Sarkaria Commission
In one line: The Sarkaria Commission was the Union government's first comprehensive review of Centre-State relations, and its report led to the Inter-State Council.
What it was
The Union government set up the Commission in 1983 under Justice R.S. Sarkaria, a retired Supreme Court judge, to review relations between the Union and the States. It submitted its report in 1988. It examined legislative, administrative and financial relations, the role of Governors and the use of Article 356.
Why it is in the news
The Commission called a permanent Inter-State Council the missing link in India's federal balance and recommended setting one up under Article 263. The Council was constituted by Presidential Order in 1990. The 29 October 2026 op-ed returns to that idea, arguing that the Council has since withered.
Where to go next
- Punchhi Commission
- Cooperative federalism
Sarkaria Commission in the news
- Op-ed: The Inter-State Council has withered away and must be rebuilt 29 October 2026
The report that turned Article 263 into a working Council
On the reference shelf
Previous-year questions on this
- 2026 · GS2 · 15 marks Discuss the position of the Governor in the federal polity of India. What is the nature of his power while giving assent to a bill passed by the State Legislature? Is he bound by the aid and advice…
- 2024 · GS2 · 15 marks What changes has the Union Government recently introduced in the domain of Centre-State relations? Suggest measures to be adopted to build the trust between the Centre and the States and for…
- 2023 · GS2 · 15 marks Account for the legal and political factors responsible for the reduced frequency of using Article 356 by the Union Governments since mid-1990s.
- 2020 · GS2 · 10 marks How far do you think cooperation, competition and confrontation have shaped the nature of federation in India? Cite some recent examples to validate your answer.
- 2015 · GS2 · 12.5 marks The concept of cooperative federalism has been increasingly emphasised in recent years. Highlight the drawbacks in the existing structure and extent to which cooperative federalism would answer the…
- 2014 · GS2 · 12.5 marks Though the federal principle is dominant in our Constitution and that principle is one of its basic features, but it is equally true that federalism under the Indian Constitution leans in favour of…
- 2025 · Prelims With reference to India, consider the following: I. The Inter-State Council II. The National Security Council III. Zonal Councils. How many of the above were established as per the provisions of the…