Inter-State Relations – Graduate Level MCQ Set

Question 1

Under which article of the Constitution can Parliament provide for adjudication of inter‑state river water disputes?

Accepted Answer

Article 262 — Article 262 empowers Parliament to make laws for adjudicating inter‑state river water disputes.

Answer

Article 263

Answer

Article 261

Answer

Article 264

Question 2

Who is the chairperson of the Inter‑State Council?

Accepted Answer

Prime Minister — Article 263 establishes the Inter‑State Council with the Prime Minister as its chairperson.

Answer

Chief Minister of the largest state

Answer

Union Home Minister

Answer

President of India

Question 3

The Full Faith and Credit Clause is contained in which article?

Accepted Answer

Article 261 — Article 261 provides that public acts, records and judicial proceedings of the Union and states shall be given full faith and credit throughout India.

Answer

Article 262

Answer

Article 263

Answer

Article 301

Question 4

Zonal Councils were established under which statute?

Accepted Answer

States Reorganisation Act, 1956 — The five Zonal Councils are statutory bodies created by the States Reorganisation Act, 1956.

Answer

North Eastern Council Act, 1971

Answer

Inter‑State Council Act, 1990

Answer

Constitution (Article 263)

Question 5

Which Zonal Council includes Kerala?

Accepted Answer

Southern — Kerala is a member of the Southern Zonal Council, whose headquarters is Chennai.

Answer

Northern

Answer

Central

Answer

Eastern

Question 6

A tribunal under the Inter‑State River Water Disputes Act, 1956 consists of:

Accepted Answer

One Chairman and two members, all former Supreme Court judges — The Act mandates a Chairman and two members, each of whom must be or have been a Supreme Court judge.

Answer

One Chairman and three members, any High Court judges

Answer

One Chairman only, any judge

Answer

Two Chairmen and one member, all Supreme Court judges

Question 7

Which statement is true regarding Supreme Court jurisdiction in inter‑state river water disputes?

Accepted Answer

Parliament may bar Supreme Court jurisdiction under Article 262(2) — Article 262(2) allows Parliament to exclude the Supreme Court and other courts from jurisdiction over such disputes.

Answer

The Supreme Court can hear them even if Parliament bars it

Answer

The Supreme Court has exclusive jurisdiction

Answer

Supreme Court jurisdiction is mandatory under Article 131

Question 8

Originally, the Inter‑State River Water Disputes Act, 1956 allowed a tribunal to decide a dispute within how many years?

Accepted Answer

3 years — The Act set a time limit of three years for a tribunal to render its decision (extended later by amendment).

Answer

5 years

Answer

2 years

Answer

4 years

Question 9

The 2019 Inter‑State River Water Disputes (Amendment) Bill proposes a permanent body called:

Accepted Answer

Dispute Resolution Committee (DRC) — The Bill introduces a Dispute Resolution Committee as the first step before a permanent tribunal.

Answer

National Water Commission

Answer

Central Water Tribunal

Answer

River Management Authority

Question 10

Which commission recommended the establishment of the Inter‑State Council?

Accepted Answer

Sarkaria Commission — The Sarkaria Commission (1983‑88) recommended the creation of the Inter‑State Council under Article 263.

Answer

Punchhi Commission

Answer

Finance Commission

Answer

Law Commission

Inter-State Relations – Graduate Level MCQ Set