1. The Centre-State relations in India are influenced by:
1. Provisions of the Constitution
2. The Planning process
3. Conflict of Political interests
4. The dominance of desire to dictate
Select the correct answer from the codes given below:
(a) 1 and 2
(b) 2, 3 and 4
(c) 2, 4 and 5
(d) 1, 2, 3 and 4
[Uttarakhand P.C.S. (Pre) 2002]
Ans. (d) 1, 2, 3 and 4
- Sections XI and XII of the Indian Constitution cover the relationship between the federal government and the states.
- The federal government is in charge of planning in India, so when different political parties are in power at the federal and state levels, there is often tension and a struggle to have more control, which can slow down the country’s progress.
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2. The financial relations between the Union Government and States have been discussed under –
(a) Article 168 to 171
(b) Article 268 to 281
(c) Article 278 to 291
(d) Article 289 to 295
[U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 2014]
Ans. (b) Article 268 to 281
- The Indian Constitution (Articles 268 to 281) provides the rules for how the Union Government and the States will share money collected from taxes and other sources.
- These articles also include details for how money will be given to the states, how the Finance Commission will work, and other details.
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3. Under which Article of the Constitution of India, Taxes are levied and collected by the centre but distributed between the centre and the States?
(a) Article 268
(b) Article 269
(c) Article 270
(d) Article 271
[Jharkhand P.C.S. (Pre) 2016]
Ans. (c) Article 270
- The Indian Constitution states that the government of India will collect taxes from sources other than farming and will share the money between the Union and the States.
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4. Centre-State relations in India are dependent upon –
1. Constitutional provisions
2. Conventions and practices
3. Judicial interpretations
4. Mechanisms for dialogue
Select the correct answer from the codes given below:
Code :
(a) 1 and 2
(b) 1, 2 and 3
(c) 2, 3 and 4
(d) All the four
[U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 2009]
Ans. (d) All the four
- In India, the relationship between the central government and the states is determined by a combination of the Constitution, established customs and practices, court decisions, and methods of communication.
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5. A Federal policy involves –
1. Relations between Union & State
2. Relations among States
3. Mechanism for cooperation
4. Mechanism for solving disputes
Select your correct answer from the code given below:
Code :
(a) 1, 2, 3 and 4
(b) Only 1, 2 and 3
(c) Only 1, 2 and 4
(d) Only 2, 3 and 4
[U.P.P.C.S. (Mains) 2010]
Ans. (a) 1, 2, 3 and 4
- Federal policy includes four key elements:
- The relationship between the Union and the states.
- Relationships between the states.
- A process for resolving disputes.
- A plan for cooperation.
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6. Indian Constitution presents three lists for the distribution of power between centre and states. Which two Articles regulate that distribution?
(a) Article 4 and 5
(b) Article 56 and 57
(c) Article 141 and 142
(d) Article 245 and 246
[U.P.U.D.A./L.D.A. (Pre) 2001]
Ans. (d) Article 245 and 246
- Article 245 explains the laws made by Parliament and the State Legislatures.
- According to Article 246(1), Parliament has the sole power to make laws related to topics listed in List-I of the Seventh Schedule.
- Article 246(2) states that State Legislatures can make laws about topics listed in List-III of the Seventh Schedule.
- Article 246(3) gives Parliament the authority to make laws for any area in India that isn’t part of a State, even if the topic is listed in the State List.
- Thus option (d) is correct.
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7. Article 249 of the Indian Constitution deals with
(a) Emergency Power of the President
(b) Dissolution of the Lok Sabha
(c) Administrative Power of the Parliament
(d) Legislative Powers of the Parliament with respect to subjects in the State List
[U.P.P.C.S. (Mains) 2009]
Ans. (d) Legislative Powers of the Parliament with respect to subjects in the State List
- Article 249 of the Indian Constitution gives the Parliament the power to make laws about subjects in the State List if it’s in the interest of the nation.
- This Article allows Parliament to create laws about anything in the State List.
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8. A resolution passed under clause (1) of Article 249 shall remain in force for a period not exceeding
(a) One month
(b) Three months
(c) Six months
(d) One year
[U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 2016]
Ans. (d) One year
- Article 249(2) states that a law created by the Parliament after a resolution is passed by the Council of State must be in effect for no longer than one year.
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9. Subjects on which centre and state both can make law are mentioned in which of the following Lists?
