entry List 1, Seventh Schedule).
- If it's in the Union List, it is not a State subject in the State List.
- Lists 'Inter-State trade and commerce' as entry 42 alongside other entries (indicative of the Seventh Schedule listing).
- The enumeration shows inter-State trade is included among central/union entries rather than State List items.
- Groups 'inter-state trade and commerce' with matters described as 'of national importance', implying it is a Union-level subject in the Seventh Schedule.
- This government document treats inter-state trade as part of central (Union) legislative concerns.
States distribution summary explicitly lists 'inter-state trade and commerce' among examples in the Union List, indicating it is treated as a Union subject rather than a State List item.
A student could check the Seventh Schedule or Union List in a copy of the Constitution to verify the exact entry and thereby test whether it appears in List II (State List).
Another authoritative summary repeats that 'inter-state trade and commerce' is an item in the Union List, reinforcing the pattern that inter-state commerce is a central (Union) subject.
Cross-reference this repeated claim with the Seventh Schedule's List I entries to confirm placement and rule out its presence in List II.
Discussion of taxation distinguishes State powers (sales tax) from Union powers (taxes on sales in the course of inter-State trade and commerce), implying inter-State trade falls under Union competence.
Use the tax-entry distinctions (List I vs List II) to infer which list governs inter‑State trade — then inspect the Seventh Schedule entries for those tax and trade items.
References to Articles 301–307 treating trade, commerce and intercourse as matters of national freedom suggest constitutional provisions aim to regulate inter-state commerce at the Union level.
Combine this constitutional-article focus with the Seventh Schedule lists to deduce whether inter-State trade is assigned to Union legislative competence.
Notes Parliament's power to constitute an Inter-State Commerce Commission under Article 307 indicate a role for the Union in regulating inter-State trade, consistent with Union-list treatment.
Infer from the Parliament-level remedy/agency that inter‑State trade is not primarily a State List subject, then verify by checking the Seventh Schedule.
- Explicitly states which list contains inter-state migration: places it in the Union List (entry 81).
- By identifying inter-state migration under the Union list, it implies it is not a State List subject.
- Official-looking source lists the phrase 'Inter-State migration' in context of the Seventh Schedule.
- Mentions 'Subjects in List I of the Seventh Schedule', indicating placement in List I (the Union List) rather than the State List.
Explains the three‑fold distribution of legislative subjects (Seventh Schedule) and that the State List gives states 'in normal circumstances' exclusive law‑making power.
A student can use this rule to check whether 'inter‑State migration' appears in List II (State List) or elsewhere in the Seventh Schedule.
Duplicate/source corroboration of the three lists (Union, State, Concurrent) in the Seventh Schedule and examples of typical Union subjects.
Use the pattern of which kinds of matters go to which list to judge whether a cross‑state phenomenon would more likely be listed under Union or State subjects.
Gives concrete entries showing that matters described explicitly as 'inter‑State' (e.g., 'inter‑State trade and commerce') are placed in the Union List (List I).
A student can generalize that items involving inter‑state relations tend to be Union subjects and thus suspect 'inter‑State migration' may not be a State List entry.
States explicitly that 'Land' is a State subject in the Seventh Schedule, showing examples of typical State List entries.
A student can contrast subjects tied to intra‑state administration (like land) with cross‑boundary matters to evaluate where 'inter‑State migration' might logically be placed.
Describes patterns of internal migration in India, including movements across state boundaries.
Using this factual pattern, a student might reason that because migration frequently involves multiple states, its governance could be framed at the Union level rather than solely a State subject.
This statement analysis shows book citations, web sources and indirect clues. The first statement (S1) is open for preview.
Login with Google to unlock all statements. Unlock full statement-level provenance with ExamRobot Pro.
Explains the three-fold legislative distribution in the Seventh Schedule and gives examples from the Union List (e.g., defence, foreign affairs, inter-state trade and commerce).
A student could note that subjects explicitly involving 'inter‑state' matters (like inter‑state trade) tend to be in the Union List and check whether 'inter‑State quarantine' fits that pattern as a matter requiring uniform national law.
Repeats that Parliament has exclusive power on Union List subjects and lists examples including inter‑state trade and commerce.
Use the principle that matters needing nationwide uniformity are in the Union List to assess whether quarantine across states would logically be placed there; then verify by checking the actual Seventh Schedule entry wording.
States the rationale: Union List contains subjects needing a uniform policy nationwide; State List contains subjects of local importance like police.
Apply this rule to classify 'quarantine' — if seen as a public health measure needing uniformity across states, a student might infer it could belong to the Union List and therefore should check the exact entries.
