Explanation
The distribution of powers between the Centre and the States in the Indian Constitution is based on the scheme provided in the Government of India Act, 1935.
The Government of India Act, 1935, was enacted by the British Parliament to provide for the governance of British India. The Act provided for a federal structure of government for India, and it established the framework for the distribution of powers between the Centre and the States.
The Act divided powers between the Centre and the States into three lists - the Federal List, the Provincial List, and the Concurrent List. The Federal List included subjects of national importance, such as defence, foreign affairs, and currency. The Provincial List included subjects of local importance, such as public health, education, and local government. The Concurrent List included subjects on which both the Centre and the States could legislate, such as criminal law, marriage and divorce, and social security.
The Indian Constitution, which was adopted in 1950, largely followed the framework of the Government of India Act, 1935, with some modifications. The Constitution of India divided powers between the Centre and the States into three lists - the Union List, the State List, and the Concurrent List. The Union List includes subjects on which only the Central government can legislate, such as defence, foreign affairs, and banking. The State List includes subjects on which only the State governments can legislate, such as public health, education, and local government. The Concurrent List includes subjects on which both the Centre and the States can legislate, such as criminal law, marriage and divorce, and social security.