(a) Union list
(b) State list
(c) Concurrent list
(d) Residual list
[U.P.U.D.A./L.D.A. (Pre) 2006]
Ans. (c) Concurrent list
- Both the federal government and the state governments can make laws on the topics listed in the Concurrent list.
- However, if there is a disagreement between the laws made by the federal government and the state, the law made by the federal government will be the one that is followed.
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10. Relation of Centre-State lies in which of the following Schedules –
(a) 7th
(b) 8th
(c) 6th
(d) 9th
[U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 1993]
Ans. (a) 7th
- The Indian Constitution’s Article 246 states that the rules and regulations concerning the relationship between the Central Government and the States are located in the 7th Schedule.
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11. In which part of the Indian Constitution, legislative relations between Centre and States are given?
(a) Part X
(b) Part XI
(c) Part XII
(d) Part XIII
[U.P.P.C.S. (Spl) (Mains) 2004, U.P.R.O./A.R.O. (Pre) 2014]
Ans. (b) Part XI
- Part XI of the Indian Constitution contains rules about the laws made by the Central Government and State Governments.
- The seventh schedule of the Constitution divides the laws into three lists :
- Union List – 97 subjects (At Present – 98)
- State List – 66 subjects (At Present – 59)
- Concurrent list – 47 subjects (At Present – 52)
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12. Which Part of the Constitution of India describes the financial relations between Centre and States?
(a) Part X
(b) Part XI
(c) Part XII
(d) Part XIII
[U.P. B.E.O. (Pre) 2019]
Ans. (c) Part XII
- The original version of the Indian Constitution had 22 sections.
- A few of these sections are mentioned below :
- Part 10 – The Scheduled and Tribal Areas
- Part 11 – Relations between the union and the states
- Part 12 – Finance, Property, Contracts and Suits
- Part 13 – Trade, Commerce and Intercourse within the Territory of India.
- Therefore, option (c) is the correct answer.
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13. Who is vested with the residuary powers in Indian Constitutions?
(a) President
(b) State
(c) Central Cabinet
(d) Parliament
[U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 1991]
Ans. (d) Parliament
- The Indian Constitution states that the Parliament has the power to make laws on any topic not already listed in the Constitution.
- This is different from other federal countries like the U.S., which usually give this power to the States.
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14. The Indian Constitution vests the residuary powers with:
(a) The Union Government
(b) The State Governments
(c) Both the Union as well as State Governments
(d) Neither the Union nor the State Governments
[U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 1995]
Ans. (a) The Union Government
- The Indian Constitution states that the Union Government has the most power when it comes to making laws.
- This means that the Parliament of India has the most say in making laws for the country.
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15. Consider the following statements – In India, stamp duty on financial goods deals are –
1. imposed and collected by state government
2. regulated by the union government
Which of the following is/are correct?
(a) only 1
(b) only 2
(c) both 1 and 2
(d) none of these
[I.A.S. (Pre) 2003]
Ans. (d) none of these
- Article 268 states that the Union Government charges a tax on financial transactions, but the State Government is responsible for collecting and keeping the money.
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16. In which respect have the centre-state relations been specifically termed as municipal relation –
(a) Centre’s control of the state in the legislative sphere.
(b) Centre’s control of the state in fi nancial matters.
(c) Centre’s control of the state in the administrative sector.
(d) Centre’s control of the state in the planning process.
[I.A.S. (Pre) 1994]
Ans. (d) Centre’s control of the state in the planning process.
- The relationship between the Central Government and the states in terms of planning is called ‘Municipal Relations’.
- This encourages collaboration between different levels of government and also between government and non-governmental organizations, all in the interest of providing citizens and their communities with efficient and helpful policies and programs.
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17. Which one of the following Articles of Indian Constitution provides that ‘it shall be the duty of the Union to protect every State against external aggression and internal disturbance?
(a) Article 215
(b) Article 275
(c) Article 325
(d) Article 355
[I.A.S. (Pre) 2003]
Ans. (d) Article 355
- Article 355 states that it’s the responsibility of the Union to protect all states from outside threats and internal problems, and to make sure that each state follows the rules of the Constitution.
- Article 215 states that High Courts are important, Article 275 is about the Union giving money to certain states, and Article 325 says that everybody has the same rights when it comes to voting.
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18. Which of the following is/are extra-constitutional and extra-legal device(s) for securing cooperation and coordination between the States in India?
1. The National Development Council
2. The Governor’s Conference
3. Zonal Councils
4. Inter-State Council
Code :
(a) 1 and 2
(b) 1, 3 and 4
(c) 3 and 4
(d) 4 only
[I.A.S. (Pre) 1995]
Ans. (a) 1 and 2
- The National Development Council and the Governor’s conference are not part of the Indian Constitution.
