Why this matters now
ISC is tested for: Article 263, the Sarkaria Commission 1988 recommendation, the V.P. Singh 28 May 1990 Presidential Order constituting it, composition (PM + all CMs + 6 Cabinet Ministers), the Standing Committee (HM + 5 Cabinet Ministers + 9 CMs), the related Zonal Councils (5 statutory zones under States Reorganisation Act 1956), and the rare meetings (12 meetings till 2024 in 34 years).
Article 263 of Constitution
Article 263 empowers the President to establish an Inter-State Council if he considers that the public interest would be served. Functions:
- Inquiring into + advising upon disputes between States.
- Investigating + discussing subjects in which two or more States, or the Union and States, have a common interest.
- Making recommendations on coordination of policy and action.
Note: Article 263 says ISC is an advisory/consultative body — not adjudicatory. Article 131 (Supreme Court original jurisdiction over inter-State disputes) is the adjudicatory route. The Inter-State Water Disputes Act 1956 + River Boards Act 1956 (Article 262) handle water disputes specifically.
Composition (Presidential Order 1990)
| Position | Members |
|---|---|
| Chairman | Prime Minister |
| Members | All Chief Ministers of States + Lt Governors/Administrators of UTs (with elected legislatures) + Governors of States with President’s Rule |
| Members | 6 Cabinet Ministers (incl Home Minister) nominated by PM |
Standing Committee (constituted 1996):
- Union Home Minister (Chair)
- 5 Union Cabinet Ministers
- 9 Chief Ministers
Inter-State Council Secretariat (since 1991) at New Delhi — serviced by an officer of Secretary-rank.
Meetings & Zonal Councils
ISC has met only 12 times since 1990 — chronic underuse:
| Meeting | Date | PM |
|---|---|---|
| 1st | 10 Oct 1990 | V.P. Singh |
| 2nd | 15 Oct 1996 | Deve Gowda |
| 3rd | 17 July 1997 | Gujral |
| 4th | 28 Nov 1997 | Gujral |
| 5th | 23 Jan 1999 | Vajpayee |
| 6th | 20 May 2000 | Vajpayee |
| 7th | 16 Nov 2001 | Vajpayee |
| 8th | 28 Aug 2003 | Vajpayee |
| 9th | 28 June 2005 | Manmohan |
| 10th | 9 Dec 2006 | Manmohan |
| 11th | 16 July 2016 | Modi (after 10 yr gap) |
| 12th | tentatively 2026 | Modi |
Zonal Councils (5 statutory bodies under States Reorganisation Act 1956) are distinct from ISC: Northern, Central, Eastern, Western, Southern Zonal Councils. Plus North-Eastern Council 1971 (NEC) under separate Act. Chaired by Union Home Minister; meet annually.
UPSC angle
Know INTER-STATE COUNCIL — ARTICLE 263 Constitution; CONSTITUTED by PRESIDENTIAL ORDER 28 May 1990 by V.P. Singh on SARKARIA COMMISSION 1988 recommendation; ADVISORY/CONSULTATIVE not adjudicatory (Article 131 SC original jurisdiction is adjudicatory; Inter-State Water Disputes Act 1956 + River Boards Act 1956 under Art 262 for water); COMPOSITION: PM Chair + all CMs + LG/Admin of UTs with elected leg + Govs of President’s Rule States + 6 Cabinet Mins (incl Home) nominated by PM; STANDING COMMITTEE 1996 = HM Chair + 5 Cabinet Mins + 9 CMs; Secretariat 1991 Delhi; FUNCTIONS: inquire+advise on inter-State disputes, investigate common-interest matters, recommend coordination of policy; MET 12 TIMES in 34 years: 1st 10 Oct 1990 V.P. Singh, 2nd 15 Oct 1996 Deve Gowda, 3rd-4th Gujral 1997, 5-8th Vajpayee 1999-2003, 9-10th Manmohan 2005-06, 11TH 16 JULY 2016 MODI (after 10 yr gap); ZONAL COUNCILS are 5 STATUTORY bodies under STATES REORGANISATION ACT 1956 (Northern/Central/Eastern/Western/Southern), distinct from ISC, chaired by HM; NORTH-EASTERN COUNCIL 1971 separate.
Frequently asked questions
When was the Inter-State Council constituted?
By a Presidential Order on 28 May 1990 by V.P. Singh, on the recommendation of the Sarkaria Commission 1988.
Who chairs the Inter-State Council?
The Prime Minister — with all State Chief Ministers, LG/Administrators of UTs, Governors of President’s Rule States, and 6 Cabinet Ministers nominated by the PM.
Is the Inter-State Council’s decision binding?
No — ISC under Article 263 is an advisory/consultative body. Inter-State disputes are adjudicated by the Supreme Court under Article 131.
What are the Zonal Councils?
5 statutory zonal councils (Northern, Central, Eastern, Western, Southern) under the States Reorganisation Act 1956 + the North-Eastern Council 1971 — chaired by the Home Minister, distinct from the ISC.