Gives a concrete example of an exclusive State subject (local government) under a specific State List entry, illustrating how specific functions are allocated to State List.
A student can contrast this with Union List examples to see whether quarantine is more like a 'local government/police' function (State) or an 'inter‑state' concern (Union) before consulting the Seventh Schedule text.
This statement analysis shows book citations, web sources and indirect clues. The first statement (S1) is open for preview.
Login with Google to unlock all statements. Unlock full statement-level provenance with ExamRobot Pro.
The tabular excerpt explicitly lists an entry: '85. Corporation tax.' under the distributive-table of legislative powers, indicating corporation tax is a numbered entry in the Seventh Schedule tables.
A student could look up Entry 85 in the Seventh Schedule to see whether it appears under List I (Union) or List II (State) to decide if it is a State subject.
States can levy taxes only on matters in the State List and Parliament has exclusive power on Union List taxes—so identifying which list contains an entry decides which level can tax.
Combine this rule with the location of 'Corporation tax' (Entry 85) to infer whether states can legislate/levy it.
Repeats the principle that taxing powers follow the Seventh Schedule lists and that Parliament exclusively levies taxes on Union List entries.
Use this constitutional rule plus the Entry number for corporation tax to determine whether it is within State competence.
Gives a concrete example of a tax (Professions Tax) clearly located in Entry 60 of List II (State List), illustrating how specific taxes are assigned to State List entries.
By analogy, check whether corporation tax's entry number is assigned to List II as Professions Tax is, to evaluate the statement.
Explains that a corporation is a separate legal entity and discusses inter-governmental taxation boundaries, suggesting corporate income taxation raises intergovernmental allocation issues.
A student could use this background to appreciate why corporation tax would be placed in a specific list (likely Union) and then verify the list-entry placement.
This statement analysis shows book citations, web sources and indirect clues. The first statement (S1) is open for preview.
Login with Google to unlock all statements. Unlock full statement-level provenance with ExamRobot Pro.
- [THE VERDICT]: Sitter for Bare Act users; Trap for summary readers. Source: Constitution of India, Seventh Schedule, List I (Entry 81) and List I (Entry 85).
- [THE CONCEPTUAL TRIGGER]: Article 246 (Subject-matter of laws). The specific tension between 'Public Health' (State) vs 'Inter-State Quarantine' (Union) highlighted during the pandemic.
- [THE HORIZONTAL EXPANSION]: Memorize the 'Health Triad': 1. Public Health & Sanitation (State List, Entry 6). 2. Inter-State Quarantine (Union List, Entry 81). 3. Prevention of extension of infectious diseases from one State to another (Concurrent List, Entry 29). Also, Corporation Tax is Union (Entry 85), while Taxes on Professions is State (Entry 60).
- [THE STRATEGIC METACOGNITION]: When a national crisis occurs (e.g., Pandemic, Migrant Crisis), map the specific legal terms used in news (Quarantine, Migration) directly to the Seventh Schedule. Do not rely on general 'Health is a State subject' heuristics.
This tab shows concrete study steps: what to underline in books, how to map current affairs, and how to prepare for similar questions.
Login with Google to unlock study guidance. Available with ExamRobot Pro.
The Seventh Schedule divides legislative powers into Union List, State List and Concurrent List, which determines which level of legislature may legislate on a topic.
High‑yield for UPSC: questions often ask which subjects fall under which list and the implications for Centre‑State relations. Mastery helps answer source‑based and constitutional allocation questions and links to Article 246 and federal governance topics.
- Indian Polity, M. Laxmikanth(7th ed.) > Chapter 15: Centre-State Relations > II Distribution of Legislative Subjects > p. 145
- Laxmikanth, M. Indian Polity. 7th ed., McGraw Hill. > Chapter 15: Centre State Relations > II Distribution of Legislative Subjects > p. 145
Inter‑State trade and commerce is cited alongside Union List subjects, indicating central legislative competence rather than a State List entry.
Directly useful for questions on Centre's exclusive powers and taxation/commerce regulation (e.g., taxes in inter‑state trade). Understanding this prevents misclassification of economic subjects in exams and helps in answers on Union control over interstate commerce.
- Indian Polity, M. Laxmikanth(7th ed.) > Chapter 15: Centre-State Relations > II Distribution of Legislative Subjects > p. 145
- Introduction to the Constitution of India, D. D. Basu (26th ed.). > Chapter 25: DISTRIBUTION OF FINANCIAL POWERS > DISTRIBUTION OF FINANCIAL POWERS > p. 384
- Laxmikanth, M. Indian Polity. 7th ed., McGraw Hill. > Chapter 15: Centre State Relations > II Distribution of Legislative Subjects > p. 145
Articles 301–307 establish the constitutional guarantee of freedom of trade, commerce and intercourse across India and frame the regulatory context for interstate commerce.