- But Zonal Councils are official organizations created under laws passed by Parliament.
- The law about the inter-state Council is written in Article 263 of the Indian Constitution.
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19. Which of the following institutes are considered necessary to promote ‘Unity among diversity’ in the Indian Federalism?
(a) Inter-State Councils & National Development Council
(b) Finance Commission & Regional Council
(c) Unitary Judicial System & All India Services
(d) All of the above
[Uttarakhand P.C.S. (Pre) 2016]
Ans. (d) All of the above
- In India, different institutions are needed to promote ‘unity in diversity’.
- These include Inter-State Councils, National Development Council, Finance Commission, Regional Councils, Unitary Judicial System and All India Services.
- These organizations give structure to the Indian Federalism.
- Inter-State Councils are formed under the Constitution to discuss matters of common interest and disputes among states.
- The National Development Council, chaired by the Prime Minister, is the top body for making decisions about development.
- The Finance Commission, established by the Constitution, is responsible for setting the financial relations between the Central Government and the state Governments.
- India has a Unitary Judicial system, with the Supreme Court at the top.
- All India Services are created by the Constitution.
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20. When was the Jharkhand Area Autonomous Council formed?
(a) 8 August, 1993
(b) 8 August, 1994
(c) 8 August, 1995
(d) 8 August, 1996
[Jharkhand P.C.S. (Pre) 2011]
Ans. (c) 8 August, 1995
- The Jharkhand Area Autonomous Council was established on 8 August 1995 and included 18 districts from the Santhal Pargana and Chota Nagpur regions.
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21. Which Article among the following says that Indian Constitution provisions about interstate relation?
(a) Article 262
(b) Article 263
(c) Article 264
(d) Article 265
[U.P. Lower Sub. (Pre) 2009]
Ans. (b) Article 263
- The President of India has the power to create an Inter-State Council according to Article 263 of the Indian Constitution.
- This Council is used to help the relationship between the Center and States, as well as between different States.
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22. What is the source of Inter-State councils?
(a) Constitution
(b) Parliamentary laws
(c) Recommendation of Planning Commission
(d) Approved Resolution by CM
[U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 2000]
Ans. (a) Constitution
- The President of India has the power to create a Inter-State Council, according to Article 263 of the Indian Constitution, to help bring the Central and State governments closer together and enhance relations between different states.
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23. On the recommendation of which Commission/ Committee, the Inter-state Council was set up in India?
(a) Punchhi Commission
(b) Rajamannar Committee
(c) Kothari Committee
(d) Sarkaria Commission
[U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 2021]
Ans. (d) Sarkaria Commission
- In 1988, the Indian government put together a panel under the leadership of Justice R.S. Sarkaria to look into how the Union and the States work together.
- One of the major suggestions of the Sarkaria Commission was to set up a permanent Inter-State Council as a separate national platform for discussing matters according to Article 263 of the Constitution of India.
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24. Which one of the following is not a feature of a zonal council?
(a) It is a constitutional body
(b) Five Zonal Councils have set up under the State Reorganisation Act, 1956
(c) Chandigarh although not a state, is included in Zonal Council
(d) It is an Advisory body
[U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 2017]
Ans. (a) It is a constitutional body
- The zonal councils were created by the State Reorganization Act of 1956 to give advice on topics that affect each of the five regions of India.
- These councils are not part of the constitution, but are established by law.
- Initially, five zonal councils were made according to the State Reorganization Act of 1956. These are :
- Northern Zonal Council
- Central Zonal Council
- Eastern Zonal Council
- Western Zonal Council
- Southern Zonal Council
- The seven North Eastern states (Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Tripura, Mizoram, Meghalaya and Nagaland) are not part of any zonal council.
- Instead, their special problems are addressed by the North Eastern Council, which was created in 1971.
- Chandigarh, Delhi, Dadra & Nagar Haveli, Daman & Diu and Puducherry are all part of the zonal councils.
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25. Which of the following is not matched properly?
(a) Union Parliament’s power of adjudication in InterState water dispute – Article 262 of the Constitution
(b) Inter-State Water Dispute Act, 1956
(c) River Boards Act, 1970
(d) National Water Policy,1987
[U.P.P.C.S. (Spl) (Mains) 2004]
Ans. (c) River Boards Act, 1970
- Option (c) is wrong.
- The River Boards Act was created and started being used in 1956, not 1970.
