📘 IAS Prelims 2025 — GS-I Q.53 | Classroom Explanation

(Current Affairs | Constitutional & Statutory Bodies)

📌 Question

Q.53) 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 are established as per the provisions of the Constitution of India?

(a) Only one
(b) Only two
(c) All the three
(d) None

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✅ Correct Answer: (a) Only one

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🧑‍🏫 Classroom Explanation

This question tests a very high-yield Polity distinction that UPSC repeatedly uses:

Constitutional body vs Statutory body vs Executive body

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🔍 Institution-wise Analysis

✅ I. Inter-State Council — Correct

• Established under Article 263 of the Constitution
• Purpose:

• Coordination between Centre and States
• Resolution of inter-state disputes
• Discussion on common policies

• Nature:

• Constitutional body
• Advisory in nature

➡️ Hence, Inter-State Council is constitutionally established.

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❌ II. National Security Council — Incorrect

• Established in 1998 by an Executive Order
• Advises the Prime Minister on:

• National security
• Strategic and defence policy

• Nature:

• Executive body
• No constitutional mention

➡️ Hence, NSC is not established by the Constitution.

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❌ III. Zonal Councils — Incorrect

• Created under the States Reorganisation Act, 1956
• Objective:

• Promote inter-state cooperation
• Address regional issues

• Nature:

• Statutory bodies
• Established by an Act of Parliament, not the Constitution

➡️ Hence, Zonal Councils are not constitutional bodies.

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🧮 UPSC-Style Elimination Table

Institution	Constitutional?
Inter-State Council	✅
National Security Council	❌
Zonal Councils	❌

➡️ Total = 1

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🎯 Final Answer

✅ Correct Answer: (a) Only one

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📦 High-Value Prelims Add-Ons (Info Box)

🧠 One-Line Memory Hook

Inter-State Council = Constitution; Zonal Councils = Act; NSC = Executive.

⚠️ UPSC Trap Alert

• UPSC often mixes:

• High-profile bodies (NSC)
• With constitutional bodies (ISC)
  • Visibility ≠ constitutional status

🔗 Quick Recall

• Article 263 → Inter-State Council
• States Reorganisation Act, 1956 → Zonal Councils

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