Important for UPSC mains and prelims: links constitutional provisions to legislative competence and centre‑state coordination. Useful for essay and polity answers on economic integration, restrictions permissible under the Constitution, and institutional mechanisms like Inter‑State Commerce/Trade commissions.
- Introduction to the Constitution of India, D. D. Basu (26th ed.). > Chapter 27: INTER-STATE RELATIONS > II. Freedom of Inter-state Trade and Commerce > p. 408
- Laxmikanth, M. Indian Polity. 7th ed., McGraw Hill. > Chapter 16: Inter State Relations > INTER-STATE TRADE AND COMMERCE > p. 169
Defines the Union List, State List and Concurrent List and assigns law‑making powers among them.
High-yield for UPSC because questions often ask which subjects fall under Union/State/Concurrent lists; mastering this clarifies centre–state legislative competence and helps answer allocation and federalism questions.
- Indian Polity, M. Laxmikanth(7th ed.) > Chapter 15: Centre-State Relations > II Distribution of Legislative Subjects > p. 145
- Laxmikanth, M. Indian Polity. 7th ed., McGraw Hill. > Chapter 15: Centre State Relations > II Distribution of Legislative Subjects > p. 145
Items such as land and taxes on professions or on sale/purchase within a State are specified as State List matters.
Important for spotting State legislative powers in polity and public policy questions; links to land reforms, taxation, and centre–state fiscal relations — frequent UPSC themes.
- Indian Economy, Nitin Singhania .(ed 2nd 2021-22) > Chapter 10: Land Reforms in India > LAND REFORM MEASURES POST-INDEPENDENCE > p. 339
- Introduction to the Constitution of India, D. D. Basu (26th ed.). > Chapter 25: DISTRIBUTION OF FINANCIAL POWERS > DISTRIBUTION OF FINANCIAL POWERS > p. 384
Matters involving inter‑state trade/commerce fall under Union competence and inter‑state issues often require central coordination or Inter‑State Council consultation.
Useful for solving questions about federal jurisdiction, inter‑state coordination, and proposals to shift items between lists; helps frame answers on centre–state disputes and institutional mechanisms.
- Indian Polity, M. Laxmikanth(7th ed.) > Chapter 15: Centre-State Relations > II Distribution of Legislative Subjects > p. 145
- Indian Polity, M. Laxmikanth(7th ed.) > Chapter 89: National Commission to Review the Working of the Constitution > ili on Centre-State and Inter-State Relations > p. 618
The Seventh Schedule organises legislative subjects into Union, State and Concurrent lists, which determines which level of government can legislate on a topic.
High-yield for UPSC because many constitutional and governance questions ask which subjects fall under which list; mastering this helps answer questions on Centre‑State legislative competence and abnormal legislative powers. It connects directly to Articles on distribution of powers and to topics on federalism and intergovernmental relations.
- Indian Polity, M. Laxmikanth(7th ed.) > Chapter 15: Centre-State Relations > II Distribution of Legislative Subjects > p. 145
- Laxmikanth, M. Indian Polity. 7th ed., McGraw Hill. > Chapter 15: Centre State Relations > II Distribution of Legislative Subjects > p. 145
Discover the small, exam-centric ideas hidden in this question and where they appear in your books and notes.
Login with Google to unlock micro-concepts. Unlock micro-concepts with ExamRobot Pro.
The 'Infectious Disease' Trap: While 'Inter-State Quarantine' is Union (Entry 81), the 'Prevention of the extension from one State to another of infectious or contagious diseases' is actually Concurrent (Entry 29). This subtle distinction is the next logical bouncer.
The 'Cross-Border' Heuristic: If a subject explicitly starts with 'Inter-State' (Trade, Migration, Quarantine), it logically requires a uniform national authority to adjudicate between two sovereign states. A single State cannot regulate 'Inter-State' matters effectively. Thus, Options A and B (claiming Inter-State items are State List) are logically impossible.
Mains GS-2 (Federalism) & GS-3 (Disaster Management): This distinction explains why the Centre invoked the Disaster Management Act (using residuary/concurrent powers) to enforce lockdowns, overriding the general 'Public Health' jurisdiction of States.
Access hidden traps, elimination shortcuts, and Mains connections that give you an edge on every question.
Login with Google to unlock The Vault. Unlock the Mentor's Vault with ExamRobot Pro.