The Indian Constitution divides the powers between the central government and the state governments. The list of subject which comes under exclusive authority of center are listed under Union List, The one which comes under the purview of both center and state under concurrent list and third one the state list where states have been given the authority to make law.
Let us learn about each of them in detail
Union List
The Union List in the Indian Constitution includes subjects on which the central government has exclusive authority to legislate. The current list of items under the Union List is as follows:
Defence
Foreign Affairs
Banking
Currency
Insurance
Communication and Postal Services
Atomic Energy
Copyrights, patents, and trademarks
Railways
Airways
Navigation and shipping
Inter-State trade and commerce
Taxes on Income other than agricultural income
Customs and Excise duties
Corporation Tax
Union duties of excise
Atomic Energy
Census
Union Public Service Commission and the State Public Service Commissions
Elections to Parliament, the State Legislatures, and the offices of President and Vice-President of India
Prevention of the extension of infectious or contagious diseases from one state to another
The regulation and development of oil fields and mineral resources
Taxes on capital value of assets of individuals and companies
Fees in respect of any of the matters in this List
Any matter not enumerated in List II or List III.
Concurrent List
The Concurrent List in the Indian Constitution includes subjects on which both the central government and the state governments can legislate. The current list of items under the Concurrent List is as follows:
Education
Forests
Protection of Wild animals and birds
Administration of justice
Weights and measures
Marriage and divorce
Adoption
Succession
Transfer of property other than agricultural land
Contractual and actionable wrongs
Bankruptcy and insolvency
Trusts and trustees
Civil Procedure Code and Limitation of Actions
Drugs and poisons
Economic and social planning
Price control and regulation of essential commodities
Trade unions
Labour welfare
Electricity
Newspapers, books and printing presses
Cinematography
Patents, designs, and trademarks
Foodstuffs and adulteration thereof
Drugs and medicines
Prevention of the extension from one state to another of infectious or contagious diseases or pests affecting men, animals or plants.
It should be noted that while both the central and state governments can legislate on these subjects, in case of a conflict, the central law prevails over the state law.
State List
The Indian Constitution divides the powers between the central government and the state governments. The subjects that come under the purview of the state governments are listed under the State List (also known as List II). Here is a comprehensive list of subjects under the State List:
Public order
Police
Local government
Public health and sanitation
Agriculture
Animal husbandry and veterinary
Fisheries
Water supply
Irrigation and canals
Land and land reforms
Forests
Protection of wild animals and birds
Paddy and other cereals
Beverages
Drugs
Fertilizers
Burials and burial grounds
Electricity
Trade unions
Economic and social planning
Price control
Education, including technical education
Cultural activities
Libraries
Sports and games
State public services
State taxation
Stamp duty
Registration of deeds and documents
Excise (excluding opium)
Weights and measures (excluding standards)
Relief of the disabled and unemployable
Social welfare, including welfare of the handicapped and mentally retarded
Juvenile delinquency and neglected children
Protection of women and children
Development of backward classes
Protection of monuments and places of historical interest.
It is important to note that the State List is subject to the overriding powers of the Union List and Concurrent List.
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