UPSC Prelims 2024 Q75: Indian Polity – Federalism & Centre - State Relations
- (a) Inter - State trade and commerce is a State subject under the State List
- (b) Inter - State migration is a State subject under the State List
- (c) Inter - State quarantine is a Union subject under the Union List.
- (d) Corporation tax is a State subject under the State List
Answer: (c) Inter - State quarantine is a Union subject under the Union List.
Explanation
Constitutional Lists - Subject Classification
| Subject | Correct List | Entry | Why |
|---|---|---|---|
| Inter-State trade and commerce | Union List (not State List) | Entry 42, Union List | Trade and commerce across state boundaries is a Central subject |
| Inter-State migration | Union List (not State List) | Entry 81, Union List | Movement of people across state borders = Central subject |
| Inter-State quarantine | Union List | Entry 81, Union List | Sanitary/health measures crossing state borders = Central subject |
| Corporation tax | Union List (not State List) | Entry 85, Union List | Taxes on corporations = Central subject |
All four subjects listed are Union List subjects. The correct statement is:
'Inter-State quarantine is a Union subject under the Union List' - this is the only correctly stated option.
Why the others are wrong: Options a, b, d falsely classify these Union subjects as State subjects.
Answer: (c) Inter - State quarantine is a Union subject under the Union List.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Incorrect. Inter-State trade and commerce is NOT a State subject. It is in the Union List (Entry 42). Trade crossing state borders requires central regulation to prevent interstate barriers.
- (b) Incorrect. Inter-State migration is NOT a State subject. It is in the Union List (Entry 81). Movement of people across state boundaries is a Central subject.
- (c) CORRECT. Inter-State quarantine is correctly identified as a Union subject under the Union List. Quarantine measures that cross state lines (preventing disease spread across states) fall under Central jurisdiction.
- (d) Incorrect. Corporation tax is NOT a State subject. It is in the Union List (Entry 85). States levy taxes on professions and businesses (State List), but corporation (company) tax is Central.
Key point
Inter-State quarantine = Union List subject. All 'Inter-State' subjects (trade, migration, quarantine, rivers) are Union subjects - because anything crossing state boundaries requires central regulation for uniformity.
Remember
Inter-State quarantine is a Union List subject. As a general rule, all 'inter-state' subjects (trade, migration, rivers, quarantine) fall under the Union List.
Common mistakes
- Confusing intra-state trade (State List subject) with inter-state trade (Union List) - anything with 'Inter-State' prefix usually falls in the Union List.
- Thinking corporation tax is a State subject - corporations are registered under Central law (Companies Act) and their tax is levied by the Centre, not states.
- Not applying the general rule: subjects involving coordination ACROSS multiple states are typically Union subjects.
Exam tip
Quick rule: 'Inter-State' + anything = Union List. This applies to: inter-state trade, inter-state migration, inter-state rivers, inter-state quarantine, inter-state transport. State List covers intra-state versions of the same subjects.
Sources
- Constitution of India - Seventh Schedule (Union List, State List, Concurrent List)
- NCERT Class 11 Political Science - Chapter 7: Federalism