- The other options are correct.
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26. The regional councils are constituted by–
(a) Constitution
(b) Parliamentary Laws
(c) Resolution of Government
(d) National Development Council
[U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 2000]
Ans. (b) Parliamentary Laws
- In 1956, the Parliament Act created five regional councils:
- North
- South
- Central
- East
- West
- An additional council, North East, was established in 1972.
- The Home Minister is the leader of every council.
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27. With reference to the regional councils in India, which of the following statements is/are correct?
1. The councils act as ‘Sub-Federal Links’ of Indian Federal System.
2. The councils pave the way for co-operation and integration among the states in Indian federal system.
Select the correct answer from the code given below :
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
[Chhattisgarh P.C.S. (Pre) 2019]
Ans. (c) Both 1 and 2
- The regional councils act as a kind of bridge between the federal government of India and the individual states.
- This platform provides a place for states to discuss and come to agreement on issues between them and the central government.
- It can also be used to focus on issues that have a regional effect, while still taking into account the national perspective.
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28. Who among the following is empowered to establish the Inter-State council?
(a) Parliament
(b) President
(c) Speaker of Lok Sabha
(d) Prime Minister
[U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 2017]
Ans. (b) President
- The Inter-state council was created by the President of India in 1990 according to Article 263 of the constitution.
- The council has the Prime Minister as the Chairman, the Chief Ministers of all states as Members, the Chief Ministers of Union Territories with a Legislative Assembly and Administrators of Union Territories without a Legislative Assembly as Members, and six ministers of Cabinet rank as members.
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29. Given below are two statements, one labelled as Assertion (A) and other labelled as Reason (R) .
Assertion (A) : There has been a growing demand for a review of Centre-State relationship.
Reason (R) : The States have no adequate resources to take up developmental projects.
In the light of above two statements, which one of the following is correct?
Code :
(a) Both (A) and (R) are individually true and (R) is the correct explanation of (A)
(b) Both (A) and (R) are individually true, but (R) is not the correct explanation of (A).
(c) (A) is true, but (R) is false.
(d) (A) is false, but (R) is true.
[U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 2007]
Ans. (a) Both (A) and (R) are individually true and (R) is the correct explanation of (A)
- Option A is correct and explains that the Central Government of India has more power than the State Governments.
- Even though money is shared between the Centre and the States, the Centre has more money than the States and therefore, the States are dependent on the Centre for resources.
- This is why people are asking for a review of the Centre-State relationship.
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30. Which of the Constitutional Provision lays down that taxes can neither be levied nor collected without the authority of law?
(a) Article 265
(b) Article 266
(c) Article 300
(d) Article 368
[U.P.P.C.S. (Mains) 2007]
Ans. (a) Article 265
- The Constitution says that taxes can only be charged if the law allows it.
- Article 266 talks about how money should be managed, Article 300 has to do with legal cases, and Article 368 explains how the Constitution can be changed.
- Therefore, option (a) is correct.
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31. Sarkaria Commission was set up to review –
(a) The relations between the President and the Prime Minister
(b) The relations between the Legislature and the Executive
(c) The relations between the Executive and the Judiciary
(d) The relations between the Union and the States
[U.P.P.C.S. (Mains) 2006, U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 2008]
Ans. (d) The relations between the Union and the States
- A commission was put together on June 9, 1983, led by Justice R.S. Sarkaria, to look at the connection between Union and State and make suggestions on how to make it stronger.
- The commission had two members, B. Sivaraman and S.R. Sen, and presented their report to the public in January, 1988.
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32. In which one of the following years was Sarkaria Commission, which was empowered to recommend changes in Centre-State relations submitted its report?
(a) 1983
(b) 1984
(c) 1985
(d) 1987
(e) None of the above/More than one of the above
[B.P.S.C. (Pre) 2018]
Ans. (e) None of the above/More than one of the above
- In order to look at the connection between Union and State and to come up with ideas to make it stronger, a group was set up with Justice R.S. Sarkaria as its leader on June 9, 1983.
- B. Sivaraman and S.R. Sen were the two members of the commission.
- This commission presented its findings in January 1988.
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33. The Sarkaria Commission was set-up for the review of relation between –
(a) The Prime Minister and President
(b) The Legislative and the Executive
(c) The Centre and the States
(d) The Executive and the Judiciary
[U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 2016]
Ans. (c) The Centre and the States
- On June 9, 1983, a team of people, headed by Justice R.S. Sarkaria and including B. Sivaraman and S.R. Sen, was formed to examine the relationship between the Union and State and suggest ways to strengthen it.
