Inter-State Council (Article 263)
The Institutional Ask
Article 263 of the Constitution empowers the President to establish an Inter-State Council (ISC) to coordinate policy between states and between states and the Centre. The ISC was formally established in 1990, following the recommendation of the Sarkaria Commission — which had studied Centre-State relations throughout the 1980s. The ISC is chaired by the Prime Minister, with all Chief Ministers and six Union Cabinet ministers as members. Its functions include inquiring into and advising on disputes between states, investigating subjects of common interest, and making recommendations for better coordination. However, the ISC has been criticized for being dormant — it rarely meets and its recommendations are non-binding.
- Article 263: empowers President to establish Inter-State Council
- ISC established: May 28, 1990, on Sarkaria Commission recommendation
- Chairman: Prime Minister; Members: all Chief Ministers + 6 Cabinet ministers
- Punchhi Commission (2010): also recommended revitalizing ISC as the primary forum for Centre-State dialogue
- ISC meetings: have been irregular; last substantive meeting held in 2016; largely dormant since
- Sarkaria Commission (1983-87): comprehensive review of Centre-State relations; 247 recommendations, most unimplemented
- Zonal Councils: another institutional mechanism (5 councils) for regional coordination under States Reorganisation Act, 1956
● Tracked since March 03, 2026 · last seen April 16, 2026 · updates as the daily brief publishes