The State List is one of the three legislative lists in the Seventh Schedule of the Indian Constitution. It contains subjects on which only the State Legislature has the power to make laws. These subjects are primarily related to matters of local and regional importance such as police, public health, and agriculture.
This blog covers the features, subjects, constitutional provisions, and MCQs on the State List for UPSC, Judiciary Exams, SSC, and other competitive exams. ✅📚
1. Constitutional Provisions on the State List
🔹 The Seventh Schedule of the Indian Constitution divides legislative powers into:
✅ Union List (Only Parliament can make laws) – 100 subjects.
✅ State List (Only State Governments can make laws) – 61 subjects.
✅ Concurrent List (Both Union and State Governments can make laws) – 52 subjects.
🔹 Article 246 – Distribution of Legislative Powers
- Article 246(1) – Parliament has exclusive power to legislate on Union List subjects.
- Article 246(2) – Both Parliament and States can legislate on the Concurrent List.
- Article 246(3) – Only State Legislatures can legislate on State List subjects.
- Article 246(4) – Parliament can make laws on State List subjects in certain situations (Emergency, Rajya Sabha Resolution, etc.).
📌 Example:
- Police and Public Order are in the State List, so State Governments control law enforcement in their regions.
2. Features of the State List
✅ Only the State Legislature can make laws on State List subjects.
✅ Parliament cannot interfere in these subjects except under special circumstances.
✅ Each State can frame its own laws based on local needs.
✅ State laws apply only within that particular state.
📌 Example: Land and Agriculture laws can vary between Punjab, Maharashtra, and Tamil Nadu, as they are in the State List.
3. Important Subjects in the State List
The State List originally had 66 subjects, but after amendments, it now has 61 subjects.
| Category | Important Subjects |
|---|---|
| Public Order & Police | Police, Public Order, Prisons, State Security |
| Health & Sanitation | Public Health, Hospitals, Sanitation, Water Supply |
| Agriculture & Land | Agriculture, Land Revenue, Land Reforms, Animal Husbandry |
| Local Governance | Local Government, Municipalities, Village Panchayats |
| Trade & Commerce | Markets, Fairs, Trade within a State |
| Taxes & Revenue | Taxes on Agricultural Income, Land Revenue, Entertainment Tax |
| Law & Justice | Civil & Criminal Courts (except Supreme Court & High Courts) |
📌 Example:
- Alcohol laws vary across states because “Intoxicating Liquors” is a State List subject.
4. When Can Parliament Make Laws on State List Subjects?
✅ Under certain conditions, Parliament can make laws on State List subjects:
| Provision | Description |
|---|---|
| Article 249 | If Rajya Sabha passes a resolution (2/3rd majority), Parliament can legislate on a State List subject in national interest. |
| Article 250 | During a National Emergency (Article 352), Parliament can legislate on State List subjects. |
| Article 252 | If two or more states request, Parliament can make laws on a State List subject, but only for those states. |
| Article 253 | Parliament can legislate on a State List subject to implement international agreements. |
| Article 356 | During President’s Rule, Parliament takes over the legislative functions of the State. |
📌 Example:
- Parliament passed the Wildlife Protection Act (1972) to implement an international treaty, even though Forests and Wildlife were in the State List.
5. Key Articles Related to the State List
| Article | Provision |
|---|---|
| Article 246(3) | State Legislatures have exclusive power to legislate on State List subjects. |
| Article 249 | Rajya Sabha can authorize Parliament to make laws on State List subjects in national interest. |
| Article 250 | Parliament can legislate on State List subjects during a National Emergency. |
| Article 252 | If two or more states request, Parliament can make laws on a State List subject for those states. |
| Article 253 | Parliament can make laws on any subject to implement international treaties. |
| Article 356 | During President’s Rule, Parliament can make laws on State List subjects. |
| 42nd Amendment (1976) | Transferred Education, Forests, Weights & Measures, and Administration of Justice from the State List to the Concurrent List. |
6. MCQs on State List
1. How many subjects are there in the State List after amendments?
a) 66
b) 61
c) 52
d) 100
✅ Answer: b) 61
2. Under which Article do State Legislatures have exclusive power to legislate on State List subjects?
a) Article 246(1)
b) Article 246(3)
c) Article 250
d) Article 252
✅ Answer: b) Article 246(3)
3. Which of the following is NOT a subject in the State List?
a) Police
b) Public Health
c) Defence
d) Agriculture
✅ Answer: c) Defence (It is in the Union List)
4. Under which article can Rajya Sabha allow Parliament to make laws on a State List subject?
a) Article 249
b) Article 250
c) Article 252
d) Article 253
✅ Answer: a) Article 249
5. Which article allows Parliament to legislate on State List subjects during a National Emergency?
a) Article 248
b) Article 250
c) Article 253
d) Article 356
✅ Answer: b) Article 250
6. Under which article can Parliament legislate on any subject to implement international treaties?
a) Article 249
b) Article 250
c) Article 252
d) Article 253
✅ Answer: d) Article 253
7. Which of the following is a subject in the State List?
a) Banking
b) Land Revenue
c) Foreign Affairs
d) Atomic Energy
✅ Answer: b) Land Revenue
8. Which amendment transferred “Education” from the State List to the Concurrent List?
a) 24th Amendment
b) 39th Amendment
c) 42nd Amendment
d) 44th Amendment
✅ Answer: c) 42nd Amendment
7. Conclusion
The State List allows State Legislatures exclusive power to make laws on 61 subjects, such as Police, Public Health, Agriculture, and Local Government. However, Parliament can legislate on State List subjects in special cases (Articles 249-253).
For competitive exams, understanding the State List, related articles, and legislative powers is essential. Stay updated with recent legislative changes to strengthen your preparation! ✅📚
🚀 Want more? Drop your queries in the comments below! 👇
One reply on “State List – Powers and Subjects of State Governments”
[…] Concurrent List – 47 subjects (e.g., Education, Criminal Law, Marriage & Divorce).✅ State List (Only in Special Cases – Article 249, 250, 252, […]