- The team submitted their report in January 1988.
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34. Who among the following as a member of Sarkaria Commission?
(a) V. Shankar
(b) K. Hanumanthaiah
(c) Dr. S.R. Sen
(d) O. V. Alagesan
[U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 2017]
Ans. (c) Dr. S.R. Sen
- B. Sivaraman and S.R. Sen were the two people in this Commission.
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35. Given below are two statements one is labelled as Assertion (A) and the other is labelled as Reason (R).
Assertion (A) : Sarkaria Commission recommended that Article 356 should be sparingly used.
Reason (R) : The political parties that came to form the Government at the Centre misused Article 356.
Code :
(a) (R) is true, but (A) is false.
(b) Both (A) and (R) are true, but (R) is not the correct explanation of (A).
(c) Both (A) and (R) are true and (R) is the correct explanation of (A).
(d) (A) is true, but (R) is false.
[R.A.S./R.T.S. (Pre) (Re. Exam.) 2013]
Ans. (c) Both (A) and (R) are true and (R) is the correct explanation of (A).
- The Sarkaria Commission was created in 1983 to look into and suggest ideas about the relationship between the federal government and state governments.
- It suggested that President Rule should only be used in rare or unusual situations.
- The Commission stated that Article 356 had been abused multiple times and invoked without looking at other options.
- This means both the statement and the explanation are correct.
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36. Which Commission advocated the establishment of a Permanent Inter-State Council, called ‘InterGovernmental Council?
(a) Punchhi Commission
(b) Sarkaria Commission
(c) Radhakrishnan Commission
(d) Moily Commission
[Jharkhand P.C.S. (Pre) 2013]
Ans. (b) Sarkaria Commission
- The Sarkaria Commission suggested setting up a Permanent Inter-State Council in its report.
- Following this suggestion, the President gave permission in May, 1990 for a council to be created under Article 263 of the Constitution, and it was to be led by the Prime Minister.
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37. Which one of the following is not related to Union-State relations in India?
(a) Sarkaria Commission
(b) Rajamannar Committee
(c) Indrajit Gupta Committee
(d) Punchhi Commission
[U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 2015]
Ans. (c) Indrajit Gupta Committee
- In 1998, the Indrajit Gupta Committee was set up to make suggestions on how states should fund elections.
- Three other committees were also formed to talk about Union-State relations in India.
- The Gupta Committee recommended that only parties with a national or state symbol should receive state funds, not independent candidates.
- They also suggested that the money should be given in the form of certain services.
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38. Is a State of the Indian Union empowered under the Constitution to take foreign loans directly?
(a) Yes
(b) No
(c) Yes, but from international organizations only
(d) Yes, but only with the permission of the Reserve Bank of India
[U.P.P.C.S. (Mains) 2012]
Ans. (b) No
- Article 293 (1) of the Constitution of India states that within India, the State can borrow money and give guarantees, but only within certain limits set by the State’s Legislature.
- This means that the State cannot borrow money from outside of India.
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39. Agriculture Income Tax is assigned to the State Government by-
(a) The Finance Commission
(b) The National Development Council
(c) The Inter-State Council
(d) The Constitution of India
[I.A.S. (Pre) 1995]
Ans. (d) The Constitution of India
- The 7th schedule of the Constitution mentions taxes on agricultural income in state entry 46.
- Article 274 of the Constitution explains that states can tax agricultural income.
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40. Which one of the following taxes is imposed and charged by the Union, but is divided into Union and the States?
(a) Corporation Tax
(b) Taxes on items except for agriculture income
(c) Taxes on railway fares and freights
(d) Custom
[U.P. U.D.A./L.D.A. (Pre) 2006]
Ans. (b) Taxes on items except for agriculture income
- Article 270 is about taxes that are charged by the Union and the money earned from these taxes is split between the Union and the State.
- An example of this is the tax on income that is not related to farming.
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41. Under constitutional provision of tax assignment in India, which of the following is a tax exclusively imposed and collected by the states?
(a) Income Tax
(b) Land Revenue
(c) Corporation Tax
(d) GST
[Jharkhand P.C.S. (Pre) 2021]
Ans. (b) Land Revenue
- The states are the only ones who can tax Land Revenue.
- This tax is written in the seventh schedule of the Indian constitution under the entry 45.
- This covers how the tax is assessed and collected, how land records are kept, how land is checked for tax purposes and how income from land is distributed.
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